New arrivals - 2

   

     Two new arrivals from Gallic Books: first, by Muriel Barbery, and winner of the Prix du Meilleur Livre de Littérature Gourmande 2000, The Gourmet sounds very appealing indeed. France's greatest food critic is dying "after a lifetime in single-minded pursuit of sensual delights. But as Pierre Arthens lies on his deathbed, he is tormented by an inability to recall the most delicious food ever to pass his lips, which he last ate long before becoming a critic. Desperate to taste it one more time, he looks back over the years to see if he can pin down the elusive dish."

Paris Match says of it, "An ode to the pleasure of good food ... mouth-watering from beginning to end".

 

     Did M. Arthens ever shop for food at a supermarket? Food critics apart perhaps, most of us do, at least some of the time, and some of us are hardly ever away from the places! But while we may know what it's like to shop in a supermarket, we may not be quite au fait with working in one. Anna Sam is, however. A literature graduate, she worked "on the tills" for eight years and recounts her experiences as a beepeuse in the book Checkout. Spilling the beans?! I'll let you know.

Comments

[Claire (Paperback Reader)]

I envy you The Gourmet! It's about the character who dies and is the impetus for events in The Elegance of the Hedgehog.

[Simon T]

I wanted to read something quick, easy, and unchallenging - so read Checkout. It'll take you about half an hour - very silly, but fun.

[Nicole]

The Gourmet is a lovely book. I read it in French a while back.