Rhonda
I used to think I liked Marcus Samuelsson. As a longtime Food Network watcher, lover of chopped and all of that, I thought he was probably a pretty good guy.
And then I decided to get his memoir on an audible deal. The illusion is over. Marcus Samuelsson is, simply put, a pretentious asshole.
The only good thing I can say about this book is I learned a few things about food.
Other than that, the book made me reminiscent of the new movie The Menu. His descriptions of the military-like work environment of the kitchen, in particular.
Enter spoilers.
Moving on to the part where Marcus Samuelsson is an asshole:
1) He's kind of a dick about his parents. His dad was a college professor. Guess what? Not once does he seem thankful for the fact his parents bankrolled his life well into his 20s, paying his child support for his illegitimate child, or waiting for him to make some money while he went off and worked for free... While telling us how hard it is to be a black chef, which I am NOT arguing, he never once touches on the privilege he literally reeks of throughout the book. And never once did I hear a particular thank you to his parents.
2) His grandma dies, he just keeps on workin' cos that's what kitchen people apparently do. No emotions can go into perfect pastries or whatever.
3) Did I mention he had an illegitimate child? Ohhh, in Sweden a gal just gets an abortion and the guy pays for half. Well dude, putting aside you might have used a condom in your wild night of abandon, not everyone gets abortions. but apparently it's totally cool to let your parents pay for your mistake because you're not ready, you're not at a 3 star restaurant, you have to go off to New York... “I thought about doing the right thing and marrying her...” Nah, I doubt it. The only thing Marcus Samuelsson thinks about is Marcus Samuelsson.
4) He goes out drinking with his friends and participates in getting a bunch of them killed and maimed because he sucks at decision making. The driver of the car they hit head on is but a footnote... Don't worry though, he sees the world and gets successful all in honor of his dead friends.
5) He puts off meeting his daughter for 14 years because he's “not ready.”
6) He created his child while cheating on a girlfriend he was too big of a puss to make it clear to that he was no longer interested in dating.
Samuelsson is not a nice dude. I wish I'd never acquired this book. It did fuel my rage while I listened while rowing so honestly I probably had better rows because of my disgust with this guy the whole time. Keep on ruining lives out there, dude.
This book started off a solid 3 star, not a lot of action, not terribly interesting or uninteresting, but by the end I could not stop turning the pages. I need the next one. Like, now.
Not as taken with it as everyone else seems to be. Had a hard time focusing and reading it.
This is one of the best books I've read this year so far. A complete surprise, as I really wasn't expecting much from it. It was quite a bit different than anything I have read in some time. The story is about a medium, and I find it hard to classify it. Anyway, I recommend it highly, and it's free on Amazon prime for all of you with a kindle and a prime membership.
probably one of the worst books I've ever read. good idea, but didn't deliver at all. I didn't feel even remotely sorry for anyone. wish I could get the time I spent reading this back and apply it to a better book.
The brief historical blurb at the end was highly dissatisfying to me. I spent a lot of time answering questions for Lucas, explaining why the Japanese sought to attack America from all the way back in the mid-1800s. What I do appreciate is the book facilitated this important historical dialog and education. It held his interest. For that, I'll slap a 3 star on it for the experience.
Short, easy read. I didn't particularly enjoy it, nor did I not enjoy it. It was just a book.
Took forever for something to happen. I get so tired of her describing things Sookie is doing.. “Oh, I painted my toenails to feel girly.” Sometimes I am completely ashamed that I read these books at all, and am only hanging on because I've read so many of them I feel like I have to keep going. At least they are short. Also, please stop saying Sookie is watching Jeopardy. Sookie watches a lot of Jeopardy for someone who “never gets a single question right.”
This was not one of the worst books I have ever read, but definitely one of the worst of the year. I wanted to like it, it started off awesome and had moments of promise, but it just got worse and worse until it finally ended. Not a big fan of the writing, “Ransom this” “Ransom that”... Seems Keogh is afraid of pronouns. Idea was good, delivery not so much.
This was awful. The main male, Bennett, sucks. The sick kid is annoying.
Just...agh. Gross.