The Sharper Your Knife, the Less You Cry: Love, Laughter, and Tears at the World's Most Famous Cooking School Audiobook

" Love love love this book! Kathleen I will treasure it when I need to escape once again. "

" I did not care for the writing style however I liked how in the book Kathleen suggests the idea of living her life in a more meaningful way and discovering her authentic self by pursuing her dream of going to Le Cordon Bleu. Her experience seemed to teach her life lessons in taking risks, working hard, accepting her limitations, and allowing others to become real to her. "

" I couldn't get into this. I didn't ever really care about the author, and while the school is also a major character in the book, I was never able to care much about it, either. The cheesy "moral / life lesson" at the end of each very short chapter was annoying. And, I stopped reading the recipes at the end of each chapter, as the more complicated they got, the more they damaged my (already crumbling) self-esteem when it comes to cooking/baking/boiling water. "

" I like how she describes French culture. I kinda want to visit Paris again soon. All the meat she cooks. eh. "

" A bit dry and tasteless for what is a story about the most hallowed cooking school in the most romantic city. Haven't tried the recipes yet, maybe they're better. "

" Despite my own personal fantasy of one-day completing the full regimen at Le Cordon Bleu, and thus my proclivity to find almost anything related to french culinary arts absolutely riveting, II found this book a bit underwhelming. I did a poisson et fruits de mer course at the Cordon Bleu when we lived in Paris, so perhaps some of the mystique was shattered for me. This book had some good moments, but most were situational details and not necessarily literary flourishes. I didn't feel connected to her as a cook, either, which is a critical factor in a book like this. I appreciated the idea, the effort and the inclusion of detail and recipes --- but I felt myself longing for more after it was over. "

" Not exciting, but a pleasure to read if you want to know what it's like to be a student at the famous Le Cordon Bleu-Paris cooking school. "

" I was pleasantly surprised by this book. I had feared more love drama and less cooking but the author did a good job of balancing the two. The writing was very good and I laughed out loud at times. "

" An entertaining read about the life of a culinary student- I think it would even be entertaining to those who aren't in love with cooking and food. Easy, quick read and enjoyable. "

" Somewhat interesting, but who would willingly put themselves through all that? And I like to cook! "

" a delightful read. Kathleen Finn knows how to tell a story! I loved hearing her cooking tips and tricks amist the paragraphs of life and love and having my mouth endlessly water throughout the book as she shared narrative of her favorite Paris eats and cooking school recipes of wonder!! "

" Love Kathleen Flinn. Wonderfully witty! "

" Nice easy read. Fun if you like to cook! "

" Well written; a little too journalism 101 for me what with the tidy little life lessons at the end of each chapter. Best part was the inside look at Le Cordon Bleu and insights about living as an American in Paris, how the Parisians are not as horrible as they're reputed to be. "

" This was a fun read. It made me want to go watch Sabrina. :) "

" Great read about an American moving to Paris and learning cooking at Le Cordon Blue where Julia Child learned to cook. It is great to read a story about someone following their dream - makes you want to move to Paris and go to school there. "

" Most enjoyable. Good writing and descriptions. Includes recipes. "

" not great literature, but a fun and engaging read if you're into cooking and travel. "

" One can only live one life, but how fun it is to read about anothers. The telling seemed a bit dry, but I still enjoyed the experiences at Le Cordon Bleu that she shared. "

" That was pretty good. I love books about food, combining food and storytelling and emotion. The French got a bit annoying, particularly when she stopped translating, as I don't speak French, but all in all this was a good quick read. "

" This was a fun read. It was interesting to read this and "My Life in France". They both made me hungry. I enjoyed reading the recipes that were included. I'm not sure how much you would enjoy this book if you were not interested in cooking, though. "

" Someday I will go to culinary school, but not in France! well written, wonderful recipes "

" Flat, utterly boring book. "

" Not my favorite cooking memoir, but was enjoyable for fun light reading. "

" I loved this story of a writer going to the Cordon Bleu after losing her job in a different career. She tells it like it is and how strict the French are but in the end, she survives and masters the program. "

" The introduction made me think that I was going to hate this book because of the author. I didn't. It took me a bit to read. Didn't hold my attention. Not a stand out read. "

" Kathleen Flynn, aged 36, loses her strived for senior management position. With the urging of her boy friend, she pursues her dream -- going to the Cordon Bleu cooking school, and becoming a journalist. She's an excellent story teller. "

" Takes me back to the days of Culinary School "

" A typical woman-starting-over-in-her-30s story but the Le Cordon Bleu stuff sets this book apart. I'd much rather read this than a certain popular book about a woman bumming around Europe getting vague spiritual advice from gurus. "

" Another very interesting chef book. I was appalled that the teaching chefs allowed her to be sliced on the arm with a knife, and poked in the butt with something sharp.<br/>I think there's a testosterone-laden atmosphere in those places. "

" Well-written account of going to culinary school from someone a little bit older than 20-something ;) Very touching with yummy recipes at the end of each chapter. And the love story wasn't too sappy. Even for me ;) "

" I liked this book a lot and I thought it very inspiring as a matter of fact it inspired me so much that I am enrolling in the patisserie class at the Cordon Bleu next year! "

" I am a sucker for food lit. This wasn't really lit, but fun nevertheless. "

" Not so impressed with her writing. She tries to be clever, but kinda misses the mark. But I like the feel of the story. It was positive, fun. How amazing to see people go for their dreams. I love that theme! "

" I kind of liked it - too many lists for me, list of ingredients, lists of students, lists of recipes, but there was something endearing about the author... "

" I loved this book. The story was well written. As you read the book, you really feel what the author is feeling. It did drag a little toward the end but it had a good closing. "

" was enticed to read this book b/c I have been reading the authors blog. Have discovered that blogging does not an author make. Writing style is unimaginative but did like reading about what Le Cordon Bleu thinks are essential french cooking <br/>techniques &amp; recipes "

" I loved this book. For someone who has a passion for France and a passion for cooking I couldn't put it down. I could hear her joy, her pain, her wonder. What a fantastic memoir!! "

" Full disclosure: the author is a friend. Still, I found this food memoir gripping, interesting and informative. Who knew that my issue with onions had to do with my knife? This is a great read for food lovers. It made me want to travel to France, and I can't wait for Kathleen's next book. "