Rating: 
Summary: UGH! I'm split!
Review: I love everything I have ever read by Poppy. Her novels, short stories, nonfiction, novellas, collaborations... I hate this book. My husband is a chef and I don't know how many times I had to say "Hon, what's...?" I dislike food and I dislike going to restaurants where the salads are "weeds" and I have no idea what I'm eating. I guess maybe if she would have wrote more story about Rickey and G-man and less about elaborate dishes I would have enjoyed this more. I loved The Value of X where I first met the boys, I even enjoyed when Rickey went to the CIA because it brought back memories of when my husband was in culinary school, but if you have no idea what goes on in a kitchen, what one even looks like, all the instruments and appliances involved, I think you'll have a hard time picturing the different stations everyone works at and why it's so important.
I gave the book 4 stars first of all because it would break my heart to give it any less and second of all, even though I didn't enjoy it, my husband and I did have "bonding time" since I was constantly asking him questions. He enjoyed it believe me.
I have read somewhere that Poppy loves food and you can see it here. I wonder if she should write reviews!
All in all, I found the story lacking... something. However, if you love food and the atmosphere of a kitchen, plus Poppy Z. Brite's writing, you will love this book. If you're a picky eater (like moi) and could give a shit about restaurants in general, there is a good chance you won't. But read everything you can by Poppy. She's an awesome writer.
Rating: 
Summary: Candy is dandy, but 'Liquor' is quicker
Review: I must admit it. I'm in love with Poppy Z Brite. It started with 'Lost Souls' and grew with every word of purple prose that dripped from her pages like visceral gore. When I heard that she was trying her hand at something other than horror, I was a little skeptical, being a writer myself and having the adage "stick to what you're good at" pounded into my skull. But I picked up 'Liquor' that day it hit bookshelves, and finished it by noon the next day.Not only are the characters stunning and vibrant, as are all of her creations, but she makes New Orleans itself a living entity. Brite creates beautiful interpersonal relationships between her protagonists Rickey and G-man, and the development of their dialogue and characterizations was enough to make me feel by the end of the book as though they were people I'd go have a drink with. This book, perhaps more than the gruesome lore of her older novels and many short stories, shows fans that there is indeed a Brite future ahead; she is an immensely talented writer and her world is one that I'll be all too happy to dive into again when 'The Big D' comes out in 2005. Until then, adieu--- I'm off to re-read this book.
Rating:
Summary: Bound to become a cult classic!
Review: I so loved this novel! I love the inside look into the restaurant industry and how two young men try to open a restaurant with a fresh concept. And I especially love that it is set in New Orleans. This novel showcases a darker and more eclectic side of the aforementioned city. Struggling restaurant cooks Rickey and G-man have come up with the ultimate concept for a New Orleans restaurant: a place that is devoted to liquor. Not only will they serve almost every drink known to man, they will also create original recipes with liquor added to all of the dishes. But with a disgruntled neighbor, a demented ex-boss and a silent partner with a hidden agenda these two southerners will have to beat many obstacles in order to make their dream come true... As said earlier, I loved this novel! Its dark humor and unique look into New Orleans captured me and didn't let go. This novel reminds me of a memoir called Kitchen Confidential. It contains the same sort of language and humor. Also, I loved how the author handled Rickey and G-man's homosexual relationship without the grotesque stereotypes and generalizations that accompany a lot of novels of this sort. Poppy Z. Brite is a brilliant author and I look forward to reading her other stuff. I cannot recommend Liquor enough!
Rating:
Summary: So what if "it's not horror"?
Review: I was lucky to score an early copy of Liquor by Poppy z. Brite this past weekend. The novel follows a young couple, John Rickey and Gary "G-Man" Stubbs, from the hot lines at various New Orleans restaurant kitchens to opening their own, a genius spirit infused joint called Liquor, where the alcohol is not only served at the bar but in all of the dishes as well. There aren't a lot of twists and turns, but I think the plot is secondary to her character work, which in my opinion is really well done. For me the book moved like a steamroller, building momentum slowly, but once it got going it was hard to stop. Though most fans probably know Mrs. Brite for her horror novels, Lost Souls, Drawing Blood, and Exquisite Corpse, it's in Liquor where she truly shines. Liquor feels a lot more personal and involved, through her descriptions of her hometown and her well-drawn characters, than her previous novels. I think this novel will appeal to those who enjoy Anthony Bourdain's writing or Gregory Mcdonald's Fletch series of novels, as well as anyone who has a love of good food and believable, interesting character work.
Rating:
Summary: So what if "it's not horror"?
Review: I was lucky to score an early copy of Liquor by Poppy z. Brite this past weekend. The novel follows a young couple, John Rickey and Gary "G-Man" Stubbs, from the hot lines at various New Orleans restaurant kitchens to opening their own, a genius spirit infused joint called Liquor, where the alcohol is not only served at the bar but in all of the dishes as well. There aren't a lot of twists and turns, but I think the plot is secondary to her character work, which in my opinion is really well done. For me the book moved like a steamroller, building momentum slowly, but once it got going it was hard to stop. Though most fans probably know Mrs. Brite for her horror novels, Lost Souls, Drawing Blood, and Exquisite Corpse, it's in Liquor where she truly shines. Liquor feels a lot more personal and involved, through her descriptions of her hometown and her well-drawn characters, than her previous novels. I think this novel will appeal to those who enjoy Anthony Bourdain's writing or Gregory Mcdonald's Fletch series of novels, as well as anyone who has a love of good food and believable, interesting character work.
Rating:
Summary: A Change of Pace Is A Good Thing
Review: I'll admit first off that I'm a fan of Brite's, even if I haven't read a large body of her work. Drawing Blood is a personal favorite, though.
Liquor is a favorite, too. It's only been out for a couple of weeks, and it only took me a couple of days to read it. Since then I've been actively searching for all the stories related to it.
The stand-out feature in Liquor, other than the characters, is her amazing dialogue. She wasn't a poor writer of dialogue before, but every line stood out to me while reading Liquor. The novel is fresh and lighter than most of Brite's work, but all of the characters came out realistically, and I cared as much for them as I have for any character before.
After reading it, I usually found myself aching to cook, and it's not wise to read it on an empty stomach. [Some of the dishes she writes about sound fantastic, despite the fact that I couldn't touch most of them... I'm a vegetarian.]
It is a relatively quick read, and I wish it had been longer, but there is a follow-up to look forward to.
Personally, I can't wait. -Jared
Rating:
Summary: Growing and Progressing
Review: I've thought about writing a review of this book since I read it when it first came out. I read so many other reviews that said all the great things that I would have said, so I figured I shouldn't bother. But, in reading some of the upset reviews, I decided that I should contribute my own opinion. Once again, Poppy Z. Brite had me glued to the book until I was done. It was a great read and I love how Poppy's moved on in her writing. I was right there with Rickey and G-Man through all of the emotion and worry about their new restaraunt. I only wish that I could have a meal or two at Liquor. Wonderul, wonderful book. I can't wait for more. I'm pleased this one wasn't a horror. I feel that I've grown along with her books. I first read Lost Souls when I was high school and it fit with my mood and disposition of my high school days. I read Drawing Blood, Wormwood, and Exquisite corpse within a couple years of Lost Souls, and still I was in this same dark "stage." I've moved on and grown up, but I still love those books and always will hold them close to my heart, as a connection to my past, but I am absolutely thrilled with her new approach/style. It's always great to feel close to your favorite author, someone you admire, and thats exactly how this book made me feel.
Rating:
Summary: Yum!
Review: If there's one thing I hate, it's people who take the time to pick a book apart but don't bother to get their details straight. One reader review of Liquor complains that we don't even know how old the characters are. HELLO, IT SAYS ON PAGE 1 THAT THEY ARE 27. It's not the authors fault if you can't be bothered to read even the first page carefully. I bought Liquor the day it came out, thought the writing was excellent, the New Orleans setting was very vivid, and the characters were so likeable that I can hardly wait for the next book about them. I also got hungrier with every page! I can't imagine anyone not liking this novel unless they picked it up determined to be dissapointed (which I'm sure plenty of old school PZB fans will do, but it's their loss).
Rating:
Summary: Yum!
Review: If there's one thing I hate, it's people who take the time to pick a book apart without even getting their basic facts straight. A reader review of Liquor complains that we don't know how old the characters are. HELLO, IT SAYS ON PAGE 1 THAT THEY ARE 27. It's not the authors fault if you can't even be bothered to read the first page carefully. I bought Liquor the day it came out, found the writing excellent, the New Orleans setting vivid, and the characters so likable that I can't wait for the next book. I also got hungrier on every page! I can't imagine anyone not liking this novel unless they picked it up expecting to be dissapointed (which I'm sure many PZB fans will do, but it's their loss).
Rating:
Summary: Know What You're In For
Review: If you go into this novel expecting to read 'horror', or even the incredibly hot sex scenes found in Poppy Z. Brite's previous books, you will be sadly disappointed. If, however, you read it with an open mind, expecting only the quality work that Ms. Brite continually delivers, then you will not only get exactly what you expect, but a great deal more. Telling the story of two cooks, Ricky and G-man, and their fight to open their own restaurant, "Liquor" is less of a 'story' and more of a journey, carrying you along with the two lovable men as they go about their 'ordinary' lives. There are a wide variety of side characters in this novel, and as with all of Ms. Brite's work, those characters are just as interesting and well-drawn as the leads. While perhaps not an instant classic, like her beloved "Lost Souls", "Liquor" is instead something just as good and almost harder to find - a believable piece of art that deals with our real world in such a compelling way as to make even the most ordinary of situations and people appear beautiful. I cannot reccommend this book more.
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