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American Pie: Slices of Life (and Pie) from America's Back Roads
Crossing class and color lines, and spanning the nation (Montana has its huckleberry, Pennsylvania its shoofly, and Mississippi its sweet potato), pie -- real, homemade pie -- has meaning for all of us. But in today's treadmill, take-out world -- our fast-food nation -- does pie still have a place?
As she traveled across the United States in an old Volvo named Betty, Pascale Le Draoulec discovered how merely mentioning homemade pie to strangers made faces soften, shoulders relax, and memories come wafting back. Rambling from town to town with Le Draoulec, you'll meet the famous, and sometimes infamous, pie makers who share their stories and recipes, and find out how a quest for pie can lead to something else entirely.
As she traveled across the United States in an old Volvo named Betty, Pascale Le Draoulec discovered how merely mentioning homemade pie to strangers made faces soften, shoulders relax, and memories come wafting back. Rambling from town to town with Le Draoulec, you'll meet the famous, and sometimes infamous, pie makers who share their stories and recipes, and find out how a quest for pie can lead to something else entirely.
368 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2002
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 114 reviews
March 13, 2024
Happy "Pie Day" tomorrow, everyone! I have always thought fondly of this book, so much so that I bought it used a few years ago in case I ever had the urge to bake a pie from scratch. This was one of my earlier goodreads reviews so it is unpolished. I was going to update it because one always gleans new things by reading a book more than once; however, I decided against it because it would be going against the essence of this book. Pie is America. There are countless testimonies from bakers famous or not who attest that pie is the essential meaning of what it is to be American. A homemade pie is made from love but it is also imperfect because it is not made by cookie cutter machines but by hand. My review is imperfect and I know I have come a long way as a reviewer, but I decided to leave this as is…with maybe a few tweaks.
I initially found this book on the recommendation shelf at the library. Although I am not a general reader of light memoirs, I decided to pick this up none the less. Pascale Le Draoulec was raised in a French American household near Los Angeles, never celebrated the Fourth of July or Thanksgiving, and had never eaten a slice of pie until college. Suddenly she finds herself changing jobs and moving from San Francisco to New York and decides to take three weeks and drive crosscountry searching for the perfect piece of pie in each state along the way. With assistance from a friend and Betty- her stationwagon- the journey begins.
Once reaching New York and settling in, however, LeDroulec feels that she did not experience all that Americana has to offer so she took another journey across the lower 48 states with the same friend in a new stationwagon named Betty Blue with a rolling pin atop the back license plate. On this trek the ladies sample pumpkin, cherry, apple, blueberry, pecan, and every other pie imaginable. They are invited into homes and women and a few men take the time to chat with them about why their pie is special and of course each piece tastes like a slice of heaven. Not only does LeDraoulec find perfect pieces of pie, she witnesses what makes up the fabric of America as a unique melting pot culture, something she lacked growing up in a Francophile home.
I found this book refreshing as I had to relax thinking about the time it takes to prepare a pie. What LeDraoulec observed is that the majority of pie bakers are older women and the craft might unfortunately die with them. In this age of social media and 24 hour news cycles, no one "has time" to bake anymore. I hope this isn't necessarily the case, but even myself, a gourmet style cook, usually buys readymade pie shells as opposed to making my own. Perhaps I should take a step back, breathe in Americana, and wake up one day and prepare that perfect pie shell. After all, LeDraoulec includes most of the recipes for the pies she samples on her quest to find the perfect slice, which she ends with the encouraging words “no excuses.
1 + 3.14…. mouth watering stars 🥧
I initially found this book on the recommendation shelf at the library. Although I am not a general reader of light memoirs, I decided to pick this up none the less. Pascale Le Draoulec was raised in a French American household near Los Angeles, never celebrated the Fourth of July or Thanksgiving, and had never eaten a slice of pie until college. Suddenly she finds herself changing jobs and moving from San Francisco to New York and decides to take three weeks and drive crosscountry searching for the perfect piece of pie in each state along the way. With assistance from a friend and Betty- her stationwagon- the journey begins.
Once reaching New York and settling in, however, LeDroulec feels that she did not experience all that Americana has to offer so she took another journey across the lower 48 states with the same friend in a new stationwagon named Betty Blue with a rolling pin atop the back license plate. On this trek the ladies sample pumpkin, cherry, apple, blueberry, pecan, and every other pie imaginable. They are invited into homes and women and a few men take the time to chat with them about why their pie is special and of course each piece tastes like a slice of heaven. Not only does LeDraoulec find perfect pieces of pie, she witnesses what makes up the fabric of America as a unique melting pot culture, something she lacked growing up in a Francophile home.
I found this book refreshing as I had to relax thinking about the time it takes to prepare a pie. What LeDraoulec observed is that the majority of pie bakers are older women and the craft might unfortunately die with them. In this age of social media and 24 hour news cycles, no one "has time" to bake anymore. I hope this isn't necessarily the case, but even myself, a gourmet style cook, usually buys readymade pie shells as opposed to making my own. Perhaps I should take a step back, breathe in Americana, and wake up one day and prepare that perfect pie shell. After all, LeDraoulec includes most of the recipes for the pies she samples on her quest to find the perfect slice, which she ends with the encouraging words “no excuses.
1 + 3.14…. mouth watering stars 🥧
May 1, 2012
A trip through the small side roads of the US in search of pie, pie makers, pie stories, pie recipes and pie bowls.
Not for everyone, this book rambles and doubles back on itself, but it is a lovely experience for a pie lover.
Now I need to get my hands in the dough!
Two people have asked to borrow the book from me and I am feeling reluctant to part with the book. I wrote my name in the cover. These two things have made me change my rating from 4 stars to 5 stars.
Not for everyone, this book rambles and doubles back on itself, but it is a lovely experience for a pie lover.
Now I need to get my hands in the dough!
Two people have asked to borrow the book from me and I am feeling reluctant to part with the book. I wrote my name in the cover. These two things have made me change my rating from 4 stars to 5 stars.
May 28, 2017
The proud owner of this book thanks to Brina
This pie recipe book makes for great reading , it is a travelogue plus recipe book and each state pie has a story attached to it
I have made several of the pies and all a delicacy , love it !
This pie recipe book makes for great reading , it is a travelogue plus recipe book and each state pie has a story attached to it
I have made several of the pies and all a delicacy , love it !
January 23, 2008
I would usually rather have a big slice of moist chocolate cake than a slice of pie, whatever the variety. But this book makes you crave pie, makes you (foolishly?) think that even you could make a crust from scratch yourself, and provides dozens of recipes for regionally famous pies (raspberry pear, turtle pie, butterscotch pie, rhubarb custard, etc. etc.) along with a pretty good travel narrative.
I don't, however, recommend reading it during the first 12 weeks of pregnancy. It made me so queasy I had to put it away for a few months- but it was definitely me, not the book!
I don't, however, recommend reading it during the first 12 weeks of pregnancy. It made me so queasy I had to put it away for a few months- but it was definitely me, not the book!
October 12, 2010
Pie love...
If you have pie love, you'll absolutely devour this book...figuratively, of course!
I was thrilled to find not only authentic American portraits of pie bakers and eaters, but also RECIPES! And wonderful quotes at the beginning of each chapter.
Travel with Pasquale and her friend (friends, later in the book) through the States, sampling pies and visiting with those who baked them and those who love them.
I checked it out of the library, but I really must own this book...
Yummy!
If you have pie love, you'll absolutely devour this book...figuratively, of course!
I was thrilled to find not only authentic American portraits of pie bakers and eaters, but also RECIPES! And wonderful quotes at the beginning of each chapter.
Travel with Pasquale and her friend (friends, later in the book) through the States, sampling pies and visiting with those who baked them and those who love them.
I checked it out of the library, but I really must own this book...
Yummy!
October 7, 2016
An enjoyable, low-key book ,we take a road trip with Pascale as she explores American back roads in search of quintessential American pies. What made this fun was her lackadaisical approach to finding pies. She relied on local informants and her "guts" to find unique and random finds-it made her trip seem more authentic. I loved reading about the regional differences in cooking and the book comes with recipes as well as pics of the the folks they met along the way. WhooPIE!
September 12, 2011
What a wonderful idea, to insert a theme into a road trip, in this case the search for homemade pie across America. This slightly quirky and delightful book has me looking for an excuse to make a pie - soon!
December 21, 2008
Food and travel - two of my favorite subjects in one!
August 11, 2014
By the end, I was ready to be finished, but this book was definitely about more than just pie. Interesting stories and good food writing.
July 10, 2023
Definitely makes me want to: a) take a road trip, b) eat pie, c) make pie. Not necessarily in that order.
August 7, 2022
Oy vey gevalt. So, a mixed bag. I enjoyed the first road trip somewhat, and then lost interest when the book turned into the author trying to tie that road trip to an examination of her romantic life. That... was not advertised anywhere in the blurb? Did not want?
But then the second road trip kind of made up for it, except throughout the entire book, while the author is being taken in, fed, and given recipes by numerous people across the country, she then turns around and is offhandedly cruel about them in the book. I didn't like that. I especially didn't like that as it turns out she was publishing the chapters in newspapers as she went. How horrifying for the people being so kind to her!
Grah. Content notes for animal harm (totally exclusive of animals being made into pies), and severe embarrassment squick.
But I'm sure some of the pie recipes are truly lovely. It's such a shame.
But then the second road trip kind of made up for it, except throughout the entire book, while the author is being taken in, fed, and given recipes by numerous people across the country, she then turns around and is offhandedly cruel about them in the book. I didn't like that. I especially didn't like that as it turns out she was publishing the chapters in newspapers as she went. How horrifying for the people being so kind to her!
Grah. Content notes for animal harm (totally exclusive of animals being made into pies), and severe embarrassment squick.
But I'm sure some of the pie recipes are truly lovely. It's such a shame.
July 17, 2018
I was predisposed to like this book. I love pie. I love small town Americana and regional specialties. I love road trips and I love memoirs. So I’m not actually sure if I loved the book itself, or just the idea of taking a pie-themed road trip. I do know that I wanted to be a passenger in Betty Blue and go on this adventure along with her...and I kind of feel like I did. So that’s worth five stars for me! Great insight too, that baking a pie is counterintuitive (like many good things) to our fast paced culture, and that most of the things that are worthwhile, probably need slowing down and taking time to do. Second Read: Brought back good memories of the first-at Pitman Sibling Pie Weekend, circa 2010 🥧
April 17, 2011
The quintessential road trip across America, this one dedicated to PIE - berry, icebox, custard and cream. Kind of like Thelma and Louise but not as crazy. Kind of like Miles and Jake, but not as disaffected. Nice insights into vanishing America, the art and craft of pie disappearing with the death of the diner, the loss of the last generation but hope in odd places like Pie Town New Mexico, Georgia and Michigan. The aimless trip through upstate New York and New England, when Pascale and boyfriend inserted themselves into someone else's Thanksgiving dinner was certainly odd. Lots of unusual pies and recipes.
August 1, 2015
Great book with great recipes. The apple blueberry pie is a good one and easy to try.
I love that she meets Paula Deen before she was PAULA DEEN. I also like that she has no problem calling out pie people who are not kind and/or not good with pie. I got this from the library and definitely need my own copy.
I love that she meets Paula Deen before she was PAULA DEEN. I also like that she has no problem calling out pie people who are not kind and/or not good with pie. I got this from the library and definitely need my own copy.
October 8, 2007
This was a great idea for a book -- going on the road in search of pie -- but it could have been handled and written in a much better way than it was. Still, it's a fun read.
August 26, 2008
This book reminds me of my mother in law. She makes great berry pie. Pie that her son doesn't appreciate fully. Pie that I eat for breakfast when I visit. I need to learn to make pie. I need to also figure out a way to get paid for traveling around with friends (and family) eating food.
March 19, 2012
While I didn't think the author did a great job of finding pie (especially since she couldn't seem to find pie in Ohio--as a native Ohioan I can say she simply didn't take the time to look), the book was an enjoyable read. Can't wait to try out some of the recipes!
January 25, 2014
I found the writing a little awkward at times, but I really enjoyed the overall theme of the book. I felt like it gave a good peek into the corners of rural America, as well as lots of history of, anecdotes about and recipes for pie.
February 4, 2017
A wonderful romp through the back roads of America in search of pies and their stories. I will be purchasing this book for myself because I need these recipes. I'm so glad I picked up this book. I loved every minute of reading it.
January 19, 2018
I loved this book of stories about a road trip looking for pie, but I think you have to be in the mood for it. I loved the lessons she learned on the way. And now all I want to do is master the art of pie crust so I can bake every pie recipe from the book.
June 16, 2007
A book about a woman on a quest across America to find the perfect slice of pie. She finds some hits and some misses. Book includes some recipes for her better pie discoveries.
December 16, 2007
This book is great! It makes me want to road trip and bake pie. At the same time.
May 8, 2008
I really love pie.
January 5, 2009
great recipes. love country backroads and what we can learn from people along the way. the first road trip would have been enough.
August 24, 2011
I think I would prefer going on this quest to reading about it. I couldn't definitely skip the coconut cream pie, however.
December 14, 2012
A pie journey..love this book! I am a pie fan and I do travel via diner.
November 26, 2013
mmmmm.....pie!
absolutely marvelous road trip book about pie-seeking (i brake for pie)
absolutely marvelous road trip book about pie-seeking (i brake for pie)
May 30, 2021
A food writer's memoir style travel guide. She is searching for regional and specialty pies in small town America. Zigzagging across the back roads of our country, her French background and elitist viewpoint influences her observations. Even with her somewhat snidely demeaning descriptions of ordinary folk we become acquainted with many small towns and roadside cafes. The author includes some recipes and a few black and white photos. This book will mainly appeal to "foodies". As with many works in this genre the reader is very aware that it is a ME-moir.
September 19, 2007
Back when I wasn't vegan, this book set off fantasies of following in her footsteps, either pie-by-pie or via my own personal route of mom-n-pop doughnut shops. Alas, my aversion to all things dairy means I no longer salivate while reading this book, but I still recommend it as a worthwhile food writing-travelogue combo.
December 20, 2007
A girls' road trip with the search for good pie thrown in. I enjoyed the first portion of the book but as the trip continued it became a bit boring. The author's rudeness was a bit annoying, i.e., inviting herself into peoples' homes and asking pie makers and shopkeepers to open for her after they were closed. The book includes lots of recipes.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 114 reviews