Aphrodite [Paperback]

Isabel Allende (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 3, 2005

From an internationally acclaimed author, this is a magical, fascinating book exploring the intimate relationship between food and sex. This book of recipes, sensuous stories, aphrodisiacs and lovers' spells is an irresistible fusion of Allende's favourite things. Lavishly illustrated, this fascinating, personal guide to all things erotic encompasses a multicultural history of seduction through food, ancient and modern stories and poems about sex and eating, titillating recipes and advice. Chapter titles include: Cooking in the Nude; The Spell of Smell; Death by Perfume; Table Manners; With the Tip of the Tongue; The Orgy; Sins of the Flesh; Love Potions, and Sauces and Other Essential Fluids.

Editorial Reviews

Review

'Just as the pleasures of eating can replace the pleasures of sex, so reading about food can provoke as much satisfaction as flicking through some soft porn. Isabel Allende's charming new book aims to reconcile the two appetites, offering sensual recipes to tempt jaded palates ! Not a pot-boiler; rather, a spicy word-salad ! Telling stories, playing verbal games and flirting with words like shuttlecocks, these are the real turn-on for Allende. In between offering up light, well-flavoured reminiscences sauced with humour she imparts a certain amount of kitchen lore and suggests new ways to make roast chicken romantic. A delightful book, juicy with affectionately prepared vignettes that turn out well every time like an expert chef's souffles.' Michele Roberts, The Times 'In her splendid, succulent and disconcerting study of erotology and foodstuffs ! [Allende's] focus is upon pleasure ! a spellbinding work, and ! insistently practical' Daily Telegraph 'The angels who inhabit Allende's previous books here turn into alluring aromas, mystifying the air ! She transports us into an altogether more agreeable place; a paradise of language' Observer 'A book to treasure and savour' Independent on Sunday 'A paean to living' Scotland on Sunday 'Just as the pleasures of eating can replace the pleasures of sex, so reading about food can provoke as much satisfaction as flicking through some soft porn. Isabel Allende's charming new book aims to reconcile the two appetites, offering sensual recipes to tempt jaded palates ! Not a pot-boiler; rather, a spicy word-salad ! Telling stories, playing verbal games and flirting with words like shuttlecocks, these are the real turn-on for Allende. In between offering up light, well-flavoured reminiscences sauced with humour she imparts a certain amount of kitchen lore and suggests new ways to make roast chicken romantic. A delightful book, juicy with affectionately prepared vignettes that turn out well every time like an expert chef's souffles.' Michele Roberts, The Times 'In her splendid, succulent and disconcerting study of erotology and foodstuffs ! [Allende's] focus is upon pleasure ! a spellbinding work, and ! insistently practical' Daily Telegraph 'The angels who inhabit Allende's previous books here turn into alluring aromas, mystifying the air ! She transports us into an altogether more agreeable place; a paradise of language' Observer 'A book to treasure and savour' Independent on Sunday 'A paen to living' Scotland on Sunday

About the Author

Isabel Allende was born in 1942, and is the niece of Salvador Allende, who went on to become famous as the elected President of Chile deposed in a CIA-backed coup. She worked as a journalist, playwright and children's writer in Chile until 1974 and then in Venezuela until 1984. Her first novel for adults, 'The House of the Spirits', was published in Spanish in 1982, beginning life as a letter to her dying grandfather. It was an international sensation, and ever since all her books have been acclaimed and adored in numberless translations worldwide.

Product Details

• Paperback: 368 pages
• Publisher: Harper Perennial (May 3, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0007205163
• ISBN-13: 978-0007205165
• Product Dimensions: 7.6 x 5 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,391,785 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Born in Peru and raised in Chile, Isabel Allende is the author of eight novels, including, most recently, Zorro, Portrait in Sepia, and Daughter of Fortune. She has also written a collection of stories; three memoirs, including My Invented Country and Paula; and a trilogy of children's novels. Her books have been translated into more than twenty-seven languages and have become bestsellers across four continents. In 2004 she was inducted into the American Academy of Arts and Letters. Isabel Allende lives in California.