Reviews tagging 'Toxic friendship'

Kitchen Confidential: Adventures in the Culinary Underbelly (Updated Edition) by Anthony Bourdain

4 reviews

taracloudclark's review against another edition

adventurous dark funny hopeful informative inspiring lighthearted medium-paced

5.0

I noticed a friend of mine posting about Bourdain often. I knew almost nothing about him, so I decided to take in a book by him. First, Bourdain is sexy as hell. How did I never know this?! He also gives great voice to his own words. Makes me want to be in the NY restaurant culture. Second, this is such a fun read. A bit vulgar for milder tastes, but such a great insight into the biz. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Rape, Body horror, Bullying, Suicide, Toxic friendship, Vomit, Sexual content, Sexual harassment, Blood, Body shaming, Drug use, Fatphobia, Mental illness, Misogyny, Cursing, Drug abuse, Homophobia, Racial slurs, Racism, Self harm, Sexism, and Toxic relationship

kellyofcali's review

challenging dark funny informative inspiring tense medium-paced

4.0

I really enjoyed this book - it's interesting, while I was very aware OF Anthony Bourdain, I don't think I knew much about him, and this is very much him unfiltered (or feels that way) - which both makes you like him more, and less, and feel very sad for what eventually happened to him. It's both a great book for people who love food and restaurants and a terrible one, as it's very honest (and often gross) but the man just loves food.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Blood, Cursing, Emotional abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Alcohol, Mental illness, Misogyny, Sexism, Addiction, Violence, Toxic friendship, Sexual content, Alcoholism, Drug abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Bullying, and Drug use

Minor: Death, Fire/Fire injury, Racism, Suicide, and Suicide attempt

mandaraffe's review against another edition

dark funny lighthearted reflective sad medium-paced

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Bullying, Toxic friendship, Alcohol, Homophobia, Injury/Injury detail, Body shaming, Misogyny, Emotional abuse, Alcoholism, Medical content, Sexual harassment, Racism, Xenophobia, Fatphobia, Blood, Cursing, Sexism, Addiction, Drug abuse, Drug use, and Sexual content

Moderate: Animal death and Racial slurs

Minor: Suicide

thesubwayreader's review against another edition

dark funny fast-paced

4.0

I'm 22 years late to reading this book, but I'm glad that I finally did. Anthony Bourdain was a decent writer - his language is evocative and really puts you in the place and time he's writing about. I knew that Bourdain was the chef at Les Halles (it's been renamed to La Brasserie) before he became a television person, but I never knew just how rocky his start was in the industry. I liked how he differentiates between his cheffing style and how others chefs run their kitchens - none are wrong, just different. I've never worked in a restaurant or in the food service industry, but I have a greater appreciation for those who make my food and serve it after reading this. My one takeaway: the specials aren't necessarily special at all! 

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Content Warnings

Minor: Blood, Drug abuse, Drug use, Suicide, Toxic friendship, and Alcoholism