Part of my problem with this book was its tone. I wasn't prepared for the silliness. A bit of irreverence, sure--that's to be expected in a book about the production of poop--but this was something other than irreverence. I assume the goal was humor and clarity for the layman; the result was a book crowded with euphemisms, the entire thing seeming more suited for children than directed at adults. Of course I'm not suggesting it would be improved if it were more dry and dull (I'm not that old and boring), but perhaps my slightly scientific mind was a bit insulted by passages like this, regarding food poisoning by Salmonella:
"...It is better for the gut to flatly refuse entry to Salmonella, however rude that may seem. After a visit to the toilet or a retching session into a sick bag, you should not take them by the hand and show them what life is like in the outside world. They should be given the cold shoulder by washing with very hot water and soap to let them know: it's not you, it's me--I just can't deal with your clinging personality."
I don't know. Maybe I just don't have a sense of humor.
It's not like reading it was a complete waste of time, though. I did learn a few things, my favorites of which I have noted below:
1. Olive oil should be kept in the fridge. What?? I've never done that, and my olive oil has never gone bad. I even checked our current bottle in use and the label doesn't say a thing about refrigeration after opening. However, refrigeration of olive oil isn't to keep it from going bad: according to this book, it's to limit the number of free radicals it captures. (A side note: I also need a "You're Doing It Wrong" award. Olive oil should not be used for frying! Fine oils are too sensitive and are chemically altered by high heat.) No plans to change my beloved olive oil habits at this point but I am filing this info away just in case.
2. When you vomit, you might not only be expelling the contents of your stomach; the emesis could be composed of slush from the small intestine as well. Too gross for you? Come on, you had to expect to hear a few disgusting things, given the subject matter.
3. Speaking of disgusting things: fish and birds can vomit (there's a pretty picture), mice and horses can't.
1. Olive oil should be kept in the fridge. What?? I've never done that, and my olive oil has never gone bad. I even checked our current bottle in use and the label doesn't say a thing about refrigeration after opening. However, refrigeration of olive oil isn't to keep it from going bad: according to this book, it's to limit the number of free radicals it captures. (A side note: I also need a "You're Doing It Wrong" award. Olive oil should not be used for frying! Fine oils are too sensitive and are chemically altered by high heat.) No plans to change my beloved olive oil habits at this point but I am filing this info away just in case.
2. When you vomit, you might not only be expelling the contents of your stomach; the emesis could be composed of slush from the small intestine as well. Too gross for you? Come on, you had to expect to hear a few disgusting things, given the subject matter.
3. Speaking of disgusting things: fish and birds can vomit (there's a pretty picture), mice and horses can't.
And that's it... the end.
 |
| The final illustration of the book. THIS is the type of irreverence I can get on board with. |
My first job was in an Italian restaurant so I knew the bit about olive oil. Interesting, huh?
ReplyDeleteI would not enjoy this book. That snippet you included would have turned me away from it immediately. It reminded me a lot of the tone in that book What To Expect When You Are Expecting. I HATED that book and every pregnant woman on the planet read it at some point.