false 399573 0091547105 9780091547103 102 30 http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/399573.Everyday_Drinking 13078 Kingsley Amis 3122 475 2 2 false Fri Nov 21 13:29:49 -0800 2008 Fri Jul 04 08:33:35 -0700 2008 Fri Nov 21 13:29:49 -0800 2008
But they fall flat in the anthology format, in large part because Amis is so darn repetitious. We hear the same bon mots re: Scotch time and again, for example. And the first third of the book contains nothing save for wittily phrased drink recipes, none of which I'll be making anytime soon (with the possible exception of Hot Buttered Rum 'round Xmastime).

The quiz section at the end conveys a few snippets of useful information, but most of the trivia is, well, too trivial. Not to mention outdated and, in some cases, just plain wrong--there is virtually no mention of New World wines, for example, and Amis contends that sake is meant to be served warm.

Amis is obviously an excellent, extremely influential writer--I now understand where Anthony Lane copped his style. I'll check out Lucky Jim, for sure, but I can't recommend "Everyday Drinking" unless you're really, really, really serious about your hooch. And who has time for that? Just set me up with a Maker's Mark on the rocks, and let's be done with the pointy-headed musings, shall we?]]>