•  
    Beth Arvada, CO, United States 09-20-13
    Beth Arvada, CO, United States 09-20-13 Member Since 2012
    HELPFUL VOTES
    15
    ratings
    REVIEWS
    91
    22
    FOLLOWERS
    FOLLOWING
    1
    0
    Overall
    Performance
    Story
    "Read this book now!"

    I haven't connected with an author, with a book like this in a very long time. As a former restaurateur myself and woman, she tells her story beautifully. Food service isn't an easy life but her passion is exemplary. It reminds me of my passion and the passion of others like me. Someone who truly enjoys food, appreciates food and relishes restaurant work is enlightening. Thank you Gabrielle for shining a light on women who are badass but more than that get shit done, do their time and earn respect. I have never eaten your food but I wholeheartedly believe that you are one of the best chefs I have never met. Given my 20+ years in F&B I've met some amazing cooks and amazing people, I will count you as one. I will also recommend your book to any and everyone I work with and meet. THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU!

    More Less
    0 of 0 people found this review helpful
  •  
    A. Boekenoogen Seattle Wa 05-12-13
    A. Boekenoogen Seattle Wa 05-12-13 Member Since 2017
    ratings
    REVIEWS
    12
    5
    Overall
    Performance
    Story
    "Delicious. Her writing is completely delicious."
    If you could sum up Blood, Bones & Butter in three words, what would they be?

    Delicious, consuming, intriguing..


    What did you like best about this story?

    The stories about business and food preparation in her restaurant and her trips to Italy, but mostly her superb writing ability. The descriptiveness of her words, even when writing about banal things, was just like eating the best chocolate dessert ever, all the way through.


    What about Gabrielle Hamilton’s performance did you like?

    Loved it. loved her.


    Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

    I wanted more. I didn't want it to end. I loved her in the end and wanted the story to keep going.


    Any additional comments?

    more please..

    More Less
    0 of 0 people found this review helpful
  •  
    KP United States 03-30-13
    KP United States 03-30-13 Member Since 2005
    HELPFUL VOTES
    448
    ratings
    REVIEWS
    292
    89
    FOLLOWERS
    FOLLOWING
    18
    0
    Overall
    Performance
    Story
    "Entertaining Even to a Non-Foodie"

    I read this because it was recommended by a good friend. I am not into the chef/restaurant/foodie scene at all, and so expected not to like this. I was pleasantly surprised. This woman's life is simply an entertaining story even if you're not that into the food parts, and the food-related parts are surprisingly "accessible" (I don't really cook but didn't feel like anything was over my head).

    The book unfortunately takes a nosedive in the final part of the story, where the focus is on marital discord and the resulting bitterness. But the parts before that make listening to this book worth it.

    Considering she's a chef, and not a professional audiobook narrator, Hamilton does a respectable job.

    More Less
    0 of 0 people found this review helpful
  •  
    Greg Hill 12-28-12
    Greg Hill 12-28-12
    HELPFUL VOTES
    258
    ratings
    REVIEWS
    275
    50
    FOLLOWERS
    FOLLOWING
    1
    0
    Overall
    Performance
    Story
    "Has Gabrielle suffered head trauma?"

    I've heard Gabrielle Hamilton speak. I've heard her tell stories, swear and chat with cooks. My experience with book seems to be quite at odds with other reviewers. I found the story itself boring, with odd turns of phrase that might have been illuminated by a quality author narration. I did not find the narration helped the poor story along at all.

    LIstening to Anthony Bourdain talk about Gabrielle and about how she should write a book and how great it would be was far more entertaining and endearing than the actual product.

    More Less
    0 of 0 people found this review helpful
  •  
    Lori 11-02-12
    Lori 11-02-12
    HELPFUL VOTES
    25
    ratings
    REVIEWS
    31
    17
    FOLLOWERS
    FOLLOWING
    0
    0
    Overall
    Performance
    Story
    "Honest, funny and memorable!"
    Would you listen to Blood, Bones & Butter again? Why?

    To have a good chuckle.


    What was one of the most memorable moments of Blood, Bones & Butter?

    There are many- the overall feel of the truth of the story is the most memorable.


    What does Gabrielle Hamilton bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

    Her voice carries her feelings that simply reading the book could not convey.


    Any additional comments?

    Excellent book. I first became aware of G. Hamilton while listening to The Splendid Table. She has such a genuine personality, accepts herself as she is and only wants the "real thing" from everyone else in return. This book, and the author, offer a realness that is not usually found because few people have the courage to share it.

    More than bargained for...

    More Less
    0 of 0 people found this review helpful
  •  
    Kathryn Saraland, AL, United States 10-13-12
    Kathryn Saraland, AL, United States 10-13-12
    ratings
    REVIEWS
    1
    1
    Overall
    Performance
    Story
    "One of the best memoirs I've read in years"

    This is the best chef's memoir I've ever read, and I've read a few. It actually ranks high among memoirs in general for me, not just those related to the culinary world. I found the story of her life and work fascinating. Gabrielle Hamilton's voice took a little getting used to, it's not quite monotone, but a little flat.

    More Less
    0 of 0 people found this review helpful
  •  
    Anne M. McDonald 10-10-12
    Anne M. McDonald 10-10-12
    HELPFUL VOTES
    0
    ratings
    REVIEWS
    21
    1
    FOLLOWERS
    FOLLOWING
    0
    1
    Overall
    Performance
    Story
    "great read"

    The non-plussed attitude of the author bothered me at first, but I fell into a fascinating story. Some memoirs are boring - this one worked for me.

    More Less
    0 of 0 people found this review helpful
  •  
    Ellen Woodstock, CT, United States 09-20-12
    Ellen Woodstock, CT, United States 09-20-12 Member Since 2013
    ratings
    REVIEWS
    5
    5
    Overall
    Performance
    Story
    "Individual courage, not necessarily best choices"
    What did you love best about Blood, Bones & Butter?

    Protagonist rallied repeatedly from difficult situations, always remembering the things that mattered most to her from her childhood and family (mother particularly). The fact that the happiness came full circle over many years gave a satisfying summary.


    What was the most interesting aspect of this story? The least interesting?

    Her experiences while working in the summer camp, and the misplaced trust in the other counselors. Least interesting - overly detailed description of too many aspects of the journey.


    What three words best describe Gabrielle Hamilton’s voice?

    Intriguing....uniform....calm


    Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

    No....because her reaction to almost every event was "that's the way it is" there was no one major "turning point" event, unless it was the divorce of the parents, or the description of the dead rat in the stairway behind the restaurant, that gave the book a suspenseful or extreme character.


    Any additional comments?

    Not a genre that I generally read, but it was touching in an indefinable way, and good to see that it finally had a satisfying resolution.

    More Less
    0 of 0 people found this review helpful
  •  
    Ruth Anne 09-20-12
    Ruth Anne 09-20-12 Member Since 2010
    HELPFUL VOTES
    10
    ratings
    REVIEWS
    28
    3
    FOLLOWERS
    FOLLOWING
    0
    0
    Overall
    Performance
    Story
    "it wasn't totally awful"
    Would you recommend Blood, Bones & Butter to your friends? Why or why not?

    I read BB & B for my book club, & I don't know that I'd recommend it. As narrator I thought she sounded dull at times, and I really could have done without all the "F" words. I don't think I'd want to hang out with Gabrielle, but this is her story, who am I to judge? It was interesting to see how life experiences shaped the girl into the woman, she had to fend for herself from her early teens, and she did, she worked hard, I admire that. She's an independent kind of woman and has done something with her life. Serving food, to hungry people. I admire that too.


    More Less
    0 of 0 people found this review helpful
  •  
    Lisa C 09-04-12
    Lisa C 09-04-12
    HELPFUL VOTES
    9
    ratings
    REVIEWS
    48
    26
    FOLLOWERS
    FOLLOWING
    0
    0
    Overall
    Performance
    Story
    "Not one of my favorites."
    Is there anything you would change about this book?

    Some parts of the book were slow and a bit tedious, but others were entertaining. The story was not compelling to me.


    Would you be willing to try another book from Gabrielle Hamilton? Why or why not?

    Probably not.


    Have you listened to any of Gabrielle Hamilton’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

    Never listened to one before.


    Could you see Blood, Bones & Butter being made into a movie or a TV series? Who should the stars be?

    I wouldn't be interested in the movie.


    More Less
    0 of 0 people found this review helpful