Stanley Park

Jeremy is a chef in Vancouver and owns his own small restaurant, with the focus being on local food; however, he has run up a lot of bills to make a go of this place, and it's catching up to him. His dad is an anthropology professor, conducting a study of homeless people in Stanley Park. The Professor is also interested in a murder of two children, a cold case from the late 40s/early 50s.

Some parts were more interesting than others. It was the unsolved murder that drew me to the book to begin with, but there was so little about it in the book, and past the initial description of it (apparently, this really is a cold case in Vancouver), what was there just didn't hold my interest very much. The food aspect of the book didn't do anything for me (in fact, I wouldn't have eaten a single thing mentioned in the book, but then, I'm not at all adventurous with food), although the restaurant part got more interesting as the story went on. The Professor and his homeless friends were pretty boring, I thought. Overall, despite my mostly negative comments, I'd consider the book "o.k.", but nothing more.

Very well written, it grabbed my attention from the beginning, with a spot-on description of the title locale. The author has done a fantastic job in bringing to life the chaos and heartache that is the life of a chef, along with the joys and passion. The research that must have gone into this work is impressive.

This book was a great read. I enjoyed the blend of culinary delights, Stanley Park inhabitants, and an unsolved murder mystery.

This novel seemed so promising with a link to the mystery of two young children murdered in Vancouver's Stanley Park in the 1950s. The story focuses around a chef, Jeremy, and his father, an anthropologist doing his fieldwork by living among the habitants of Stanley Park. The Professor's main drive is to figure out the mystery of the murders, but this fascinating story gets pushed back when the author spends too much time detailing restaurant menus.

What a joy to explore the Vancouver culinary scene and deep core of Stanley Park at the same time. The dreams, struggles and triumphs of Jeremy and his father. Loved every minute reading it!

Who knew books by Canadian authors could be this good. Good story, lots to think about, wonderful descriptions of food and a description of a typical Vancouver sunset that was spot on. I liked Jeremy, but why did he have to drink so much? Satisfying ending; everybody got their just desserts!

I absolutely adored this book! Having grown up on the same street and areas that the author so profoundly depicts, brought up a sensation of naustalgia beyond any other... Thank you for having celebrated our city in such a tasteful manner.

This is a good book. I found it very interesting to read how Taylor describes different parts of the city, and I felt hungry while reading the story of Chef Papier...I found the story of the homeless living in Stanley Park sometimes a bit confusing, but in general, I enjoyed the book.

Contrary to the earlier reviewer, I think this book has several good hooks, if hooks are what a book needs. The cooking alone is enough to make me read on, and Jeremy's perilous kite manoeuvres with the various credit cards which are financing his restaurant make my palms sweat with fright. But beyond the art and the practicalities, the story has a mysterious,mystical quality that I find completely engaging. It gives pleasure to all the senses and a creeping tingle to the scalp. This is a great book, full of energy, without pretension.

This is one heck of a good book, from start to finish. I couldn't put it down, and didn't want to. It was so wonderfully written, so carefully plotted, I wish more people would write books like this. Bravo!

Generally I found this book a little edgy, its continual references to Vancouver and its various locations seemed a little contrived and strained. Its central character development seemed a little weak. Generally I found this book to be a little hard to come back to. Stanley Park lacked the necessary "Hook" that all sucessful books must have in order to catch and hold its readers. As far as a Canadian book is concerned I feel that Stanley Park ranks in the lower spectrum of literary indevour.