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Malia's Reviews > Kitchen Confidential: Adventures in the Culinary Underbelly
Kitchen Confidential: Adventures in the Culinary Underbelly
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What follows is my summary of this book. Blah, blah, blah, drugs blah, blah, fuck everyone, pork chop, fuck you all, mince, veal, drugs, blood, blah, blah, blah.
Maybe you can tell, I am less than impressed. I don't feel too bad writing this review, because Bourdain certainly never minces his words (culinary pun intended;-) I was expecting entertaining anecdotes, but frankly I was bored most of the time and started skimming two thirds of the way through. Bourdain is eloquent and even charming, if quite wry, in his TV shows and I guess I expected more of the same here. That being said, this is an older book and I think he matured quite a bit since then.
Maybe you can tell, I am less than impressed. I don't feel too bad writing this review, because Bourdain certainly never minces his words (culinary pun intended;-) I was expecting entertaining anecdotes, but frankly I was bored most of the time and started skimming two thirds of the way through. Bourdain is eloquent and even charming, if quite wry, in his TV shows and I guess I expected more of the same here. That being said, this is an older book and I think he matured quite a bit since then.
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Reading Progress
June 7, 2015
–
Started Reading
June 10, 2015
–
Finished Reading
June 7, 2016
– Shelved
June 13, 2017
– Shelved as:
non-fiction
Comments Showing 1-29 of 29 (29 new)
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message 1:
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Christine
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rated it 4 stars
Jun 10, 2016 10:17AM
I think the thing is that you are coming to the book late, and Bourdain is already a very well known quantity. At the time the book first came out, no one was writing this type of insider look at the restaurant/kitchen business. He was an original. The problem is that so many other people took his original idea and ran with it -- and wrote so much better -- in later books that this book has lost its original sparkle.
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Christine wrote: "I think the thing is that you are coming to the book late, and Bourdain is already a very well known quantity. At the time the book first came out, no one was writing this type of insider look at t..."That may well be the case. I knew his persona from No Reservations, so maybe his style didn't seem special anymore. That said, I read very little non-fiction and none, that I can recall, by chefs, so I wasn't biased by better memoirs I'd read on the subject.
I am certainly not criticizing your take on Bourdain, who can be a real boor. I think someone you might enjoy more is Ruth Reichl...have you ever read any of her works? Tender at the Bone and Comfort Me with Apples are two of hers I enjoyed, especially the first.
Christine wrote: "I am certainly not criticizing your take on Bourdain, who can be a real boor. I think someone you might enjoy more is Ruth Reichl...have you ever read any of her works? Tender at the Bone and Comfo..."Thanks,Christine! I have heard of Reichl, but haven't read of her books. I'll definitely look up your recommendations. I am slowly getting into more non fiction and appreciate any tips, as I'm not terribly familiar with the genre's authors:-)
Ha ha ha....
Barbara wrote: "Ha ha ha....";-)
Like your review. Never liked him! He's an asshole, just so full of himself and shows his arrogance with all the jealous remarks he says of any of the popular network chefs.
I agree with Christine that I like Ruth Reichl especially her earlier books. Her last couple have left me cold.I agree with you about Bourdain but not Nigella. I saw her on a show with Bourdain, interestingly enough, and she really got on my nerves.
HornFan2 (Mike) wrote: "Like your review. Never liked him! He's an asshole, just so full of himself and shows his arrogance with all the jealous remarks he says of any of the popular network chefs."Thanks, Mike! I guess I was curious whether the abrasive person I knew from TV would translate as more thoughtful in his book, unfortunately, he did not.
Susan wrote: "I agree with Christine that I like Ruth Reichl especially her earlier books. Her last couple have left me cold.I agree with you about Bourdain but not Nigella. I saw her on a show with Bourdain, ..."
Thanks, Susan! I will definitely look up some of Reichl's older books. I've only seen Nigella on her older Food Network shows, where I liked her, but not on the newer cooking competition shows.
Sandra wrote: "Me, too."Thanks, Sandra! Of course, this book is not so new, and I gather Bourdain changed since he wrote it. It is very sad he took his life.
Elyse wrote: "Malia...I just got a notice from Amazon that I can have this book ‘free’. I have no idea why. Points earned??? Ok!! lolFrom what? But I know so little about him. Do I even download it?
Not sure -..."
Maybe you'll enjoy it! A free book is a free book:-) I actually liked him quite a bit as a person from his CNN show and this book is a bit older, so I think he changed bit, but it could still be a worthwhile read for you.
Happy holidays to you, too!!
LMFAO!!!! It's the 'pork chop' that killed me :'D :'D :'D
Liana wrote: "LMFAO!!!! It's the 'pork chop' that killed me :'D :'D :'D";-)
I had exactly the same reaction! I started skimming at about 40%. I was expecting to love it, but really, meh...
Birgitta wrote: "I had exactly the same reaction! I started skimming at about 40%. I was expecting to love it, but really, meh..."Yes, I was expecting to love it, because I do like him, but he came across badly here, I felt.
That's as concise and accurate a review of this book as I've seen. Thanks, Malia!
Jay wrote: "That's as concise and accurate a review of this book as I've seen. Thanks, Malia!"Thank you, Jay! I like Bourdain, but did not like him very much in this book, I'm afraid. It still feels surreal that he is gone.
Chris wrote: "Funny!"Thanks, Cris! I feel sorry that I didn't like the book, because I liked Bourdain and it's so sad that he is gone.
My daughter-in-law, studying culinary, adores Anthony Bourdain. I think he's the food world's patron saint, although I find him offputting.
Ivonne wrote: "My daughter-in-law, studying culinary, adores Anthony Bourdain. I think he's the food world's patron saint, although I find him offputting."This book (which is admittedly older) made him come across more of a jerk than the irreverent and charismatic man I saw in his TV shows. I recently read a book about him in the "Last Interview" series, which paints a much more rounded image of him.
Carmen wrote: "Great review!"Thanks!
Speaking of assholes…..
This is a fantastic review Malia!! Had me laughing out loud 🤣🤣🤣🤣
Barry wrote: "This is a fantastic review Malia!! Had me laughing out loud 🤣🤣🤣🤣"Thank you, Barry! I feel bad having written such a critical review, since Bourdain died so tragically . But I also don't think he would have been offended;-)
