Garlic and Sapphires Audiobook By Ruth Reichl cover art

Garlic and Sapphires

The Secret Life of a Critic in Disguise

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Garlic and Sapphires

By: Ruth Reichl
Narrated by: Bernadette Dunne
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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.

Download the accompanying reference guide.©2005 Ruth Reichl (P)2005 Books on Tape, Inc. Art & Literature Food & Wine Gastronomy Journalists, Editors & Publishers Funny

Editorial reviews

Reichl, former New York Times restaurant critic, takes you on an undercover tour of the best New York restaurants. She makes you feel like you're right there with her, disguise and all. That's right, disguise. Because her work required anonymity, Reichl had to don new disguises in each restaurant. Her memories of both food and façade are fascinating and highly entertaining.

Her descriptions of food will have even the pickiest eater craving sushi, caviar, even squid ink! She also includes simple recipes for things like New York Style Cheesecake and Spaghetti Carbonara.

Narrator Bernadette Dunne sounds very much like Reichl herself, inhabiting every delicious moment and brining you along for the bite. Whether you're a food fan or not, this is a great memoir.

Critic reviews

Winner - Audie Awards, 2006

"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)
Engaging Storytelling • Vivid Food Descriptions • Excellent Narration • Insightful Self-reflection • Masterful Performance
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This book was an interesting look at Ruth Reichl's career as restaurant reviewer for the New York Times. Yes, it would be my dream job, but I doubt if I could enter into the masaquerade as fully, and with such joy, as Ruth. I love her sense of fun even as she's working. Her idea to return to restaurants masquerading as different people to see how other classes are treated was genius.
I'd invite her to dinner any time. Whether she liked my food or not, I would be sure of receiving an honest opinion and have a lively & intelligent dinner guest.

Dream Job

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I love Ruth and I don’t even know her. Her life is an inspiration to mine and her memoirs reveal so much of her humanity. If I ever had the privilege of meeting her I think we would be friend.

Wonderful book

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This was a fun read! I can't wait to try some of the included recipes!

Made me hungry!

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If you love food, and it helps too if you're a fan of Gourmet magazine, you'll find this is a magical book. Beautifully read as well.

Just wonderful!

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great narration. such an interesting story. will be purchasing another of her memoirs. top chef meets tootsie!

excellent!

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Delightful read AND a real education about food -- I'll never just eat my way through a good meal again without savoring every taste! Even engaged my non-foodie teenage daughter. My only complaint is that it's very difficult to go back and find the recipes -- the audio breaks don't even coincide with chapter breaks, it seems.

But how do I write down the recipes?

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What a beautiful book! I felt like I was living her life in New York...thanks Ruth! So much fun!

Thoroughly enjoyed the journey she led me on !

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What did you love best about Garlic and Sapphires?

food, food and more food

What did you like best about this story?

the food descriptions

Have you listened to any of Bernadette Dunne’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

No

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

The food critic

Any additional comments?

this was a very easy and fun listen. The narrator was great. Very enjoyable.

Great listen-but don't listen while you are hungry

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Reichl has a magical way with words. So much fun to read! I highly recommend

Made me appreciate food

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I heard about this book ages ago. The concept that people react to you based on your persona much more then based on their attitude is literally world changing for me. Also a fun read.

This book changed my life before I read it.

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