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

Product Details

This is the funny and inspiring account of Kathleen Flinn’s struggle in a stew of hot-tempered chefs, competitive classmates, her own “wretchedly inadequate” French, and the basics of French cuisine. Flinn was a thirty-six-year-old middle manager trapped on the corporate ladder—until her boss eliminated her job. So she cashed in her savings and moved to Paris to pursue her lifelong dream of attending the venerable Le Cordon Bleu cooking school. Fans of Julie & Julia and the late Julia Child will be richly rewarded by this vibrant tale of self-discovery, transformation, and ultimately love.

• ISBN13: 9780143114130
• Condition: NEW
• Notes: Brand New from Publisher. No Remainder Mark.

Customer Reviews ::

Wow, a real disappointment - Robert Myers - Virginia Water, Surrey United Kingdom
I am surprised by how remarkably bad this book is. I have read several books about mid-life technology workers who were downsized, fired or quit their jobs and then went off to pursue their dream and then wrote a book about the experience. This is one of the worst. I have a great respect for those who do pursue their dreams and take the risks associated with striking off in a completely different direction. I admire those who choose the road less traveled.

But Ms. Flinn is just not a good writer. The story is flat and familiar. Her attempts at humor are obvious and worn, and there really is little unique about the story to save the poor writing.

I only read about 1/3 of the book and there is a chance it gets much better--but it is a slim chance at best.

I received the book for my birthday, from a very dear friend, but I will likely trade it in at the used book store for something better.

Finally, I was surprised at Elizabeth Gilbert's positive review of this book. I loved Eat, Love Pray. Thought it was far more sincere and intelligently written than Flinn's version.

Robert Myres