Consuming Passions : A Food-Obsessed Life

Rating:
Summary: Absolutely Yummy!
Review: This book is simply delicious. It is all about the South, it has warm family memories, it has humor, eccentric relatives, and best of all RECIPES. The author has a delightful way of describing things. I give it 4 stars only because I think it's a little "over the top" and a bit precious what with all the droll relatives and wacky situations - a bit "Andy Griffith Show" only further South. But this is a very very entertaining piece of work, and I am determined to try making fried chicken one last time before winter comes and I have to keep all the windows closed!

Rating:
Summary: Mouth Watering!
Review: This book is terrific. A great fluffy summer read, whether or not you like to cook. The author shifts between light-hearted backyard over-the-fence neighborly chat to poignant musings on funeral food (my favorite chapter). My only beef with the book is that the last chapter or two don't really have much to do with food or eating. I was left with the feeling of just having a wonderful meal, with anticipation of an equally fantastic dessert which doesn't come. But don't let that discourage you from reading this book -- it is truly a stand-out. I've ordered a couple for gifts.

Rating:
Summary: Superb, Scrumptious & Vividly Hilarious
Review: This book now sits next to cookbooks and I've made sure to paste a label with my name on it, as I will always want it returned to me. For anyone with a sense of humor, this is the book for you. I've prepared a few of the recipes the author has included and not only are they easy, but they are quite good. I can't wait to read more by Michael Lee West and have warned my family that not only will I be "all-consumed", they had better be ready for more hilarious outbursts of laughter and tears as I read.

Rating:
Summary: This could be my Southern family
Review: This book was so "homey" to me, I felt like it could be my family. Family traditions are so food centered, and especially for the females, we have our secrets and specialties we like to pass on, or not. My mother once asked me, "Do you think they go all out like we do?" After reading, West's book, I know we Southerners share more similarities than differences.

Rating:
Summary: Love it!
Review: This book was so funny! I have tried many of the recipes and they are great. She writes wonderful ancedotes, and these tie into a recipe that follows. I couldn't put it down.

Rating:
Summary: I consumed it in one sitting!
Review: This memoir made me laugh out loud, and the recipes are terrific too. I totally enjoyed reading about Aunt Tempe, Uncle Bun, and Aunt Dell's exploits. I totally enjoyed eating the shrimp etoufee that I made after reading this book. Miss Johnnie's macaroni and cheese was really good too. This book is both a unique culinary and reading experience at the same time. I have read all of Michael Lee West's books, and really loved them, but this one made me wish that I had grown up in the south, just as the author had. But, I can still enjoy southern cooking, and this book has been added as a permanent fixture on my cookbook shelf. Thank you Ms. West for sharing your recipes with this particular Northerner. My husband thanks you too.

Rating:
Summary: I consumed it in one sitting!
Review: This memoir made me laugh out loud, and the recipes are terrific too. I totally enjoyed reading about Aunt Tempe, Uncle Bun, and Aunt Dell's exploits. I totally enjoyed eating the shrimp etoufee that I made after reading this book. Miss Johnnie's macaroni and cheese was really good too. This book is both a unique culinary and reading experience at the same time. I have read all of Michael Lee West's books, and really loved them, but this one made me wish that I had grown up in the south, just as the author had. But, I can still enjoy southern cooking, and this book has been added as a permanent fixture on my cookbook shelf. Thank you Ms. West for sharing your recipes with this particular Northerner. My husband thanks you too.