JULIA: A NOVEL INSPIRED BY THE EXTRAORDINARY LIFE OF JULIA CHILD, by Heather B. Moore, Shadow Mountain Publishing, Sept. 2, 2025, Hardcover, $27.99 (young adult/ new adult/ adult fiction)
Learn about the life of America’s greatest television chef in Julia: a Novel Inspired by the Extraordinary Life of Julia Child, by Hearther B. Moore.
Before she stepped into the spotlight as a master of French cooking, Julia Child navigated the shadows as a WWII intelligence officer.
On the sunny shores of California, Julia McWilliams is poised to embrace a life of comfort and financial security, with a marriage proposal from a wealthy man to consider. But as World War II erupts in the US, her patriotic fervor compels her to abandon her secure future. Trading country clubs for covert codes, Julia joins the Office of Strategic Services, where her sharp mind aids the Allied cause in the shadowy realm of espionage.
Amid strategic missions in Ceylon and China, Julia crosses paths with Paul Child, a fellow OSS officer whose delight in art, culture, and cuisine awakens a new hunger within her. Their chance meetings ignite a spark that blossoms into romance, leading to a proposal that Julia eagerly accepts. Together they embark on a new chapter in postwar Paris.
In the City of Light, Julia grapples with a different kind of challenge: She refuses to be confined by the societal expectations of a married woman. Drawn to the tantalizing world of French gastronomy—a pursuit her peers deem superfluous—she enrolls at the famed Le Cordon Bleu, and with Paul’s unwavering support, Julia immerses herself in her new passion.
Facing skepticism and prejudice in the male-dominated kitchens of Paris, Julia’s resolve never falters. Her relentless pursuit of culinary mastery not only transforms her own life but also introduces a revolutionary change in kitchens throughout America. From intelligence officer to beloved chef, this is Julia’s extraordinary journey. —Synopsis provided by Shadow Mountain Publishing
Author Heather B. Moore is known for taking on the stories of a number of fascinating historical figures including Nancy Harkness Love and Queen Victoria’s fourth daughter, Louise. Moore always does a spectacular job, utilizing a trove of historical research while making her main ladies approachable.
But none of her books have stuck with me more than Julia.
There was a time when if you hadn’t heard of Julia Child, you must have been living under a rock. She was a mainstay on PBS for more than 40 years. She changed how people cooked and paved the way for all the cooking shows we watch today.
What a lot of people don’t/didn’t know was that becoming a chef was Julia’s second career. Julia started out working for the US government in a variety of positions, working with classified information. It’s how Julia met her husband, and ultimately, it was where her passion for food and cooking was born.
Moore expertly crafts a narrative that delves into history while maintain the warmth of Julia herself. Moore’s descriptions of places and food are transformative. Julia is a compelling and heartfelt read that not only sticks with you, but makes you think long after completion.
Though written for adults, Julia will appeal to older young adults — especially those who love history of working with food. It is an excellent read.
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