I love this guy. I've loved him since my first viewing of his show No Reservations. He's a witty smartass who gets straight to the point. I've never really been all that interested in restaurant going, cooking, baking, or anything else. I've just been pretty serene with whatever food comes my way. I think he'd probably kick my ass for that. I first saw this book whilst traversing Barnes and Noble one day:
I was smitten. After one page. His writing is raw, chauvinistic, obscene, and intelligent. I love it. I polished this book off after a day or so. In all my life, I had never read an author who made me want to stop reading his book in the middle of it just to write him a simple thank you note. Just a thank you, nothing else. the weird part is, I really have no interest in being a cook or chef! Half of the time, I had no idea what he's talking about! It made me want to research and learn so I could understand. I love it when an author does that.Next stop:
This one was written 6 years after it's older brother. I have to say, it's a bit calmer. But the Bourdain wit, charm, and relentless use of the F-bomb leaves me with the same warm-fuzzy I got reading the first one.Since I really enjoy his show, I picked up this:
It's more of a photo-atlas of all the places he's been, things he's eaten, locals, and flora and fauna. A nice little companion to the tv series.The last book I read:
I would have to say that this one was a bit disappointing. It just became redundant after a while. I think that if I would have read this one before The Nasty Bits, i might be saying the same thing about that book. Although the topics, format, scope, and added bonus pictures seem a little repetitive, there is one constant factor that will never tire me: Bourdain's style. This man has the best grasp over the use of voice and imagery that I have ever had the pleasure of reading. I can actually hear his voice inside my head while I'm reading his books. I'm pleased to announce that he has at least 4 other works that i have yet to devour (besides his cookbook.) To illustrate his style, I have a few quotes:
"I had my Sally Struthers moment, posing for a photograph with about twenty of them, before allowing them to chase me around the clearing with a lot of fake Hong Kong martial-arts moves, then letting them tie me up with a length of twine- to much squealing and delight" (3).
"Confit de canard? I got no refrigerator and I got no freezer and all these damn duck legs are going bad!" (9)
"Think about the last time food transported you. You were a kid, had been feeling under the weather all week, and when you were finally getting your appetite back, after a long, wet walk from school in the rain, mom had a big steaming bowl of homemade minestrone waiting for you. Maybe it was just a bowl of Campbell's cream of tomato with Oysterettes, and a grilled cheese sandwich. You know what I mean" (10).
"Angels sing, celestial trumpets... six generations of one's ancestors smile down from heaven. It's butter from God" (194).
Thank you, Tony. Thank you
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