Just So Stories

Penguin Australia

October 2024

• ISBN: 9780241683132
• Imprint: Fig Tree
• RRP: $45.00

I have loved Stanley in every role in which I’ve seen him from Caesar/Lucky Flickerman (Hunger Games/Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes) to Muertes (Undercover Blues), from Nigel (The Devil Wears Prada) to Mr Stringer (The Witches – and everything inbetween. I think the only film I’ve eschewed was The Lovely Bones [because the book freaked me out enough].

I’ve only seen snippets of his cooking (but the TV series are now on my list) but I have seen occasional interviews. I find him articulate and witty, in a sardonic way. His dry sense of humour but seemingly down-to-earth attitude has great appeal for me. And this book confirms all of that.

It’s not a cookbook and really, it’s not so much about food, though food definitely gets lots of mentions and there are some recipes shared. It is, essentially, a look into Stanley’s life, both professional and personal. Like many others, juggling career and family – with two young children with his second wife, Felicity – and maintaining a close familial relationship with his older children (his first wife died of cancer sadly), his aging parents, his sisters and many friends and other family. I love that he describes how the act of cooking soothes him.

Wherever he goes on location, certain cooking requirements must also be present, as the act of simply making a good passata creates a sense of ‘home’. He also uses this base with additions to take his own packed lunch onto film sets (because the catering is often so bad). His kids are fussy eaters and as he patiently tries to encourage them to be more adventurous with food, he also cooks them sausages and pasta with butter and cheese. He catches trains in preference to other modes of transport. He’s not afraid of flying but dislikes it. He also dislikes the amount of travel he does professionally but enjoys the destinations. He is just as in awe and starstruck over big names as any of us would be. He was so mega-excited to meet Guy Ritchie, for example. yet casually talks of Woody Harrelson or Colin Firth coming round for dinner.

This is a leisurely and highly enjoyable stroll alongside Stanley over the course of a year. There are moments when I snort-laughed over a comment that matched my own thoughts on certain topics. There are moments where I felt for him as he reflected on the losses in his life, and the grief that never goes away.

All in all, it was three nights of delightful reading and one which I can thoroughly recommend to you. In one sense, it reminded me one of my all-time favourite book A Year in Provence, which I often re-read for the delightful sensory descriptions and the humour. Likewise, my ultimate accolade is that this is a review book I will keep and likely re-read more than once for the pure pleasure of it. I’m giving it a big 🍝🍝🍝🍝🍝 rating.