A review by bubblescotch
No Reservations: Around the World on an Empty Stomach by Anthony Bourdain

lighthearted fast-paced

3.0

It’s a coffee table book, and it’s mostly pictures. Better to know that going in than to find it out when you start reading. Definitely better for people who have seen and enjoyed the show already; it’s a reflection on the experience of making the show as opposed to a travel guide or whatever you might call the show itself (“travel guide” seems highly insufficient, but for the sake of convenience…).  I get that it’s not meant to be a deep, essay heavy text, but it’s a shame, because Bourdain is a good writer and his perspective and voice shines through in what little prose there is. Finally and respectfully, I’m not sure what the people complaining about “dead animal pictures” are doing reading this book—Bourdain has always shown  the dirty side of his experiences (including culinary) as well as the beautiful. This is a chef and an eater highlighting food. Either way, if dead animals (culinary or otherwise) make you uncomfortable, probably avoid this book, and Bourdain in general.