Appetite for Life: The Biography of Julia Child

Although I read this book with some enjoyment, I felt that a competent editor might have wielded the red pencil with a little more authority. If Julia and Paul gave a dinner, you felt that every name would be mentioned, and I almost gave up reading near the end with all the shenanigans at the California Institute. The book does, however, give a more rounded portrait of Paul Child than Bob Spitz's does, and the reader comes to realise that Julia Child was probably more the creation of that talented and frustrated artist than she was by her own efforts.

Print quality of the text is poor, with many pages so faint on on one side, they're difficult to read. The paper is flimsy and darkish, and in the two photo sections, images from the other side of the page can be seen. The photos themselves were clearly not photoshopped as many as so dark, faces can't be discerned at all, and again poorly printed, some with streaks as in the attached screen shot. Just a poorly produced softcover. Will see if the hardcover is more professionally produced. Julia deserved better than this poor edition.

I bought this book after seeing the movie Julie and Julia a couple of weeks ago. I really didn't know much about Julia and Paul Child - who were indeed a team as this bio points out - until reading Fitch's book. Her writing is excellent, and I'd rather know too much than too little about a subject. I just cannot understand any of the bad reviews of this book that have been written.I have also read "Julie and Julia", which I didn't quite care for. I still have the third book, Julia Child's own "My Life in France" next up on my reading table. But to get back to Fitch's book, which ends before Child's death in 2004, it is a complete biography of all of Child's life up to the point it was written. Fitch incorporates most of Julia'a (and Paul's) family and friends and makes special mention of their WW2 duties in the OSS in Ceylon and China. Most of all, the reader can "see" how Julia McWilliams and Paul Child fell in love and created "Julia Child".Fitch's work is a good addendum to the movie Julie and Julia.

I loved this book and I loved Julia Childs. I watched her on TV during most of my adult life and I always wanted to know her life story. I decided to read this book now becasue I wanted to get more out of the new movie that has just recently been released.If I had to offer one or two words about Julia's life that impressed me, one word would be integrity; she was her own person and never sold out to corporate interest. Also, her books and her talent were the real thing, the product of very hard work. Another word would be fun. She was very passionate and had a strong determination but she took time out to have fun along the way.The author tries to include all of the people in Julia's life but I found trying to keep up with all of the names confusing at times. I would like to have read a little more about Julia's co-author Simca, but I must admit what is in the book is more than adequate. This is a very good book and will keep your interest from the first page to the last. I miss Julia.

You will enjoy this book of revelations; about where Julia found her beloved husband, he being the equivalent of a lucky hand for her at cards in life's game. Her fame and fortune were the results of his tireless and clever efforts to enhance her natural inclination to enlarge and perfect her pursuits. Their happy choices of homes and places to go and things to do throughout the World; and perhaps a notch higher than most aspire to. Life was for lusty pursuits but should also be a chance to attain excellence for oneself and for others. Julia aspired to be a teacher, finally, rather than a cook only, however gourmet for guests and family. Why can't everyone enjoy the best by learning how....? What a great concept - and then to follow through in an exhaustive and finally successful effort to bring forth the books, the appearances, the teaching. My generation is so lucky to have known about her. This book just puts the creme fraiche on the berries! A grand read.