Death & Grief
![Charles Leerhsen - [object Object] author](https://res.cloudinary.com/readsomnia/image/upload/authors/a_a_charles_leerhsen.jpg)
Down and Out in Paradise: The Life of Anthony Bourdain
A groundbreaking, candid, well-sourced-but definitely unauthorized-biography of the celebrity chef and TV star Anthony Bourdain, based on extensive interviews with those who knew him intimately.
Anthony Bourdain's death by suicide in June, 2018 shocked people around the world. Bourdain seemed to have it all: an irresistible personality, a dream job, a beautiful family, and international fame. The reality, though, was more complicated than it seemed.
Bourdain became a celebrity with his bestselling book Kitchen Confidential. He parlayed it into a series of hit television shows, including the Food Channel's Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations and CNN's Parts Unknown. But his charisma belied a troubled spirit. Addiction and an obsession with perfection and personal integrity ruined two marriages and turned him into a boss from hell, even as millions became intrigued by the ever-curious and genuinely empathetic traveler they saw on TV. Bourdain was already running out of steam, physically and emotionally, when he fell hard for an Italian actress who could be even colder to him than he sometimes was to others, and who effectively drove a wedge between him and his young daughter.
Down and Out in Paradise is the first book to tell the true and full Bourdain story, relating the highs and lows of an extraordinary life. Leerhsen shows how Bourdain's never-before-reported childhood traumas fueled both his creativity and the insecurities that would lead him to a place of despair.
Anthony Bourdain's death by suicide in June, 2018 shocked people around the world. Bourdain seemed to have it all: an irresistible personality, a dream job, a beautiful family, and international fame. The reality, though, was more complicated than it seemed.
Bourdain became a celebrity with his bestselling book Kitchen Confidential. He parlayed it into a series of hit television shows, including the Food Channel's Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations and CNN's Parts Unknown. But his charisma belied a troubled spirit. Addiction and an obsession with perfection and personal integrity ruined two marriages and turned him into a boss from hell, even as millions became intrigued by the ever-curious and genuinely empathetic traveler they saw on TV. Bourdain was already running out of steam, physically and emotionally, when he fell hard for an Italian actress who could be even colder to him than he sometimes was to others, and who effectively drove a wedge between him and his young daughter.
Down and Out in Paradise is the first book to tell the true and full Bourdain story, relating the highs and lows of an extraordinary life. Leerhsen shows how Bourdain's never-before-reported childhood traumas fueled both his creativity and the insecurities that would lead him to a place of despair.
Editorial Reviews
"A candid new book explores Anthony Bourdain's trials. . . . [A] gritty, well-researched new biography." ― The Economist
"An unvarnished account of a turbulent life. . . . Grittier than anything we've read about him before. . . . [Leerhsen] is not here, though, to discredit or dismiss his subject. His admiration for Bourdain is nearly always apparent. . . .[Bourdain] would have admired the author's guts." -- Dwight Garner ― The New York Times
"This isn't an official Bourdain product or a hagiography. . . . This one is thoroughly researched and painstakingly detailed." -- Kara Baskin ― Boston Globe
"Seeing what the chef, writer and TV host saw on his last day alive in 2018 is only part of Leerhsen's exhaustive research for the book. . . . The impressionistic portrait that emerges is of a complex man who combined swagger and spiky cool with deep insecurity, neediness and image-consciousness. . . . [An] unvarnished biography." -- Mark Kennedy ― Associated Press
"Filled with fresh, intimate details, including raw, anguished texts from the days before Mr. Bourdain's death. . . . Drawing on more than 80 interviews, and files, texts and emails from Mr. Bourdain's phone and laptop, the journalist Charles Leerhsen traces Mr. Bourdain's metamorphosis from a sullen teenager in a New Jersey suburb . . . [to] a uniquely talented interpreter of the world through his travels." -- Kim Severson ― The New York Times
"Peels back the veneer of the Bourdain brand. . . . Leerhsen shares salacious details, but with an air of respect toward his much-beloved subject. . . . Bourdain's life reads like a cautionary tale of a man who wished for something-and got it. . . . The world is better for his work, but at such a devastating price." ― Booklist
"With zesty verve and material from more than 80 interviews, the author dramatically unfolds an entertaining, ultimately tragic tale. . . A chatty, quick-witted portrait of a complicated, tormented man." ― Kirkus Reviews
"[A] well-researched, thoughtful examination of the late Bourdain. . . . Leerhsen's page-turner provides a well-rounded portrait of Bourdain, acknowledging his many faults as well as his empathy, work ethic, and creativity." ― Library Journal
"A three-dimensional view of a man who cultivated authenticity while he was alive, relayed with similarly frank humor." ― ...
"An unvarnished account of a turbulent life. . . . Grittier than anything we've read about him before. . . . [Leerhsen] is not here, though, to discredit or dismiss his subject. His admiration for Bourdain is nearly always apparent. . . .[Bourdain] would have admired the author's guts." -- Dwight Garner ― The New York Times
"This isn't an official Bourdain product or a hagiography. . . . This one is thoroughly researched and painstakingly detailed." -- Kara Baskin ― Boston Globe
"Seeing what the chef, writer and TV host saw on his last day alive in 2018 is only part of Leerhsen's exhaustive research for the book. . . . The impressionistic portrait that emerges is of a complex man who combined swagger and spiky cool with deep insecurity, neediness and image-consciousness. . . . [An] unvarnished biography." -- Mark Kennedy ― Associated Press
"Filled with fresh, intimate details, including raw, anguished texts from the days before Mr. Bourdain's death. . . . Drawing on more than 80 interviews, and files, texts and emails from Mr. Bourdain's phone and laptop, the journalist Charles Leerhsen traces Mr. Bourdain's metamorphosis from a sullen teenager in a New Jersey suburb . . . [to] a uniquely talented interpreter of the world through his travels." -- Kim Severson ― The New York Times
"Peels back the veneer of the Bourdain brand. . . . Leerhsen shares salacious details, but with an air of respect toward his much-beloved subject. . . . Bourdain's life reads like a cautionary tale of a man who wished for something-and got it. . . . The world is better for his work, but at such a devastating price." ― Booklist
"With zesty verve and material from more than 80 interviews, the author dramatically unfolds an entertaining, ultimately tragic tale. . . A chatty, quick-witted portrait of a complicated, tormented man." ― Kirkus Reviews
"[A] well-researched, thoughtful examination of the late Bourdain. . . . Leerhsen's page-turner provides a well-rounded portrait of Bourdain, acknowledging his many faults as well as his empathy, work ethic, and creativity." ― Library Journal
"A three-dimensional view of a man who cultivated authenticity while he was alive, relayed with similarly frank humor." ― ...
Readers Top Reviews
Biography LoverOn
Finally, what fans of Anthony Bourdain have been waiting for -- a real biography! Drawing from thorough reporting (check out those end notes!), the author creates a three-dimensional portrait of the man many of us felt was our friend -- likable as ever, complicated, flawed, vulnerable, passionate. With authority, sensitivity, and humor, Leerhsen clearly admires his subject -- his curiosity, like Bourdain's own about the world around him, is a reflection of that respect. A must-read.
(trying to be an.
Down and Out in Paradise is terrific. I finished it in one weekend (even with 3 screaming kids around). Always been a big fan of his show so it was an easy book to pick up but wasn't expecting all of the detail that wasn't in Kitchen Confidential. All around great book / well researched / super engaging. Throw on the white noise and settle in for this one.
avid reader(tryin
I'm so glad I read this book as it brings closure and understanding. As a therapist with 30 years ex,I see how Anthony got involved in a needy, obsessive, relationship with someone who could not return or relate to his need. Thousands ,if not millions of people go through this.Usually in their 20s. Wish he had sought professional help.
Peter Gleekelavid
I perplexed by complaints about a bio whose author approaches its topic exactly as Bourdain approached his--clear-eyed, truth-seeking, empathetic, and even funny while still single-minded in his desire to understand what the hell happened to Bourdain. Like millions of other fans, I was shocked by his suicide, and like everyone else wanted to know what could push this guy with everything to end his life. With exhaustive reporting, Leerhsen managed to untie the knots of Bourdain's story (as well as one can from outside Bourdain's head) including the gritty painful parts, the tortured human connections that feel so cliché and dumb no one wants to admit how bad they hurt. Some of the last texts are so intimate it does feel voyeuristic to read them, but they are presented with enough consideration and empathy to feel important, exactly the kind of no BS truth telling that was Bourdain's brand. I am glad I read the book. Guys like him are built not to admit they need help--such a cliché to be depressed, right?--but this book does help understand how he got to that senseless despair. Leerhsen did exactly what a biographer is supposed to do, exactly the way Bourdain would have done it himself. Highly recommend.
SuziePeter Gleeke
One gets the impression that Anthony Bourdain, at a fairly early age, knew less about himself and more of who/what he wanted to be. As opposed to pursuing self knowledge, true happiness, or acceptance, he pursued pleasure in the form of drugs, creative accomplishment, and celebrity. I did not sense this man had much of a moral compass, groundedness, or true empathy for others...at least not from this biography. If you like the author's voice you will like this book. If you don't, you will hate it.
