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3.56 AVERAGE
3.56 AVERAGE
L'Appart by David Lebovitz is a free NetGalley ebook that I read in late January.
An expatriate chef from San Francisco waxes poetic about food, the purity of ingredients, and his favorite recipes, while talking about renovating an apartment in Paris, finding and feeling at home, equipping oneself within reason and without seeming excessive, the do's and don'ts when relating to others as an American in Paris, and wrangling unruly utilities and sourcing interior tidbits & appliances.
An expatriate chef from San Francisco waxes poetic about food, the purity of ingredients, and his favorite recipes, while talking about renovating an apartment in Paris, finding and feeling at home, equipping oneself within reason and without seeming excessive, the do's and don'ts when relating to others as an American in Paris, and wrangling unruly utilities and sourcing interior tidbits & appliances.
David retells his experience buying and renovating his apartment in Paris. The book is just what it is. The ending felt a bit rushed and I wish there had been more about the experiences of moving/living in Paris instead of purely about the apartment. Quick and lovely read regardless.
when he said at the end that this was all his fault I yelled “YES” out loud to no one
I had read Lebovitz's previous book, Sweet Life in Paris years ago, but the voice and tone here failed to grab me. What could have been a charming story became tedious and snarky.
I've always found Lebovitz to be a thoroughly entertaining writer, and this book does not disappoint. The book moves along at a brisk pace, and tales of contractor woe are interspersed with witty and charming insights on life in France. His trials at IKEA are particularly hilarious. And if you've ever dealt with contractors, you feel his pain. This book basically reads like a how not to deal with contractors.
I was very excited about receving this book from bloggingforbooks.com in exchange for an honest review because I love French culture and food. I knew the story was about a chef’s renovation experience in Paris, but once I read the book, I was a little disappointed at how the book was advertised. I was expecting a lot more details of Paris and more background into Mr. Lebovitz’s background as a chef. The book is intersperced with recipes, but I didn’t find that they were linked to the story taking place. I also felt that the story that was told could have been condensed and edited down. I do have to say that they author is a great story teller, and I would read other books by him. Unfortunately, I felt that the story that was advertised was not the story that was told. The story that was told was not a bad story by any means, but a little long and dragged out.
I love everything he writes, but if you have ever experienced any kind of remodel, you'll feel his pain. Wonderful story telling and of course, fantastic recipes!!