The Best Thing That Can Happen to a Croissant

Average customer rating:

Excellent for what it is - beach reading

Euro Fiction Requires Narcotics

Be prepared to fall out of bed laughing

The Best Thing That Can Happen to a Croissant
Pablo Tusset
Manufacturer: Canongate U.S.
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Contemporary | General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books
Literary | General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 1841957151

Book Description

A best seller in Europe, Pablo Tusset's wickedly funny debut novel follows the hilarious, boozy, libidinous, and occasionally dangerous travails of Pablo “Baloo” Miralles, the wholeheartedly dissolute thirty-year-old black sheep of the staid Barcelona finance titans of Miralles & Miralles. This renowned Internet blogger, daytime sleeper, and dedicated hedonist is yanked into family business matters when the president of the business, his older, accomplished brother, disappears. Thus begins The Best Thing That Can Happen to a Croissant, an easy-riding, reluctant-detective story. Tusset's prodigious talents as both a satirist and creator of one of the most hilarious underachievers in recent memory make this an exquisitely entertaining read.

Customer Reviews:

Excellent for what it is - beach reading.......2007-01-24

Summary = Existential Barcelona trust-fund baby has some adventure and settles into his ideal life, far removed from society.

The story itself is made up of a series of unfinished strings - you have the impression both that the author took on more than could be accomplished in a single book and that the decision to end the book was somewhat abrupt.

In some ways though, this fits well with the lead character, who is basically a more intellectual version of Gob on Arrested Development. He has a pretend job with his family company, spends most of his time and ego in an online development of an ultimate philosophy, and idolizes gluttony in its essence - a life filled with drinking, drugs, food, and sex. This comfortable existence is interrupted by an intrigue involving his brother, but luckily for the reader, the book continues to focus on his internal state and the intrigue primarily results in him having more money to spend on his excesses.

The book is very self-indulgent and is not recommended for anyone looking for a serious read or "proper" literary development. But for a beach, plane, waiting in the doctor's office read, this is definitely worth the $1 used fee on marketplace. But do watch out for the cover - it makes it a little awkward to read in public...

Euro Fiction Requires Narcotics.......2006-01-01

I had a hard time determining the number of stars to give this one. I'd give five stars for some chapters and one star for others. The sexual episodes described are well done and there is some genuinely original comedy, but I sensed that some of the humor was lost in translation. Still, the thin story line kept me reading to solve the mystery. This book won't make it big in the States because the author is far too casual about the "hero's" use of narcotics. The book could've retained all the substance and humor, been kept under 200 pages, and would've sold far more copies and received far more reviews. The author is brilliant, but twisted. And I love the cover design as it actually prompted me to pick up the book. I would like to meet the model for that little piece of art and would consider purchasing a framable copy.

Be prepared to fall out of bed laughing.......2005-10-14

I was quietly reading the first few pages of this book, at Brews and News in Boca, when a strange thing happened. I literally had to place my hand over my mouth to keep from disturbing my fellow patrons with uncontrollable laughter. My shoulders shook and I laughed so much I almost cried.

Do you know how long it has been since I have had this reaction? I don't, but I know it has been way too long.

Imagine the laziest person you know, add 300 pounds to him and then make him 100 times more apathetic and you get the lead in this marvelous book. Except when it serves his purpose or has the mildy interesting characteristic of involving his ultra rich family, Pablo "Baloo" Miralles is more concerned about feeding his face or making it to the bars before closing, than what is going on in the world until his next feeding time. It takes a possible attempted murder and kidnapping and a call from relatives he barely finds interesting to nudge him off his sofa and begin his bumbling attempt to find some answers.

The only parts that are a bit difficult to get through are the dream sequences but even they are so bizarre that you have to continue to see what this bizarre mind will come up with next.

If you like intelligent, funny, mysteries with bumbling casts then you are going to love this book.

Book Description

For the Children of Haqim, the Middle-Eastern vampires Europeans call Assamites, there can be no more important battle. Christian crusaders are amassed in Constantinople threatening the Muslim Egypt and the Holy Land. Harnessing their zeal is a powerful vampiric Templar who dreams of taking Jerusalem and destroying Clan Assamite.

Standing against him is Amala, a skilled Child of Haqim who finds herself drawn to the Templar and his pronouncements of divine sanction. Can one woman stop a crusade? Does she even want to?

Dark Ages: Assamite continues the epic thirteen-part series of Dark Ages Clan Novels, chronicling a vast conflict among the vampires of the Middle Ages. The War of Princes rages.

Customer Reviews:

unput downable.......2007-02-27

For some reason ive never really liked this clan maybe i just didnt understand them well enough to be interested in playing one but having read this book makes me more inclinced to do so in the future. At first i found the book a little dull but soon, with the introduction of Sir Hugh the Ventrue with True Faith things soon hotted up. I felt that this book was an excellent clan novel with very interesting themes, Christanity against Muslim, East against West...but i felt that the assamite characters where over shadowed by the Presence of Sir Hugh and that it wasnt so much as a Assamite novel,but more of a Ventrue one. My original statement is still true but after the indepth development of the character of Sir Hugh im more inclinded to want to play more Ventrue.

A Tale Well-told!.......2005-02-16

I thoroughly enjoyed this particular novel very much. It deals with three sects of the Assamite clan who call themselves Children of Haqim. I was amazed at how he put one of each of the sects together. I have always thought that the children of Haqim were more than the stereotypical assassin. Initially there is some conflict between their different points of view. How Stefan works it out is simply amazing. He even introduces a character with True Faith and how it affects the kindred around him. I liked how Sir Hugh, a kindred himself has a very strong sense of faith. All in all I will have to say that Stefan Petrucha is a master storyteller!

"I can have no other love...".......2004-12-24

It never fails that, just when I think a Masquersade series is going to be all data and little play, along comes a book that surprises me with both a high level of action (for a World of Darkness book) and a well written and novel story line. Assamite is a notch above the norm on several accounts - far enough so that the book can pretty well stand on its own.

The Assamite in the center is called Amala, on of the deadly assassins who lair at Alumet. These vampires have strong ties with the Muslim faith and thus are the natural enemies of the Crusade. Amala, her companion Sihr Haddad, and Fajr, an itinerant of Amala's clan join to spy on the recent events at Constantinople and take whatever action will protect the faithful. You will also encounter the redoubtable Fatima al-Faqadi, who was th main character of the the previous Assamite volume in the first clan series.

This story could have also been titled Ventrue, after the clan of the vampire Knight Templar who draws Amala's attention and even manages to penetrate her discipline far enough to bring her to the edge of faltering. Sir Hugh of Clairvaux is of precisely the opposite disposition of faith than Amala. Not only is he deeply religious, but an encounter under Constantinople with a Lamia has left him convinced he is privy to Mary's own confidences. He has been inspired to take the Crusade to Egypt, which was the original target.

The relationshi between these two throws both into a crisis of faith as Amala finds Hugh quoting the Quran in his sleep, and Amala's pose as a simple vampire maid proves overwhelmingly attractive to Hugh. This creates tensions among both their followers, and the resulting novel is both complex and rich in character development. Expect more than a few surprising developments as well.

We have had two novels in a row that turn on religious issues in a time when spiritual belief was far more important to vampire society and the Masquerade was still a twinkling in the eyes of the clans. I hope the story develops in other directions as well, but I have to confess that this intensity serves as a reminder that, whatever else they are, most vampires still have a lot of human nature left to them. The players in this volume are very much children of their times as well as spooky creatures with beast centers.

There is a lot to enjoy and be intrigued by in this effort by Stefan Petrucha. If you are considering reading the series, this is probably a better start than Nosferatu, which is harder book to read.

They are not just a clan of Assassins.......2003-05-31

Many years ago I was introduced briefly to WoD Vampire lore by a friend who actually participated in the roleplaying game. As a layman I only retained a fraction of the information I was exposed to .... however a one of the things I remembered was that the Assamites were a clan of Vampire assassins. Period. End of lesson. Well, in this installment of the Vampire Dark Ages Clan series - you will learn that they are much more than simple killers for hire. You will learn that Assamite sorcerors exist and they are given a grudging level of respect as well as suspicion by their own clanmates. There are viziers, who appear to be the scholars of Alamut. Then there are the commonly known warriors, of which there are further classifications within this caste that denote status and level of skill in the deadly arts. Another interesting element of this book, is a Ventrue knight who struggles to reconcile his devout faith and chivalry with his vampiric nature. Gifted with the charisma and presence of his bloodline, this Cainite Crusader builds an army destined to reclaim the Holy Land. A group of Assamites are dispatched to ensure this does not happen. Paths cross and the unexpected results. It is a well-written story that could be used as a template for any genre, but uses the threads of human history, the struggle to find meaning and faith, and compelling characters to weave a story that is engaging and illuminating. In my opinion, these novels far surpass the previous series in quality and content. Do not let your experience with those books prevent you from reading these. If you are interested in Medieval history, this book and the other in the series will definitely prove worthwhile.

Dark Ages Clan Novel Series: Nosferatu, Assamite, Cappadocian, Setite, Lasombra, Ravnos, Malkavian, Brujah, Toreador, Gangrel, Tremure, Ventrue and Tzimisce (set of 13 books)

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Dark Ages Clan Novel Series: Nosferatu, Assamite, Cappadocian, Setite, Lasombra, Ravnos, Malkavian, Brujah, Toreador, Gangrel, Tremure, Ventrue and Tzimisce (set of 13 books)
Janet Trautvetter , Andrew Bates , Stefan Petrucha , David Niall Wilson , Sarah Roark , Kathleen Ryan , Gherbod Fleming , Ellen Porter Kiley , Myranda Kalis , and Tim Waggoner and Matthew McFarland
Manufacturer: White Wolf
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback
ASIN: B000OIYKN6

Product Description

The complete series of 13 novels, sold as a set.

Book Description

Welcome to Waterdeep

Here, everything imaginable is for sale. Even dreams can be purchased if one is willing to pay the price.

When the sale of dream spheres threatens the life of his newfound half sister, Danilo Thann joins forces with Arilyn Moonblade to uncover the source of this deadly trade. Their search leads them into the dark heart of Waterdeep, and to personal secrets that could destroy them both.

Elaine Cunningham returns to the City of Splendors and the characters that made her one of the most popular Forgotten Realms authors.

Customer Reviews:

2 and 1/2 stars.......2005-12-14

This an acceptable entry level book to fantasy, it doesn't have any real depth or much in the way of originality. If your looking for a moderately enjoyable book that you can blow through in an evening then its right up your alley.

Cunningham shows some promise, but she tends to be lazy it seems. This book had some fairly decent ideas, but what could have been a stellar story instead just left me wondering "that's all?'.

Could have been so much better!.......2004-07-25

Dream Spheres is the fifth book in Elaine Cunningham's series after Elfshadow, Elfsong, Silver Shadows, and Thornhold. Keep in mind that there are several short stories that take place before, during, and after events presented in these five books and can be found in the Dragon magazines 246 and 259, and the novels Realms of Mystery, Realms of Infamy, and Realms of Valor. This is why there are some reviewers that feel "lost".
In relation to Dream Spheres, it takes a while for the story to take off, i.e. it is rather slow. The first scene, the party at the Thann residence, takes up almost 50 pages (!!!) and it's not that great.
This comes in contrast with the previous in line book, Thornhold, which starts off by capturing the reader's attention/interest from the very first page, though the ending is very disappointing.
The plot as a whole is not bad, but it is not great either. It is just that the more one reads, the more one realizes how much like a soap opera the series, and this book in particular has become; enough with the Danilo-Arilyn relationship difficulties already! Get married or break up! And enough with Arilyn's attitude problem.
Moreover, the tren are not that great or interesting of a nemesis, especially not one to be used so much throughout the whole book.
Khelben Blackstaff who we see a lot of in Thornhold has only a few lines in Dream Spheres for no apparent reason (he might as well have been considered to have been absent from the City of Splendors).
Furthermore, the SERIES seems to be going back and forth between Waterdeep and Tethyr, Waterdeep and Tethyr... There are other places in Faerun to visit.
The mother-in-law thing was just too much...
My main question is why did Danilo not raise his sister? If she had been devoured by tren yes, but she was found in one piece.
Most of the favorite characters are there, some without good reason though.
(I agree with many of the points the reviewer "kalan" has made further down)
It is unfortunate, that there is no mention of the issues/matters that do matter to us fans, and had been left lingering at the end of Thornhold; Arilyn's brother Dag Zoreth, Arilyn's niece Cara Doon, the Thornhold fortress, the Samular Paladin order, the paladin Algorind, the Zhentarim that had a change of heart, the three rings and the artifact etc.
What we do get though, is the arrival of Foxfire and a wild elf band in the City of Splendors??? How did they ever make the journey north in one piece? And how were they allowed in the City without city guard supervision yet alone participate in the fighting that took place? Especially when the City is supposed to be so vigilant in relation to elves.
There seem to be too many things going on at the same time just for the sake of it, and not for any apparent reason.
At first I thought it was just a matter of getting to the good part, but the book seems to lack that something to put it over the top, along with Elaine Cunnigham's other work.
On the positive side, the book is not terrible, the characters for the most part are familiar if not good, the overall plot is alright, and hopefully a sequel will be written setting things straight by shedding light as to what comes next.
In conclusion, it is my belief that the book for the most part deserves about 3.5 stars, and since I am an Elaine Cunningham fan, that translates into a 4.

Danilo's response to foxfire.......2004-07-24

I have to agree with most people that this book seemed to hop all over but thats not my problem with it. When Danilo finds out what happened between foxfire and arilyn he just takes it in stride and they kiss and make up. No man would take that easy even if he was confident they would be nothing else but friends, he would still be haunted by it because it gave him second seat in her life. Moreover that would be same as ripping a mans entire ego out and making him feel worthless. Does Danilo love his duty more than arilyn of his other friends "no". Yet for arilyn her duty to the elves comes before danilo he takes a 2nd seat at best in her life. No man could ever be truly happy like that. If you drag this story out 20 years Danilo is going to be a bitter old man who isn't happy with his life due to nagging doubts. I never saw these problems dealt with. You can't have 2 masters, Yet Arilyn does, which in the end does she choose?This series needs another book or a follow up series. No man could be content like that. For a very realistic writer about human nature elaine seems to have had her head stuck in the clouds.

Just couldn't get into this...........2003-08-06

Mmmm.... I admit, this is my first book in this series, and I just could NOT get into it. I have difficult caring for a character who steals for a living without serious just cause. The concept of the dream spheres seems like a thinly veiled cautionary tale on the dangers of drugs. I don't know... It just did NOT work for me. Perhaps the others are better. Until then, I'll give this series a pass.

Time to stop.......2002-06-07

When reading Elaine Cunningham's books, I'm always troubled by the nagging feeling that her plots make no sense. With The Dream Spheres, I had no doubt: this book makes no sense at all.
The plot is constantly turned in new directions by the introduction of yet another new character or element, and Cunningham so overloads the plot this time that it becomes nothing but an illogical mess. What was this book supposed to be about? The dream spheres? Lily? The absurdly powerful Isabeau Thione? Danilo's family difficulties? Elaith Craulnober? The secrets of Waterdeep's noble families? Bronwyn and Ebenezer? Danilo and Arilyn's romance?
Cunningham really needs to learn that less is more. Throwing in everything you possibly can for the sake of trying to appeal to everyone and playing with your pet characters one more time does not make a strong or well-written story. The continual references in The Dream Spheres to other events that the reader was apparently supposed to know about were highly irritating, and another symptom of bad story-telling. I've read everything by Cunningham on this thread except for Thornhold and the odd short story, and I still found myself lost.
Cunningham clearly shows in The Dream Spheres that she has nothing new to say about her favourite characters. Danilo has his good points, but Arilyn is as dour, bigoted, and boringly invincible as ever. Their story has essentially gone nowhere in all the time that Cunningham has been writing about them. And as for the way she wrecked Elaith in this book (a tortured soul tormented by doubts about his moral character, who puts Arilyn, of all people, on a pedestal), the less said, the better.
Cunningham needs discipline, a stricter editor, and some new ideas. The Magehound shows that she is only partway there.

Average customer rating:

Oh Captain, My Captain

Dreams and Swords
Katherine V. Forrest
Manufacturer: Bywater Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Contemporary | General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books

General | Short Stories | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books

ASIN: 1932859373

Book Description

"A pioneer in lesbian literature . . . a believer in the power of stories."- Lambda Book Report

The reprint of a long out-of-print classic short story collection featuring the treasured erotic novella O Captain, My Captain. Also includes stories featuring LAPD homicide detective Kate Delafield and characters from the Daughters of a Coral Dawn science fiction series.

Katherine V. Forrest is famous for her best-selling works of lesbian fiction in the mystery/detective, romance, and science fiction genres. She has received the Lambda Literary Foundation Pioneer Award, given to recognize and honor the best in lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender literature.

Customer Reviews:

Oh Captain, My Captain.......1998-05-31

This collection of short stories is a must read for one reason: the central novella, "Oh Captain My Captain." I liked the other stories, but this story is simply delicious. A young startrooper signs on for a deep space voyage with the mysterious Captain Drake, who has...needs. The needs are fulfilled in Zero G and just about every other place on the ship...except in the Captain's quarters where the secret to Drake's nature is hidden. I think this may be Katherine Forrest's most erotic writing.

The Empty Throne (The Sword and the Dream)

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The Empty Throne (The Sword and the Dream)
Janice Elliott , and Grahame Baker
Manufacturer: Walker Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

FANTASTIC UNIVERSE - Volume 10, number 4 - October 1958: Symposium of the Gorgon; Operation Disaster; Let the Dream Die; Survival in Space; Shadow of the Sword; Search for Life; Lap of the Primitive; Flying Saucer of the Seas; Companion; Shapes in the Sky

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FANTASTIC UNIVERSE - Volume 10, number 4 - October 1958: Symposium of the Gorgon; Operation Disaster; Let the Dream Die; Survival in Space; Shadow of the Sword; Search for Life; Lap of the Primitive; Flying Saucer of the Seas; Companion; Shapes in the Sky
Hans Stefan (editor) (Clark Ashton Smith; Lee Chaytor; Stanley Mullen; Lester del Rey; Wynne N. Whiteford; Clyde Hostetter; William F. Nolan; Stephen Bond; John Ashton) Santesson
Manufacturer: King Size Publications
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000I7G07W

IMAGINATION UNLIMITED: Referent; What Dead Men Tell; Dune Roller; Employment; Dreams Are Sacred; Berom; The Fire and the Sword

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IMAGINATION UNLIMITED: Referent; What Dead Men Tell; Dune Roller; Employment; Dreams Are Sacred; Berom; The Fire and the Sword
Everett F.; Dikty, T. E. (editors) (Ray Bradbury; Theodore Sturgeon; Julian May; L. Sprague de Camp; Peter Phillips; John Berryman; Frank Robinson) Bleiler
Manufacturer: Berkley Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000BCZSHC

IMAGINATION UNLIMITED: Referent; What Dead Men Tell; Dune Roller; Employment; Dreams Are Sacred; Berom; The Fire and the Sword; Blind Man's Bluff; Pressure; The X1 Effect; Old Faithful; Hold Back Tomorrow; Alas All Thinking

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IMAGINATION UNLIMITED: Referent; What Dead Men Tell; Dune Roller; Employment; Dreams Are Sacred; Berom; The Fire and the Sword; Blind Man's Bluff; Pressure; The X1 Effect; Old Faithful; Hold Back Tomorrow; Alas All Thinking
Everett F.; Dikty, T. E. (editors) (Ray Bradbury; Theodore Sturgeon; Julian May; L. Sprague de Camp; Peter Phillips; John Berryman; Frank Robinson; Malcolm Jameson; Ross Rocklynne; Philip Latham; Kris Neville; Raymond Z. Gallun; Harry Bates) Bleiler
Manufacturer: Farrar Straus and Young
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000GVUULC

The King Awakes (The Sword and the Dream)

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The King Awakes (The Sword and the Dream)
Janice Elliott , and Grahame Baker
Manufacturer: Walker Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Strange Magic, Miracles & Beautiful Dreams: Living with the Sword of Damocles

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Strange Magic, Miracles & Beautiful Dreams: Living with the Sword of Damocles
Robbie Dillon
Manufacturer: Swordsman Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: 0952547007

Sword Swallowers & Dream Followers - part 1

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TALKING THINGAMAJIGS, ODD CONTRAPTIONS & TROUP SHOWS

Sword Swallowers & Dream Followers - part 1
Dennis Goodwin
Manufacturer: Activity Factory
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

History & Criticism | Radio | Entertainment | Subjects | Books

History & Criticism | Television | Entertainment | Subjects | Books

General | Performing Arts | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 0936885114

Book Description

This booklet, part 1 of a two-part work, provides colorful glimpses of three forms of America's early entertainment: Early Radio, Vintage Television and Tent Shows. The reader will come face-to-face with the one-of-a-kind characters who painted our country's early entertainment landscape.

Customer Reviews:

TALKING THINGAMAJIGS, ODD CONTRAPTIONS & TROUP SHOWS.......2001-03-12

Come travel with Dennis Goodwin on his tour of American entertainment. This time you are given a peek of tent shows, early radio and classic television programs in Part 1 of this amusing and informative booklet.

Rural America was hungry for the culture of the theatre. James McVicker, during the 1850's, filled their appetite by taking his show on the road. After all, theatre-goers in the city got bored with seeing the same play over again and our pioneer needed the income while rebuilding his threatre. Thus began a great tradition of travelling actors, line snafus and rowdy audiences that birthed the emergance of American theatre.

Everybody wanted one of those talking thingamajigs so they could listen to the various word pictures coming through the air waves. Radio captured America by the storm in the 1920's and brought with it those memorable characters of the Shadow, Gangbusters, Amos and Andy, and other shows. Finally the odd contraption called television arrived bringing with it the visual images as well as sound. Thus new programs emerged that have become classics: I Love Lucy, The Honey Mooners and The Ed Sullivan Show were just a few of the programs that ushered in a new entertainment age.

Goodwin's book is funny, extremely interesting and informative as we see the transition of entertainment from one form to the next. For those of you who remember radio in its hey day, you will be delighted to reaquaint yourself with the era. Those who were influenced by TV will enjoy visiting their favorite programs that set the standard for future television offerings. Enjoy this book.

Average customer rating:
The Sword Went Out to Sea: Synthesis of a Dream, by Delia Alton
H. D. (Hilda Doolittle)
Manufacturer: University Press of Florida
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Contemporary | General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books
Literary | General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 0813030668

Book Description

"The publication of H.D.'s late roman a clef is a timely one, as it engages many important critical questions: the place of the occult in modernism, women writers' response to war, the historical and biographical contexts of H.D.'s late writing. The editors give a forceful presentation of the novel's significance."--Eileen Gregory, University of Dallas

"H.D.'s The Sword Went Out to Sea was written in response to two world wars and years of unremitting bombing. A haunting novel of spiritual duress and survival, it remains eerily relevant today."--Donna Hollenberg, University of Connecticut

The modernist poet and novelist H.D. (Hilda Doolittle) was profoundly interested in the occult and during WWII conducted spiritualist seances in her home. Those experiences form much of the basis for her novel The Sword Went Out to Sea, which features an experimental structure and a blending of autobiography, dream, and vision.

Even though it was far too complex and eccentric for the popular presses of her day, H.D. believed The Sword Went Out to Sea was "the crown" of her years of serious study of esoteric doctrine as well as of her daily writing practice. It has never before been published.

Book Description

Over the past decade, Toronto-based chef Susur Lee has built an international reputation with his groundbreaking cuisine, winning raves such as "culinary genius" from critics and chefs alike. Borrowing heavily from French and Chinese traditions, Susur defies the ubiquitous "fusion" label with his wholly original and decidedly bold style of cooking, dubbed nouvelle Chinois. SUSUR: A CULINARY LIFE offers readers an intimate look at the evolution of this master chef. Toronto food writer Jacob Richler takes us on an enthralling culinary odyssey that begins with Susur's apprenticeship at Hong Kong's legendary Peninsula Hotel and follows the chef 's major Successes at his award-winning restaurants Lotus and Susur. This in-depth study also chronicles Susur's ambitious plan to modernize the ancient repertoire of classical Chinese cooking —a 5,000-year journey that ends in the creation of his vibrant new cuisine. A remarkable subject deserves a remarkable book, and SUSUR is as innovative as the chef it celebrates. Two colorful, gorgeously illustrated volumes — one describing Susur 's development as a chef, the other featuring his most sought-after recipes —are bound together in an intricate and innovative presentation that resembles a Chinese puzzle box. A sensuous treat for foodies and chefs alike, SUSUR is the definitive word on this cutting-edge chef.

Customer Reviews:

great for professionals.......2007-01-19

i bought it for my boyfriend, who is an aspiring chef and loves asian cuisine. he loves it - its a beautiful and inspiring book. i wouldn't recommend it for anyone who is just interested in cooking at home.

It is what it is.......2006-04-09

Pretty coffee table book...don't buy for the recipes unless you are a professional. I am a chef and have been at several for and five star establishments. I had the pleasure a few years ago to do a banquet with Susur and he is the real deal. Will his techniques translate to the amateur cook looking to learn from his book? No. These are professional recipes designed to be executed by a top class brigade with years of technique and time to prepare the needed mis en place. But as a professional, the way he approaches food as well as the culinary foundation that he has built for himself is unique and will be appreciated by those in the know. What isn't pretentious about a $50 coffee table book? This book gives exposure to a unique and talented chef who is grounded in solid technique and is able to translate that into well presented and balanced dishes that are not silly fusion. Definetly worth a look.

Susur Lee.......2006-03-20

This book its all about creativity by a man who has been over looked for too many years as one of the worlds Top Chefs. This book is in one simple word "Awesome"

Susur: Some Thoughts on Perfection in Cuisine.......2006-02-21

Given the acidity of previous reviews, let me start with some background on myself: I am an American not resident in Canada; I am a non-professional chef -- I cook for myself, my family and my friends. I love food, both from the philosophy that one can learn the history of a country or region by learning about its cuisine and from the perspective that I truly believe we are what we eat ... and the miserable record of American health and longevity is directly due to the poor quality of what we consume.

I first saw Susur on Food Network's "Chef du Jour", where well-regarded chefs would do a single 30 minute program on a topic of their choice. That was at least 8 years ago. I think he may have been on one or two "Ready, Set, Cook" programs, but I'm not certain. He certainly didn't push to become a "celebrity chef", at least in the TV sense. He did become a celebrity in the culinary world: becoming one of Food & Wine's "10 Best Chefs in the World" is not a self-serving proclamation -- it is an evaluation by those who can and do taste the food of all the best and near-best.

I've had the good fortune to have an expense account and a business that required me to take clients to dinner, so I've had the privilege of eating at many of the finest restaurants in North America, Europe, Japan, and Australia. My personal opinion is that Susur belongs among the finest and if in Toronto, it would be my first choice of a dining location -- yes, even if I were paying the bill myself -- some meals are worth every penny of the cost.

I've eaten at his restaurant in Toronto many times, on business trips. The food has always been spectacular, along with the service, along with the description of the philosophy behind each dish. A meal at Susur's not only satisfies the body; it's an education in itself. Again, this is not simply my opinion -- read the reviews in Toronto's newspapers, or read the reviews and look at the scores in zagat.com. Susur isn't the only "great chef" in Toronto, but he is clearly in that category.

Finally, to the book itself: Yes, the binding is unusual), as is the organization (would I count it as 2 books -- no -- do I think that volume 1 as a biography and volume 2 as recipes are two very different works -- absolutely yes). Most chefs don't provide a personal biography and discuss the evolution of their philosophy of cuisine. If you want lots of recipes you can make with ingredients found anywhere, there are thousands of such cookbooks to choose from (start with Rachel Ray's "30 Minute Meals" and go from there). On the other hand, if you want to learn about how to layer flavors, and see how a master puts together a pantry, this is the book to read. The same advice (for flavor, you need sauces, pastes, and other preps) is given by most chefs in cooking courses and is found in lots of other cookbooks -- just to mention a few in Chinese, try Barbara Tropp's "China Moon Cookbook", Nina Simonda "Spoonful of Ginger", Eileen Yin-Fei Lo's "From the Earth" or Emily Grace's "Breath of a Wok". Susur's are more complex, and more subtle, but taste the food and you'll see how it transcends anyone else's.

Is this a book I will cook from daily? No, and Susur is the first to admit that his cuisine needs a tremendous amount of manpower to achieve. Will this book teach me to be a better chef? Absolutely. Will it have a place of honor in my kitchen? Assuredly. Study it, think about it, and learn from it ... and if you have the opportunity, go to Toronto ... and taste it.

Delusions of Grandeur- You're Su-Su Vain!.......2006-02-17

Delusions of Grandeur-Self Proclaimed "Toronto's Local Hero"

I am an intermediate level amateur cook, and pretty aware of cutting edge chefs, cooks and well written cookbooks, and Susur Lee and his book's grandiose recipes may wow small town folks and some home cooks, however he is delightfully delusional in his self importance, proclaiming himself THE "Local Hero" of Toronto, when my long time Toronto friends have not even heard of him!

I highly suggest you first read his very complex, hours long recipes, before spending good money for just 50 or so difficult and few recipes.

Chicago's Chef Charlie Trotter has similar recipes in terms of ingredients unobtainable to less than high end restaurant chefs, and may also have 20-40+ ingredients per dish, requiring an army of assistants to pull it off, however he does not have an entire book devoted to a sycophant praising his own wonderfulness. His combinations also "taste well" together in reading the ingredients, and he has books with "doable" ingredients and they are quite cookable by home cooks.

Susur credits his departed wife Marilou with his success, but others who gave him a "leg up" don't rate even a photo in this paen to his brilliance, as Susur takes back stabbing jabs at better known chefs who helped his career.

Instead of, having say instructive photographs at different stages of a complex dish's creation, he has instead chosen such childish photo selections as photos of his wonderful doodles of his own name, his hand written recipes, and doodling of a seating chart...

Does "You're Su-su vain" come to mind?

Hold that song in mind, as you smile and flick through the first 113 pages of his ego inflating toady's drivel, without even seeing one real recipe.

Oh, the recipes are in the "second" bound book, tighly bound, like a dead Siamese twin to this "first" book. So yes, he has thus published "two" books...um, sure, Susu, we're counting with you. Clever ploy; publish "Susur's Cooking Triptych" next time, and get credit for 5 books, total! (Toronto is certainly still cleaning up from the ticker tape parades for this self proclaimed "Local Hero's" creations!)

Why pay $50 (now down to $30) for only fifty some pretentious recipes, each with 25-45+ ingredients that you are more likely to laugh at, than cook... even one bloated recipe? Borrow this from Susu's large stack of "returns", or from a library, first, before buying!

Forget about "The Emperor's New Clothes"...this is the "Emperor's Trendy Cook Book!"

I do like the professionally styled photos of his creations. You or I could cook them if we had 2 assistant cooks,the strange collection of fresh ingredients, and gratuitous foie gras and black truffles added to many recipes.

Susu's has a dreadful hodgepodge of instructions and techniques, having the reader hopping between both "books" to cobble together a dish, and there's no Table of Contents to organize this chaotic collection.

He knows cooking techniques. I'd happily dine at his restaurant. Teaching techniques by a book is another story. For beginning and intermediate cooks, the cooking techniques that he glides over are far, far better explained in many cookbooks that the professional chefs already consult.

Some well thumbed cookbook/testbooks include "On Cooking Techniques from Expert Chefs"-Labensky, "Essentials of Cooking"-James Peterson, Jacques Pepin's "Complete Techniques", "La Varenne Pratique"- Anne Willan"The Zuni Cafe"-Rodgers, "The New Making of a Cook"-Kamman, "Glorious French Cooking"-Peterson, "Modern Art of Chinese Cooking"-Trop, "The Key to Chinese Cooking"-Kuo, etc.

Big Propblem is...home cooks, without two helpers, will be very frustrated by the hard to find ingredients and the time consuming, convoluted recipes in this cookbook.

Try making Susur's "Pan-roasted scallops, with sunchoke puree, pancetta, periwinkles in truffle sauce and preserved lemon".

Hmmm, if someone mixing up 1000 snippets of culinary nouns in a hat, then let a trained gerbil randomly pick out, then line up the first 10 to 15 words that came out... the resulting recipe titles may even be more appealing to you and I than Susur's convoluted "con-Fusion" titles that easily awe rookie foodwriters and rookie cooks...

Make his "Elk striploin with yamaimo, arame, uni, with burnt butter soy sauce", (40+ ingredients) or try "Braised veal cheek, with parsnip puree, cocoa nibs, grapes stuffed with dry-cured olives, and parmesan (also with over 40 ingredients).

Maybe the "Tuna with wasabi and parsnip mousse on cucumber jelly with crispy squid ink noodle" would whet your whistle. I'd rather go to the grocery store and make "Spiced seaweed crusted red mullet with saffron mayonnaiase and zuchini flower fritters".

A memorable dish is "Roast squab and foie gras stuffed squab legs in port sauce, with lotus root and baby corn, blueberry preserve, and taro root fritters" (>30 ingredients).

Step aside, Charlie Trotter, you've been "out Trottered" by Susu and his caramelized nuts...

For the amusement value, the professionally styled photos of plates that would leave most folks hungry from the tiny portions, and the sad need for the dramatic Napoleonic pose and prose by the self proclaimed "Local Hero of Toronto"... I still give him 3 stars...it takes guts (braised with cocoa, blueberry and truffle oil), to be so sweet and childlike in his vanity!

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