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The Year of Eating Dangerously: A Global Adventure in Search of Culinary Extremes
Fugu. Dog. Cobra. Bees. Spleen. A 600,000 SCU chili pepper.
All considered foods by millions of people around the world. And all objects of great fascination to Tom Parker Bowles, a food journalist who grew up eating his mother's considerably safer roast chicken, shepherd's pie and mushy peas. Intrigued by the food phobias of two friends, Parker Bowles became inspired to examine the cultural divides that make some foods verboten or "dangerous" in the culture he grew up with while being seen as lip-smacking delicacies in others. So began a year-long odyssey through Asia, Europe and America in search of the world's most thrilling, terrifying and odd foods.
Parker Bowles is always witty and sometimes downright hilarious in recounting his quest for envelope-pushing meals, ranging from the potentially lethal to the outright disgusting to the merely gluttonous--and he proves in this book that an open mouth and an open mind are the only passports a man needs to truly discover the world .
All considered foods by millions of people around the world. And all objects of great fascination to Tom Parker Bowles, a food journalist who grew up eating his mother's considerably safer roast chicken, shepherd's pie and mushy peas. Intrigued by the food phobias of two friends, Parker Bowles became inspired to examine the cultural divides that make some foods verboten or "dangerous" in the culture he grew up with while being seen as lip-smacking delicacies in others. So began a year-long odyssey through Asia, Europe and America in search of the world's most thrilling, terrifying and odd foods.
Parker Bowles is always witty and sometimes downright hilarious in recounting his quest for envelope-pushing meals, ranging from the potentially lethal to the outright disgusting to the merely gluttonous--and he proves in this book that an open mouth and an open mind are the only passports a man needs to truly discover the world .
374 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2006
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 99 reviews
April 22, 2023
I read the first chapter of Tom Parker Bowles The Year of Eating Dangerously, then I dnf'd it. What attracted me was the title. Dangerous food? Puffer fish maybe? Or dangerous places - dinner in Kyiv? (Just joking).
The first chapter was all about fishing for elvers on the Severn Bore - a river with a tidal bore - a wave - that travels very fast for 25 miles or more and that surfers love. The record for staying on the bore is 9.25 miles. It's not what you call a dangerous place, and baby eels aren't noted for their fearsome poison or bites.
In the 40 pages of this first chapter there never seem to be a focus, it never came to a climax. Instead it introduced large numbers of people by name the author met in the pub, on the river and around a campfire, or maybe in some other place or perhaps another one or maybe on a motorbike... and it just ended. Boring,
And there ended by experience of the book. DNF. However, I expect we will be hearing a lot from the author in the future since he is King Charles' stepson. He could write a book, "Me and my stepbrother 'The Spare". That might be more interesting.
The first chapter was all about fishing for elvers on the Severn Bore - a river with a tidal bore - a wave - that travels very fast for 25 miles or more and that surfers love. The record for staying on the bore is 9.25 miles. It's not what you call a dangerous place, and baby eels aren't noted for their fearsome poison or bites.
In the 40 pages of this first chapter there never seem to be a focus, it never came to a climax. Instead it introduced large numbers of people by name the author met in the pub, on the river and around a campfire, or maybe in some other place or perhaps another one or maybe on a motorbike... and it just ended. Boring,
And there ended by experience of the book. DNF. However, I expect we will be hearing a lot from the author in the future since he is King Charles' stepson. He could write a book, "Me and my stepbrother 'The Spare". That might be more interesting.
June 26, 2009
its a good thing he said in his introduction "im not as cool as anthony bourdain", because this is not "eating dangerously". anthony bourdain eats shit that is still alive. he eats seal eyeballs. he loves offal. parker-bowles is eating eels. and barbecue. and chile peppers. its hardly the same ballpark. its okay, its just kind of a long book to not be riveting throughout.
July 7, 2009
It was with a sense of profound relief that I finally set down Tom Parker Bowles' (yes, son of Camilla) book. I'd started reading this book some three months ago but it took me three tries to finish it, aggravated as I was by Parker Bowles' exaggerated style of writing and blustering bravado. The main problem with Parker Bowles is that he tries too hard. Some writers are effortlessly amusing but what the WSJ describes as "self deprecating humour" is really Parker Bowles' compulsive need to turn every incident, every encounter into a comedy of errors. It could be entertaining for the reader if you couldn't spot him setting up the punchline a mile away. Besides, some things - like his compulsive overeating and the after-effects of it - just get old after time.
The best chapters in the book are probably New Mexico - which covers his trip to the Fiery Foods Show - and Nashville, which covers Parker Bowles' experience with 'que and Prince's Hot Chicken Shack. The primary reason is that these two chapters actually spend more time talking about the food, than about Parker Bowles' inner musings and hangups. The most painful chapters to read were those on Tokyo, Korea and Laos where Parker Bowles makes an attempt at inserting some personal commentary/impressions of these Asian countries. Less thoughtful and insightful (try Pico Iyer or any number of other travel writers if you're looking for these) than bumptious and ignorant, in these chapters, Parker Bowles merely comes across as the stereotypical ang moh, gai jin, or whatever the local (slightly disdainful) term for foreigner is.
The best chapters in the book are probably New Mexico - which covers his trip to the Fiery Foods Show - and Nashville, which covers Parker Bowles' experience with 'que and Prince's Hot Chicken Shack. The primary reason is that these two chapters actually spend more time talking about the food, than about Parker Bowles' inner musings and hangups. The most painful chapters to read were those on Tokyo, Korea and Laos where Parker Bowles makes an attempt at inserting some personal commentary/impressions of these Asian countries. Less thoughtful and insightful (try Pico Iyer or any number of other travel writers if you're looking for these) than bumptious and ignorant, in these chapters, Parker Bowles merely comes across as the stereotypical ang moh, gai jin, or whatever the local (slightly disdainful) term for foreigner is.
May 5, 2011
let me break this book down for you, even though i only read 3 chapters:
-look at me i have friends all over the world and i am their guest of honor
-let me tell you about all this crazy stuff i plan to eat
-oh my gosh it smells/looks terrible, ewww gross!
-i miss home and all the normal food i'm used to, waaah, i want to order mcdonald's
-oh good for me, i took a tiny bite of this gross foreign food, on to the next city!
seriously, that's how each chapter went, so i stopped reading.
-look at me i have friends all over the world and i am their guest of honor
-let me tell you about all this crazy stuff i plan to eat
-oh my gosh it smells/looks terrible, ewww gross!
-i miss home and all the normal food i'm used to, waaah, i want to order mcdonald's
-oh good for me, i took a tiny bite of this gross foreign food, on to the next city!
seriously, that's how each chapter went, so i stopped reading.
November 30, 2014
Entertaining, interesting, and thought provoking in some areas, a little shallow in others.
Tom Parker Bowles spent a year traveling the world eating strange, weird, and sometimes potentially fatal foods.
Recommended for anyone interested in food and food history, but not much there for the general reader.
Tom Parker Bowles spent a year traveling the world eating strange, weird, and sometimes potentially fatal foods.
Recommended for anyone interested in food and food history, but not much there for the general reader.
May 1, 2010
Parker Bowles reminds me of another British writer I find quite funny - Tim Moore; if you don't care for Tim, you won't much appreciate Tom's sense of humor.
As for the book itself, Mr P B started off on the wrong foot with elver fishing in England; might've worked later in the book, but left me with a "what's going on here?" feeling. The "danger" element had to do with its taking place largely at night, along with the stories of violence towards poachers.
After that he moves on to New Mexico and Nashville (chilies and BBQ), though the biggest danger with the latter seemed to be keeping his food down after over-sampling in his contest judging stint; Our Hero does manage keep down the dog in Korea, though the going was tougher than he'd initially thought. Obviously he lives to tell of fugu sushi in Japan (twice!), as well as sampling "stinky tofu" in China.
The Laos entry comes closest to actual travel writing, though he has a couple of sessions with insects along the way. Spain, perhaps, comes closest to actual "danger" (the fugu notwithstanding), joining a group of local mollusk gatherers on offshore rocks with crashing waves.
Sicily, like China, proved an excuse to eat. A very thin one, IMHO, as The Mafia isn't really a huge problem for your average tourist, but makes a handy premise. I confess to a severe aversion to anything mafia-related, so skimmed the chapter for food references, and came away not feeling I'd missed much.
Serious foodies might likely look down on his antics, and those looking for travel narrative might find the book lacking with its focus on eating. For my part, Parker Bowles achieved what he set out to do. I'd read another series of adventures.
As for the book itself, Mr P B started off on the wrong foot with elver fishing in England; might've worked later in the book, but left me with a "what's going on here?" feeling. The "danger" element had to do with its taking place largely at night, along with the stories of violence towards poachers.
After that he moves on to New Mexico and Nashville (chilies and BBQ), though the biggest danger with the latter seemed to be keeping his food down after over-sampling in his contest judging stint; Our Hero does manage keep down the dog in Korea, though the going was tougher than he'd initially thought. Obviously he lives to tell of fugu sushi in Japan (twice!), as well as sampling "stinky tofu" in China.
The Laos entry comes closest to actual travel writing, though he has a couple of sessions with insects along the way. Spain, perhaps, comes closest to actual "danger" (the fugu notwithstanding), joining a group of local mollusk gatherers on offshore rocks with crashing waves.
Sicily, like China, proved an excuse to eat. A very thin one, IMHO, as The Mafia isn't really a huge problem for your average tourist, but makes a handy premise. I confess to a severe aversion to anything mafia-related, so skimmed the chapter for food references, and came away not feeling I'd missed much.
Serious foodies might likely look down on his antics, and those looking for travel narrative might find the book lacking with its focus on eating. For my part, Parker Bowles achieved what he set out to do. I'd read another series of adventures.
January 24, 2011
Great writing, this isn't. Nor is Bowles a particularly interesting character. Nor are his reminiscences all that riveting...but really, if you're reading a book about food, what matters is the food - and that, if nothing else, was good. While the writing falls rather flat elsewhere, its descriptive quality when it actually comes time to eat is engaging without descending into an endless list of details. These sections, I thought, pulled the rest of the book up rather handily. There's hardly a lack of better literature out there, but this doesn't make for bad bed table reading.
June 26, 2009
This guy is a pompous windbag. I skipped major sections of this book due to boredom. This book could have been really interesting. He went to nine different areas around the world and ate the local food. I usually enjoy reading about what other countries think about their food and how they respond to their various cuisines. This guy inserted his huge ego into everything and made the book impossible to enjoy.
October 17, 2009
Disclaimer: I couldn’t even make it through the hot sauce chapter, which I believe is chapter 2 – maybe even chapter 1 but frankly I’m just too bored to pick the thing back up to check. TPB’s old food column was always my favorite thing in Tatler (not to be read when hungry) and I looked forward droolingly to a whole book of him, but this was a disappointment. He was trying too hard to amuse and push the “dangerous” angle, and it just felt stale.
October 2, 2011
Tom Parker Bowles is the son of Camilla, wife of Prince Charles. that caught my attention, or at least secured it, after the title and cover photo caught it. I thought, hey, why not? Read a little about their world, while reading about exotic (gross) foods. and it sounded funny.
some parts of this book were hilarious, the sort of thing I had to stop reading at night when my husband was sleeping, because my snorts of laughter would wake him up. the chili pepper chapter was probably most laugh out loud worthy. Other chapters were a little odd, though. not necessarily boring, but not what I think of when I hear of eating dangerously. The chapter on elvers was interesting--in general I learned quite a bit from the book. He clearly researched his topics well. But I didn't think it was the sort of subject I'd pick to lead off a book on eating dangerously. Same with the Sicily/ Mafia chapter he ended with. they just felt random, or strained.
Some reviews talk about the author negatively. They say how he's always boasting and obnoxious. Here's my thought though--if he really was that arrogant, as he represents himself in many stories, as a bragging windbag, would he really TELL us he was one? I had the feeling more that he has a self deprecating British sense of humor, and is poking fun at himself, same as when he refers to his growing midsection (from all the eating) and his sissiness (first time I ever heard the word "toff"). He likes to poke fun at himself.
Which is not to say I could totally relate to the author--stories about spending parts of every year in Spain, and on Italian islands, are not something I can imagine at all. His home life seems quiet and unassuming enough--his mom cooking simple wholesome British foods for them, for instance. But, when throughout the book he travels freely, stays at nice hotels, eats at nice/ expensive restaurants, and recollects experiences of the past, it may be a window into another world, but it's not exactly one I to which I relate well.
Also, the chapter on Korea was had some of the grossest and most disturbing things I've ever read. I find the practice, not of eating dog, but of HOW they prepare and eat dog, absolutely horrific. that section made me ill. and how a man who talks extensively about humane and wholesome methods of raising poultry and livestock for our consumption could partake of something that is so INHUMANELY treated from beginning to end, just confused me and kind of irritated me. I am glad his food smelled of wet dog and made him sick to his stomach. Gross.
On the other hand, some of the food scenes made my mouth water. I came away wanting Thai/ Lao/ Chinese food, and BBQ. Clearly, the author loves food, and it shows. if he didn't also love alcohol so much, the book might have been better--hearing the same scenario repeated over and over again--I drank too much the night before an excursion for my book, and I felt too sick to really appreciate what I was researching to write about--got annoying. I felt that he didn't really value/ respect the project he was doing, to have so little control, and be so ill prepared to experience the exact things he was writing about. and that made me as the reader feel a little undervalued too. Sorry to have gotten in the way of your heavy drinking with this book research, Tom.
Overall, though, the book was fun. lightweight. interesting in most spots. I might not want to sit down and have a meal with the author, but I found him pleasantly upper class British in his behavior and mindset. in looks, a weak resemblance to James McAvoy, perhaps? and in writing, a week resemblance to Bill Bryson, including the heavy research, self deprecating humor, and love of England and the USA. so perhaps not a strong effort, but mostly not an unpleasant one, either.
And in a telling moment, my brother saw the book sitting around and asked if he could read it, on the strength of the cover and book description/ excerpt. and my mom wants it next. and then a good friend. SO, it certainly seems to be an appealing book. I hope they enjoy it too.
some parts of this book were hilarious, the sort of thing I had to stop reading at night when my husband was sleeping, because my snorts of laughter would wake him up. the chili pepper chapter was probably most laugh out loud worthy. Other chapters were a little odd, though. not necessarily boring, but not what I think of when I hear of eating dangerously. The chapter on elvers was interesting--in general I learned quite a bit from the book. He clearly researched his topics well. But I didn't think it was the sort of subject I'd pick to lead off a book on eating dangerously. Same with the Sicily/ Mafia chapter he ended with. they just felt random, or strained.
Some reviews talk about the author negatively. They say how he's always boasting and obnoxious. Here's my thought though--if he really was that arrogant, as he represents himself in many stories, as a bragging windbag, would he really TELL us he was one? I had the feeling more that he has a self deprecating British sense of humor, and is poking fun at himself, same as when he refers to his growing midsection (from all the eating) and his sissiness (first time I ever heard the word "toff"). He likes to poke fun at himself.
Which is not to say I could totally relate to the author--stories about spending parts of every year in Spain, and on Italian islands, are not something I can imagine at all. His home life seems quiet and unassuming enough--his mom cooking simple wholesome British foods for them, for instance. But, when throughout the book he travels freely, stays at nice hotels, eats at nice/ expensive restaurants, and recollects experiences of the past, it may be a window into another world, but it's not exactly one I to which I relate well.
Also, the chapter on Korea was had some of the grossest and most disturbing things I've ever read. I find the practice, not of eating dog, but of HOW they prepare and eat dog, absolutely horrific. that section made me ill. and how a man who talks extensively about humane and wholesome methods of raising poultry and livestock for our consumption could partake of something that is so INHUMANELY treated from beginning to end, just confused me and kind of irritated me. I am glad his food smelled of wet dog and made him sick to his stomach. Gross.
On the other hand, some of the food scenes made my mouth water. I came away wanting Thai/ Lao/ Chinese food, and BBQ. Clearly, the author loves food, and it shows. if he didn't also love alcohol so much, the book might have been better--hearing the same scenario repeated over and over again--I drank too much the night before an excursion for my book, and I felt too sick to really appreciate what I was researching to write about--got annoying. I felt that he didn't really value/ respect the project he was doing, to have so little control, and be so ill prepared to experience the exact things he was writing about. and that made me as the reader feel a little undervalued too. Sorry to have gotten in the way of your heavy drinking with this book research, Tom.
Overall, though, the book was fun. lightweight. interesting in most spots. I might not want to sit down and have a meal with the author, but I found him pleasantly upper class British in his behavior and mindset. in looks, a weak resemblance to James McAvoy, perhaps? and in writing, a week resemblance to Bill Bryson, including the heavy research, self deprecating humor, and love of England and the USA. so perhaps not a strong effort, but mostly not an unpleasant one, either.
And in a telling moment, my brother saw the book sitting around and asked if he could read it, on the strength of the cover and book description/ excerpt. and my mom wants it next. and then a good friend. SO, it certainly seems to be an appealing book. I hope they enjoy it too.
September 29, 2009
A quirky and interesting volume. . . .Tom Parker Bowles takes time out of his life to search out "extreme food," to engage in culinary adventures. In his words, this book is about (page xx) ". . .a fascination with the world's diverse cuisines." He (page xx) "wanted to sample everything however gruesome, to try and establish some kind of culinary context." And the book features much information (even wittily presented) about cultures throughout the world, as an even greater context for cuisine.
Places that he explores include England, New Mexico, China, Nashville, Tokyo, Korea, Laos, Spain, and Sicily. Sometimes, he experiences genuine surprise, in that Laos clearly represents one of his best eating stops--much against what he had guessed. And, to repeat, it is witty. I was actually laughing as he serves as a judge at a barbeque context in Lynchburg Tennessee (although the chapter is entitled Nashville!). He describes the disappointment at poor products, prepared lovingly by cooks; he revels in the delights that were cooked to perfection.
Other chapters, to exemplify his treatment. In Laos, he began with rather low expectations. He describes weird dishes (at least weird to Westerners), such as live shrimp as a kind of salad--looking horrific and tasting great. He ate in Vientiane and in Luang Prabang, experiencing very different cuisine; however, he enjoyed and appreciated each. And, as always, he provides history, refers to written works on the country, and surrounds his discussion of the food with an appreciation of the larger society.
His description of cities in New Mexico is quite negative, and presented in a manner that aficionados will call witty and New Mexico residents snide. Nonetheless, he is there for the The National Fiery Foods and Barbeque Show in Albuquerque. He had always enjoyed chili and other hot foods. So he was desperate to check out a well known (at least to him) festival in New Mexico. Again, his writing is hilarious as he talks about eating some chili dish that is way hotter than he would have wanted. The richness of the discussion of chili and other hot substances and the experts who gathered at the festival is really quite compelling.
Then, the story of elvers. . . . But enough of the specifics. Readers can explore the pages of this volume and determine which episodes are most interesting. I would recommend this book as much for its depiction of cultures and the food as part of these cultures as for its description of some generally strange foods. A nice read.
Places that he explores include England, New Mexico, China, Nashville, Tokyo, Korea, Laos, Spain, and Sicily. Sometimes, he experiences genuine surprise, in that Laos clearly represents one of his best eating stops--much against what he had guessed. And, to repeat, it is witty. I was actually laughing as he serves as a judge at a barbeque context in Lynchburg Tennessee (although the chapter is entitled Nashville!). He describes the disappointment at poor products, prepared lovingly by cooks; he revels in the delights that were cooked to perfection.
Other chapters, to exemplify his treatment. In Laos, he began with rather low expectations. He describes weird dishes (at least weird to Westerners), such as live shrimp as a kind of salad--looking horrific and tasting great. He ate in Vientiane and in Luang Prabang, experiencing very different cuisine; however, he enjoyed and appreciated each. And, as always, he provides history, refers to written works on the country, and surrounds his discussion of the food with an appreciation of the larger society.
His description of cities in New Mexico is quite negative, and presented in a manner that aficionados will call witty and New Mexico residents snide. Nonetheless, he is there for the The National Fiery Foods and Barbeque Show in Albuquerque. He had always enjoyed chili and other hot foods. So he was desperate to check out a well known (at least to him) festival in New Mexico. Again, his writing is hilarious as he talks about eating some chili dish that is way hotter than he would have wanted. The richness of the discussion of chili and other hot substances and the experts who gathered at the festival is really quite compelling.
Then, the story of elvers. . . . But enough of the specifics. Readers can explore the pages of this volume and determine which episodes are most interesting. I would recommend this book as much for its depiction of cultures and the food as part of these cultures as for its description of some generally strange foods. A nice read.
April 25, 2012
Bowles, a well-to-do public schoolboy, self-taught foodie and stepson of Prince Charles, decides to travel the world in search of, if not truly dangerous, exotic fare that often makes Westerners uncomfortable. In order, he visits Gloucestershire (hunting for elvers, a shady and risky trade); New Mexico (the hottest chilies); China (whole duck and organs, fermented tofu); Nashville (judging a barbecue championship); Tokyo (the infamous deadly fugu); Korea (dog stew); Laos (various bits and pieces); Spain (extreme fishing with the phallic barnacles called percebeiros); and Sicily (dinner, ostensibly, with the mob).
Parker Bowles is a genial writer who is terrific at describing both the places and the foods he visits, tossing in history and scenery between the rich descriptions of scary-looking dishes. His adventures in New Mexico, Gloucestershire, and Tokyo are recounted with wit and style. A big problem with much of the book, however, is that Parker Bowles seems to have no self control. In Nashville, despite many warnings from wiser heads, he immediately utterly gorges himself so that he can't do justice to the second half of the event. This happens elsewhere as well. He continually gets himself so drunk on the evening before an appointment that he can't appreciate what he's doing or eating the next day because of his raging hangover. Maybe he thinks he’s clever, or pulling a gonzo Hunter Thompson-style piece, but I didn’t read this to hear how some fat idiot ate too much so he couldn’t appreciate the food. With decent editing, this book could have been very entertaining, but its success is tempered with the author’s lack of good sense.
Parker Bowles is a genial writer who is terrific at describing both the places and the foods he visits, tossing in history and scenery between the rich descriptions of scary-looking dishes. His adventures in New Mexico, Gloucestershire, and Tokyo are recounted with wit and style. A big problem with much of the book, however, is that Parker Bowles seems to have no self control. In Nashville, despite many warnings from wiser heads, he immediately utterly gorges himself so that he can't do justice to the second half of the event. This happens elsewhere as well. He continually gets himself so drunk on the evening before an appointment that he can't appreciate what he's doing or eating the next day because of his raging hangover. Maybe he thinks he’s clever, or pulling a gonzo Hunter Thompson-style piece, but I didn’t read this to hear how some fat idiot ate too much so he couldn’t appreciate the food. With decent editing, this book could have been very entertaining, but its success is tempered with the author’s lack of good sense.
October 27, 2011
i like food writing. i like stories of extreme cuisines. so naturally, i thought i'd like this.
oh no. i lasted about a chapter and a half before i gave up. tom parker bowles comes across as so pompous and egotistical that i can practically see the smugness dripping off the page. he wasn't yet the stepchild of royalty when he wrote this, but he sure seems to think he is. to add insult to injury, this wasn't even a well-written exercise in ego-feeding. writing about yourself is inherently selfish, but so many people manage to do it in a way that doesn't make them come across like an irredeemable asshole. the subject matter has the potential to be really good, but tom parker bowles' tone just completely ruins it. i'm going back to anthony bourdain for my extreme cuisine fix.
oh no. i lasted about a chapter and a half before i gave up. tom parker bowles comes across as so pompous and egotistical that i can practically see the smugness dripping off the page. he wasn't yet the stepchild of royalty when he wrote this, but he sure seems to think he is. to add insult to injury, this wasn't even a well-written exercise in ego-feeding. writing about yourself is inherently selfish, but so many people manage to do it in a way that doesn't make them come across like an irredeemable asshole. the subject matter has the potential to be really good, but tom parker bowles' tone just completely ruins it. i'm going back to anthony bourdain for my extreme cuisine fix.
April 22, 2010
[Shrug:] This wasn't as interesting as I had hoped. The author travels to destinations near and far (England, New Mexico, Sicily, Korea, etc.) and eats "dangerously," with different meanings: sometimes dangerous means weird (dog in Korea), harmful to one's health (extremely spicy in New Mexico), dangerous to source (small crustaceans in Spain), etc. Throughout, however, Bowles isn't all that likeable, I found, and is a bit self-absorbed. It had moments of being very entertaining, but mostly I was just happy to have it done.
March 3, 2020
Forced, facile, and fake. I love foodie books, but this one did not engage me. I made it through two chapters before I gave up.
November 8, 2021
didn't feel these were particularly dangerous foods. Some interesting situations but not particularly out rages as the book seemed to promise. Didn't finish, mildly interesting, didn't feel any sympathy for author, didn't like the feeling of his privilege which kept bothering me for the wrong reasons
June 26, 2009
Okay, so my wife and I like our food. We like to cook, and we like to play around with different cultures and styles. We have a kitchen full of cooking equipment, and spend far too much time every week planning menus. We're also both very easily influenced by what we read - and this book had far too big an impact on both of us. I spent last saturday afternoon crouched over a smoking weber kettle in the rain, trying for the perfect ribs. A night or two before that, we simply ,had to have larp (a laotian staple), and for the last three weeks I've been liberally dousing almost everything I eat in the hottest chilli sauces I can get my hands on.
Tom Parker-Bowles (Camilla's son, I believe) writes about the world of 'dangerous eating' - exploring the philosophy of food and our attitudes towards it as much as he does the dynamics of the food itself; Super hot chilli sauces, competitive Texan BBQ eating, the impact of competition forces on the British baby eel market, the fact that dogs are, when you get down to it, just another form of protein, ditto insects, ditto tripe.
It's a thought provoking read, as well as an engaging one. Parker Bowles writes beautifully about a subject he clearly knows well, and does so in such a manner that you (or me, at least) just want to get out there and tuck into a big bowl of live river shrimp. In the process, this book makes you really question some of the fundamentals about food; how we eat, and how we think about what we eat.
Highly recommended for the foodies.
Tom Parker-Bowles (Camilla's son, I believe) writes about the world of 'dangerous eating' - exploring the philosophy of food and our attitudes towards it as much as he does the dynamics of the food itself; Super hot chilli sauces, competitive Texan BBQ eating, the impact of competition forces on the British baby eel market, the fact that dogs are, when you get down to it, just another form of protein, ditto insects, ditto tripe.
It's a thought provoking read, as well as an engaging one. Parker Bowles writes beautifully about a subject he clearly knows well, and does so in such a manner that you (or me, at least) just want to get out there and tuck into a big bowl of live river shrimp. In the process, this book makes you really question some of the fundamentals about food; how we eat, and how we think about what we eat.
Highly recommended for the foodies.
June 26, 2009
Dangerously is a relative term. The underlying concept of this foodie's travelog has been done before and with great success. It is therefore very hard to read this book without the inevitable comparisons between Parker Bowles & Bourdain. Ultimately, I think the latter is the more successful in this genre. This book is quite interesting, especially the first chapter's elver fishing expedition (who knew about eels unique lifecycle and their decimated populations?) Unfortunately, the writing suffers from logorrhea and poor editing. I think they both got paid by the word and were not the utmost concerned about their selection. And again, dangerous is a relative term.
This said, I am still enjoying the book and becoming increasing annoyed with the author's haughtiness. Parker Bowles is a food snob and will occasionally try to embrace all things blue collar, but despite his proclamations to the contrary, he still comes across as an elitist. He whines incessantly about the hardships to be away from home on at a foodie's paradise for ten whole days. With my complicated life, ten days anywhere is nothing! I also just can't understand the "dive" description of a Roppongi restaurant for Fugu; though I didn't dine at the place in question, my dining experience in that neighborhood was top notch and any place that is more than $100 for lunch should probably not be considered so lowly.
This said, I am still enjoying the book and becoming increasing annoyed with the author's haughtiness. Parker Bowles is a food snob and will occasionally try to embrace all things blue collar, but despite his proclamations to the contrary, he still comes across as an elitist. He whines incessantly about the hardships to be away from home on at a foodie's paradise for ten whole days. With my complicated life, ten days anywhere is nothing! I also just can't understand the "dive" description of a Roppongi restaurant for Fugu; though I didn't dine at the place in question, my dining experience in that neighborhood was top notch and any place that is more than $100 for lunch should probably not be considered so lowly.
August 27, 2013
I zipped through the first half of this book and plodded through the second half. Essentially the author is a food critic who decides to eat 'dangerous food' around the world. The beginning is fascinating - he goes fishing for elvers, which is a very traditional meal in England but is dangerous to do. Dead of night, torrents of water, etc. He follows this up in search of spicy chilli in New Mexico, snake in China, dog meat in South Korea, fugu in Japan. My biggest difficulty was in his treatment of the Asian countries. In fact, most countries he started his journey based on "I have this stereotype about their eating habits. Let's go confirm that stereotype." Unfortunately his views on Korea was that they were dirty, ate dogs, and had low enough morals that they had no problems stealing other people's animals to eat it. So rather than exploring the varied customary foods and culture of Korea, he stuck to the seedier parts of town, had a horrible experience eating dog, got sick, and decided he hates Korea. Did I mention that everyone he talked to told him dog wasn't a popular or customary food? He blundered from host to host, making each person he met uncomfortable because he just had to ask them what kinds of dog they ate.
It's not a horrible book, and I laughed aloud at several points. But aspects made me uncomfortable - and probably made the people he came in contact with uncomfortable too.
It's not a horrible book, and I laughed aloud at several points. But aspects made me uncomfortable - and probably made the people he came in contact with uncomfortable too.
June 26, 2009
This isn't the most original book, but it was interesting and enjoyable. Bowles, a British food writer and self-professed glutton, travels around the world to eat foods that are strange or 'dangerous' in some way. He eats super-hot chile peppers in New Mexico, obscene amounts of barbeque in Tennessee, potentially deadly fugu in Japan, and dog in Korea. With the exception of the dog, he develops at least some appreciation for all of the things that he eats. He concludes that it is much more dangerous to mindlessly eat factory farmed meats, conventionally-grown produce, and overprocessed convenience foods than it is to eat bugs, guts, or fiery foods.
This reminded me of several other food books or shows. It was a bit like The Man Who Ate Everything (no food should be off-limits just because of simple squeamishness), similar to No Reservations (I will travel the world looking for unusual things to put into my mouth), and reminiscent of Animal, Vegetable, Miracle (we should eat locally, sustainability, and in a way that respects our region and cultural heritage). It's a little bit heavy-handed, but still worth reading.
This reminded me of several other food books or shows. It was a bit like The Man Who Ate Everything (no food should be off-limits just because of simple squeamishness), similar to No Reservations (I will travel the world looking for unusual things to put into my mouth), and reminiscent of Animal, Vegetable, Miracle (we should eat locally, sustainability, and in a way that respects our region and cultural heritage). It's a little bit heavy-handed, but still worth reading.
April 6, 2012
Damn this was a great read. Irreverent, clever and so refreshing for food writing. Bowles' slices through the puff and pretense of the food world to unravel the idiosyncracies, traditions and weirdness of those he encounters with his sensational turn of phrase. Rather than making for a stuffy and condescending routine Bowles' blue-blood lineage and intelligence seemed to manifest as a cerebral knowing; circumspect, very humorous and cynical only in the most honest of ways. He deftly informs and entertains managing to be instantly likeable while remaining self-effacing. His lusty sense of adventure brings the pages alive as he illuminates mystery and ritual of cuisines some of us wouldn't even consider food. His trip to Korea was the only chapter I struggled with, not because it wasn't any good, it just left me a bit squeamish as an animal lover to the point I'd almost say don't read the chapter. Striking to the heart of what makes these eaters tick, this great read is part gonzo and easily literary non-fiction. With tongue in cheek Bowles is a talented storyteller. The title'Dangerously' is a bit of English over-statement and isn't meant to be taken too literally.
April 17, 2010
WOW!!
This book was GREAT! Well written, humorous, very informative, and a great breadth of world culture and food. The author's honesty throughout the book was refreshing, instead of him being just a know-it-all jerk who covered up all his mistakes and preconceptions that were dismissed throughout his journey. Had that disappeared to make him seem omniscient and all knowing I don't think the book would have been nearly as good. It made him seem more human and less of a food critic on a pedestal.
The chapter on dog was hard to read, but only because he didn't pull any punches and I'm a fan of the animal and dog owner. But he did a great job with the whole subject, even admitting how he feels about it.
I'd recommend this to just about anyone. I need to hunt up his other book.
This book was GREAT! Well written, humorous, very informative, and a great breadth of world culture and food. The author's honesty throughout the book was refreshing, instead of him being just a know-it-all jerk who covered up all his mistakes and preconceptions that were dismissed throughout his journey. Had that disappeared to make him seem omniscient and all knowing I don't think the book would have been nearly as good. It made him seem more human and less of a food critic on a pedestal.
The chapter on dog was hard to read, but only because he didn't pull any punches and I'm a fan of the animal and dog owner. But he did a great job with the whole subject, even admitting how he feels about it.
I'd recommend this to just about anyone. I need to hunt up his other book.
Read
June 26, 2009Tom Parker Bowles (son of Camilla Parker Bowles, a not unimportant fact) goes around the world searching out weird local food. Highlights include British elvers, chili peppers in New Mexico, barbecue in Nashville, fugu in Japan, dog and bugs in Korea, more bugs in Laos, and offal all over the place. It's a fun book and Parker Bowles a fun writer, often courting moneyed attitude before taking the piss out of himself with details of his hilariously inflated expectations for e.g. Sicily or Seoul. He doesn't go too heavily into what for want of a better term I'll call food chemistry, like Jeffrey Steingarten--Parker Bowles is more of an M.A. student to Steingarten's tenured professor. Worth keeping in your kitchen for a few months and reading during dinner.
June 26, 2009
"I'm not a six foot two, achingly cool chef who'll devour anything in his sight. As much as I want to be Anthony Bourdain, it ain't going to happen. I'm a rather windy, five foot eleven and a half toff."
Bowles shares Bourdain's sardonic humor and his penchant for drinking too much the night before anything that involves an early rise. Where Bourdain is distinctly New York, though, Bowles is as English as Marmite -- evidence of which may be found in his passing praise of said food. But that's not a bad thing. I think it's delightful that there are writers of English in this world who can use words like "toff" and "twee" without the least bit of affectation. And, hey -- he's using these words as he writes about interesting food in exotic locations. What's not to like?
Bowles shares Bourdain's sardonic humor and his penchant for drinking too much the night before anything that involves an early rise. Where Bourdain is distinctly New York, though, Bowles is as English as Marmite -- evidence of which may be found in his passing praise of said food. But that's not a bad thing. I think it's delightful that there are writers of English in this world who can use words like "toff" and "twee" without the least bit of affectation. And, hey -- he's using these words as he writes about interesting food in exotic locations. What's not to like?
June 26, 2009
Parker-Bowles does not paint Americans in a pretty light. Maybe I am being sensitive, but every time he describes Americans the word obese, trashy, or uncultured is not far away... The basic premise of each chapter: Bowles has something gross/intense that he sets off to eat. He ends by realizing that it does indeed taste ok, that really it is his cultural indoctrination/misperceptions which dictate whether he finds something edible/inedible. Then he eats too much, gets drunk, misses his wife, recovers, and sets off to eat something gross again. Made me want to eat a silk worm pupae just to see if it is as foul as he describes.
June 26, 2009
Tom Parker Bowles is a funny man, but I wonder if this is better in small doses than sustained throughout a whole book. I admire his strong feelings about food, but I feel as though I didn't get the whole structure or point to the "year of eating dangerously" theme. Not to mention the constant hangovers. I'm not in a position to judge about the drinking, but to have an episode on every single trip that restates the fact that he drank too much and was, as a consequence, too miserable to enjoy the next day's eating? Enough already.
Still, I learned a few things, particularly in the first chapter on elvers. And, like I said--amusing.
Still, I learned a few things, particularly in the first chapter on elvers. And, like I said--amusing.
June 30, 2008
not very well written, but very entertaining...the author (who is coincidentally the son of Camilla Parker Bowles, now wife of Prince Charles) is a food critic for a London newspaper. he decides to travel the world eating "dangerously". some excellent fish-out-of-water vignettes when he visits the Fiery Food Festival in Albequerque and the Jack Daniels BBQ competition. some beautiful descriptions of visits to Laos and China. the book is not going to win a Pulitzer, but it is full of good laughs and lots of cringe inducing food. if you like travel writing and food writing, you get a two-fer with this one.
December 30, 2009
I found this a surprisingly enjoyable and thought-provoking book, in part because the author does not profess to be anything other than a privileged Brit on a lark, trying lots of different and daring foods in a variety of settings. Because of his lack of an agenda, his observations -- about differences in palate, about the blandness of a processed diet, about how different cultures have adapted or held onto their diets despite colonial intervention, and about the cruelty with which many animals are raised -- do not come across as preachy but rather as revelations he experiences during his journeys.
January 15, 2017
I don't remember who recommended this book to me. Probably just as well. I kept hearing that it was funny. Not only did I not find it amusing, I didn't even find it interesting. I think part of it was that he took twenty pages to say something that could have been summed up in two. This book was recommended to me because I like books about travel and food, but there are plenty of others out there that I have found far more appealing.
As I was putting the book in my bag to send back to the library, I noticed that the writer is the son of Camilla, Prince Charles' wife. Ah. Perhaps it was his connections that got him published, then.
As I was putting the book in my bag to send back to the library, I noticed that the writer is the son of Camilla, Prince Charles' wife. Ah. Perhaps it was his connections that got him published, then.
July 6, 2010
A foray into the world of extreme eating - from super hot chilies to dog meat to insects. Moderately entertaining and slightly more interesting once I realized whose son the author is, but the main thing I took away from this book - after reading time and time again his distress in waking up feeling the ill effects of over indulgence in food and drink and promising himself never EVER to do that again - was that the author needs to learn a little self-control.
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