Tender at the Bone

By: Ruth Reichl

Narrated by: Ruth Reichl

At an early age, Ruth Reichl discovered that "food could be a way of making sense of the world. . . . If you watched people as they ate, you could find out who they were." Her deliciously crafted memoir, Tender at the Bone, is the story of a life determined, enhanced, and defined in equal measure by a passion for food, unforgettable people, and the love of tales well told. Beginning with Reichl's mother, the notorious food-poisoner known as the Queen of Mold, Reichl introduces us to the fascinating characters who shaped her world and her tastes, from the gourmand Monsieur du Croix, who served Reichl her first soufflé, to those at her politically correct table in Berkeley who championed the organic food revolution in the 1970s. Spiced with Reichl's infectious humor and sprinkled with her favorite recipes, Tender at the Bone is a witty and compelling chronicle of a culinary sensualist's coming-of-age.©1998 Ruth Reichl; (P)1998 Bantam Doubleday Dell Audio Publishing, Bantam Audio Publishing, A Division of Random House, Inc.

Critic reviews

“Reading Ruth Reichl on food is almost as good as eating it. . . . Reichl makes the reader feel present with her, sharing the experience.”—Washington Post Book World

“An absolute delight to read . . . how lucky we are that [Reichl] had the courage to follow her appetite.”—Newsday

“A poignant, yet hilarious, collection of stories about people [Reichl] has known and loved, and who, knowingly or unknowingly, steered her on the path to fulfill her destiny as one of the world's leading food writers.”—Chicago Sun-Times

“While all good food writers are humorous . . . few are so riotously, effortlessly entertaining as Ruth Reichl. . . . [She] is also witty, fair-minded, brave, and a wonderful writer.”—New York Times Book Review

“[In] this lovely memoir . . . we find young Ruth desperately trying to steer her manic mother's unwary guests toward something edible. It's a job she does now . . . in her columns, and whose intimate imperatives she illuminates in this graceful book.”—The New Yorker

“A savory memoir of [Reichl's] apprentice years. . . . Reichl describes [her] experiences with infectious humor, . . . the descriptions of each sublime taste are mouth-wateringly precise. . . . A perfectly balanced stew of memories.”—Kirkus Reviews

Loved this book!!!!!

What a great escape into a delicious read! It’s hard to believe the editor of Gourmet magazine lived this life! Her storytelling and love of food is out of this world.

As delicious as it sounds

I enjoyed every morsel of Ms. Reichl's book.

Great story but bad recording

This is a wonderful book by Ruth Reichl and I love the fact that she narrates it. My only complaint is the quality of the recording is very poor.

Fabulous for food lovers and cooks

Would you listen to Tender at the Bone again? Why?

Have already listened to it twice. I stayed up way too late two times because I couldn't stop listening. A friend who loves to cook and cooks superbly recommended it. I have since recommended it to six people.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Since it's a fictionalized autobiography, Ruth Reichl is the heart and soul of it, but I loved her first husband too.

Which character ??? as performed by Ruth Reichl ??? was your favorite?

Can't say.

Wonderful

I loved the variety and depth of her life, in addition to the joy of listening to a fellow gourmand. Goes great with Peter Mayle's books.