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mattyvreads's review
dark
emotional
funny
informative
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
4.75
What a strange and fascinating book. Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this read. Loftus’s writing is hilarious, irreverent, and that perfect mix of very intelligent yet sophomoric that really does it for me. There is no doubt that she has done her research.
The book is full of hot dog stories, facts, wives’ tales, and scandals. There is astute social commentary and histories about the different individual stands, communities, and organizations which contextualize her opinions on those different businesses. Plus, some conspiracy theory lite™️ (read: technically conspiracy theories that are unproblematic and probably true).
CW: disordered eating — I struggled a little bit with how she mentions and frames the struggle with her eating disorder on this hot dog road trip. I have complicated feelings. As someone who has struggled with an eating disorder for almost my whole life, I am grateful she spoke about this openly and honestly, and acknowledge that is a very vulnerable thing to discuss publicly. Having said that, she just mentions it a couple times in passing like “this was a day that I felt disgusting and worthless in my body” (I’m paraphrasing), but those feelings seem completely unresolved. Even in a day to day snapshot, where we might see a light at the end of the tunnel (even briefly). BUT! I also understand where she is coming from. As the book went on, I could guess a motivation for leaving those few, scattered mentions. It is ever-present and it is unresolved. There is no happy resolution on most eating disorders. It’s ongoing. Maybe it’s just because of my own historically disordered eating that I saw it through a lens of how I would have discussed the issue? Not my book!
All in all, the book was incredibly witty and refreshingly modern. She is a terrific writer. My favorite quote: “10 years ago, we would call this a Woody Allen day. But now we know better and call it a Nora Ephron day.” Chef’s kiss.
The book is full of hot dog stories, facts, wives’ tales, and scandals. There is astute social commentary and histories about the different individual stands, communities, and organizations which contextualize her opinions on those different businesses. Plus, some conspiracy theory lite™️ (read: technically conspiracy theories that are unproblematic and probably true).
CW: disordered eating —
All in all, the book was incredibly witty and refreshingly modern. She is a terrific writer. My favorite quote: “10 years ago, we would call this a Woody Allen day. But now we know better and call it a Nora Ephron day.” Chef’s kiss.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Cancer, Eating disorder, Gore, Misogyny, Racism, Xenophobia, Police brutality, Antisemitism, Religious bigotry, Stalking, Sexual harassment, Colonisation, Classism, Deportation, and Pandemic/Epidemic
Minor: Vomit
rorikae's review against another edition
funny
informative
medium-paced
4.0
'Raw Dog: The Naked Truth About Hot Dogs' by Jamie Loftus is a funny and informative look at the different types of hot dogs available around the United States. Paired with some personal reflections, this book details a road trip that Jamie took to try a number of hot dogs around the country and delve into the food product's history.
This is a really fun book that also gives the reader a good understanding of the current state of hot dogs in the United States as well as how they became a well known food product. There are also peeks inside the Nathan's hot dog eating contest and the place that hot dogs hold within American culture. Loftus' background as a comedian is clear in the way she writes and I found much of this book to be funny. Despite the generally upbeat tone, Loftus doesn't shy away from delving into the troubled history of hot dogs and the troubled pasts of some of the businesses that she profiles.
I highly recommend the audiobook as Loftus reads it herself, which adds to the experience. If you like hot dogs and are looking for a humorous look into their history and the different types of hot dogs available around the United States, you should definitely pick up 'Raw Dog.'
This is a really fun book that also gives the reader a good understanding of the current state of hot dogs in the United States as well as how they became a well known food product. There are also peeks inside the Nathan's hot dog eating contest and the place that hot dogs hold within American culture. Loftus' background as a comedian is clear in the way she writes and I found much of this book to be funny. Despite the generally upbeat tone, Loftus doesn't shy away from delving into the troubled history of hot dogs and the troubled pasts of some of the businesses that she profiles.
I highly recommend the audiobook as Loftus reads it herself, which adds to the experience. If you like hot dogs and are looking for a humorous look into their history and the different types of hot dogs available around the United States, you should definitely pick up 'Raw Dog.'
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racism, Sexual assault, and Xenophobia
Minor: Stalking
tiffanyg's review
adventurous
funny
informative
fast-paced
5.0
A perfect book I wish I could give it 10 stars.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Eating disorder, Violence, Xenophobia, Excrement, and Vomit