Aphrodite: A Memoir of the Senses

Rating:
Summary: Sensual and innovative writing
Review: Far from being just a cookbook,this is an exploration into the human heart. A well done blend of humor,history,and sensuality, this book exceeded my expectations. Isabel Allende enlightens us with many interesting stories,and recipes,and opens her heart to her readers. I found this book very enjoyable and I would recommend it to anyone.

Rating:
Summary: A global odysey through culinary sensuousness
Review: For readers of Isabel Allende's novels, this might seem an unusual book. It is a passionate, unapologetic defense of the senses generally, and a catalogue of historical sexual and culinary practices punctuated with flavorful recipes, all of which place this history-cum-cookbook almost in a genre of its own. This book naturally radiates with warmth, beginning with the highly informative personal tributes Alende delivers to each of three of her major collaborators in this book, including her mother and her literary agent. The photos and drawing which are scattered throughout this book add an artistic backdrop to the evocative prose. It also made me appreciate more wholly a number of passages Allende devotes to food and cuisine in her non-ficiton book on her native Chile, My Invented Country (which I had also reviwed on this website).

Rating:
Summary: This memoir hits the spot !
Review: I have read this book in installments. Why? Because I knew my mother would have a fit if she knew I had read it. Lusty, juicy, it's wonderful education for a curious virgin like me.
(I swear on the Bible I'm a virgin.)

Rating:
Summary: This is a very funny look at how food and eroticsm mix
Review: I loved this book! Allende's sense of humor and eroticsm make this book flow smoothly over many different topics, all covering food and lust! It is both informative and entertaining and her stories are both sweet and funny!

Rating:
Summary: embarrassing for such a good writer
Review: I understand why so many people gave this book positive comments: someone even compared it to The History of the Senses, but I have to say that Ackerman's book is vastly better. Allende puts too much of her ego in here which swamps any eroticism that would be present. The illustrations are great, the recipes are nice, but the tone is so self congratulatory (she's a great writer, great lover, great cook, great researcher) that at times I'd read a sentence and actually grimace. I can't fault her research which definitely provides information that is inherently interesting and provocative. However, the writing is poor in parts, the editing is lax (she just wanders all over the place) and the book is utterly devoid of charm or literary merit despite a nice presentation. That's what made this book so disappointing and gave the appearence of a sellout -- just to talk about sex and food IS interesting, but to talk about how Allende views past lovers and current lovers is much less interesting. I like Allende overall, but this book is a literary fiasco in a nice package.

Rating:
Summary: embarrassing for such a good writer
Review: I understand why so many people gave this book positive comments: someone even compared it to The History of the Senses, but I have to say that Ackerman's book is vastly better. Allende puts too much of her ego in here which swamps any eroticism that would be present. The illustrations are great, the recipes are nice, but the tone is so self congratulatory (she's a great writer, great lover, great cook, great researcher) that at times I'd read a sentence and actually grimace. I can't fault her research which definitely provides information that is inherently interesting and provocative. However, the writing is poor in parts, the editing is lax (she just wanders all over the place) and the book is utterly devoid of charm or literary merit despite a nice presentation. That's what made this book so disappointing and gave the appearence of a sellout -- just to talk about sex and food IS interesting, but to talk about how Allende views past lovers and current lovers is much less interesting. I like Allende overall, but this book is a literary fiasco in a nice package.

Rating:
Summary: Beautiful book, literary failure ...
Review: I was really dissapointed by Allendes latest book. I am an avid reader, and besides "Paula" I've read all her books. Some of them I loved, some of them i just enjoyed, for her style of writing is unique and masterful enough to keep one wanting to read on. The "Aphrodite" however was most dissapointing. For me, it looked more like an unedited, hastily printed diary, then either the cookbook or a study of aphrodisiacs, as the book appears to have been intended. Sure enough, Allende hasn't lost her wit or the ability to write compelling stories. It had probably more of the "personal" touch then most of her previous books, and that I found quite compelling and worthy the time spent. However, the book as a whole seems to lack something, it feels just too "loosely" bound ! I'm hoping that her next book will not be more "commercial", riding on the fame one. Give us another "Eva Luna" Isabel. I love your books too much to believe that "Aphrodite" is "IT".

Rating:
Summary: Read this before you spend your money
Review: If you're buying this to use as a cookbook - don't. There is no index or glossary - making it all but impossible to find information quickly. The background information on ingredients is quite interesting, but the recipes are a bit weak - pure and simple.

Rating:
Summary: Quite enjoyable.
Review: Interesting tidbits of information on folklore, sex, love and food. Easy to digest. Just what I was looking for in a book. It has left me in good spirits. I highly reccommend it for somebody who wants a light read. It's fun and contains tantalizing (food) receipes for lovers. I found myself reciting lines from the book to my husband.

Rating:
Summary: Delightful and scintillating prose for the senses .
Review: Isabel Allende's prose is truly delightful. Her gift for weaving all the elements of this book together is incredible. I look forward to reading it again and again and sharing it with someone of course. Anyone who is a lover of sensuality and great literature would enjoy this memoir.