Down and Out in Paradise

The Life of Anthony Bourdain

By: Charles Leerhsen

Narrated by: Vikas Adam

The bestselling, “unvarnished” (The New York Times), “engrossing” (The Guardian), “gritty, well-researched” (The Economist)—and definitely unauthorized—biography of the celebrity chef and TV star Anthony Bourdain, based on extensive interviews with those who knew the real story.

Anthony Bourdain’s death by suicide in June 2018 shocked people around the world. Bourdain seemed to have it all: an irresistible personality, a dream job, a beautiful family, and international fame. The reality, though, was more complicated than it seemed.

Bourdain became a celebrity with his bestselling book Kitchen Confidential. He parlayed it into a series of hit television shows, including the Food Channel’s Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations and CNN’s Parts Unknown. But his bad boy charisma belied a troubled spirit. Addiction and an obsession with perfection and personal integrity ruined two marriages and turned him into a boss from hell, even as millions of fans became enamored of the quick-witted and genuinely empathetic traveler they saw on TV. At the height of his success Bourdain was already running out of steam, physically and emotionally, when he fell hard for an Italian actress who could be even colder to him than he sometimes was to others, and who effectively drove a wedge between him and his young daughter.

Down and Out in Paradise is the first book to tell the full Bourdain story, and to show how Bourdain’s never-before-reported childhood traumas fueled both the creativity and insecurities that would lead him to a place of despair. “Filled with fresh, intimate details” (The New York Times), this is the real story behind an extraordinary life.

©2022 Charles Leerhsen. All rights reserved. (P)2022 Simon & Schuster, Inc. All rights reserved.

Seemingly Unpopular Opinion

It is evident that many AB fans aren’t fond of this publication. I respect this opinion, but regardless my instincts, in conjunction with all I’ve read of AB & my observation of humanity, tells me that there is significant truth to this bio. In fact- the pushback alone leads me to believe that it struck a nerve of truth to certain people. Much of it is admittedly a reiteration of past AB works & common knowledge, but there are still some discovered nuggets and appreciated additional perspective. I will admit that certain parts of the book do imply that the author has a personal axe to grind with AB, but he nevertheless seems to come full circle. It’s as speculative as anything else of the like, but I found it cohesive, compelling, and well presented. Read between the lines.
Signed,
A non-literary professional who has much love for AB :)

Good read but leans towards gotcha’s

The book offers some interesting color points to the narrative that clearly the shows want to maintain. often seem to go out of its way to stress the negative and even embellish it

A lot of warmed over information

I felt like I was tearing a re-reading of Kitchen Confidential with very few new details. It was good to have “big foot” identified for instance. The narrator read at a pace that seemed hurried at times. Overall, it was a good read but probably just not what I expected.

Compelling Story & Reading

The book and reading are both terrific. Kudos to author Charles Leerhsen for his research and writing style.
Vikas Adam provided a reading that was compelling and comforting.

I had always said I'd never seen him cook anything

I read KC when it was initially released. I was fresh out of culinary school and it really got me fired up for my chosen career path. After a dozen, or so, years in the kitchen. After a few more books, and countless hours watching Anthony on TV, I realized food seemed to be more of a means to an end for him. Personally, I believe this is about as close as we'll ever come to seeing the real Anthony Bourdain.

Someone has a grudge

This entire book is dedicated to shedding negative light onto Anthony. The book seems carefully researched, but it seems that the author has a personal grudge. I thought this would contain some positives, but this does not seem to be the case. It would be nice if the author just let go of the resentment and moved on. Instead he picks on a dead person and his parents. The whole book is just strange.

nothing new

I have read all of the biographical books by Tony, and by Tony's friends, and nothing presented here is new, or even remotely interesting, information. It feels like the author relished in sprinkling in hearsay, speculation, and his own opinions.

Most of the info in this book is recycled from Tony's own works. If you really want to know about the man, read his books, read Tom Vitale's book, watch his Travel shows, and peruse his social media history... This wasn't worth my audible credit.

It gets three stars, instead of two, for at the very least being well written and nicely performed. Good Job on the sound.

Bourdain Counterpoint Biography

This biography provides insights the already published bios and reminiscences did not, but combined with the others does offer a far more in depth picture of Bourdain the person.

A main thread not provided by the others is this work’s detailing the impact of Asia Argento on him, unfortunately a very negative one, but had it not been her perhaps some other person or situation might have had a similar effect.

Extremely well narrated.

excellent listen for true fans

I listened to this title twice, it was so well researched and well read. Fascinating life. Tragic death. As a huge admirer of Tony Bourdain, it really helped me understand the complexity of his self destruction.

Was hoping for something more…nope.

Basically a retelling of Bourdain’s writings. It wasn’t until the final chapters I felt there was anything original written.