Ellis’s book is a useful reminder that Jewish generational trauma is not confined to the descendants of those who survived the Holocaust. In fact, given the ubiquity of refugees in the modern world, Chopping Onions on My Heart’s aching sense of loss has a truly global resonance – Keith Kahn-Harris * Guardian *An optimistic and often wryly funny book… a gift to the future, rich with insights about the nature of belonging that are not limited to one community but matter to all of us – Stephanie Merritt * Observer *An engaging mix of harrowing history, earnest reflection, recipes, common sense, love, humour and life – Norma Clarke * Literary Review *As an Iraqi Jew, reading Chopping Onions on My Heart felt like being seen: the entire book felt like a fierce, honest, and profoundly comforting hug – Maia Zelkha * Yad Mizrah *Easily my non-fiction book of the year – RUKMINI IYER, author of The Roasting TinI loved this book so much. It’s a heart-opener and an eye-opener, an invitation to understand our world better. Think: The Body Keeps the Score in practice not theory – ELLA RISBRIDGER, author of Midnight ChickenA profound meditation on loss and the importance of language as a means of remembering… Thoroughly recommended – ANNE SEBBA, author of The Women’s Orchestra of AuschwitzA beautiful tale of painful cultural loss, delicious food, rich history; and the bittersweet grief that only the perfect recipe can solve. A truly enlightening book that will leave you hungry yet satisfied – CARIAD LLOYD, author of You Are Not AloneA wonderfully immersive and sensitive meditation on belonging and identity – VIV GROSKOP, author of How to Own the RoomA book about loss written with pure, irrepressible joy – MARINA BENJAMIN, author of Last Days of Babylon

Samantha Ellis, the daughter of Iraqi-Jewish refugees, is the author of the books How to be a Heroine and Take Courage. Her plays include How to Date a Feminist, Cling to me Like Ivy and Operation Magic Carpet. Her journalism has appeared in the Guardian, TLS, Spectator, Literary Review and more. She worked on the first two Paddington films. She lives in London.