The California Pasta, with its fresh West Coast flavors, bright avocado notes, and crisp vegetables, pairs brilliantly with "The Glass Hotel" by Emily St. John Mandel. The book's introspective and intricate narrative complements the refreshing and nuanced taste of the pasta. To heighten the experience, a classic mimosa adds a touch of sophistication and celebration, much like the novel's exploration of human connections and illusions. This trilogy of taste and narrative creates a unique sensory journey, encouraging readers to savor both the dish and the story unfolding within its pages.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients:
- 12 ounces penne or fusilli pasta
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cucumber, diced
- 1 red bell pepper, diced
- 1/2 red onion, thinly sliced
- 1 avocado, diced
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
- 1/2 cup feta cheese, crumbled
For the Dressing:
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 3 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water to cool.
- Prepare the vegetables: In a large mixing bowl, combine the cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red bell pepper, and red onion.
- Make the dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, red wine vinegar, minced garlic, salt, and black pepper.
- Combine the salad: Add the cooled pasta to the bowl with the vegetables. Pour the dressing over the pasta and toss to combine.
- Add avocado and herbs: Gently fold in the diced avocado, chopped basil, and parsley. Sprinkle with crumbled feta cheese.
- Serve: Serve immediately or chill in the refrigerator for 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld. Enjoy as a refreshing meal or side dish.
The Glass Hotel
Echoing elements of a haunting mystery and elaborate character study, 'The Glass Hotel' ventures into the moral intersections of financial crime, familial bonds, and the pursuit of satisfaction. When a woman vanishes from a container ship, the improbable links of her past unfurl surrounding a Ponzi scheme. Mandel's deft storytelling weaves reality and illusion, inviting readers to question the narratives we craft and the ones we inherit.
INTERNATIONAL BESTSELLER • From the bestselling author of Station Eleven and Sea of Tranquility, an exhilarating novel set at the glittering intersection of two seemingly disparate events—the exposure of a massive criminal enterprise and the mysterious disappearance of a woman from a ship at sea. “The perfect novel … Freshly mysterious.” —The Washington Post Vincent is a bartender at the Hotel Caiette, a five-star lodging on the northernmost tip of Vancouver Island. On the night she meets Jonathan Alkaitis, a hooded figure scrawls a message on the lobby's glass wall: Why don’t you swallow broken glass. High above Manhattan, a greater crime is committed: Alkaitis's billion-dollar business is really nothing more than a game of smoke and mirrors. When his scheme collapses, it obliterates countless fortunes and devastates lives. Vincent, who had been posing as Jonathan’s wife, walks away into the night. Years later, a victim of the fraud is hired to investigate a strange occurrence: a woman has seemingly vanished from the deck of a container ship between ports of call. In this captivating story of crisis and survival, Emily St. John Mandel takes readers through often hidden landscapes: campgrounds for the near-homeless, underground electronica clubs, service in luxury hotels, and life in a federal prison. Rife with unexpected beauty, The Glass Hotel is a captivating portrait of greed and guilt, love and delusion, ghosts and unintended consequences, and the infinite ways we search for meaning in our lives. Look for Emily St. John Mandel’s bestselling new novel, Sea of Tranquility!
Discussion Questions
- What do you think 'The Glass Hotel' says about the nature of reality and illusion?
- How do the themes of financial instability and personal morality intertwine in the book?
- Which character's perspective was the most compelling or surprising to you?
- Discuss the motif of the hotel and its significance throughout the novel.
- How does the novel explore the idea of consequences and redemption?
- In what ways does the book address the invisibility or transparency of wealth?
- What role does memory play in the lives of the characters in 'The Glass Hotel'?
- How do the economic dynamics within the book inform your understanding of the characters?
- Examine the dual timelines – how do they serve to enhance the narrative?
- How does this book compare to 'Station Eleven' in terms of theme and style?
Authors:
Emily St. John Mandel
ISBN: 9780525566034
Publisher: Vintage
Published Date: 2020-03-24
ISBN: 9780525566034
Publisher: Vintage
Published Date: 2020-03-24
Classic Mimosa
Capture the effervescence of a timeless classic with our Classic Mimosa. Ideal for brunches, celebrations, or a leisurely afternoon pairing with a great book. Its light citrus and bubbly sensation complements the richness of the California Pasta, brightening the palate and accentuating the dish's vibrant notes.
Ingredients
- ½ cup chilled orange juice
- ½ cup chilled champagne or sparkling wine
Instructions
- Pour orange juice into a champagne flute until half full.
- Slowly top with champagne, tilting the glass to minimize bubbling.
- Optionally, garnish with a slice of orange on the rim.
- Serve immediately, ensuring both elements stay chilled.