Comfort Me with Apples

More Adventures at the Table

By: Ruth Reichl

Narrated by: Ruth Reichl

In Ruth Reichl’s latest book—one that will delight her fans and convert those as yet uninitiated to her charming tales—the author brings to life her adventures in pursuit of good meals and good company. Picking up where Tender at the Bone leaves off, Comfort Me with Apples recounts Reichl’s transformation from chef to food writer, a process that led her through restaurants from Bangkok to Paris to Los Angeles and brought lessons in life, love, and food.

It is an apprenticeship by turns delightful and daunting, one told in the most winning and engaging of voices. Reichl’s anecdotes from a summer lunch with M.F.K. Fisher, a mad dash through the produce market with Wolfgang Puck, and a garlic feast with Alice Waters are priceless. She is unafraid—even eager—to poke holes in the pretensions of food critics, making each meal a hilarious and instructive occasion for novices and experts alike. The New York Times has said, “While all good food critics are humorous .. few are so riotously, effortlessly entertaining as Ruth Reichl.” In Comfort Me with Apples, Reichl once again demonstrates her inimitable ability to combine food writing, humor, and memoir into an art form.

©2001 Ruth Reichl (P)2001 Random House AudioBooks, a Division of Random House, Inc.

Critic reviews

"Reichl writes with gusto, and her story has all the ingredients of a modern fairy tale: hard work, weird food, and endless curiosity.”—The New Yorker

"So many memoirs annoy by telling either too much or too little. This one tells just enough....The book reads not like life described but like life lived and then shaped....Each story affirms [Reichl’s] desire to get beyond the surface, even as she celebrates its unlikely depths.”—The New York Times

“Magnificent, riotous, erotic...[Comfort Me with Apples] is an extended, lilting song about lovesickness and the restorative succor of good food....Two courses of Reichl’s literary cooking will leave still-ravenous readers hoping for a third serving soon. [Rating:] A.”—Entertainment Weekly"

honest but somewhat odd memoir, narration awful

ruth reichl has an interesting, if somewhat depressed, view of life. i much preferred her later book, Garlic and Sapphires, which was very charming while being offbeat. unfortunately, for Comfort Me with Apples, the author narrated, which only compounded the depressive feel of the book. Skip Comfort Me with Apples, and go directly to Garlic and Sapphires, which is wonderfully written and narrated.

Wonderful listen!!

Love the way Ms. Reichl writes about food. She describes the eating experience in such a tangible way, it is amazing. Wish the unabridged version was available.

Personality

This is a great adventure of understanding how Ruth became who she is today. So happy I read Tender at the Bone first follow Comfort me with Apple with Garlic and Saphires.

love Ruth

The Danny Kaye stories floored me.
Did not know he had that spectacular extra talent. Always loved the man.

Wonderful Life Adventure

I thoroughly enjoyed this book, as I did all of Ruth's others. Very well written with love, Passion and wit. She has inspired me to heat up the kitchen after a long time away!

Ruth riechl

I’m on my 3rd book by Ruth, she’s soothing, relaxed about culinary and I appreciate it, and is pretty honest it seems. It’s a perfect book to listen to while doing chores or driving. Just what I wanted.

An enjoyable listen!

I've read Tender at the Bone and then listened to Garlic and Sapphires, so I found Comfort Me with Apples to be a great bridge between the two stories. I find Reichl's life to be fascinating as it's totally different than mine. Reichl's ability to retell the stories of her colorful life have me hoping there's another book to come! I know it can be hit or miss when an author decides to also be a narrator, but by the end of this book I felt like Reichl most likely chose to narrate because her this story is so personal and revelatory.

I read some of the reviews that said this book is depressing. I'd chose to describe it as painfully honest. Reichl doesn't sugar coat her choices or the challenges life has thrown her way. I find her honesty refreshing.

Could not have been better

What a beautiful journey with Ruth Reichl. Unpretentious honesty woven with love and heartbreak and food....... I could not imagine a more complete book. I am enamored.

Dear Ruth you give me hope!

How could any, aspiring cook , home maker, want to be social someone do without the true life drama of Ruth Reichl to give meaning to a life lived to it’s fullest?
Virginia Grey

Not as good as Tender to the Bone

I was very disappointed in this book. It was not as good as Tender to the Bone, which was wonderful! I may not buy any more of her books.