Reviews tagging 'Suicide'

Kitchen Confidential: Adventures in the Culinary Underbelly by Anthony Bourdain

22 reviews

fionag's review

adventurous funny lighthearted medium-paced

4.5

I’d always admired Bourdain and love to watch his shows, this book was a fantastic look into the life of a very troubled and talented man. You can truly feel the passion for food, the madness of a busy service, the characters who are probably running from the law. I haven’t worked in hospitality, but from the people I know who have, this is a true account. He admits that he is a scumbag and doesn’t try to hide the fact that he’s worked in many a failing kitchen. I loved the loyalty of many chefs and the trust of a good team. 100% listen to the audiobook as Bourdain recounting his own debauchery is hilarious. Favourite chapters have to be Bigfoot, Adam-Real-Last-Name-Unknown, and the Level of Discourse 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcoholism and Drug use

Moderate: Misogyny and Suicide

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

peytonhhill's review against another edition

dark informative reflective tense medium-paced

4.0

This book surprised me! While it wouldn't be my regular cup of tea, the audiobook is quite good, and I learned a whole lot about the culinary world. It sounds like Anthony Bourdain was a really interesting person, and it was certainly worth the listen to learn about his life, passions, and world. I highly recommend listening to the audiobook read by the author. People interested in food and cooking books, and anything nonfiction but fast-paced would enjoy this!

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Content Warnings

Minor: Drug abuse and Suicide

samchase112's review

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

kfish's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring lighthearted tense fast-paced

5.0

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Content Warnings

Minor: Sexism, Suicide, and Sexual harassment

taracloudclark's review

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

aus10england's review

funny informative tense fast-paced

4.5

this is what memoirs should be written like!! Engaging, insightful, full of laughs, and hard to read anecdotes. Very impressed by this one.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Homophobia, Racism, Suicide, and Sexual harassment

Minor: Rape

thewordsdevourer's review against another edition

adventurous funny reflective fast-paced

3.5

not so much a memoir as a detailed, enjoyable account of bourdain's time in the culinary industry, kitchen confidential is a fast, hilarious, self-deprecating and informative read. there's resto secrets, kitchen dynamics, no-frill recipes, marvels on the awesomeness of food, and musings on different ppl and food cultures. man was rly ahead of his time im; whats not to like? i love food and i miss mr. bourdain very much.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Cursing, Sexism, and Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Drug use, Racism, Sexual content, and Sexual harassment

Minor: Suicide

amberlfaris's review

adventurous dark funny informative inspiring lighthearted reflective tense medium-paced

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Cursing

Moderate: Drug abuse, Drug use, Homophobia, and Suicide