Gourmet Rhapsody

Muriel Barbery, Alison Anderson

• Publisher: Europa Editions
• Year: 2009
• ISBN:
  9781609452216
• Topic: Literature
• Subtopic: Literature General
• Index: Literature

A French food critic faces his mortality in an "entertaining [and] witty" novel by the New York Times –bestselling author of The Elegance of the Hedgehog ( Newsday ). In the heart of Paris, in the same posh building made famous in The Elegance of the Hedgehog, Pierre Arthens, the greatest food critic in the world, is dying. Revered by some and reviled by many, Monsieur Arthens has been lording it over the world's most esteemed chefs for years, passing judgment on their creations, deciding their fates with a stroke of his pen, destroying and building reputations on a whim. But now, during 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. Indeed, this flamboyant and self-absorbed man desires only one thing before he dies: one last taste. 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 M. 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. "Lush and satisfying prose." — Publishers Weekly

Table of contents

• To Stéphane, without whom . . .
• Flavor Rue de Grenelle, the Bedroom
• (Renée) Rue de Grenelle, the Concierge’s Loge
• The Man of Property Rue de Grenelle, the Bedroom
• (Laura) Rue de Grenelle, the Stairway
• Meat Rue de Grenelle, the Bedroom
• (Georges) Rue de Provence
• Fish Rue de Grenelle, the Bedroom
• (Jean) Café des Amis, 18th Arrondissement
• The Vegetable Garden Rue de Grenelle, the Bedroom
• (Violette) Rue de Grenelle, the Kitchen
• Raw Rue de Grenelle, the Bedroom
• (Chabrot) Rue de Bourgogne, Medical Offices
• The Mirror Rue de Grenelle, the Bedroom
• (Gégène) Corner of the rue de Grenelle and the rue du Bac
• Bread Rue de Grenelle, the Bedroom
• (Lotte) Rue Delbet
• The Farm Rue de Grenelle, the Bedroom
• (Venus) Rue de Grenelle, the Study
• The Dog Rue de Grenelle, the Bedroom
• (Anna) Rue de Grenelle, the Corridor
• Toast Rue de Grenelle, the Bedroom
• (Rick) Rue de Grenelle, the Bedroom
• Whisky Rue de Grenelle, the Bedroom
• (Laure) Nice
• Ice Cream Rue de Grenelle, the Bedroom
• (Marquet) Maison Marquet, near Meaux
• Mayonnaise Rue de Grenelle, the Bedroom
• (Paul) Rue de Grenelle, the Corridor
• The Illumination Rue de Grenelle, the Bedroom
• About the Author