feelsnotbrains's review against another edition
4.0
This book was lovely, and I know that isn't a great adjective - in fact, myriad people would be loathe to hear their work described as "lovely" - but this book really was lovely. I say that because this book is the coziest piece of fiction by Poppy that I've ever read. A couple of books before this, I read Exquisite Corpse and nearly burnt the book after finishing it, such strong distaste for the subject matter I felt. So yeah, reading about Liquor, Rickey, and G-Man was a nice break from the dark, putrid tales Poppy usually weaves (and I usually enjoy).
essjay's review
3.5
I still enjoyed this, but it somehow felt less polished and together than The Value of X.
lisagoe's review against another edition
4.0
I don't have much to say about this one. I was expecting something more violent and scary, what I got was a rather sweet story about two local boys who decide to try to open a restaurant. The murder stuff is sort of incidental to that, I think. Their story and the author's obvious love of New Orlean's cuisine take centre stage.
berthe33's review against another edition
3.0
Nawlins and Food
What more could you want?
A fun read for foodies and wannabe chefs & restaurateurs . Easy reading a bit of suspense and likable characters.
What more could you want?
A fun read for foodies and wannabe chefs & restaurateurs . Easy reading a bit of suspense and likable characters.
mpetruce's review against another edition
3.0
A fun book to read if you're into food, or even not into food. Nice to see some gay main characters where their orientation is just another part of the story and not put in a heavy-handed way. I read somewhere that the author is used Anthony Bourdain as a template/influence for this book. I did notice that one particular rant the mentor chef goes on is similar in themes to some of Bourdain's regular rants. I had just read Kitchen Confidential and so it stood out to me. That doesn't detract too much from the book really.
Anyway, a fun read with food and booze and criminals, like Elmore Leonard in a restaurant.
Anyway, a fun read with food and booze and criminals, like Elmore Leonard in a restaurant.
renegades's review against another edition
4.0
Gosh that was so fast and so fun and so literally delicious. I could have read the entire book in a weekend tops if my pandemic brain had been functioning better. The murder and mayhem is a bit overstated, but as for a book with fun characters, easy dialogue, and just luscious descriptions of all the food you’d like to eat and/or watch a chef make? This is IT.
Very fun and I was very fond of Rickey and G-Man and their companionship. ☺️
Very fun and I was very fond of Rickey and G-Man and their companionship. ☺️
michaela_lubbers's review against another edition
3.0
This is a good book - I thoroughly enjoyed it, and would recommend it to anyone who is interested in New Orleans & its culture, food, and the comfort of long-term partners. I daresay I even really liked this book, but it's not a *great* book. I'm not quite sure why I say, or what I think it's missing - and maybe it's that this just isn't my regular fare. It's very realistic fiction and now that I think about it some more, I don't think it needs anything. It feels pretty complete as-is.
I want to like this book even more than I do, even; the descriptive language is fabulous, the characters well-developed, Brite seems to have an excellent grasp on New Orleans itself and the food within and without. And yet.
The plot doesn't really get started until about halfway through the book, which I theoretically don't mind - the first half-ish sets up the setting and characterization in a deeply enjoyable way, meandering through kitchens and G-man and Rickey's history. It's a lot like Fried Green Tomatoes, in that way, of painting this rich depiction of the locale and characters and all its color for the first half, before really diving into the particulars of the plot.
Brite is a deft writer, so I'm going to check out some more works and see if something else really wows me.
I want to like this book even more than I do, even; the descriptive language is fabulous, the characters well-developed, Brite seems to have an excellent grasp on New Orleans itself and the food within and without. And yet.
The plot doesn't really get started until about halfway through the book, which I theoretically don't mind - the first half-ish sets up the setting and characterization in a deeply enjoyable way, meandering through kitchens and G-man and Rickey's history. It's a lot like Fried Green Tomatoes, in that way, of painting this rich depiction of the locale and characters and all its color for the first half, before really diving into the particulars of the plot.
Brite is a deft writer, so I'm going to check out some more works and see if something else really wows me.
sincerekillhope's review against another edition
4.0
When I first read this book shortly after its release, I was dating a line cook. My understanding of why his feet were sore and why he was gone so long every day became a bit more clear. But now after having worked in a kitchen myself for a time, as well as doggedly pursuing foodie status, as well as dating a sous chef, I like this book more.
It functions more as a satire of celebrity chef worship and foodie culture than a murder mystery; the murder is relegated to something mentioned a few times and then wrapped up in the denouement instead of the climax. However, if one reads it for the restaurant industry satire, it ends up being paced more successfully, and entirely more enjoyably.
It functions more as a satire of celebrity chef worship and foodie culture than a murder mystery; the murder is relegated to something mentioned a few times and then wrapped up in the denouement instead of the climax. However, if one reads it for the restaurant industry satire, it ends up being paced more successfully, and entirely more enjoyably.
clarkco's review against another edition
5.0
Enjoyable foodie lit about two gay chefs who are trying to open a restaurant together.