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Review: Julie & Julia by Julie Powell

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Julie & Julia: 365 Days, 524 Recipes, 1 Tiny Apartment Kitchen by Julie Powell
Finished Reading on January 12, 2011
Memoir, Paperback, 310 Pages, Borrow from Hidayah's Book Club

The Story: Living in a tiny apartment in New york and trapped in a job she hates, Julie Powell sees life passing her by. Then one night, she notices that the few items she's grabbed from the Korean grocery store are the vary ingredients for Potage Parmentier, as described in Julia Child's legendary cookbook, Mastering the Art of French Cooking. And the Julie/Julia project is born. Julie begins to cook every one of the 524 recipes in just a year space. She devotes her entire year life to the project and enslaves herself in French cooking.

My Thought: I picked Julie & Julia partly because I thought that the idea of cooking is very original and a bit different from other books. And I hope that this kind of book can inspire me. But, after reading this memoir I just knew that it doesn't live up to my expectations. First hundred pages I haven't got any clue of where Julie Powell wants to bring me to and I just think that, what the heck with this story? After the mind torturing hundred pages, the story becomes much better though it is far from good. First, Julie Powell writing is very sloppy and distracting which makes me feel really lost and fail to blend into the core subject. Second, I hate the language used by Julie Powell in this book or to be honest I hate her as a person. I don't know how many times she used the word f**k in this book and it really annoys me. Foulmouthed, self centered, insensitive, unhygienic. That is how her character in this book. And even worse she is a wife with no respect to her husband Eric. Pity him. Third, I don't understand most of the terms related to the French cooking. OK, that's not her fault but mine.

Despite of all the flaws, there are few good things about this book. I loved the originality and realistic of the story and characters. The bad character of Julie is balanced by his husband Eric, a very nice and understanding husband. I don't know how he can stand living with Julie but Eric character does give me hope to keep on reading. All in all, "Julie & Julia" is not a good read (or should I say bad instead?) and I don't want to recommend it to you, but if you want to read this book, go ahead and read. Maybe you'll come with a different conclusion.

CoffeeNCrackers' Meter: 2 Cups of Coffee

**This review is linked back to Hidayah's Book Club. Thanks for giving me the opportunity to read  "Julie & Julia". Malaysia readers who wants to read book for free, visit Hidayah's Book Club site now.This review is also linked back to Book Review Party Wednesday @ Cym Lowell Blog.

5 comments:

fredamans said...

Great review! Even if it wasn't for you.
I loved this book. I am anxious to read Cleaving.
This is more for the girls anyway.

Sharon said...

Thanks for this review. I have refused to read this book because I heard some of the things you relate here from my friends. Like the time she dropped food on the floor at work then let people she didn't like eat it while warning others off. Childish and mean. I have missed nothing by not reading it!

Unknown said...

Ok...saw the movie but I did not read the book :)

Thanks for linking to the party. This book did do a lot for the "blogging community". BTW, I did not like the movie. Yawn.

-CYM

Shy said...

I didn't entirely enjoy this book as well. I've watched the movie and kind of like it better as Julie did not appear as annoying there.

Josette said...

Hi! I've watched the movie but haven't read the book so I was a bit surprised to know that the Julie character in the book sounds so different from the one on TV. The Julie portrayed by actress Amy Adams is sweet, kind, and should I say, almost angelic! I don't think any F words were used...but then, it's a TV show, that wouldn't be encouraged.

Anyway, liked your honest review of the book. :)