Author: Anthony Bourdain, Joel Rose, Alberto Ponticelli, Irene Koh, and Paul Pope
Publisher: Berger Books
Published: October 2, 2018
Who knew that Anthony Bourdain had a graphic novel?
“Save me a beer, brother, and a seat at the table.”
Dedication to Anthony Bourdain from co-author Joel Rose
Graphic novels are not typically the type of book I read, but Japanese folklore, amazing illustrations, and Anthony Bourdain? How could I resist? I spent many hours watching his Parts Unknown tv show. Whenever I travelled with @nomadicfornow, if there was a Bourdain-recommended restaurant nearby, he made sure we visited.
The book revolves around the Japanese concept of 100 Candles where storytellers tell scary stories by 100 candles, blowing them out as they go, with the final summoning of a spirit. Bourdain’s stories, of course, revolve around food.
In retrospect, it seems to me that Bourdain was referring to himself when he wrote about the Russian oligarch, “He has an old soul, this Russian.” “He is not ordinary.” “Yes there is something there. A sorrow. A pain.” Because we know how troubled Bourdain was, and the tragedy of his death leaves us all missing a man who was an irreverent explorer, storyteller, and food critic who never shied away from locals or their cuisine.
This edition contains five new recipes and a guide to the spirits behind the stories.
This belongs on any fan of Bourdain’s or Japanese folklore collector’s shelf.
Book Cravings 