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Garlic and Sapphires
- The Secret Life of a Critic in Disguise
- Narrated by: Bernadette Dunne
- Length: 10 hrs and 57 mins
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Garlic and Sapphires
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Publisher's Summary
Garlic and Sapphires is Ruth Reichl's riotous account of the many disguises she employs to dine anonymously. There is her stint as Molly Hollis, a frumpy blond with manicured nails and an off-beige Armani suit that Ruth takes on when reviewing Le Cirque. The result: her famous double review of the restaurant: First she ate there as Molly; and then as she was coddled and pampered on her visit there as Ruth, New York Times food critic.
What is even more remarkable about Reichl's spy games is that as she takes on these various disguises, she finds herself changed not just superficially, but in character as well. She gives a remarkable account of how one's outer appearance can very much influence one's inner character, expectations, and appetites.
As she writes, "Every restaurant is a theater...even the modest restaurants offer the opportunity to become someone else, at least for a little while." Garlic and Sapphires is a reflection on personal identity and role playing in the decadent, epicurean theaters of the restaurant world.
PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.
What the critics say
"This wonderful book is funny - at times laugh-out-loud funny - and smart and wise." (The Washington Post)
"Reichl is so gifted...the reader remains hungry for more." (USA Today)
"Expansive and funny." (Entertainment Weekly)
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What listeners say about Garlic and Sapphires
Average Customer RatingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
- Julia
- 2022-02-22
a great reread
I reread this book often while working. I love hearing about the food and the life lessons from going in disguise and the details of a particular time in New York City.
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance2 out of 5 stars
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Story3 out of 5 stars
- Emma Rae
- 2018-09-13
The narrator makes the most annoying kids voices
Good enough, love the descriptive writing, but I got bored listening. Not sure if I would recommend #Audible1
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Overall3 out of 5 stars
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Performance2 out of 5 stars
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Story3 out of 5 stars
- Robert Chapman
- 2022-12-09
Okay story; didn’t enjoy narration
Found the narrator used “voices” that were either racist (when portraying people from different cultures, with accents) or obnoxious (ex: in portraying Ruth’s son, Nikki). This story focusses on Ruth’s quest for the perfect disguise more than it does on her role as a food critic. The schtick got old pretty quick. This book was just okay. Would not recommend.
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