This book is quite enjoyable, although it does have its moments of being a bit strident. It provides readers with an update on the author's life and his wild adventures, while also giving a summary of the individuals featured in other books. Overall, it's a highly enjoyable read.
I really wanted to appreciate this book for what it was - a well-done and enlightening follow-up to Kitchen Confidential, written by Bourdain. Unfortunately, that's just not possible anymore. It was truly heartbreaking to hear his voice, which always brought me joy and still does. It was heartbreaking to listen to him speak about his love for his daughter and envisioning her reaction when she turned 16, knowing that it will never come to pass. It was heartbreaking to hear him express his love for Éric Ripert, who now carries the weight of finding his best friend's lifeless body. And it was heartbreaking to read the section about Jonathan Gold being a hero, because he truly was, and his untimely death hit us hard while we were still mourning Bourdain. The book itself is definitely worth reading, but it's impossible to separate it from the dark shadow of history.
Anthony's narration in "Medium Raw: A Bloody Valentine to the World of Food and the People Who Cook" is incredibly pleasant to listen to. The audiobook itself is easy to follow and covers a wide range of topics, some of which will be familiar to those who have watched his TV shows. Tony has a tendency to come full circle in his famous rants, often acknowledging and understanding the perspective of those he criticizes, ultimately showing that not everyone is entirely bad. It seems like age has mellowed him out a bit.
What I really appreciate about Tony is his honesty. In a world filled with food personalities who rarely face tough questions, he remains frank and self-deprecating. The book is reminiscent of Les Halles, not necessarily the best steakhouse or French Bistro, but it's authentic. And when Tony criticizes something or someone, he does it in a way that truly gets his point across - it's crispy!
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