America’s favorite storyteller, Pat Conroy, is back with a unique cookbook that only he could conceive. Delighting us with tales of his passi...
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reviews
Nov 14, 2008
Bonnie
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I loved this book. If you are a fan of Conroy's this is a must read. It reads more like a memoir. Every chapter opens with a wonderful tale (he is the great storyteller) followed by recipes related to the adventure. My favoirte chapter is titled, Why Dying Down South is More Fun. I wanted to stop reading and make his recipe for Dunbar Macaroni. If you like to cook --or enjoy reading cookbooks, you will end up marking half the recipes in this book as ones to try. Conroy is a passionate abo
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Jan 17, 2011
Kristin
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Is it possible to curl up in bed...enthralled...and unable to put down...a cookbook? Oh yes. If it is The Pat Conroy Cookbook which isn't really a cookbook. It is more of a memoir about food, travel and interesting people from his life with some good recipes thrown in at the end of each chapter.
I serendipitously read this book the week after reading his book My Reading Life. How fortuitous. Even though this book was published several years before My Reading Life there are many of the More...
I serendipitously read this book the week after reading his book My Reading Life. How fortuitous. Even though this book was published several years before My Reading Life there are many of the More...
Aug 30, 2010
Jenny
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One thing I've realized over time is that I love reading stories that have recipes mixed in. I received this book as a gift, and it sat on the shelf a long time because I didn't realize it would fit that bill! I had never heard of this guy, but reading his cookbook was an enjoyable way to learn his life story and get me curious to read "Prince of Tides" and some of his other stuff. One annoying thing was that he referred to all women he crossed paths with as "pretty;" it m
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Nov 24, 2011
Jim
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I've consumed almost everything from the Conroy menu, heard him speak with glee, and even experienced the rapturous excitement that came from shaking his hand, but I never thought about reading his cookbook--sunned the idea actually---until I browsed through it at the library and discovered it was much more than recipes. It essentially is a collection of memoir vignettes often tied together by Conroy's love of food and cooking, and the importance it played in his many and varied relationships. F
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Jan 23, 2012
Bobbi
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I love whatever Pat Conroy writes and this book is no exception. If you're looking for gourmet, non-fattening recipes, this is not the book for you. The book is not chock full of recipes and the ones he includes are generally Southern food, simply prepared, and not particularly healthy. But between recipes are Pat's wonderful stories. In fact, it took me quite a long time to get through the whole book, much longer than I thought, although with his books, that's not a bad thing.
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May 01, 2011
Charlene
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The subtitle for this is "Recipes and Stories of My Life" but it should be reversed. The stories are wonderful; Pat Conroy is at his best when talking about himself, I think. I only copied one recipe to possibly try but I have several book titles that he mentions that I now want to read and I found a quote in the book that I think sums up his fiction: "As an adult, I found myself so haunted by my parents and my geography that I spent a lifetime trying to write my out of an addic
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Sep 02, 2009
Mary
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If you enjoy Pat Conroy this book is a must read. He shares his own life stories in a very special way. He is so humble about his writing talents and so proud of his cooking talents. He tells stories about his kids and wives and parents and friends in a way that makes you feel you really do know these people. The man is funny, kind, generous and gifted. And, truly humble. I dream of sitting in his kitchen, watching him cook and listening to him tells stories. The man could give a weather report
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Jun 04, 2010
Debbie
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I love Pat Conroy novels, so when I heard he had a cookbook, I requested it from the library. The trouble is...I don't want to give it back.
In Conroy's novels, he always has a characater who loves to cook and then writes wonderful descriptive passages about the food and the dinner and the process of making it and the joy that being together around the table can bring.
In his cookbook, he includes many short stories/essays about his "real" life...which includes writing the More...
In Conroy's novels, he always has a characater who loves to cook and then writes wonderful descriptive passages about the food and the dinner and the process of making it and the joy that being together around the table can bring.
In his cookbook, he includes many short stories/essays about his "real" life...which includes writing the More...
Sep 20, 2011
Elle
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This is a wonderful read, not only for the recipes, but for the stories by Conroy that discuss the origins which usually have something to do with his personal life whether rooted in the South or his years spent in Europe, particularly, Italy. Even if you never make any of the recipes, the book is worth reading. With chapters like, "Why Dying in the South is more fun" (ie what might be served after a Southern funeral) just as an example. anyone could enjoy this. For Conroy fans the
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Jan 20, 2012
Judith
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If you like Conroy you'll love this book. As with any cookbook you aren't going to like everything and I think this cookbook fell just short of average with the number of recipes that have caught my eye. It's also not a cookbook for the kitchen novice.
As a book of short stories I liked it. It's part background on recipes and people who have made Conroy the cook and author he is today. This book provides a culinary backdrop to the life of Conroy.
As a book of short stories I liked it. It's part background on recipes and people who have made Conroy the cook and author he is today. This book provides a culinary backdrop to the life of Conroy.
Jun 04, 2011
Nancy
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I loved it and was very happy to read it a second time. There was much I had forgotten, and the book was gathering dust on the shelf with my other cookbooks. So, when my book club selected it, I dusted it off and enjoyed Conroy's vivid descriptions and autobiographical stories even more the second time. I am happily anticipating our next book club meeting that will include dinner using Conroy's mouthwatering recipes.
Dec 08, 2010
Elizabeth
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In spite of not being able to keep straight which wife was being described or just how many he has had, I loved the narrative sections of this book. The recipes which are for the most part standard fare, appear to be fine. The new (to me) recipes are not necessarily things that I would be racing to the kitchen to make.
Conroy's descriptions before each chapter and each recipe are wonderful. Just occasionally, I find his description of food to be somewhat lacking though. It's hard to pin More...
Conroy's descriptions before each chapter and each recipe are wonderful. Just occasionally, I find his description of food to be somewhat lacking though. It's hard to pin More...
Feb 17, 2011
Liz
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Chapters are pure Conroy writing delightful. My book club read South of Broad, my turn to cook, found this and made Pickled Shrimp- Pat makes this for funerals, 2 lbs for friend, 5 lbs for a good friend, he hopes when he dies all of Beaufort will bring shrimp. Deligtful stores and really good recipes. They loved the corn pudding and cocout cake and the spiced pecans
Dec 25, 2010
Tspencer227
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This is seriously how all cookbooks should be written. In my experience in the kitchen, every recipe and meal is a story unto itself, and food should more often be treated as a plot device. Conroy does an excellent job giving us a peek inside his life as he tells the stories that surround the food.
Oh, and the recipes are really quite good too.
Oh, and the recipes are really quite good too.
Jul 08, 2010
Julia
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The first page turner cookbook I've ever read! I read it over the 4th of July and it made me so nostalgic for SC I nearly packed my bags and jumped on a plane home - even with 100F weather to look forward to. Pat Conroy knows how to tell a story. Next up - testing some of the recipes to see if they are as juicy as his tales!
Oct 23, 2009
Karen
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What a great way to tell an autobiography! Enjoyed the recipes-even looking forward to cooking some of them and I'm not someone who usually looks forward to cooking. I especially enjoyed the last 2 chapters.
I've never read any of Conroy's novels but most certainly will after reading this.
I've never read any of Conroy's novels but most certainly will after reading this.
Aug 22, 2009
Michele
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Conroy doesn't just celebrate the food that has made an impact on him, he also celebrates the people who have done the same thing. Good food can be wonderful on its own, but when it's shared with wonderful people it is raised to a whole new level. This book made me want to share more meals with the special people in my life.
Sep 18, 2008
ConnieK
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Who cries while reading a cookbook??
I never would have bought this book on my own, but my husband is a Pat Conroy fan and picked this up while on vacation in Charleston, S.C. Am I ever glad he did. It is remarkable how Conroy weaves mesmerizing tales of his life at all ages in with the most delectable-sounding recipes. I learned quite a few cooking tips along the way and enjoyed reading every recipe even those that were far out of my feeble beginning cooking league. Loved, loved, loved More...
I never would have bought this book on my own, but my husband is a Pat Conroy fan and picked this up while on vacation in Charleston, S.C. Am I ever glad he did. It is remarkable how Conroy weaves mesmerizing tales of his life at all ages in with the most delectable-sounding recipes. I learned quite a few cooking tips along the way and enjoyed reading every recipe even those that were far out of my feeble beginning cooking league. Loved, loved, loved More...
Jun 26, 2011
Donna
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It is not often that I immediately turn around and buy a book that I just borrowed and read from the library, but this is one I have to keep on my shelf. Mr. Conroy, your receipes are as good as your stories, and that is a tough order to fill. Excellent food for the soul.
Jun 24, 2009
Barb
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This reads like a novel, or a really engaging memoir which is what it really is. Conroy feels that cooking and stories can't exist separately and his cast of unique characters provide their stories and their recipes for this book. I can't wait to try some of the recipes.
Mar 05, 2009
Elizabeth
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Given to my father by my brother, recommend then to me and so very much loved that I purchased signed copies for myself and my father. It holds a place of honor on my bookshelf.
It combines my great loves: food, humor, the south, and a tall tale well told.
It combines my great loves: food, humor, the south, and a tall tale well told.
Nov 11, 2009
Laura
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Interesting to read about the author's life and travels as he relates it to food. It made me realize that with every meal and holiday gathering there will always be a story to tell. Don't read this when you are hungry LOL. Found some new recipes to try...
Jul 14, 2009
Ally
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Each chapter is a nostalgic ramble about types of food or time sin his life, and the end of each chapter is punctuated with recipes related to the ramble. Many hilarious anecdotes and character description. Worth the read, even if you aren't a foodie.
Feb 17, 2009
Robin
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It may seem odd to cry quite a bit when reading a cookbook, but this is more a moving memoir with some great recipes attached and I really enjoyed it. This is a rare chance to see the rich context of how recipes interweave into someone's world.
Nov 28, 2010
Linda
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I have never read a cookbook from cover to cover until now. I could not put this cookbook down. It is filled with wonderful stories of Pat Conroy's life and the food he has been exposed to and loved. Conroy's description of food is as good as his character development in his novels. This book is filled with many recipes I want to try and many great stories to go along with the great food. I would definitely recommend this book to read for the cooking aspect and if you're a Pat Conroy fan, I woul
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May 13, 2011
Kim
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I'm not sure I LOVE this as a cookbook but I do love the stories that are all through it. If you appreciate him as an author and would like to know more about him then you will enjoy this "cookbook".
Feb 27, 2011
Ally
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I'm a cookbook collector & this is definitely one of my faves. Nobody tells the story of Lowcountry South Carolina food like Pat Conroy. A weekly "go-to" cookbook for this Southern girl!
Oct 31, 2009
Sharron
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Loved the anecdotes and background stories by Mr. Conroy. Even in a cookbook, with great recipes by the way, he has a way with words that let's you understand why he is so successful.
Sep 29, 2010
Kim
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This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
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Jul 15, 2010
Whisky
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weirdo book of what Pat Conroy was eating when literary success happened to him. recipes are medicore and lifted from elsewhere. it's just a funny, weird book.
