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Julia Child: A Life Audiobook
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(3.08) - 392 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
The delicious life of one of the most beloved figures in twentieth-century American culture
With a swooping voice, an incredible sense of humor, and a passion for good food, Julia Child ushered in the nation's culinary renaissance. In Julia Child , award-winning food writer Laura Shapiro tells the story of Child's unlikely career path, from California party girl to coolheaded chief clerk in World War II spy station to bewildered amateur cook and finally to the Cordon Bleu in Paris, the school that inspired her calling. A food lover who was quintessentially American, right down to her little-known recipe for classic tuna fish casserole, Shapiro's Julia Child personifies her own most famous lessons, that learning how to cook means learning how to live.
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"Since seeing Julie and Julia I was more interested in the real life of Julia Child. This author does not disappoint! Although this biography was a bit short, it gave all the details necessary to make an informed picture of one of the world's most fascinating women. I also liked how Julia's truly personal and human characteristic were brought to light and praised. As said in this biography, Julia was always Julia to everyone she met, not just the formal Mrs. Child. She dispensed with all formalities with her warm and down to earth personality. This novel gives an in depth look into the shaping of her character and her history as she became one of the world's most well known and loved cooks. I do wish it went more in depth into her childhood and later years, but altogether, a phenomenal good read and if you are fascinated with learning more about her, this would be a great start!"
— Sophia (4 out of 5 stars)
Julia Child Listener Reviews
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" An exceptionally well written biography. I had read Julia Child's autobiography (which I enjoyed immensely) and I have watched Julie and Julia several times (which I also obviously enjoyed considering the "several times"). There was some new details I didn't know such as her prejudice against gays (which was disheartening). She was still a fascinating woman, and Laura Shapiro has written a terrific short biography of her. "
— Shawn, 2/16/2014 -
" This book was a nice and short look at somebody I was mildly interested in. I just simply remember Julia Child as the funny sounding lady who cooked from my childhood. This book gave me an over view of her live that I was inspired to find out more about after reading "Julie and Julia". Curiosity satisfied most pleasantly. "
— Kim, 2/11/2014 -
" An interesting read, especially in contrast to Julia Child's own (auto)biography which I read last month. Some interesting thoughts about her making herself into someone Paul Child loved, and I also learned about her dislike of homosexuality. "
— Stephanie, 2/7/2014 -
" Although I doubt that this is anything close to a definitive review of Julia Child's life, it seems like a good place to start: complete, but nothing close to exhaustive; affectionate, but not hagiographical. Seems like it would be a good idea to read this not on its own, but in conjuction with Julia's My Life in France. "
— Patricia, 1/28/2014 -
" my only complaint about this book is that it is too slim ... but then again it's not meant to be the definitive biography. this is a well-rounded overview - the good, the bad, the ugly, and, most important, the complicated. child's somewhat contradictory opinions on ingredients, women, and her surprising (to me, at least) prejudices are explored with an attempt at genuine understanding. "
— Jennie, 1/25/2014 -
" A pleasure in early chapters, but the politically correct axe wielded in later chapters distracted and made me question the ability of the author to accurately represent her research. Thoroughly enjoyed 80% of the book. "
— Jonathan, 1/25/2014 -
" Sad to learn about Child's homophobia and her rejection of organic agriculture -- a guess even our heroes have some baggage. An enjoyable read, though. "
— Mary, 1/18/2014 -
" A really charming book about a delightful woman. "
— Toni, 1/16/2014 -
" loved it ... and also learned a few new things about Ms. Child! "
— Maria, 1/15/2014 -
" I listened to this book and the narrator was good.Tried to sound like Julia.Some new information that I had not read before.If you are a Julia Child fan than you will enjoy this book. "
— Djdee, 1/15/2014 -
" I quick and fun read on quite possibly America's most influential chef. She led a fascinating life! "
— Marci, 12/26/2013 -
" We're doing a panel around this book at the NYPL this fall - "Julia Child in America." Shapiro is a sharp and funny writer. Did you know Julia was a fan of irradiated beef and in bed with Big Agriculture? Sigh. "
— Elizabeth, 12/18/2013 -
" This is quite a brilliant series, deeply engaging people written about by deeply engaging writers, and always quite brief. Shapiro captures all of the reasons we loved Julia, and all of her energy for food and its making. Sent me straight to the kitchen. "
— GraceAnne, 12/12/2013 -
" A really wonderful, comprehensive, enlightening biography of our beloved French Chef. "
— Christie, 12/7/2013 -
" Basically a biography of Julia Child's life. Good stuff! "
— Teresa, 12/4/2013 -
" I am a sucker for all things Julia so loved this of course. A great (!) complement to the new letters book - As Always, Julia. "
— Nancy, 3/22/2013 -
" Reading about Julia Child was diverting and surprising. The book itself was informative but blandly written. "
— Cassandra, 3/17/2013 -
" I like biographies, and really like food, so this was a fun read for me. Julia Child was such an important figure in the 2oth century for serious cooks, so it was interesting to read that she didn't really know how to cook until well into her thirties. "
— susieredshoes, 2/22/2013 -
" I enjoyed My Life in France a bit more, but this was good as well. Included some lighter stories about Julia Child that I haven't read anywhere else. "
— Sue, 10/25/2012 -
" short and sweet (unlike Julia herself) and utterly charming (like Julia, indeed). love the description of Julia and Paul's life together. a quick yet worthwhile read. "
— Jennie, 5/12/2012 -
" Loved it! Fun and very inspiring!! :) "
— Yelena, 4/22/2012 -
" Delightful short biography of The French Chef. I had no idea Child was in the OSS, but she was- and she kept her signaling mirror in her kitchen drawer ever after, just in case. Lots of fascinating facts, warmly told. Too short by half. "
— melody, 12/15/2011 -
" Really liked this book a lot. Did not realize how much of a pioneer Julia Child was as far as a working woman. Her marriage was wonderful, very unconventional for it's time. Glad I took the time to read this book and get to know more about Julia! "
— Rachelle, 10/18/2011 -
" In many ways I like this account of Julia Child's life even better than her autobiography "My Life in France." I can't seem to get enough of Julia these days! "
— Bonnie, 5/30/2011 -
" A pleasure in early chapters, but the politically correct axe wielded in later chapters distracted and made me question the ability of the author to accurately represent her research. Thoroughly enjoyed 80% of the book. "
— Jonathan, 2/12/2011 -
" This woman was fascinating and the book was well done. "
— Amy, 1/14/2011 -
" short and sweet (unlike Julia herself) and utterly charming (like Julia, indeed). love the description of Julia and Paul's life together. a quick yet worthwhile read. "
— Jennie, 1/3/2011 -
" Reading about Julia Child was diverting and surprising. The book itself was informative but blandly written. "
— Cassandra, 12/6/2010 -
" Ok, just a little more info than in My Life in France. "
— Leeann, 9/14/2010 -
" I listened to this book and the narrator was good.Tried to sound like Julia.Some new information that I had not read before.If you are a Julia Child fan than you will enjoy this book. "
— Djdee, 7/30/2010 -
" The first 3/4 of the book made me love Julia and sparked a desire to become better acquainted with her famous cookbook. In the last quarter of the book the love fest abated and the author made her human again, warts, wrinkles, foibles and all. "
— Adonna, 6/2/2010 -
" I'd give it 5 stars because I really enjoyed it, but there could have been way more info! "
— Kat, 4/13/2010 -
" A really charming book about a delightful woman. "
— Toni, 4/1/2010 -
" Delighteful book! I listened to audio book, and the reader did an excellent Julia imitation. Learned lots of new things about one of my favorite women. "
— Melissa, 3/31/2010 -
" I read this after enjoying Judith Jones' "The Tenth Muse.." in which she describes working with Julia as an editor on her cookbooks. I got some more facts about Julia's life, but the writing did not sing for me. "
— Ellen, 3/15/2010 -
" Great, great read. Highly recommended. "
— Danielle, 1/18/2010