Take a photo of a barcode or cover
brookexxrose's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Cursing, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Gun violence, Vomit, Murder, and Alcohol
Minor: Sexual assault
lit_chick's review against another edition
5.0
I LOVED this take down of foodie culture. Funny and smart. Ari Fliakos did a fantastic job on the audio book and I've already added some of the books he's narrated to my to-read list. I also immediately purchased a hard copy of this book so I could read it again. I think people who enjoyed Fight Club or the show Arrested Development would enjoy this - biting satire, ridiculous characters. Hopefully this writing team - S.E. Boyd is the pseudonym of three writers - will come out with something again soon!
jillianmethvin's review
2.0
I just couldn’t get into this book. I know it was satire, but I just didn’t enjoy it. Maybe 2+ stars.
lexipride's review
dark
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
aclopez6's review
3.0
Once I was able to look past the similarities to Bourdain's story, I was consumed by the tale and its many characters. A humorous read that doesn't take itself too seriously.
caseynoller's review against another edition
2.0
I wish this book made more sense.
My first dilemma: the main character, John Doe, a famed chef and world traveler with a No Reservations / Parts Unknown style TV show, is found hanging dead from autoerotic asphyxiation gone awry. This main character, dead for the entire book, is very clearly meant to be Anthony Bourdain. His mannerisms, his career, his legacy—it's all Bourdain. I wish the authors could've gotten a bit more creative, more original with it. That said, I understand it's a satire of exactly this world. The absurdity of the media landscape and high-end dining played into Bourdain's death and its aftermath, so that lines up. "On the nose" describes it perfectly.
Another dilemma: three authors. S.E. Boyd is not one, but three writers. Unfortunately, you can tell. The characters and the plot felt disconnected, chapter by chapter, because writing styles are obviously different. This made it even harder to connect with characters than it already was.
And it was hard. Charlie's character, and especially his motivations, is nonsensical. Paolo's character doesn't react to situations in a way a human would. There's no way Katie is living in a Four Seasons after getting paid for one television appearance. There's no way she'd get the John Doe gig in the end with the minimal blackmail she has, especially with her behavior. The outcomes for these characters are just not realistic in ANY way (except MAYBE Patrick, and that's a massive maybe).
Nothing is rational. Real questions go unanswered. Nearly nonexistent plot. Wouldn't read again.
Read more of my book reviews at contentconsumed.medium.com.
My first dilemma: the main character, John Doe, a famed chef and world traveler with a No Reservations / Parts Unknown style TV show, is found hanging dead from autoerotic asphyxiation gone awry. This main character, dead for the entire book, is very clearly meant to be Anthony Bourdain. His mannerisms, his career, his legacy—it's all Bourdain. I wish the authors could've gotten a bit more creative, more original with it. That said, I understand it's a satire of exactly this world. The absurdity of the media landscape and high-end dining played into Bourdain's death and its aftermath, so that lines up. "On the nose" describes it perfectly.
Another dilemma: three authors. S.E. Boyd is not one, but three writers. Unfortunately, you can tell. The characters and the plot felt disconnected, chapter by chapter, because writing styles are obviously different. This made it even harder to connect with characters than it already was.
And it was hard. Charlie's character, and especially his motivations, is nonsensical. Paolo's character doesn't react to situations in a way a human would. There's no way Katie is living in a Four Seasons after getting paid for one television appearance. There's no way she'd get the John Doe gig in the end with the minimal blackmail she has, especially with her behavior. The outcomes for these characters are just not realistic in ANY way (except MAYBE Patrick, and that's a massive maybe).
Nothing is rational. Real questions go unanswered. Nearly nonexistent plot. Wouldn't read again.
Read more of my book reviews at contentconsumed.medium.com.
seepygirl's review
4.0
Borderline 4 stars for this satire on the service and entertainment industries. I really enjoyed this but not terribly fond of the ending with Katie. The storyline with Paolo and Charlie was the most interesting and just absolutely bonkers. I was expecting to find out more about Charlie and what his background really was but was left unfulfilled.
John Doe definitely made me think of Anthony Bourdain, but then the authors casually threw in his name.
John Doe definitely made me think of Anthony Bourdain, but then the authors casually threw in his name.
grap's review
dark
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
everyone was so comedically diabolical in such a cool and fun way