Garlic and Sapphires: The Secret Life of a Critic in Disguise
Fans ofTender at the BoneandComfort Me with Applesknow that Ruth Reichl is a wonderful memoirist--a funny, poignant, and candid storyteller whose books contain a happy mix of memories, recipes, and personal revelations.Amazon.com InterviewWe chewed the fat with Ruth.Read our interview.What they might not fully appreciate is that Reichl is an absolute marvel when it comes to writing about food--she can describe a dish in such satisfying detail that it becomes unnecessary for readers to eat. In her third memoir,Garlic and Sapphires: The Secret Life of a Critic in Disguise, Reichl focuses on her life as a food critic, dishing up a feast of fabulous meals enjoyed during her tenure atThe New York Times. As a critic, Reichl was determined to review the "true" nature of each restaurant she visited, so she often dined incognito--each chapter of her book highlights a new disguise, a different restaurant (including the original reviews from theTimes), and a fresh culinary adventure.Garlic and Sapphiresis another delicious and delightful book, sure to satisfy Reichl's foodie fans and leave admirerers looking forward to her next book, hopefully about her life withGourmet.--Daphne DurhamMore from Ruth ReichlTender at the BoneComfort Me with ApplesThe Gourmet CookbookRemembrance of Things ParisEndless FeastsGourmetmagazineAmazon.com'sThe Significant SevenRuth Reichl answers the seven questions we ask every author.Q:What book has had the most significant impact on your life?A:Kate Simon’sNew York Places and Pleasures. I read it as a little girl and then went out and wandered the city. She was a wonderful writer, and she taught me not only to see New York in a whole new way, but to look, and taste, beneath the surface.Q:You are stranded on a desert island with only one book, one CD, and one DVD--what are they?A:UlyssesbyJames Joyce. What better place to finally get through it?Keith Jarrett'sThe Köln Concert. If you’re going to listen to one piece over and over, this is one that doesn’t get tiresome.How to Build a Boat in Five Easy Steps. Since I’m going to be watching one movie over and over, it might as well be useful.Q:What is the worst lie you've ever told?A:I’m such a good liar, I wouldn’t know where to begin.Q:Describe the perfect writing environment.A:I can write pretty much anywhere. But I prefer small, cozy spaces, with a good view over a lake or a forest, and room for the cats to curl up.Q:If you could write your own epitaph, what would it say?A:"She’ll be right back."Q:Who is the one person living or dead that you would like to have dinner with?A:Elizabeth I. She fascinates me. She had a great mind, enormous appetites--and she was a survivor. The most interesting woman of an interesting time, and I have a million questions I’d like to ask her.Q:If you could have one superpower, what would it be?A:You mean after creating world peace?  This is a hard one. But I’ve always wanted to be able to fly.--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.