Gone Bamboo audiobook

Fun book with a good pace, some action, and a lot of dark comedy. Dry wit makes even the "bad" guys endearing in this one. Good beach read-not too much philosophy. This is the first of his novels I've read, and I must admit I'm intrigued by their style. Will have to read more.

The book is a kind of second-rate novel that one wants to keep reading. The anti-hero, Henry, is who the author wishes he could be (this is plainly obvious to the reader)but Henry is also flawed enough to make him likable and believable--that one guy who's smarter, better looking and funnier than you who still drives around on a mo-ped.The story may have big gaps in the plot and read like it was written to turn an island vacation into a tax deductible expense, but that's OK; it's not written for the sophisticated parts of the reader's brain. I had a lot of fun reading Mr. Bourdain's second book.

This is another Bourdain novel, this time about an ex-spook turned mob hit man who lives in the Carribean and tries to carve out a meaningful life away from "work." Unlike other Bourdain novels, this one is without food nerdiness and instead focuses entirely on plot and characters. The Bobby Gold Stories were enjoyable, but not memorable. Bone in the Throat was both, but memorable for its utter ridiculousness. Gone Bamboo was riviting to the point that it could be made into a Jason Bourne-esque movie. This is probably my favorite of Bourdain's fiction.

I couldn't put this book down. The perfect read for a beach vacation! I love Bourdain's fiction writing almost better than his non-fiction accounts of what occurs in NY kitchens. His details surrounding these mafia characters is impeccable. Loved reading it.

I picked this book up because of the author. I'd read another book of his before, " Typhoid Mary", and enjoyed. I also read the back cover blurb and the first page or two. It made me laugh.I wasn't disappointed.Henry and Frances, husband and wife, have taken up life on a Caribbean island, living the ideal beach life...they have gone bamboo - sun, sand, booze and sex. But all that is disrupted when the U.S. relocates a powerful capo, Charlie "Wagons" Iannello, to the island in a witness protection deal. He is scheduled to testify at a federal trial against a number of his old crime mates.One of the upcoming gangsters going on trial is a transvestite mob boss (he only dresses up among close associates) who has decided it is time to take out the capo Charlie "Wagons" Iannello. Sending some of his boys to the island to accomplish this becomes a variation of a Keystone Cops comedy.Henry and Frances are pulled in to protect Charlie, but the marshals and other law types have no knowledge about it. Did I mention that at an earlier time Henry was hired to ace Charlie but missed? Henry and Frances are perfect for the job as they are like two James Bond types - one male and one female - in pretty much all things that make Bond Bond, except they don't have the fancy gadgets. They do have quite an arsenal and the expertise in using these tools to come out on top of whatever they do...even if it gets a little wild and screwball at times.To quote Anthony Bourdain in his introduction: "I wanted to write a sociopath beach book - something that jaded, hyperactive chefs, bent lawyers, paroled arsonists and protected witnesses might find entertaining and escapist. I wanted a hero and heroine as lazy, mercenary, lustful and free of redeeming qualities as I sometimes see myself."I'd say he has done it. This is a Goodread at the beach or else where. You may find sand between your toes and you nose a little sunburned when you finish!

After the news of Anthony Bourdain's death, I was looking for books he'd written and found this novel. It's a fun, quick read about New York gangsters and hit men. The characters were likable (those who were supposed to be likable, that is), and the writing style accessible. Bourdain's early demise is so sad, but we're lucky that he left us with so much.

(really 3.5 stars)My husband read this book for work and then suggested I read it because he thought I would like it even though it’s not my usual affair. And he was right, I did! In his intro, Bourdain does not hide the ball — this is a beach read about bad people who don’t change. This is pure pulp. But the ultimate enjoyment is that the main character is a total Wife Guy and his wife is pretty great.As a side note, I had no clue Bourdain wrote fiction. A man of many talents, gone way too soon.

"Gone Bamboo" was fun. Fast paced, quick and easy.It opens with the main character, professional assassin, Henry, being hired by some New York mobsters to kill a couple of rivals. After fixing the price the mobsters ask if he can scare some of the others, but Henry puts his foot down, "You gentlemen want to play practical jokes on each other, buy a fuckin' whoopee cushion. I don't do that. I don't play around when I work."He botches half the hit, at a ski resort, and then returns to his wife, another professional assassin, and their comfortable Caribbean home, and all is pretty much well until they get some unwelcome neighbors. Henry's French intelligence service handler stationed on the island asks him to get friendly with the new neighbors and he and his wife, Frances, get buddy buddy with Tommy and Cheryl, Bourdain's characters from his last book "Bone in the Throat".Tommy and Cheryl are down there trying to start up a restaurant and get away from New York, where Tommy witnessed some mafia murders but wants to cook rather than become a gangster like all his family and friends. Trouble then ensues for everyone involved as hitmen come down from New York to try and settle things.Bourdain's introduction says it all, ""I wanted to write a sociopath beach book - something that jaded, hyperactive chefs, bent lawyers, paroled arsonists and protected witnesses might find entertaining and escapist. I wanted a hero and heroine as lazy, mercenary, lustful and free of redeeming qualities as I sometimes see myself. Whether I succeeded or not - I don't know."Not entirely, I never thought of the main characters as lazy, they worked hard, prepared hard and put all their effort into succeeding.Overall, a lot of fun.

Gone Bamboo is the second of Anthony Bourdain's fiction stories and it's just as good as the first one Bone in the Throat. Like I've said many times, Bourdain is one of my very favorite authors and he very rarely disappoints. Sadly, he's not really writing fiction anymore and more's the pity as he seems to have a talent for it.Gone Bamboo is the direct sequel to Bone in the Throat and does feature Tommy Pagano and his girlfriend Tracy. However, this story is seen through the eyes of the hired killer couple Henry and Frances. Henry made a very important appearance in BitT, here we follow him to his island paradise home in the Caribean and meet his lady love Frances. This couple is just sarcastic comic gold, Frances is tough as nails and Henry is somewhat of a gentleman killer. They have their rules and heaven help you if you invade their peaceful island with your bullshit.Events set in motion in BitT are concluded here, with the capo Donnie (Tommy's uncle) is taking refuge on Henry and Frances's island and the assorted people who want him dead and the feds protecting him are stirring no end of shit. The whole ride is fast paced and keeps you turning the pages. This was a 2 day read for me because I could barely put it down.Again, pick this up, you'll be happy I introduced you to this author. And of course, there are restaurants and cooks galore in this one. It's not an Anthony Bourdain book without them.

If you want drama about a war-torn middle eastern country, or hollow romance, don't read this book. If you want to read about guns, boozing, assassinations and good food, then this is the book for you. Not to mention the toughest, sexiest female lead character I've ever read about.Anthony Bourdain writes a good action novel. I didn't even know this was a sequel to "Bone in the Throat" (since my library never has it), and it was still great!The pace of this book is lovely. There's action interspersed with tropical lounging, and none of the story is cluttered up with flowery descriptions. The gritty, slang-infested dialog is believably written. I've come to expect tantalizing food descriptions from Bourdain, and he continues to satisfy.

Chef Bourdain's second gangster novel is much funnier, sharper and more satisfying than his first. The leading character of the gun for hire Henry is believable and more personable than his earlier creations and the cast of supporting cooks, girlfriends, mobsters and gung ho security men are all well crafted.The action fairly rattles along and Bourdain is generous with his helpings of booze, blood, drugs, sex and violence. Lashings of violence. Both funny and sad in parts, Gone Bamboo is like Tom Sharpe with cocaine and automatic weapons.

Yes, THAT Anthony Bourdain, host of many cooking programs on the tele. I can’t stand the guy on TV but he sure can write! Two professional assassins are relaxing on a tropical island when someone they were hired to knock off shows up on the island in the witness protection program. It’s a cat and mouse game that makes you laugh out loud. Intrigue, humor and amateur sleuthing round out this fun read.

I'd never heard of Bourdain until I read Kitchen Confidential on holiday this year. I loved that one and ended up loving this just as much. It's an easy read with lots going on - the perfect late night or weekend away book. The characters are interesting; the plot well paced and the smell of gunsmoke almost real!

This was one of the best escapist books I've ever had the pleasure of reading. Ex-CIA assassins who "go bamboo" in the Carribean and lead a life of luxury, debauchery and complete relaxation.... It's like a romance novel for guys :)

Tony takes you on a tour of beaches and gangsters and sun and murder.... with some seriously hot descriptions of good food in the bargain...you can feel the sand in your toes, the snap of the shrimp on the barbie and the waves breaking on the shore...escape!