Paperback Original. In the heart of Paris, in the posh building made famous in The Elegance of the Hedgehog, Pierre Athens, the greatest food critic in the world, is dying. Revered by some and reviled by many, Monsieur Arthens has been lording it over the world's most esteemed chefs for years, passing judgment on their creations, deciding their fates with a stroke of his pen, destroying and building reputations on a whim. But now, during these his final hours, his mind has turned to simpler things. He is desperately searching for that singular flavor, that sublime something once sampled, never forgotten, the Flavor par excellence. Indeed, this flamboyant and self-absorbed man desires only one thing before he dies: one last taste.
Thus begins a charming voyage that traces the career of Monsieur Arthens from childhood to maturity across a celebration of all manner of culinary delights. Alternating with the voice of the supercilious Arthens is a chorus belonging to his acquaintances and familiars-relatives, lovers, a would-be protégé, even a cat. Each will have his or her say about M. Arthens, a man who has inspired only extreme emotions in people.
BOOK REVIEWS
Media Reviews
"Barbery's debut, occasionally rough-edged and uneven in structure, showcases her lush and satisfying prose and sets the stage for what has come. " - Publishers Weekly
"This work will delight foodies with a love of language but may disappoint readers looking for a novel they can really sink their teeth into." - Library Journal
"In Gourmet Rhapsody, Barbery best expresses her talent, demonstrating sensitivity and profound understanding both of life's many flavors and of the ways of the human soul, with all its weaknesses and contradictions." - Food & Beverage Magazine (Italy)
"Muriel Barbery possesses a controlled, rich, and precise language, one that allows readers to taste the very flavors described."- Corriere della Sera (Italy)
"In the pages of this book, Barbery shows off her finest gift: lightness."- La Repubblica (Italy)
Reader Reviews
Rated of 5
by Cloggie Downunder a treat The Gourmet is the first novel by Muriel Barbery. Pierre Arthens, France’s greatest food critic, is dying. As he lies on his deathbed in his Rue de Grenelle apartment, he is tormented by his inability to recall the most delicious food to pass his... Read More
This is Barbery's first novel. Originally published in France in 2000, it is being published in English for the first time, following the success of Barbery's The Elegance of the Hedgehog.
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