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Апетит
Кулинарна ненаситност, желание за власт, копнеж за любов - страст към живота.
Да откриеш един град, като го вкусиш, оближеш и изядеш, може да звучи ексцентрично, но е достатъчно чувствено.
Флоренция, 1466 г.
Градът на сетивата – плетеница от улици, алеи и тунели, работилнички, църкви и ...гробища – една сложна паяжина, в която са уловени съдбите на хилядите жители на града. Тук всеки е обладан от страст. Нино Латини знае, че ако човек иска да оцелее, без да се изгуби напълно, трябва да изпитва страст към нещо. И любов...
Неговата дарба е да усеща вкуса на неща, които другите хора не могат да доловят. Всеки нюанс, всяка съставка оживяват на небцето му ярко като картина и той издига умението си до небивали висоти, създавайки екстравагантни и пищни ястия. С върха на езика си усеща и възприема не само вкусове, а и цветове, форми, модели и изображения на предмети и хора. Мъхът се превръща в тучна ливада, разлюляна от вятъра, а мраморът има вкуса на самия свят...
Неговият талант се оказва едновременно и шанс, и проклятие... Помага му да улови вкуса на любовта; сближава го с най-известните художници на Ренесанса като Леонардо да Винчи и Ботичели. А кулинарните му умения и работата му го свързват с важни фигури – Лоренцо де Медичи и папата, което го замесва в политическите интриги на неговото време.
Любовта му към красивата Тесина Делмаца може да се окаже фатална за него: любовта, която го прогонва и която го връща в любимия му град...
В епоха на кулинарна ненаситност и пищна разточителност, на богатото на багри и форми ренесансово изкуство, но и на политически интриги и убийства е поднесена история за готвач с очите и душата на художник, който живее изцяло чрез сетивата си и чрез голямата си любов, преодоляла време и пространство.
Роман - прослава на сетивата. Това, което Патрик Зюскинд („Парфюмът”) направи за ароматите, Филип Казан прави за вкусовете.
Да откриеш един град, като го вкусиш, оближеш и изядеш, може да звучи ексцентрично, но е достатъчно чувствено.
Флоренция, 1466 г.
Градът на сетивата – плетеница от улици, алеи и тунели, работилнички, църкви и ...гробища – една сложна паяжина, в която са уловени съдбите на хилядите жители на града. Тук всеки е обладан от страст. Нино Латини знае, че ако човек иска да оцелее, без да се изгуби напълно, трябва да изпитва страст към нещо. И любов...
Неговата дарба е да усеща вкуса на неща, които другите хора не могат да доловят. Всеки нюанс, всяка съставка оживяват на небцето му ярко като картина и той издига умението си до небивали висоти, създавайки екстравагантни и пищни ястия. С върха на езика си усеща и възприема не само вкусове, а и цветове, форми, модели и изображения на предмети и хора. Мъхът се превръща в тучна ливада, разлюляна от вятъра, а мраморът има вкуса на самия свят...
Неговият талант се оказва едновременно и шанс, и проклятие... Помага му да улови вкуса на любовта; сближава го с най-известните художници на Ренесанса като Леонардо да Винчи и Ботичели. А кулинарните му умения и работата му го свързват с важни фигури – Лоренцо де Медичи и папата, което го замесва в политическите интриги на неговото време.
Любовта му към красивата Тесина Делмаца може да се окаже фатална за него: любовта, която го прогонва и която го връща в любимия му град...
В епоха на кулинарна ненаситност и пищна разточителност, на богатото на багри и форми ренесансово изкуство, но и на политически интриги и убийства е поднесена история за готвач с очите и душата на художник, който живее изцяло чрез сетивата си и чрез голямата си любов, преодоляла време и пространство.
Роман - прослава на сетивата. Това, което Патрик Зюскинд („Парфюмът”) направи за ароматите, Филип Казан прави за вкусовете.
464 pages, Paperback
First published May 9, 2013
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 58 reviews
February 10, 2020
Kazan’s first novel is a luscious feast for the imagination set in late 15th-century Florence. Nino Latini has inherited his twin passions for food and art from his butcher father and his uncle, painter Filippo Lippi. As the story opens in 1466, 14-year-old Nino has just lost his mother, but he remembers her smell. Every smell, every taste calls to mind the people and places he loves. As the years pass Nino becomes an illustrious chef, creating elaborate allegorical banquets for the de’ Medicis, the Borgias, a cardinal and the Pope himself.
Over-the-top aphrodisiac meals mask the fact that his own desire seems destined to remain unsatisfied: his sweetheart Tessina is betrothed to a nobleman old enough to be her grandfather. Nino’s search for love – and for the perfect dish – will take him to Rome, on pilgrimages, through brothels and back to a Florence torn apart by coups.
Kazan brings medieval Italy to life with an astonishing degree of historical detail. Appetite has the vivid colors of Tracy Chevalier’s Girl With a Pearl Earring and the sharp odors of Patrick Süskind’s Perfume. The tale of a chef’s development, revealing the inextricable links between food and emotional memory, echoes other recent works of historical fiction like John Saturnall’s Feast by Lawrence Norfolk and White Truffles in Winter by N.M. Kelby.
A few historical characters seem shoehorned into a somewhat bloated plot, and the novel may have worked better with a third person omniscient narrator, but this is an impressive debut. Readers will certainly come away with an appetite for more.
Over-the-top aphrodisiac meals mask the fact that his own desire seems destined to remain unsatisfied: his sweetheart Tessina is betrothed to a nobleman old enough to be her grandfather. Nino’s search for love – and for the perfect dish – will take him to Rome, on pilgrimages, through brothels and back to a Florence torn apart by coups.
Kazan brings medieval Italy to life with an astonishing degree of historical detail. Appetite has the vivid colors of Tracy Chevalier’s Girl With a Pearl Earring and the sharp odors of Patrick Süskind’s Perfume. The tale of a chef’s development, revealing the inextricable links between food and emotional memory, echoes other recent works of historical fiction like John Saturnall’s Feast by Lawrence Norfolk and White Truffles in Winter by N.M. Kelby.
A few historical characters seem shoehorned into a somewhat bloated plot, and the novel may have worked better with a third person omniscient narrator, but this is an impressive debut. Readers will certainly come away with an appetite for more.
August 23, 2021
Visit the locations of Appetite
The novel APPETITE is set, not surprisingly in the world of food and drink. Hungry for more?
When you read this book, whatever you do, make sure you have eaten before and have some snacks to hand as, by gum, you are going to need them. This book is full of descriptions of food, but the aromas and taste sensations more than anything. It’s akin to the book Perfume and if they ever invent scratch and sniff book, then this is going to be one of the first to be printed in this format.
This line sums this book up:
“‘The world reveals itself most truly through our senses’ …”
Despite being a bit disturbed as to how many things Nino, the main character in the novel, licks, and what he licks, this book is actually quite remarkable. This boy has a special sense, he has a heightened sensitivity to his palette or something as he sees flavours like you and I see colours. He appreciates the taste of weather, air, seasons….things we never think of as having a taste. Taste is his way of accessing the world around him and trying to better understand it and find his way.
This is a booktrail of your tastebuds and oh the colours, the aromas, the tastes and the textures. This is a work of art quite frankly and I was mesmerized despite drooling throughout. Not sure I would have eaten everything in Renaissance Florence though, but some things sound better on paper than on your plate I guess.
I hunted around in the small, chaotic niche where the artists kept their food and discovered a dusty flask of olive oil. Sniffing it dubiously, I found it was quite fresh: the dark green oil from the hills behind Arezzo.
What really comes alive in this novel is the Florence of that time. The markets with their chatter and hustle and bustle. The streets with the traders taking their carts to market, the kitchens of houses large and small….
Nino’s talent and a bit and luck take him to the kitchens of the Medicis and even the Borgias in Rome. I enjoyed reading about not just the food but the background of the intrigues and political plots that were rife at the time.
There is a tie into Portrait of Souls as the main character Fillip Lippi is the half brother of Nino’s mother. Lippi is motioned quite a lot and it helps build a great picture of Florence of that time, this family and of the two books together.
Two books that awaken and quite frankly accentuate the senses in ways I did not expect. I am now hungry and in the need of some art.
March 15, 2013
An exquisitely evocative, atmospheric masterpiece that ensnares the senses and illuminates the mind.
Refreshingly inspired and acutely perceptive, Philip Kazan brings 1400’s Florence vividly to life with such vibrancy, color and dexterity. Flawlessly capturing the sensuality of the times, intense passion and obsession with fine art and mouthwatering food. Delectable, piquant and compelling this undeniably impressive novel is one of such ambitious scope and awe-inspiring substance. Amid the Florentine Frescoes, delicately refined Renaissance architecture and innate artistry is a world of heated rivalry, ambition and treachery. Astonishingly unexpected and profoundly absorbing, I was swept away by the intoxicating concoction of lust, genius, deadly desires and gluttony that is darkly disturbingly magnetic. As transfixing as ‘Perfume’ and containing realism akin to ‘Girl with a pearl earring’ this captivating story is as astute as a freshly sharpened blade.
Exploring sin and infatuation (whether that be in the form of food, females or frescoes), Nino Latino delves into the deepest darkest desires of the human soul without knowing that it ultimately may lead to his downfall. This delicately interwoven narrative that cleverly combines exquisite detail with inspired creative vision is simply stunning, as I lost myself within an eloquent and expressive character-driven tale.
*I was sent an ARC (advance reading copy) of ‘Appetite by Philip Kazan, by ‘Love Reading’ to read and review.*
www.lovereading.co.uk
Refreshingly inspired and acutely perceptive, Philip Kazan brings 1400’s Florence vividly to life with such vibrancy, color and dexterity. Flawlessly capturing the sensuality of the times, intense passion and obsession with fine art and mouthwatering food. Delectable, piquant and compelling this undeniably impressive novel is one of such ambitious scope and awe-inspiring substance. Amid the Florentine Frescoes, delicately refined Renaissance architecture and innate artistry is a world of heated rivalry, ambition and treachery. Astonishingly unexpected and profoundly absorbing, I was swept away by the intoxicating concoction of lust, genius, deadly desires and gluttony that is darkly disturbingly magnetic. As transfixing as ‘Perfume’ and containing realism akin to ‘Girl with a pearl earring’ this captivating story is as astute as a freshly sharpened blade.
Exploring sin and infatuation (whether that be in the form of food, females or frescoes), Nino Latino delves into the deepest darkest desires of the human soul without knowing that it ultimately may lead to his downfall. This delicately interwoven narrative that cleverly combines exquisite detail with inspired creative vision is simply stunning, as I lost myself within an eloquent and expressive character-driven tale.
*I was sent an ARC (advance reading copy) of ‘Appetite by Philip Kazan, by ‘Love Reading’ to read and review.*
www.lovereading.co.uk
March 29, 2013
Set against the glorious backdrop of renaissance Italy, this disturbingly addictive story is as enticing as the most sumptuous of banquets, and will sweep you far away from the commonplace, and into the dark and dirty world of human excess and scintillating debauchery.
Nino Latino has an instinctive passion for creating food, and this rare culinary skill, takes him far away from his father’s butcher’s shop in the back streets of Florence, and hurtles him towards the luxurious world of the Medici’s, and into the decadent and opulent court of Italy’s greatest Renaissance city. With voyeuristic horror, a debauched world of gluttonous excess is laid bare, and as Nino’s passionate story emerges, you become completely captivated, not just by the lavish imagery of food, people and places, but also with the glory of art, and the fine balance of delicate frescoes. The vibrancy of the story blazes through the medieval kitchens of Florence and Rome with an intoxicating passion, and even as the vivid descriptions of food dazzles the senses, each turn of the page will take you deeper and deeper into a decadent and self indulgent world, where petty jealousies and political manoeuvrings are roused by the magic of the culinary maestro.
There is no doubt that Appetite is a gastronomic masterpiece, the impressive fervour of Kazan’s narrative paints a passionate picture of undeniable greed and overwhelming ambition, in a story which lingers in the mind, long after the last page is turned.
I was given the opportunity to read this part as part of the Lovereading.co.uk review panel.
Nino Latino has an instinctive passion for creating food, and this rare culinary skill, takes him far away from his father’s butcher’s shop in the back streets of Florence, and hurtles him towards the luxurious world of the Medici’s, and into the decadent and opulent court of Italy’s greatest Renaissance city. With voyeuristic horror, a debauched world of gluttonous excess is laid bare, and as Nino’s passionate story emerges, you become completely captivated, not just by the lavish imagery of food, people and places, but also with the glory of art, and the fine balance of delicate frescoes. The vibrancy of the story blazes through the medieval kitchens of Florence and Rome with an intoxicating passion, and even as the vivid descriptions of food dazzles the senses, each turn of the page will take you deeper and deeper into a decadent and self indulgent world, where petty jealousies and political manoeuvrings are roused by the magic of the culinary maestro.
There is no doubt that Appetite is a gastronomic masterpiece, the impressive fervour of Kazan’s narrative paints a passionate picture of undeniable greed and overwhelming ambition, in a story which lingers in the mind, long after the last page is turned.
I was given the opportunity to read this part as part of the Lovereading.co.uk review panel.
September 1, 2014
I hope no one from my work looks at Goodreads as I started this wonderful book on Thursday night and phoned in sick Friday just so I could finish it. It's hard to believe that this is Kazan's first novel it's so well crafted. The prose is deceptively simple and well paced. The first person narrator tells us his skill is not with words - but there is obviously a very sharp mind behind the text. It comes through in the letters and dialogue from the other characters. This author really knows how to play with your emotions. I was crying and laughing out loud - so maybe don't read this one on public transport.
The narrator Nino is gifted with the genius of heightened taste that borders on the synaesthetic. This enables some fabulously surprising descriptions, and allows us to experience Renaissance Italy in a fresh, almost modern way. Nino's story is a microcosm of the lives of many famous artist's of his day, but the focus on a career based on taste is a refreshingly different perspective. Kazan obviously has a deep understanding of Renaissance Science and Humanism, as well as the latest 21st Century science about the senses and cognition.
I adored the long descriptions of food and food preparation from the different places Nino travels to, but I suspect some readers might find this a bit much.
Above all - this book is passionate.
The narrator Nino is gifted with the genius of heightened taste that borders on the synaesthetic. This enables some fabulously surprising descriptions, and allows us to experience Renaissance Italy in a fresh, almost modern way. Nino's story is a microcosm of the lives of many famous artist's of his day, but the focus on a career based on taste is a refreshingly different perspective. Kazan obviously has a deep understanding of Renaissance Science and Humanism, as well as the latest 21st Century science about the senses and cognition.
I adored the long descriptions of food and food preparation from the different places Nino travels to, but I suspect some readers might find this a bit much.
Above all - this book is passionate.
September 21, 2013
I couldn't finish this book. I honestly forced myself through about a hundred pages and could only read maybe 10 pages each time I sat down, it was that stretched out and boring.
I found the premise to be very intriguing and it reminded me of Perfume by Patrick Suskind which I'd read and fallen in love with some months earlier. So, when I saw this one, I thought it would be something like Perfume. I was proven quite wrong.
I had an issue with how much description there was. Normally I'm the kind of person that really loves descriptions, enjoying them because I get to know everything that's going on around me. In this case, it was rather aggravating. I'm also not a huge fan of books that take place in Italy around the Renaissance or any book that has historical context in general, whether it's about a person that lived in that time or just facts about the particular location. Once again I demonstrated to myself that I shouldn't try picking up these kinds of books because they just don't work for me.
I don't know whether what I was promised in the summary actually happened later in the book - I struggled too much with the first hundred pages to continue with the rest. This really wasn't my kind of book.
I found the premise to be very intriguing and it reminded me of Perfume by Patrick Suskind which I'd read and fallen in love with some months earlier. So, when I saw this one, I thought it would be something like Perfume. I was proven quite wrong.
I had an issue with how much description there was. Normally I'm the kind of person that really loves descriptions, enjoying them because I get to know everything that's going on around me. In this case, it was rather aggravating. I'm also not a huge fan of books that take place in Italy around the Renaissance or any book that has historical context in general, whether it's about a person that lived in that time or just facts about the particular location. Once again I demonstrated to myself that I shouldn't try picking up these kinds of books because they just don't work for me.
I don't know whether what I was promised in the summary actually happened later in the book - I struggled too much with the first hundred pages to continue with the rest. This really wasn't my kind of book.
March 26, 2019
4.5/5 stars
I thoroughly enjoyed the book. It kept me interested and hungry :) Some parts of this book made me laugh out loud, some of them made me sad and the last 100 pages-ish just flew by and I couldn't stop reading.
The idea is similar to Perfume by Patrick Suskind. Nino Latino (our protagonist) is a talented young man who loves cooking and food. He dreams of love and creating the best feast ever (however he mainly was focused on love which I personally don't mind).
The events are set in the 15th century Florence, Italy. And this is another thing that was an immediate YES for me. I love Italy and Italian art. In fact, in this book, we are introduced to some of the notorious Italian artists, such as Sandro Botticelli, Filippo Lippi, and Leonardo da Vinci. We learn a lot about tastes, smells, traditions and people's lives in Florence and Rome.
The language in which the book is written in beautiful and very evocative.
Long story short. I loved it! Highly recommend.
I thoroughly enjoyed the book. It kept me interested and hungry :) Some parts of this book made me laugh out loud, some of them made me sad and the last 100 pages-ish just flew by and I couldn't stop reading.
The idea is similar to Perfume by Patrick Suskind. Nino Latino (our protagonist) is a talented young man who loves cooking and food. He dreams of love and creating the best feast ever (however he mainly was focused on love which I personally don't mind).
The events are set in the 15th century Florence, Italy. And this is another thing that was an immediate YES for me. I love Italy and Italian art. In fact, in this book, we are introduced to some of the notorious Italian artists, such as Sandro Botticelli, Filippo Lippi, and Leonardo da Vinci. We learn a lot about tastes, smells, traditions and people's lives in Florence and Rome.
The language in which the book is written in beautiful and very evocative.
Long story short. I loved it! Highly recommend.
March 28, 2022
WOW - if you are into food, advenure and historical romance then this is the book for you.
What a brilliant concept, Nino has a superpower - he can taste anything and knows immediately where the ingredients come from and what consituents make up that object. Primarily he uses it for conjuring up the most beautiful dishes for mouthwatering feasts but he can also taste inanimate objects & people!
Nino's tale follows his journey in Florence and Rome during the Middle Ages, a time of turbulent changes in Europe when influential families ruled and people's lives were snuffed out in an instant from plague, wars, hunger and cruelty.
Nino makes a fascinating storyteller and his gift of taste is both a blessing and a curse. As a trained chef, many many years ago now, I was totally in awe of Pip Kazan's gorgeous descriptions of the look and taste of the fabulous feasts that Nino prepares. The twist is that there is only one taste that Nino just can't fathom out until the very end of the book.
Storytelling at it's finest.
What a brilliant concept, Nino has a superpower - he can taste anything and knows immediately where the ingredients come from and what consituents make up that object. Primarily he uses it for conjuring up the most beautiful dishes for mouthwatering feasts but he can also taste inanimate objects & people!
Nino's tale follows his journey in Florence and Rome during the Middle Ages, a time of turbulent changes in Europe when influential families ruled and people's lives were snuffed out in an instant from plague, wars, hunger and cruelty.
Nino makes a fascinating storyteller and his gift of taste is both a blessing and a curse. As a trained chef, many many years ago now, I was totally in awe of Pip Kazan's gorgeous descriptions of the look and taste of the fabulous feasts that Nino prepares. The twist is that there is only one taste that Nino just can't fathom out until the very end of the book.
Storytelling at it's finest.
October 30, 2017
The novel is a epicurean delight. You'll find yourself revolted, astonished, puzzled, and nose deep in this phantasm of flavours, ingredients, and food described in this book. Goes without saying that this is the most riveting part of the novel.
The story revolves around protagonist Nino Latini, son of a butcher with the sensual palate of a God.
Appetite is the story of Nino's adventures as a cook, artist, lover, in 15th century Florence and Rome.
This book is in turns a feast and an assault on the senses. It's engulfs you in its descriptions. It's easy to flow with it. Too easy. It's almost unputdownable. Utterly fecund, ripe, and bursting with peculiar tastes and smells, this book will introduce you to an old world, unforgettable.
One thing though: Philip Kazan may have remarkable knowledge of food and flavour, but he's not a great writer of historical fiction set in medieval Italy. The language of the book is sloppy. You can almost hear an American accent. It detracts from the authenticity of the time and the age. So while some historical research appears in terms of the culinary content, there are gaps where you'd expect the same standard of precision to other aspects. Ergo 3 stars.
The story revolves around protagonist Nino Latini, son of a butcher with the sensual palate of a God.
Appetite is the story of Nino's adventures as a cook, artist, lover, in 15th century Florence and Rome.
This book is in turns a feast and an assault on the senses. It's engulfs you in its descriptions. It's easy to flow with it. Too easy. It's almost unputdownable. Utterly fecund, ripe, and bursting with peculiar tastes and smells, this book will introduce you to an old world, unforgettable.
One thing though: Philip Kazan may have remarkable knowledge of food and flavour, but he's not a great writer of historical fiction set in medieval Italy. The language of the book is sloppy. You can almost hear an American accent. It detracts from the authenticity of the time and the age. So while some historical research appears in terms of the culinary content, there are gaps where you'd expect the same standard of precision to other aspects. Ergo 3 stars.
January 4, 2015
I was interested to see how the idea of the Perfume by Suskind is developed with food. The setting is good, there are some good historical and romantic aspects of it. However it was slow to read, nothing to actually pull you in it. I often skipped paragraphs of long food descriptions, they were just boring. The style of writing was not appealing to me, therefore I did not finish the whole book.
Also a major note to the publishers - is the missing translations of words and phrases in Italian. For someone who doesn't speak Italian, I found it annoying because lack of footnotes translating the words just meant that I have no clue what they mean.
October 14, 2014
Wow, what an annoying character. Nino needs to grow up and suck it up and stop being so stupid.
I guess that's a little harsh but he just grated on my nerves and my enjoyment of the book obviously suffered because of it.
I guess that's a little harsh but he just grated on my nerves and my enjoyment of the book obviously suffered because of it.
September 21, 2013
Best book I've read in a while. Like me, anyone who's ever left home and tried to find the flavours of their distant homeland will find a great travelling and dining companion in Nino Latini.
April 17, 2022
На обложке этой книги некто Red сравнивает ее с «Парфюмером» - мол, как главный герой романа Зюскинда «видел» запахи, так и здесь Нино, мальчуган из ренессансной Флоренции, плавает в море вкусов. Ну, по сути-то правильно, а вот по атмосфере – абсолютно неверно. Все-таки для меня «Памфюмер» - это история про девиацию, ненормальность, а «Аппетит» рассказывает о нормальном парне с нормальными желаниями, поведением (ну, почти) и понятными недостатками. Так что не надо обходить «Аппетит» десятой дорогой, если вы думаете, что здесь вас напугают страшилками. Есть несколько моментов, которые покажутся «ненормальными», но это буквально пара предложений и это ни коим образом не влияет на атмосферу и основной месседж.
Так собственно о чем эта книга? Она рассказывает историю жизни Нино, у которого явно какая-то форма синестезии, так как вкус всего на свете у него ассоциируется… ну, со всем на свете. Естественно, что человеку с такими особенностями прямая дорога в повара, куда он собственно и направляется. Однако, кроме кухни, у него еще есть некоторые «связи» в мире искусства, так как его дядя – монах-художник Филиппино Липпи (советую почитать его краткую биографию перед романом, если не знакомы), в друзьях числится Боттичелли, да Винчи и другие. Но все же, вкусы и еда для Нино на первом месте. Начинается повествование во Флоренции во времена Лоренцо Великолепного, а дальше перескакивает в Рим с захватом провинциальной Италии. Надо сказать, что книга очень познавательна – автор явно хорошо потрудился и включил туда много интересных деталей о повседневной жизни в ту эпоху.
Также следует сразу приготовиться к тому, что, по большому счету, легкое и развлекательное чтение, так что особого напряжения и драматизма здесь не будет. «Аппетит» прекрасно подойдет для интеллектуального отпускного времяпровождения – когда и напрягаться не хочется, и разжижение мозгов тоже нежелательно.
9 / 10
Так собственно о чем эта книга? Она рассказывает историю жизни Нино, у которого явно какая-то форма синестезии, так как вкус всего на свете у него ассоциируется… ну, со всем на свете. Естественно, что человеку с такими особенностями прямая дорога в повара, куда он собственно и направляется. Однако, кроме кухни, у него еще есть некоторые «связи» в мире искусства, так как его дядя – монах-художник Филиппино Липпи (советую почитать его краткую биографию перед романом, если не знакомы), в друзьях числится Боттичелли, да Винчи и другие. Но все же, вкусы и еда для Нино на первом месте. Начинается повествование во Флоренции во времена Лоренцо Великолепного, а дальше перескакивает в Рим с захватом провинциальной Италии. Надо сказать, что книга очень познавательна – автор явно хорошо потрудился и включил туда много интересных деталей о повседневной жизни в ту эпоху.
Также следует сразу приготовиться к тому, что, по большому счету, легкое и развлекательное чтение, так что особого напряжения и драматизма здесь не будет. «Аппетит» прекрасно подойдет для интеллектуального отпускного времяпровождения – когда и напрягаться не хочется, и разжижение мозгов тоже нежелательно.
9 / 10
February 25, 2021
Proof copy originally reviewed for Lovereading. To put it simply, I absolutely loved “Appetite”. From the very start I was engrossed with the unusual storyline and excellent descriptions. It begins in Florence 1460, and is written in the first person by, Nino, a 14 year old boy as he grows up. Nino perceives the world strongly but via his sense of taste not sight. Descriptions in the book are vividly felt using words often associated with taste and the food they represent.
The story centres round Nino’s ambition and development as a professional cook along with his love for an old playmate, Tessina Albitzzi, who becomes betrothed and unattainable. His Uncle is the artist, Filippo Lippi, as a result Nino grows up painting and socialising with some of the greats of Renaissance Italy. Meanwhile he searches endlessly for the secret ingredient in Tripe as made by a street vendor whilst cooking up a mouth watering storm of description and taste on nearly every page.
The author transported me back in time to a country I haven’t visited since I was at school. It details a love of Florence that is infectious. Some of the characters in the book are based on real life Renaissance artists and dignitaries. I am often annoyed by the cross over with reality and fiction in a novel but in “Appetite” it was a good thing. It had me reaching for the dictionary and internet for more information about these people and the era and also the Italian words used.
Nino is fond of the beffe, practical jokes popular in his home town but will he become the beffato, one being mocked? I urge you to read this to find out.
The story centres round Nino’s ambition and development as a professional cook along with his love for an old playmate, Tessina Albitzzi, who becomes betrothed and unattainable. His Uncle is the artist, Filippo Lippi, as a result Nino grows up painting and socialising with some of the greats of Renaissance Italy. Meanwhile he searches endlessly for the secret ingredient in Tripe as made by a street vendor whilst cooking up a mouth watering storm of description and taste on nearly every page.
The author transported me back in time to a country I haven’t visited since I was at school. It details a love of Florence that is infectious. Some of the characters in the book are based on real life Renaissance artists and dignitaries. I am often annoyed by the cross over with reality and fiction in a novel but in “Appetite” it was a good thing. It had me reaching for the dictionary and internet for more information about these people and the era and also the Italian words used.
Nino is fond of the beffe, practical jokes popular in his home town but will he become the beffato, one being mocked? I urge you to read this to find out.
July 25, 2023
The descriptions of each dish, each feast and its elaborate pieces are what raise this rating from 3 to 4 stars.
Nino though…I can’t decide whether I like him or not because his character is terribly frustrating. Sometimes I believe his passion and other times it comes off as the fleeting shallow passions of youth. Either way I walked through all 517 pages with him yearning for Tessina or at least her point of view.
I’m not going to re-read this but I’m glad that I read it only because it truly made me want to walk through Nino Latini’s Florence tasting everything. Kazan’s descriptions can be excessive (there was no need for a detailed description of villages and towns where Nino spent one night) but are absolutely brilliant.
Nino though…I can’t decide whether I like him or not because his character is terribly frustrating. Sometimes I believe his passion and other times it comes off as the fleeting shallow passions of youth. Either way I walked through all 517 pages with him yearning for Tessina or at least her point of view.
I’m not going to re-read this but I’m glad that I read it only because it truly made me want to walk through Nino Latini’s Florence tasting everything. Kazan’s descriptions can be excessive (there was no need for a detailed description of villages and towns where Nino spent one night) but are absolutely brilliant.
June 17, 2017
Very evocative of the place and period -Florence in the 1460s and 70s. Especially the food -tastes and smells and details of feasts, markets, customs, rich food and plain food , especially tripe . Nino is a butcher's son who also draws a little and who really just wants to cook. His talent and a bit and luck take him to the kitchens of the Medicis and eventually the Borgias in Rome. He overreaches himself and is often in trouble , makes rash choices and yet stays true to his childhood sweetheart. It's a Bildungsroman; a young man learning sense, the value of family and friendship, of love and loyalty, and the importance of good food cooked with love.
May 10, 2020
This is a great fun romp through 15th century Florence and Rome, seen through the eyes and tastebuds of Nino Latini. Nino has an extraordinary sense of taste so he becomes a sort of Gordon Ramsay of his time, celebrity chef to the stars: the Medici and the Borgia, and even The Pope.
These are turbulent times but Nino has luck "Lady Fortuna" on his side so he survives many perilous moments. But however high he flies he never stops wishing for his childhood love, the beautiful, tragic Tessina.
I really enjoyed this bit of crazy escapism, it's nicely written albeit the pacing is a bit off in places, and I recommend it.
These are turbulent times but Nino has luck "Lady Fortuna" on his side so he survives many perilous moments. But however high he flies he never stops wishing for his childhood love, the beautiful, tragic Tessina.
I really enjoyed this bit of crazy escapism, it's nicely written albeit the pacing is a bit off in places, and I recommend it.
August 27, 2017
Another great read about renaissance Florence, this time about a fictional character who becomes a chef for the great men of Florence. It's set against the background of the intrigues and political plots that were rife at the time, and once again, as with Fra Lippi the painter in The Painter of Souls, in Nino Latino Philip Kazan has drawn a believable and attractive character as the central player.
February 19, 2018
On the back of the book it states that fans of Joanne Harris's Chocolat would enjoy this book, and I can confirm that this is true. It is a love story but this is entwined amongst the main characters love of food and cooking, and the journey that this takes him on in 1466. You become quickly attached to the main character Nino and the descriptions of where he lives, the sights and the smells makes it easy to imagine you are there with him. Tripe which isnt everyones favorite food figures quite alot in the story and by the end of it even I was tempted to try some as it was made so appealing to the reader. History of the Medicis is introduced into the book and the love that he recognised when he was a young boy doesnt come easy to him as he gets himself into many scrapes. It is a comforting book that is easy to read, but that doesnt detract from the story which is really interesting and keeps you wanting to pick up and find out what happens next.
September 24, 2020
Firstly this is just my opinion only , secondly it was a present from good friends. On the cover it says the book will appeal to lovers of the book Chocolat. Well not this one it didn't. It lacked the charm, mystical qualities and ease of Chocolat. Descriptions were evocative and you gained a sense of time and place but this didn't justify its length for me.
May 26, 2018
What a masterpiece.... a feast for all the senses and emotions. Decadence, love, despair, humour and yes loads and loads of food and recipes along with the full sense of walking in renaissance Italy. An absolute gem
February 27, 2020
more of a 2 stars read really, but I didn't really enjoy it. The characters were extremely one-dimensional, and it felt as if the author was just trying to mention every person he knew from Renaissance Rome and Florence and was just trying to figure out a way to link them with each other.
May 27, 2017
Surprisingly excellent. Great pace, beautiful turn of phrase, interesting topic.
Recommended :)
Recommended :)
November 27, 2017
I liked the painter of souls and picked this one up because I wanted more. But this just seemed more boring
March 10, 2018
A poor mans “Perfume”, plus it kept making me hungry !
September 26, 2018
This was good. I feel like it could have been cut down quite a bit, and it looses focus at times, but it was still an enjoyable read.
December 28, 2018
Enjoyed it, but really a thin plot disguised by some sumptuous descriptions of food that the main character either cooked or ate. A nice story around the time of the Medicis
April 28, 2019
Loved the evocation of Florence and the senses.
Goes on a bit though - needed editing.
Goes on a bit though - needed editing.
July 4, 2019
Odd, but definitely good. I enjoyed this. It was a well-written and the imagery was great!
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