I really enjoyed this book. There was a lot to love for me personally, but it is a memoir that I think a lot of people will be able to relate to and enjoy.
The biggest draw for me has to be the author's writing style. The story of her life has high highs and low lows, and she delves into all of the pain and vulnerable moments as well as the joys and the rages. Nothing is off limits and she really captures scenes from her life with a wry sense of humor (when she can) and also a brutal honesty at times.
But beyond that vulnerability, it is her ability to craft a sensory experience out of this book that was remarkable to me. Every moment she describes she ventures to bring you to the scene with her - the sights, the sounds, the smells - everything. It really gives you a sense of what going to her restaurant might be like actually - she clearly takes her attention to the sensory experience in writing and has translated that into the experience of dining.
If I had to offer any critique, the one thing that comes to mind is that it was at times difficult to gauge the passage of time. Not a big deal for me personally, but some might find it confusing.
The only caveat I would offer to readers is that this memoir definitely comes with a trigger warning. The author delves into very painful topics of addiction, anxiety, depression, and suicide so I would say readers should be aware of that.
The biggest draw for me has to be the author's writing style. The story of her life has high highs and low lows, and she delves into all of the pain and vulnerable moments as well as the joys and the rages. Nothing is off limits and she really captures scenes from her life with a wry sense of humor (when she can) and also a brutal honesty at times.
But beyond that vulnerability, it is her ability to craft a sensory experience out of this book that was remarkable to me. Every moment she describes she ventures to bring you to the scene with her - the sights, the sounds, the smells - everything. It really gives you a sense of what going to her restaurant might be like actually - she clearly takes her attention to the sensory experience in writing and has translated that into the experience of dining.
If I had to offer any critique, the one thing that comes to mind is that it was at times difficult to gauge the passage of time. Not a big deal for me personally, but some might find it confusing.
The only caveat I would offer to readers is that this memoir definitely comes with a trigger warning. The author delves into very painful topics of addiction, anxiety, depression, and suicide so I would say readers should be aware of that.