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jelleep's review against another edition
while initially sensual, punchy, and immersive, the author’s voice quickly becomes exhausting
booksaremysuperpower's review against another edition
3.0
Perhaps not as crisp or as insightful as Kitchen Confidential or Medium Raw, but still, this book is pure Anthony Bourdain: full of his snark, his delightful observations, his in-depth criticism, and his heart; it's all there in the writing. It made me miss him all the more. Written just after he landed his first TV series on the Food Network, you still get glimpses here in A Cook's Tour of the man and presenter that Tony was to become in Parts Unknown.
Bourdain refused to call himself a journalist, to which I agree, and landed on calling himself a storyteller. I actually think he encompasses everything that befits a traveller. There's a loneliness and sense of isolation that has always emanated from him, whether he's right in the heart of a major city, like NYC, or in the paddy fields somewhere in Vietnam. Even when he's right at home in a family's kitchen or walking the streets of Tokyo or somewhere in France, Tony is there and not there at the same time. A Cook's Tour, I think, highlights his frustration and wonder at being a person always on the go, experiencing something amazing yet having to leave, at never really finding one's footing or one's place in the world, no matter how welcoming it is.
Travel is one part finding yourself and the other part losing yourself. It's a battle to make sure you don't always walk straight down the middle, which I suppose is what differentiates a tourist from a traveller. Nothing illustrates that dichotomy more than this book of essays. Tony has continuously struggled with how he sees the world and how he fits in it- he's been open about that. In one startlingly raw essay, he's in Vietnam, scouring the streets for more food, in a near food coma, drugged out from bliss and sensation overload, when he stumbles across a man begging for change who clearly bears the marks of devastation from the Vietnam War. As Bourdain recalls, the man looked like he had barely survived a napalm bombing. And with that, Tony is questioning his role in all of this - the world, travel, as an American, a representative of TV show, a chef. It's sad and bitter and Tony's not offering any answers. What can he do? Is he supposed to DO anything? In another brilliantly written essay near the beginning of the book, he's in France with his brother looking to recreate their childhoods from summers past. Only towards the end of the story does Bourdain realize he actually came all of that way to find some essence of his deceased father. To find the man he's missed and walk in his footsteps It's heartbreaking and profound. Haven't we all been searching for something?
Is this a travel book in the sense of where to go and what to see? No. Is it a book about where to get the best seafood? Absolutely not. Is it a memoir? Not really. But what's so wonderful about Tony's writing is that no matter what story he's telling, you can see yourself in his journey. You want to eat what he's eating, gourmet or street food. You want to walk along the dunes in Arcachon, even to just reflect on your own troubled or joyous childhood. Or maybe you want to be doted on by some gloriously beautiful, strong, and vibrant cook somewhere in Asia. Wherever Tony was and no matter what state he was in, we wanted to be there too.
Tony has never been just about the food and you can tell instantly why this TV series didn't last and why he became less than enchanted with No Reservations over the years. Tony wanted more. We got a lot more from him and his view into the world around us.
This book is just a taste, if you will, of everything we came to know, respect, and love about Anthony Bourdain. It's worth a peek. I did skip and/or skim through a few essays just because I felt as though he'd covered them again more extensively on his subsequent TV shows. Not every story is overly interesting or captivating, but all of it is true to the man.
Bourdain refused to call himself a journalist, to which I agree, and landed on calling himself a storyteller. I actually think he encompasses everything that befits a traveller. There's a loneliness and sense of isolation that has always emanated from him, whether he's right in the heart of a major city, like NYC, or in the paddy fields somewhere in Vietnam. Even when he's right at home in a family's kitchen or walking the streets of Tokyo or somewhere in France, Tony is there and not there at the same time. A Cook's Tour, I think, highlights his frustration and wonder at being a person always on the go, experiencing something amazing yet having to leave, at never really finding one's footing or one's place in the world, no matter how welcoming it is.
Travel is one part finding yourself and the other part losing yourself. It's a battle to make sure you don't always walk straight down the middle, which I suppose is what differentiates a tourist from a traveller. Nothing illustrates that dichotomy more than this book of essays. Tony has continuously struggled with how he sees the world and how he fits in it- he's been open about that. In one startlingly raw essay, he's in Vietnam, scouring the streets for more food, in a near food coma, drugged out from bliss and sensation overload, when he stumbles across a man begging for change who clearly bears the marks of devastation from the Vietnam War. As Bourdain recalls, the man looked like he had barely survived a napalm bombing. And with that, Tony is questioning his role in all of this - the world, travel, as an American, a representative of TV show, a chef. It's sad and bitter and Tony's not offering any answers. What can he do? Is he supposed to DO anything? In another brilliantly written essay near the beginning of the book, he's in France with his brother looking to recreate their childhoods from summers past. Only towards the end of the story does Bourdain realize he actually came all of that way to find some essence of his deceased father. To find the man he's missed and walk in his footsteps It's heartbreaking and profound. Haven't we all been searching for something?
Is this a travel book in the sense of where to go and what to see? No. Is it a book about where to get the best seafood? Absolutely not. Is it a memoir? Not really. But what's so wonderful about Tony's writing is that no matter what story he's telling, you can see yourself in his journey. You want to eat what he's eating, gourmet or street food. You want to walk along the dunes in Arcachon, even to just reflect on your own troubled or joyous childhood. Or maybe you want to be doted on by some gloriously beautiful, strong, and vibrant cook somewhere in Asia. Wherever Tony was and no matter what state he was in, we wanted to be there too.
Tony has never been just about the food and you can tell instantly why this TV series didn't last and why he became less than enchanted with No Reservations over the years. Tony wanted more. We got a lot more from him and his view into the world around us.
This book is just a taste, if you will, of everything we came to know, respect, and love about Anthony Bourdain. It's worth a peek. I did skip and/or skim through a few essays just because I felt as though he'd covered them again more extensively on his subsequent TV shows. Not every story is overly interesting or captivating, but all of it is true to the man.
krishnees's review against another edition
3.75
Do you ever read something that’s witty and well written, but it’s just so clear it’s not the book for you? But it is witty and well written, so you stick it out? That was me here!
It was good! Certain chapters were significantly more enthralling. His distaste for vegans coupled with his disgust for seeing animals killed to be eaten was kind of hilarious.
It was good! Certain chapters were significantly more enthralling. His distaste for vegans coupled with his disgust for seeing animals killed to be eaten was kind of hilarious.
midorilikessundays's review against another edition
adventurous
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
3.5
corgi66's review against another edition
3.0
This is my 4th Bourdain book (I read them completely out of order). It's like the prequel to No Reservations.
He makes no bones about the fact this was essentially him trying to get a free trip around the world, double dipping on publishing a book and producing a television show on the same work. Figuring his 15 minutes would expire at any time, why not seize as much cash and opportunity as possible?
He visits Vietnam, Morocco, Russia, Japan, San Francisco, Portugal, Mexico, Napa, Scotland, England and Cambodia, which he dubs the Worst Place on Earth, and after reading it, it sounds like I'd agree.
My favorite aspect of this book is that it is written from the perspective of someone who has never traveled.
Russia and Vietnam make for the best stories. In short, this is the novelization of his television show, but gives him the freedom to expound at will about his experiences without a 42 minute time constraint.
He makes no bones about the fact this was essentially him trying to get a free trip around the world, double dipping on publishing a book and producing a television show on the same work. Figuring his 15 minutes would expire at any time, why not seize as much cash and opportunity as possible?
He visits Vietnam, Morocco, Russia, Japan, San Francisco, Portugal, Mexico, Napa, Scotland, England and Cambodia, which he dubs the Worst Place on Earth, and after reading it, it sounds like I'd agree.
My favorite aspect of this book is that it is written from the perspective of someone who has never traveled.
Russia and Vietnam make for the best stories. In short, this is the novelization of his television show, but gives him the freedom to expound at will about his experiences without a 42 minute time constraint.
storytimed's review against another edition
4.0
RIP ):
Great writer, though the hypermasculinity of his values (see the anecdote about the super tough smoking, drinking, swearing women where he implies that he respects them because they act manlier than the men) doesn't really vibe with me.
Great writer, though the hypermasculinity of his values (see the anecdote about the super tough smoking, drinking, swearing women where he implies that he respects them because they act manlier than the men) doesn't really vibe with me.
prideandjoybooks's review against another edition
4.0
A man after my own heart shares some of his first international adventures and his thoughts on what makes a great meal. Even though I read this on my couch, it was a wonderful get-away.
gilnean's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
medium-paced
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Death, Gore, Violence, Blood, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Body horror, Cursing, Drug use, Gun violence, Pedophilia, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Vomit, Police brutality, Fire/Fire injury, and War
Minor: Alcoholism, Body shaming, Fatphobia, Misogyny, Racism, Sexism, Xenophobia, Excrement, Antisemitism, Death of parent, and Murder