Initially when I decided to read this book I thought it should be particularly interesting and relatable for me as a vegan (and my readers with food allergies), since I was forced to transition at 29 years old after an emergency surgery, years of GI issues, and many unknown food allergies since Paul Graham is describing his new found celiac disease (bread/wheat allergy basically). However, I found myself more annoyed in the beginning. I found that the author took his need for bread too far the way vegans that want to argue about animal rights do. All I could think as I read was “Oh god he is THAT kind of allergy eater”. “That” kind are the ones that become so outspoken, argumentative, and rude in restaurants that when I come in they cringe at the word “food allergy” or “vegan”. Food allergies must be taken very seriously in the kitchen which I agree on his point however, he and I have allergies that cause severe discomfort and possibly a long term issue GI wise. We do not however, have an anaphylactic allergy in which we will die on the floor from a rogue peanut or piece of coconut the way some do. That is what annoyed me. I really wanted to like this book because he does go into the pains of what happens when you are forced to transition without warning, how others view you, and exactly what food means in our culture. This is all such important stuff to get across in the new world of acceptable food allergies. The way it was presented though, made the book difficult at best to read. I found myself dreading reading some sections but interested in others where history or culture was discussed. So if you have a celiac allergy, you may take to it but you may also get annoyed as I did.

Food is Love.

The Hippie Gypsy