Scan barcode
cupcates's review against another edition
5.0
upped this to 5 because it's been living in my head rent free lmao
jojobrown's review against another edition
3.0
Honestly, I don't know how to feel about this book. It was easily one of the most memorable books I've ever read, but that's not necessarily a good thing. This book at me literally yelling out loud at these characters. Sometimes I would get so mad at them and how self destructive (and overall destructive to others) they were, I would have to take a break.
I hated every single character in this book except for Will (though I kinda hated him too). But I kept reading because I enjoyed the writing style/voice of the overall book which is why I kept going.
I felt Tess' struggle as she tried to figure out how to roll with the rest of them in the restaurant, and in the moments when she drops things or gets her clogs thrown out or just enjoys the small beauties of New York.
What I hated though, was the whole last section: "Spring." The ending undercut any sort of emotional character arc Tess went through, glorified and romanticized a very verbally and emotionally abusive relationship, and overall frustrated me to no end. I have worked in a restaurant so I know there is a certain degree of "peek behind the curtain" crazy but this was just extreme.
That's also partially why I really enjoyed it? I don't know. My feelings about this mix and give into each other like oil and vinegar. It's hard to tell what's what. It was a very extreme look, so I almost had to keep reading once I picked up the book to satiate this obsession of watching these trainwreck people. And yet, I was so angry with them. All the time.
There was a lot about the book that was just unrealistic and unreasonable to me which also didn't help.
I mean, the girl thought of her own breasts while she bit into a fig for God's sake.
I hated every single character in this book except for Will (though I kinda hated him too). But I kept reading because I enjoyed the writing style/voice of the overall book which is why I kept going.
I felt Tess' struggle as she tried to figure out how to roll with the rest of them in the restaurant, and in the moments when she drops things or gets her clogs thrown out or just enjoys the small beauties of New York.
What I hated though, was the whole last section: "Spring." The ending undercut any sort of emotional character arc Tess went through, glorified and romanticized a very verbally and emotionally abusive relationship, and overall frustrated me to no end. I have worked in a restaurant so I know there is a certain degree of "peek behind the curtain" crazy but this was just extreme.
That's also partially why I really enjoyed it? I don't know. My feelings about this mix and give into each other like oil and vinegar. It's hard to tell what's what. It was a very extreme look, so I almost had to keep reading once I picked up the book to satiate this obsession of watching these trainwreck people. And yet, I was so angry with them. All the time.
There was a lot about the book that was just unrealistic and unreasonable to me which also didn't help.
I mean, the girl thought of her own breasts while she bit into a fig for God's sake.
lexaprophet's review against another edition
2.0
i can't.... finish this it's really that pretentious. there's barely a plot or any incentive for me to finish this. i tried my best
brujitadani's review against another edition
emotional
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
unamanda's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I had a love/hate relationship with this book. The writing was very good. It was hard to believe the main character was old enough to be as thoughtful, metaphorical, introspective as the writing was. It also made me deeply uncomfortable a lot of the time due to how well it captures/portrays working in the service industry as a woman in your early 20s.
liakeller's review against another edition
4.0
I am a sucker for cooking/restaurant related books. I loved this book even with the bad language, drugs, trite romance and strange relationships. It let me step out of my mom life and to live in New York and work in the insane restaurant industry for a bit. Guilty read.
eralbesu's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
4.0
This was a compulsive read for me. It kept me hooked. I found the characters a bit cliche. Everyone was a little too on the nose for me but I still enjoyed the story and the setting. I tended to find out narrator slightly unreliable specifically because the character just seemed a little green, but I think that’s just my perception. I’m not sure if I was supposed to perceive her like that.
Jake was incredibly annoying and I liked Simone, until what was insinuated about her and Jake, but also that point wasn’t exactly made clear, so I’m not sure if that’s supposed to be taken as fact.
I found Tess headstrong and annoying in the way a wild 22-year-old is supposed to be. I was rooting for her, until I wasn’t. Her relationship with Jake was insufferable, but I enjoyed being on that ride with her.
Jake was incredibly annoying and I liked Simone, until what was insinuated about her and Jake, but also that point wasn’t exactly made clear, so I’m not sure if that’s supposed to be taken as fact.
I found Tess headstrong and annoying in the way a wild 22-year-old is supposed to be. I was rooting for her, until I wasn’t. Her relationship with Jake was insufferable, but I enjoyed being on that ride with her.
koehneisland's review against another edition
4.0
I thought the writing here was pretty solid, if maybe a bit pretentious at times. I’m usually okay with a little pretentiousness. It was a good story about NYC, chasing down feelings, and the kinds of scars we leave on ourselves and others when we’re trying to become who we think we should be. I wouldn’t say Tess’s _exact_ experience is a common, relatable one, but I think there’s enough universality in her feelings and that most people who are in or have ever been in their early 20s could probably get on board with where she takes you. I fell in love with the dynamic of the different characters working in the restaurant. The food metaphors were cool in the prose because they’re indicative of how Tess is starting to relate her experiences to food, but I grew a little annoyed with flavor descriptions there in the beginning, when they were more like lists and felt like they weren’t serving the story that well. If you liked the TV show GIRLS, you’ll probably like this book.
sjs1's review against another edition
4.0
I gave four stars but maybe three would be more appropriate? Still on the fence. I think the extra star is because I blew through the novel in a day, entirely entertained.
Danler proves to be a talented and fun writer. The way she throws us into the intoxicating world of working in fine dining- the way it can take hold over everything in your life, is exhilarating. However, at times the story and characters came off too juvenile to believe for me. I think this novel pulled at me because fine dining was my first job- and she expertly creates that world.
I didn't read any reviews or press beforehand, so I wasn't expecting a culinary-centric novel; just a solid coming of age novel set in the chaos of a NYC restaurant, which I would say this delivers.
Danler proves to be a talented and fun writer. The way she throws us into the intoxicating world of working in fine dining- the way it can take hold over everything in your life, is exhilarating. However, at times the story and characters came off too juvenile to believe for me. I think this novel pulled at me because fine dining was my first job- and she expertly creates that world.
I didn't read any reviews or press beforehand, so I wasn't expecting a culinary-centric novel; just a solid coming of age novel set in the chaos of a NYC restaurant, which I would say this delivers.