Pages

Thursday, September 3, 2009

Review: Julie & Julia: my year of cooking Dangerously




Title and Author of book: Julie & Julia: my year of cooking Dangerously
Fiction or non-fiction: Non-fiction
Genre: Memoir
Where did I get the book: My public Library (thank God I didn't spend good $$$ on it!)

My thoughts:

I was absolutely disappointed in this book. I had to make myself finish it, which isn't a fun way to spend a Saturday...let me tell you!!! I found Julie to be very irritating. I could care less about her potty mouth, that isn't what turned me off. What I didn't care for was the way she talked about 9/11, working in the government agency, how much she hated Republicans, and just her whole personality. I think that it tainted my thoughts about the whole book. I wish she would've just concentrated on the food adventures and included some parts of her blog. I enjoyed reading the comments from some of her readers. I laughed at her mom reading the blog and leaving her notes as to how crazy she thought her daughter was at trying to cook every recipe in Julia Childs cookbook. The most enjoyable parts of the whole book were the excerpts from Paul Childs before each chapter. I loved reading these little snippets and sincerely couldn't wait to get through her chapter so that I could get back to the real interesting people!!


I'm pretty much an Independent. I hate having to declare myself a Democrat or a Republican, but can I just say that the following quote really felt needless?

Setting the scene for you: Julie was taking Charlotte Malakoff to her office so that her co-workers could partake in her newest creation. She dropped the ceramic dish and it shattered everywhere.

And after I got up to the office and left the heaped remains of charlotte out on the counter of the staff kitchen with a note saying "Please Enjoy!" I had to go to the six Democrats in the office and tell them they might want to take a pass since there might be ceramic shards or antifreeze in it.
p.170


I get it...she hates Republicans but she doesn't have to hit us over the head with it constantly!!!
Oh well, I'm going to see the movie because I'm sure that it has to be wayyyyy better than this book!

Other people's thoughts:
Kathy-Bermudaonion
direct quote from review: "Most bloggers can relate to her joy at receiving 36 hits early on (she knew because she’d checked her stats 12 times that day) and receiving her first comment. This audiobook made me laugh (a lot) and even got me teary-eyed at one point."

Bonnie-Redlady's Reading Room
direct quote from review: "If you are a foodie, a blogger, or you are just curious about this kind of book I would recommend reading it. Read it with an open mind. I enjoyed reading it as it took me to a place that I haven't experienced before and it was fun to read."

Margot-Joyfully Retired
direct quote from review: "I do have to warn you that Julie Powell’s language is rough. It’s actually beyond potty mouth. It didn’t keep me from reading and enjoying the book but I know some people like to know that beforehand. This is a memoir of sorts so it’s about Julie Powell. Rough but hip talk is who she is."

Lesley-Lesley's Book Nook
direct quote from review: "I found myself chortling out loud on several occasions (cause for some interesting glances from fellow walkers or bike riders as they passed by), finding Powell’s self-deprecating anecdotes quite humorous."


If you've read and reviewed this one please leave me your link in the comment section and I will add it to the list!!

29 comments:

  1. Very mixed reviews on this one. I recently won a copy, (hope to receive it soon), so will get the chance to see what I think. Thanks for the honest review!

    ReplyDelete
  2. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  3. I didn't read the book but I liked the movie (who can't like Meryl Streep in a movie, after all!). I love the way you used quotes from other blogs in your review. I want to do that too because sometimes other bloggers just capture something perfectly, or express a contrary thought I want to represent. Great job!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Staci, I appreciate your review. I suppose the political jab was meant to be humorous but, honestly, I find such attempts to be nothing more than a cheap ploy to fill a page. I probably would've stopped reading at that point (and I consider myself an Independent leaning toward Libertarian).

    ReplyDelete
  5. hehehehehehehe....hopefully U never say this about THIS (me) Julie....lol...."I found Julie to be very irritating"......I've heard some neg. things about this book....and i heard that the only good thing about the movie was Meryl....of course I idolize Meryl and think she can NEVER do wrong....lol...sooooooooooo....great review....i love how U lay it out for us! :):):):):):):):)):):)

    ReplyDelete
  6. Finally somebody who didn't like the book. Thank you!

    Anyway, I am 100% with you on the political stuff. I hate any writer of fiction or memoir that's not about politics to be expressing their personal political views and hatred towards the other party (be it Republican or Democrats). The quote you provided is absolutely ridiculous and I agree with Mary's comment that such things are nothing more than simply page fillers and honestly cheap shots as Ms. Powell certainly knew this would get her many devoted fans.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Sorry you did not like this one Staci. I got into it and enjoyed it.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Thanks for your review on the Julie/Julia book. I haven't read it, but I really enjoyed the movie. Loved Meryl Streep as Julia Child.

    ReplyDelete
  9. I haven't read this one, but might someday to see what all the hype is about. It's hard to enjoy a memoir if you doing like who's writing it :: I'm an Independent too, but I do it so I can equally bash both parties, LOL!

    ReplyDelete
  10. I listened to the audio book which is abridged, so I don't think she came across as quite so abrasive. I didn't think the potty mouth was necessary - it has been toned down for the movie.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Oh, I forgot to say thanks for the link love!

    ReplyDelete
  12. I'm sorry you were disappointed! I can definitely see how the repetitive nature of what was happening would get annoying. And the political stuff would grate on me, too -- even though I'm not exactly a Republican supporter myself! :)

    I saw the film last month and really, really enjoyed it -- and I think that it is particularly interesting and fun for bloggers! I loved Meryl Streep as Julia Child and found her story fascinating... I knew nothing about her.

    Thanks for the review! Not sure if I'll ever grab this one, but you just never know. :)

    ReplyDelete
  13. I loved the movie and have been wanting to read the book, but after your review and the quotes you included from other reviews I'm gonna pass on the book.

    ReplyDelete
  14. I just won this book TODAY (Thanks Bonnie!) so I haven't read it yet, but I appreciate your honest review. Now I'm more anxious than ever to read it and at the same time, I'm glad I didn't spend money on it to do so. Usually, you and I are on the same page with books. I'm sorry you were so disappointed in this one. I still would like to see the movie, especially after all the mixed reviews.

    ReplyDelete
  15. I love your honesty! I haven't read this one, but I've heard other bloggers say that Julie was annoying. I have no idea how I'd react to it, but I may skip straight to the movie. :-)

    ReplyDelete
  16. I didn't dislike this book as much as you did, but fairly there. I had the same thoughts about Julie, all her negative side comments were off-putting. The only redeeming quality of this book, which I really loved, was the food aspect. I so enjoyed her foray into cooking. I admit after the halfway point, I skipped the other parts but for the cooking bits.

    I'd love to see the movie though! I'm sure Meryl Streep is wonderful.

    ReplyDelete
  17. I really hate when books fail to live up to our expectations. :( I'm sorry this one didn't do it for you!

    ReplyDelete
  18. I found Julie in the movie to be very irritating. Good to know she's just as irritating in the book!

    ReplyDelete
  19. Oh no! Sorry you were so let down, Staci :(

    ReplyDelete
  20. Well, I won this one in a giveaway, but I had checked it out from the library first a few months ago. At the time I couldn't finish it because Julie's obsession with her blog was making me neurotic about my blog! I will read it cover to cover sometime, though.

    ReplyDelete
  21. The book has garnered some of the most split reviews for a while. The distribution (between 1-5 stars) is almost even! I recently won a copy from Frances (Nonsuch Book) and plan to read it.

    ReplyDelete
  22. Boy am I reading mixed reviews on this one! Now I'm not sure if I want to read it.

    ReplyDelete
  23. What I find funny is that I really want to see the movie but the book has never really caught my attention. Probably as I am not much of a foodie but I love Meryl Streep so that's why probably the movie sounds good to me :)

    ReplyDelete
  24. Dunno what to say about this one, would I like it or not is the question.

    Left you an award over at my place
    Award

    ReplyDelete
  25. I am sorry this book turned out to be such a disappointment, Staci. It's not on my list to read, I admit. I don't especially have an interest in cooking so decided long ago this book was probably not for me. From what you wrote, it sounds like I made the right choice.

    ReplyDelete
  26. Hmm I have this one on audio but might leave it for a while. thanks for your honesty Staci

    ReplyDelete
  27. Finally! I only read a few chapters of this to know it was NOT FOR ME. I was excited about his book based on an article I read about her or by her in Bon Appetit. The book was a huge disappointment. I wanted to read about the food, and I had no interest in her or her nonsense.

    ReplyDelete
  28. I really liked this book but understand your disapointment in the potty mouth and political comments. I wasn't as offended as I'm not a Republican but I do agree that it wasn't necessary to get into politics in the book. I guess it was reflective of her personality and life which she wanted to reflect on her blog and in her book. There is so much more to the book that to me was so enjoyable that dominated these parts. I haven't seen the movie yet but look forward to it. Thanks for the link to my review!

    ReplyDelete
  29. Sorry you didn't enjoy this one. I'm reading it right now, and I'm finding it just okay. It's not grabbing me like I hoped it would. Then again, I've been drawn to other books, so I've set it aside. I hope to finish it soon.

    --Anna
    Diary of an Eccentric

    ReplyDelete

Hello Friends!! I want to take this moment to say thank you. Thank you for taking the time to visit my blog and thank you for leaving me a comment.

* Because of the excessive spam I have decided not to allow anonymous users to comment.

Happy Reading!