Vera Wong's Guide to Snooping (on a Dead Man)

Descriptions of cooking and tea-making are a recurrent motif in the novel, and they illustrate the theme of The Importance of Community and Found Family. Vera often uses her food and tea to build relationships with people, cutting through their defenses with her delicious cooking. For instance, TJ is indignant when Vera storms into his office, but the moment he eats the roasted pork belly offered by Vera, he realizes “it is quite possibly the best thing [he] has ever put in his mouth. His eyes close and a sound that’s almost scandalous comes out of him” (55). Lulled by Vera’s food, TJ accepts her dinner invitation. Sharing food is shown to be central to creating familial networks. Not only does Vera’s family gather at her table on Sundays, little Emma bonds with Vera by helping her cook. Aimes and Robin record Vera’s videos while she is cooking, signifying another way food creates linkages.

Food and tea also function as symbols in the text, representing warmth, sanctuary, and physical as well as emotional nourishment. Some characters describe themselves as brought back to life through Vera’s food, while others note that the food is like a dose of truth.