I think it
is safe to say that most people while reading Anthony Bourdain’s book A Cook’s Tour find themselves thinking
“Did he really just say that?” He is
oftentimes offensive, insensitive and highly controversial. But say what you want about him, one thing he
is not is a coward. As much as I may
want to yell at him for the crude thoughts he depicts on the page, I have to
applaud him. He has the courage to do
his job to the best of his ability: to portray his perception of events
candidly, as they occur.
As I
traveled with Anthony on his culinary tour of the world I found myself drawing
comparisons of his observations to my own experiences here at Kalamazoo
College. There has been a lot of talk
lately about people feeling as though they can’t express their opinions. I think in some ways we have created a
community where fear of not following the status quo forces people into
silence. In some cases this is not a bad
thing, for example if people share some of the offensive views Bourdain shares
in his chapter “Where Cooks Come From” it is probably best that is kept to
themselves. But when Republican students
on campus are afraid of voicing their political beliefs due to the backlash
they are sure to face, that is not creating a space for healthy debate.
A Cook’s Tour offers quite a different
scenario. One thing I also give Bourdain
credit for is his candidness not only concerning the people around him but his
admittance of his own faults. He begins
the book with a disclaimer of his shame: “Here’s the part where I reluctantly
admit to something about which I’m deeply conflicted-even ashamed,” (Bourdain
12). He even admits that he would keep
this a secret if he could but he is sure we as readers would find out anyways. Getting the candid view from the eyes of
Anthony Bourdain may not always be a pretty picture, but it is an accurate one
that gives us an honest reading experience.
We have talked a lot as a class about using sensory imagery to make the
reader feel as if they are truly experiencing the story as we did in the
moment. I believe Bourdain’s brutal but
honest portrayal has the same effect. By
not sugar coating his thoughts the experience of reading is more authentic and
I think that takes quite a bit of bravery.
We may be shocked and appalled when we hear that he feels that his
parents’ “love was what was holding me back from all those psychedelic drugs, free
love, and hippie-chick pussy,” (30) but I think it is very important to keep in
mind that his goal is not to justify these rude ideals but to express them
honestly so his portrayal is as authentic as possible.
Hi Emma,
ReplyDeleteInteresting way of connecting such a well-traveled book to our troubles right here at home (so to speak). It's often difficult for people to talk about lived experiences that could be perceived as representing something politically un-correct or offensive without people getting offended. It can also be difficult for the listeners to recognize the difference between experience and prejudice. Bourdain doesn't go out of his way to make excuses or speak delicately, so it's left up to us figure out how offended we should be. The chapter you refer to is an especially difficult one. Thanks for drawing our attention to this idea.