Reviews

The Gourmet by Muriel Barbery

eleanorrosecugal's review against another edition

lighthearted reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.75

peyton_'s review against another edition

3.0

This book follows a dying man’s quest for the perfect food and alternates chapters with the people in his life. It is a very reflective book and uses a lot of high vocabulary. I definitely preferred The Elegance of The Hedgehog and I probably wouldn’t like this book at all if I hadn’t read TEoTH first. As a good critic, the descriptions of food are overly elaborate and really dragged on. The personal stories from the people in Pierre’s life were the most interesting parts of the book. 

anniem33's review against another edition

reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? N/A
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

alexisdoingok's review against another edition

challenging funny hopeful reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

coleycole's review against another edition

3.0

Not as good as Elegance of the Hedgehog, but not bad.

ljutavidra's review against another edition

5.0

Gastronomija + Citizen Kane + prelepi opisi.

Mesje Artens je proslavljeni kritičar hrane. Na samrti je i u poslednjim momentima svog uzbudljivog života pokušava da se seti... Ne osobe, ne događaja, već jednog jedinog - ukusa.

Dok leži u krevetu i priseća se najukusnije hrane, njegova poglavlja su isprekidana poglavljima drugih osoba. Počevši od njegove uže i dalje porodice, pa sve do poznanika, poslovnih saradnika, pa čak i beskućnika ispred njegove zgrade, svi ovi ljudi imaju nešto da kažu o Artensu.

Ovo nije roman radnje, već roman sećanja. Iako nisam veliki ljubitelj tako statičnih romana, ovo mi se dopalo jer je o jednoj od mojih velikih pasija, hrani. Mjuriel je vešta s rečima, ali je na momente čak i meni njen kulinarski rečnik bio previše. Rečenice lepo teku i vrlo su poetične, ali i gusto zbijene i na momente imate utisak da čitate prave memoare jednog kritičara.

Ako bih nešto ozbiljnije zamerila ovoj priči, to je što mi se nisu dopala poglavlja iz ugla drugih likova. Bilo ih je previše i nisu puno toga doprineli. Svi su uglavnom mrzeli Artensa, tako da mi ni svrha toga nije bila baš najjasnija. Da li je to trebalo da nam pokaže da je on bio čovek od krvi i mesa? Da nije svetac? To je bilo vrlo jasno i iz njegove perspektive, i stvarno me nije interesovalo šta je imala da kaže o njemu čuvarkuća i žena s kojom je proveo dve lude nedelje. Jedino simpatično poglavlje mi je bilo iz ugla njegovog mačka Rika (nazvanom po Riku iz Kazablanke).

A dramatičan kraj kada Artens shvati da je ukus koji ga proganja zapravo nešto iz supermarketa... Priceless.

seedowney's review against another edition

lighthearted reflective 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

3.5

somanybookstoread's review against another edition

2.0

Eh.... Just not really good. Narratively much too complex. I couldn't get to know and therefore wasn't invested in any of the characters. Loved the elegance of the hedgehog but I don't recommend this one.

lisalmb's review against another edition

emotional reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

shirleytupperfreeman's review against another edition

Foodies would like this book. It's short and written in a similar style as Elegance of a Hedgehog (which is a much better book). Burbery's use of words is incredible but the main character isn't very likable. I may have converted to Jim's way of making toast however (butter before toasting). Here is the character's description of toast: "Why is it that in France we obstinately refrain from buttering our bread until after it has been toasted? The reason the two entities should be subjected together to the flickering flame is that in this intimate moment of burning they attain an unequalled complicity. The butter loses some of its creamy consistency, but nevertheless is not as liquid as when it is melted on its own, in a bainmarie or a saucepan. Likewise, the toast is spared a somewhat dreary dryness, and becomes a moist, warm substance, neither sponge nor bread but something in between, ready to tantalize one's taste buds with its comtemplative delicacy." Way too many words about food for a non-foodie but it made me butter my toast first this morning.
c