Book Review: "Life Was Lived Before Too" Recalls Socialist-Era Estonian Cuisine

Maire Suits, a familiar figure in Estonian media known for her work as a journalist and later as a media cook, has published a book offering a taste of the past. Titled "Eks elati ju ennegi. Sotsialismiaja söögimälestusi" (Life Was Lived Before Too: Food Memories from the Socialist Era), the book delves into culinary recollections from Estonia's time under Soviet rule.

Suits, who was known for her collaborative spirit and strong personality during her time at women's magazines, reveals a personal history rooted in a traditional Estonian farm. This farm was located in what is now Tallinn's Kristiine district, a place that now bears the name of her father's gardening passion.

The book also touches upon Suits's own life journey, highlighting how she embarked on a new chapter in her 50s, becoming a prominent media cook at a time when the media landscape was dominated by younger individuals. Her deep memories of the socialist era often served as a valuable resource for her colleagues when recalling details from that period.