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jezebe11e's review against another edition
2.0
Meh. I had high hopes, having read and enjoyed Bourdain's nonfiction. This lacked a lot in plot and was peppered with slurs that made me cringe. Yes, I get that it's part of how the characters talk, but that doesn't make it bother me less.
You can definitely tell it was written by a chef, though. There are lots of passages that go into great and loving detail around food and its preparation.
You can definitely tell it was written by a chef, though. There are lots of passages that go into great and loving detail around food and its preparation.
wearethedepinets's review against another edition
3.0
If you like mobsters and wise guys, this book is for you.
liberrydude's review against another edition
4.0
Anthony Bourdain's first novel, written before he became such a huge food and joie de vivre celebrity and it's a good one. It flows nicely with a good plot and descriptive writing; not only food but drug paraphernalia and the wise guy culture is laid out. It almost sounded like an episode of "The Sopranos." Definitely going to check out his other older novels.
jordanm13's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
informative
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
shaughnp26's review against another edition
4.0
I recently discovered the crime novels written by Anthony Bourdain. This was a really good one. Who knew he was such a good fiction writer! This one has a lot of details in the restaurant world which I enjoyed. It was an interesting story filled with crime, gangsters, drugs and food. I look forward to reading Bourdain's other fiction books.
kk_gotit_goinon's review against another edition
dark
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
A fun, not deep, listen for people who like mobsters and/or law and order. The food type stuff you'd expect from Bourdain is there, but I don't think it was intrusive. Overall decent book to read for fun, without thinking too deeply about anything.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Drug abuse, Medical trauma, Racism, Racial slurs, Sexual content, Murder, Drug use, Alcohol, Cursing, Kidnapping, Medical content, Death, and Gun violence
ivorymusic82's review against another edition
dark
funny
relaxing
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
mackellis's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
It’s a first book
Not a lot happens in 300 pages
Not a lot happens in 300 pages
saltysiren's review against another edition
2.0
Seriously this book could have been great but honestly I got 70% through the book before it started getting "decent."
I am a fan of Bourdain's other works, but his fiction attempt seems consistently bland and nothing happens for a great deal of the book. Then suddenly something happens, and its over. Disappointing.
I am a fan of Bourdain's other works, but his fiction attempt seems consistently bland and nothing happens for a great deal of the book. Then suddenly something happens, and its over. Disappointing.