Reviews tagging 'Blood'

Kitchen Confidential: Adventures in the Culinary Underbelly by Anthony Bourdain

26 reviews

sheriffrockyraccoon's review against another edition

adventurous funny hopeful informative lighthearted relaxing fast-paced

5.0

Who doesn’t spend every waking hour missing Anthony Bourdain? Couldn’t be me. As a fan of his show, I figured I should go back to what may be his most famous book and see where it all started.

I had so much fun reading about Bourdain’s experiences. As someone who has worked in hospitality for a fair share of sociopaths, it was really comforting and enlightening to see someone else both experience the behavior and understand it at the same time. Bourdain clearly loves what he does and doesn’t hide behind his celebrity status as he confronts past demons. He’s just that lovable!

I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys celebrity memoirs, Bourdain’s shows, French cooking, or just food in general. It was fun, relaxing, and easy to read- although he definitely jumped around at times (it fits the ambience of his kitchens, though).

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Ableism, Addiction, Alcoholism, Bullying, Cursing, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Misogyny, Sexism, Blood, Fire/Fire injury, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, and Injury/Injury detail

These content warnings are relatively minor but frequent- he does not shy away from hypocrisy

claireh6's review against another edition

adventurous funny informative fast-paced

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Bullying, Drug use, Blood, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, and Injury/Injury detail

dreadspawn's review against another edition

funny informative medium-paced

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Bullying, Cursing, Drug abuse, Drug use, Homophobia, Mental illness, Misogyny, Racism, Sexism, Blood, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, and Injury/Injury detail

Minor: Suicide

alyssajhuntley's review against another edition

adventurous funny informative tense fast-paced

4.0

I listened to this audiobook which I think is where most of the 4 stars comes from. Hearing this in Anthony Bourdain’s voice was impactful, even as someone who didn’t follow his career closely. It’s certainly not a book for anyone with a weak stomach or timid disposition. At times it’s unbelievable, but it’s always entertaining. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Cursing, Racism, Sexism, Sexual content, and Blood

miayukino's review against another edition

funny informative inspiring reflective tense medium-paced

4.25

RIP

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Gore, Blood, and Fire/Fire injury

Moderate: Racism and Sexism

aferdinand's review against another edition

dark informative slow-paced

2.5

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, and Blood

anna_luvs_cheez's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional reflective fast-paced

3.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Cursing, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Gore, Mental illness, Misogyny, Suicidal thoughts, Blood, Vomit, Sexual harassment, and Injury/Injury detail

Great book, audio book is great, can get a little graphic at times with kitchen injuries

samchase112's review against another edition

funny informative reflective fast-paced

5.0

I’ll be right here. Until they drag me off the line, I’m not going anywhere. I hope.

Hell yeah, this book was freaking fantastic. Narrated by Anthony Bourdain himself, it's an utterly engrossing (and gross) recount of his restaurant and kitchen experiences, complete with more blood, sex, drugs, and alcohol than you could ever imagine. A truly fascinating glimpse into a world I've never been interested in — food is… let's say, not my thing — and isn't that truly Bourdain's gift? One reviewer said reading this memoir was like meeting a ghost, and I wholeheartedly agree. I'll be recommending this (now decades old) book to anyone who will listen.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Cursing, Drug abuse, Drug use, Blood, and Alcohol

Moderate: Alcoholism and Sexual content

Minor: Suicide, Transphobia, Violence, Cultural appropriation, and Sexual harassment

taracloudclark's review against another edition

adventurous dark funny hopeful informative inspiring lighthearted medium-paced

5.0

I noticed a friend of mine posting about Bourdain often. I knew almost nothing about him, so I decided to take in a book by him. First, Bourdain is sexy as hell. How did I never know this?! He also gives great voice to his own words. Makes me want to be in the NY restaurant culture. Second, this is such a fun read. A bit vulgar for milder tastes, but such a great insight into the biz. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror, Body shaming, Bullying, Cursing, Drug abuse, Drug use, Fatphobia, Homophobia, Mental illness, Misogyny, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Self harm, Sexism, Sexual content, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Blood, Vomit, Toxic friendship, and Sexual harassment

cibani's review against another edition

adventurous informative medium-paced

3.5

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Content Warnings

Minor: Addiction, Bullying, Cursing, Drug use, Suicide, Blood, Vomit, Fire/Fire injury, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, Injury/Injury detail, and Deportation