Monday, October 17, 2011

Julie and Julia by Julie Powell

Julie and Julia by Julie Powell
359 pages
Published July 2009 by Little, Brown and Company
Source: the publisher - in fact, this was one of the first books ever offered to me for review

Julie Powell was pushing thirty, just moving into an even crappier apartment than the one she and her husband were living in and suffering through a series of temp jobs which are sucking her soul away. Enter Julia Childs - specifically Child's masterwork "Mastering The Art of French Cooking"  (MtAoFC).

As a teenager, Powell (when she wasn't sneaking a peek at her parents' copy of The Joy of Sex) could frequently be found reading recipes from her mother's copy of MtAoFC so it was only logical that she would turn to it again for a source of inspiration when she found herself desperately in need of something to do to make herself not feel like a failure. With her husband's encouragement, Powell started a blog and the Julie/Julia Project was born. Powell set a goal to cook all 524 recipes in the book in 365 days. Along the way Powell had many great successes but just as many disasters. Her husband should probably be nominated for sainthood - the woman didn't get meals on the table until most people are headed for bed, her housekeeping (what there was of it to begin with) became so non-existent that she once discovered maggots in her kitchen, and she subjected her friends to all manner of food they would never have chosen to eat if they didn't love her.

After reading about the source of my copy of this book, you may have asked yourself why it took me so long to finally read this book. When I was offered this book, I was thrilled and had every intention of reading it immediately. Maybe I was put off by some reviews. Maybe because it was already everywhere. I'm not sure. Then when the movie came out, I was determined to read it first. Then after I'd seen the movie, I was determined to read it while the story was still fresh in my mind. Still I didn't get to it. It took a couple of new books sitting in my to-review pile to remind me that this one was still waiting for me.

I liked it, despite its flaws. Powell has a biting sense of humor and is just as willing to poke fun at herself as she is to poke fun at others. A complaint some have voiced is that Powell has a bit of a dirty mouth. I didn't notice it much (sounds like it's definitely more prominent in the blog). She does get a bit distracted at the end dropping names about the people who came to interview and film her and often got off topic in describing her friend's lives. I could have done without reading so often, too, about what a terrible housekeeper Powell was. Seriously, I don't care how busy working and cooking you are, there should never be maggots in your kitchen! Republicans be warned - Powell does not like you, a point she made repeatedly. But she is something of a voice for all of those who toil away in jobs where they are unappreciated, overworked, and underpaid. Maybe she could have whined a bit less about it but aren't we really all longing to find something to do with our lives that will fulfill us?

I loved the movie adaptation of this book which is also based on Julia Child's book, My Life In France, which is coming up soon for me. Powell may not have been able to end her book this way, but after all of this talk about wonderful food, I have to say it - bon appetit!

18 comments:

  1. I really liked this book, bit felt that Julie was mean to he husband at times and I really didn't like that. She later wrote a book called Cleaving, about her experiences butchering her own meat, and she goes into detail about the affair she had behind her husband's back and the fact that she left him for awhile. I know that's not really the point of either of the books., but it just made me like her a lot less and I found it really hard to empathize with her. I agree though, there should never be maggots in the kitchen! Great review, by the way!

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  2. Have you noticed that I can't comment if I'm logged in (not just on your blog, about half of blogger blogs)?

    Sorry you didn't love this one. I wonder if your experience would have been different if you read it before seeing the movie (I liked the book more than the movie). It's not an award winner, just a fun book that I could relate to... I don't know how to cook.

    I also listened vs read....

    I hope you enjoy Kicthen Counter more.

    Mari

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  3. I did not read the book but I did see the movie and loved it. Other reviewers have also said Powell was not so pleasant in her book as in the movie!

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  4. I had no interest in reading this book or seeing the movie, but grabbed the audio off the library shelf one day when I was in a hurry to get out of town on a trip. I really enjoyed it - then saw the movie and like it, too. I did notice that her language was a bit rough at times - nothing you don't hear nearly everywhere these days, but still unnecessary in a book (in my opinion). But what I loved about her was her determination to accomplish this task that was, honestly, silly. Who would have thought that it would turn her into a bestselling author and the basis for a movie???

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  5. I saw the movie...thought it was cute. I didn't read the book but I read the blog and I decided that I just didn't care for Julie Powell. So although I own a copy of the book it sits, unread.

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  6. I keep meaning to read this one but just haven't yet.

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  7. I actually haven't read the book yet. I was put off by the reviews at first but then I watched the movie a few weeks back and I liked it. I may read the book one of these days although I wouldn't be impressed with her housekeeping skills either. Maggots in the kitchen should never be.

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  8. I've had this one my shelf for awhile but lost interest when I heard the movie was a combo of both books. So it would be good to read both! Great review!

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  9. I really enjoyed both the book and the movie, each unique and can each stand alone, but since reading Julia's unnecessarily rude tweets on twitter right after appearing on the Rachel Ray show, I've decided I won't read anything else by her again. I would re-read the book again and I've watched the movie several times. (I do agree about the maggots! Bleah!) I've had Julia's My Life In France sitting on the shelf for some time now...

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  10. It's been awhile since I've read it but i do remember liking it. The movie was lovely, much shinier than the book. I thought it was a nice snapshot for the author's time in her life. I have no interest in reading her other book about her love for meat!

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  11. Wow, even if your kitchen isn't spotless, there still shouldn't be maggots!

    I started reading this book awhile back after a co-worker gave it to me, but I gave up after about 30 pages. I just didn't like Julie at all. I'd really wanted to enjoy the book, too, because I loved watching Julia Child on PBS when I was younger.

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  12. I love the movie of this, but it sounds like it was made more family friendly on the big screen than it was in the book. And I'm not a big fan of whining. I may pick this up someday. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.

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  13. Don't know that I'll read the book (especially since I've already seen the movie), but will always be grateful it lead me to My Life in France!

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  14. I've been interested in this one after having seen the movie, which I adored. But maggots? And Democratic? ;) Funny that this was one of your first books you received for review. I still have some of those early birds lurking on my shelves as well. Afraid not as tempting as this one might have been though! Thanks for the wonderful thoughts on this!

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  15. I am reading My Life in France by Julia Child..Julie and Julia convinced me to read it. you know, I hesitate to write a review when everyone is reviewing the same book..I usually wait a bit so it does not get lost in the shuffle!

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  16. I could not stand Julie Powell whatsoever. I found her rude, crude, and just not someone I liked. But the book did lead me to be interested in Julia Childs and I liked her so much!! That was my favorite part of the movie...Julia!!

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  17. I'm not sure why but I just loved this book and have reread it a couple times already. I too am not a fan of whining or terrible housekeeping but I was just hooked.
    I even liked Cleaving though I'm am not a fan of butchering or people with romantic dramas.

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  18. I loved this movie, but like you I was pushed off reading the book because of the reviews. I'm not sure I would still read it, but I could give it a try.

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