Kitchen Beers

by Arthur J. Willhelm

Kitchen Beers is a blast fiction, beat novel by Arthur J. Willhelm, and follows Keith, a line cook in the restaurant industry who is also trying to make it as a writer. Though his attempts as both a cook and writer seem to be failing, Keith presses on and continues to both submit work to publications and find work in the restaurant industry. It hasn’t been an easy road for Keith but a man has to make a living.

134 pages, Paperback

Published January 1, 2018

About the author

Arthur J. Willhelm is a Chef, Writer and Poet from New Jersey. Taking inspiration from the Beat Generation and writers that range from Kurt Vonnegut to Nick Hornby. Arthur writes what he feels and doesn't pull punches when ink reaches paper, blending brutal honesty with literary shit talking.

Reviews

[Melanie A. Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Authenticity at its finest

This gritty, beatnik tale flows bracing and heady, much like vast amount of alcohol consumed by its main character, Keith. And what a character he is with an almost zen acceptance of his shitty life that just seems to get shittier by the page. Until, one day, it doesn’t, because what would our working class hero be without triumph? Pretty much the same, it would seem. Because he’d still be exactly who he is. And that’s really what makes this strikingly unique piece of literature shine - it’s authenticity. Life, point-blank.

[Rania · Rating 5 out of 5]

The interaction between characters is totally believable -- made me want to work in a kitchen for 24 hours. The one thing I found to be brilliant aside from the actual plot and story was the way the intertwined poems added a special depth. I would recommend this book to anyone who has an infinity for food and writing -- it was genuinely a fun and enjoyable read!

[Eric Keegan · Rating 5 out of 5]

More of this style writing is needed in the modern world and frankly, this book came as a relief. No bull, beer belly full and twisting around from a chain-smoked diet, kitchen beer Keith reminds us that lukewarm hope only grows more weary from place to place.

[Kincain · Rating 5 out of 5]

 If you are a fan of semi-fictional works that seem eerily similar to your own real-life experiences, then Arthur J. Wilhelm’s “Kitchen Beers” is the next book you need to add to your collection. Written from the perspective of Keith, a line cook living paycheck to paycheck while simultaneously trying to attain his dream of becoming a writer, Wilhelm encapsulates the struggle of many twenty to thirty year olds that became the new working class. His characters are familiar, his experiences are relatable, but what really tied the book together for me personally was the sincere rawness with which the book was written and the very personal “milk-crate” poetry that ended each chapter of the book. Written based upon personal experiences, “Kitchen Beers” was a delightful, short read I’m sure I will enjoy over and over.