The book gave an understanding of everyone's side, even though it was all from Eleanor's point of view. Why her father acted the way he did, it's the reader's decision to side with being angry at him or to side with understanding him. It's also the reader's decision on whether they should agree with any of the events that occur in the story. It's a great book for people who have a liking for culinary arts. The author writes eloquently throughout the book's progression and it gives the book a slow, detailed feel. The book made complete sense to me, how Eleanor (who was once known as "Groovy") felt when her father acted the way he did, or when she found out what her mother did to her father. The book was enticing and beautifully crafted.