kallsypage's review against another edition
adventurous
informative
reflective
fast-paced
3.25
First off, I’m not sure why the negative reviews for it being a travel guide, I feel like reading the summary is enough to tell readers that it is exactly that, a quick travel guide featuring places Bourdain visited.
Laurie Woolever spent over a decade of her life working with Bourdain and had just started working on this travel guide with him not long before we lost him to suicide.
Ultimately she went back and forth with finishing this book and I think she did a good job of adding in bits and pieces of Bourdain’s wisdom and thoughts. As with all of his co-authored or independent works I can hear his voice speak through the pages in each of his quotes. I also appreciate the lists of places he ate, hotels he frequented, and a few stories in between.
However, I was ultimately left wanting more and felt that it lacked personal touch from Woolever. But in the end, I can’t help but think it’s because I was feeling Bourdain’s void.
Laurie Woolever spent over a decade of her life working with Bourdain and had just started working on this travel guide with him not long before we lost him to suicide.
Ultimately she went back and forth with finishing this book and I think she did a good job of adding in bits and pieces of Bourdain’s wisdom and thoughts. As with all of his co-authored or independent works I can hear his voice speak through the pages in each of his quotes. I also appreciate the lists of places he ate, hotels he frequented, and a few stories in between.
However, I was ultimately left wanting more and felt that it lacked personal touch from Woolever. But in the end, I can’t help but think it’s because I was feeling Bourdain’s void.
releaserina's review against another edition
5.0
World Travel: An Irreverent Guide by Anthony Bourdain and Laurie Woolever — It’s been two years since we lost Bourdain. My husband and I have distanced ourselves from his show — it’s still too heartbreaking to watch. I didn’t realize how much I’ve missed him; his perspective and open mindedness, his cadence and prose. It was nice to be with him again through his words. Much of this book is from an interview Laurie did with him shortly before his death and transcripts from his shows so in a way it feels like a reread. A survey of his travels and a life explored through travel and food. I loved it.
donnar's review against another edition
2.0
This was not what I expected at all. It’s basically a really useless travel guide that covers 43 random countries. I’m not interested in learning what the main airports are per city as it usually speaks for itself (let’s not even talk about learning about the cab fares to and from the airport for each city mentioned, who cares???). The hotels that were recommended were way too expensive (they were mostly 350+ dollars per night and well known hotels that I could’ve found by myself anyway, so not helpful at all) and some chapters were really short, recommending only one or two restaurants. The chapter on the US was way too long. I felt like most information given would be outdated by the time I ever would get the chance to visit one of the countries covered in the book. Overall a big let down.
emilykathleenwrites's review against another edition
3.0
What to say about this book...
Overall, I'm glad it exists, but the whole project is just sad. I can feel the weight of the task at hand from the contributors. Like they need to do this before they can move forward... or maybe I needed to read this book to move forward.
I enjoyed the sections from Tony. I miss his distinct voice and snark. It made me want to re-watch his shows. These sections were sometimes confusing because it wasn't easy to tell the POV.
I prefer personal essays to actual travel advice so I glazed over the sections on airfare and bus schedules.
The ending was so abrupt. I think the narrative would have benefitted from some kind of editor's note, to sum up the project.
Overall, I'm glad it exists, but the whole project is just sad. I can feel the weight of the task at hand from the contributors. Like they need to do this before they can move forward... or maybe I needed to read this book to move forward.
I enjoyed the sections from Tony. I miss his distinct voice and snark. It made me want to re-watch his shows. These sections were sometimes confusing because it wasn't easy to tell the POV.
I prefer personal essays to actual travel advice so I glazed over the sections on airfare and bus schedules.
The ending was so abrupt. I think the narrative would have benefitted from some kind of editor's note, to sum up the project.
yagirlvic's review against another edition
3.0
This was less a book by Bourdain and more a travel guide. Felt a little ingenue because the “co-author” released it after his death (rip) and it was mostly just quotes from his shows. That being said, I still enjoyed it and took notes for future travels
jillhimitsu's review against another edition
5.0
Just when I thought nothing could make me miss Bourdain more...this came along. Insightful, and funny at times. Nothing like the good old days when Tony was alive...
lilwiccankitten's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
informative
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
4.75