Gourmet Rhapsody

by Muriel Barbery Narrated by Norman Dietz, Barbara Caruso, Eliza Foss, Heather Corrigan, Jean Brassard, Paula Parker, Pete Larkin

Overview

This prequel to the New York Times bestseller The Elegance of the Hedgehog tells the story of another occupant of the posh apartment building in Paris: the great food critic Pierre Arthens. As his life draws to a close, he reflects back on its many flavors, and on a singular sublime something, once sampled and never forgotten.

In the heart of Paris, in the posh building made famous in The Elegance of the Hedgehog, the greatest food critic in the world is dying. Revered by some and reviled by many, Monsieur Pierre Arthens has been lording it over the world's most esteemed chefs for years. 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.
 
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 Monsieur Arthens, a man who has inspired only extreme emotions in people. Here, as in The Elegance of the Hedgehog, Muriel Barbery's story celebrates life's simple pleasures and sublime moments while condemning the arrogance and vulgarity of power.

Editorial Reviews

Publishers Weekly

French novelist Barbery's sensuous first novel, being released here after the phenomenal success of her second novel, The Elegance of the Hedgehog, encompasses a series of witty reflections on the life and career of famous, unlovable French food critic Pierre Arthen, as he lies on his death bed desperate to recapture "a forgotten flavor." Lapsing through chapters into nostalgic memories of early, formative tastes, women and pets, Arthens reveals himself as a man driven by "gastronomic ecstasies," from his childhood impressions of eating grilled meat in Tangiers to summers gorging on fresh fish in Brittany. Alternating with these splendid remembrances are decidedly more salty commentary by his resentful children ("Die in your silk sheets, in your pasha's bed, in your bourgeois cage, die, die, die"); long-suffering wife, Anna; the exultant tramp outside his Paris apartment building whom he ignored for 10 years; even his faithful cat, Rick (named for the character in the film Casablanca). Barbery's debut, occasionally rough-edged and uneven in structure, showcases her lush and satisfying prose and sets the stage for what has come. (Sept.)

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Library Journal

This prequel to French novelist/philosophy professor Barbery's 2008 New York Times best seller, The Elegance of the Hedgehog—also available from HighBridge Audio—was first published in France in 2000. As illustrious food critic Pierre Arthens lies dying, he searches his memories for the flavor par excellence, something to excite his taste buds one final time. The chapters alternate among Pierre's reminiscences and the perspectives of those surrounding his deathbed, including a cat and a Venus statue. Barbery's descriptions of Arthens's memory-lane flavors are tantalizing; however, Pierre is a thoroughly unlikable man (e.g., a supermarket trip elicits more emotion for him than does his wife of 30-plus years). Narrated beautifully by Norman Dietz, Barbara Caruso, Eliza Foss, Jean Brassard, Pete Larkin, and Heather Corrigan, this gloomy, disheartening tale will nonetheless leave listeners wondering what exactly Barbery is trying to say.—Terry Ann Lawler, Phoenix P.L.

From the Publisher

Praise for Gourmet Rhapsody

"Gourmet Rhapsody shows all the skill of Hedgehog and deals with the same themes: social class, philosophy, Japan and food, glorious descriptions of all kinds of food."
—Publishers Weekly

"Barbery demonstrates 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) 

"In the pages of this book, Barbery shows off her finest gift: lightness."
—La Repubblica 
 

Praise for The Elegance of the Hedgehog  

"Two characters provide the double narrative of The Elegance of the Hedgehog, and you will—this is going to sound corny—fall in love with both."
—Michael Dirda, The Washington Post 

"A beautiful story with a large cast of fascinating, complicated characters whose behavior is delightfully unpredictable."
—The Wall Street Journal 

"Both [of the book's protagonists] create eloquent little essays on time, beauty and the meaning of life, Renée with erudition and Paloma with adolescent brio."
—The New York Times

"Wins over its fans with a life-affirming message."
—TIME 

Providence Journal

A chorus of talented voices alternates in delivering a stark portrait of this master of French cuisine.”
—AudioFile [Earphones Award Winner]

AudioFile

A chorus of talented voices alternates in delivering a stark portrait of this master of French cuisine.”
—AudioFile [Earphones Award Winner]

OCTOBER 2009 - AudioFile

M. Pierre Arthens, France's supreme restaurant critic, reminisces about his life of gastronomic delights as he lies on his deathbed. His every waking moment is devoted to mentally identifying the singular taste that represents the apex of his existence . . . paradise . . . a cosmos of pleasure. A chorus of talented voices alternates in delivering a stark portrait of this master of French cuisine. Even his alabaster statue of Venus, as well as his cat and dog, have a voice in depicting the dying man. Epicurean ecstasies are articulated finely by each of the diverse narrators; the infinite details of meals past are conjured with lyrical expression. Arthens describes the art of food criticism as "adornment with an eternity of words," and the novel's profound 29 vignettes support the seductive essence of the cuisine they celebrate—even while some denigrate the man who experienced them. A.W. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award © AudioFile 2009, Portland, Maine

Product Details

BN ID:	2940169981841
Publisher:	HighBridge Company
Publication date:	10/10/2011
Edition description:	Unabridged

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