In 2024 we read and discussed many great books. In the Weeds: Around the World and Behind the Scenes with Anthony Bourdain by Tom Vitale was one of my favorites.
The beauty of this book lies in the writing. It is a reflection of friendship and love, with all of its warts, with one of the most enigmatic men in popular culture. Celebrity chef and "everyman" Anthony Bourdain is beloved and tragic, but Vitale does not deify him. He gives us the truth, as he saw it, in all of its complexity.
As an avid reader, and discussant, I like this book for many reasons:
It really captures the complexities of humanity and love.
It is not plot dependent, so you can linger if you like. You can put it down and reflect on the section you read, and pick it up again days or weeks later without needing to re-acquaint yourself with a plot.
Each chapter focuses on an episode of their show Parts Unknown, so you can watch the show while reading.
The books lends itself to discussion. From "can you believe what happened in Libya!" to "I really hope Tom finds some peace", there is a lot to unpack!
I think Bourdain and this book are a great reflection of popular culture- reality television, hero worship, and a quest for perfection.
I think this is a great book to recommend to any type of reader- a great book for all. And that is rare!
Comments