Community Reviews

Rating(4.2 / 5.0, 45 votes)
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45 reviews
July 15,2025
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The Gerald Samper saga persists. The ghostwriter of Cooking with Fernet Branca has returned to his campy antics. This time, he is exposed by Hamilton-Paterson. In his first book, his homosexuality was not as blatant, despite his interests in cooking, design, and devastating Queer Eye judgments.

His current mission is to undermine the fame of his latest subject, Millie, the one-armed granny who set a record for sailing around the world. Apparently, Millie was a difficult person whose newfound fame had a negative impact on her personality. Even worse, she wrecked a major oceanographic mission that Gerald's boyfriend was involved in. Much hilarity unfolds as Gerald tricks Millie into fully embracing a New Age ideology, convincing her that she is one with the Ocean goddess by presenting her with a sonar image of a huge "face" and undersea recordings of babble.

The book falls short in comparison to Fernet Brance as there is no suitable counterpart to Gerald like Marta was in that book. We are aware that Gerald is unreliable, but it would have been a better narrative choice to have that unreliability uncovered by another character.
July 15,2025
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I am truly and deeply sorry that there are no longer any more books about Gerald Samper available. I have developed an intense love for this character. The writing style is not only wonderfully witty but also extremely clever, which constantly keeps me engaged and entertained. The imaginary operas he creates are nothing short of brilliant, opening up a whole new world of imagination for me.


However, I have to admit that I have learned to skip reading his recipes. The reason is that they somehow make my stomach queasy. But just imagine receiving a dinner invitation from him! It would surely be an experience like no other, filled with his unique charm and creativity.


Despite the disappointment of not having more books, I will always cherish the ones I have read and the memories they have brought me. Gerald Samper has truly left an indelible mark on my literary journey.

July 15,2025
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I had adored the first book to such an extent that I simply needed to continue the wonderful experience with the follow-up.

The fact that it had the same characters made it even more enticing. These characters had already become like old friends to me, and I couldn't wait to see what new adventures awaited them.

Moreover, the same jovial read was another aspect that drew me in. The light-hearted and humorous tone of the first book had brought a smile to my face countless times, and I was eager to experience that same joy once again.

As I picked up the follow-up, I was filled with anticipation. I knew that I was in for another great ride with these beloved characters and their entertaining escapades.

I settled in, ready to lose myself in the pages and continue the journey that had begun with the first book.
July 15,2025
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Better than the first of the trio, this one truly stands out as the funniest. It is laugh-out-loud funny, capable of eliciting genuine laughter from the reader. Just like Fernet Branca, which has its own unique charm, this piece is well-written and incredibly easy to read. It is filled with wit and warmth, creating a delightful reading experience. I was truly sad when I reached its end, as if I had to part ways with a dear friend. However, that sadness was quickly lifted when I discovered the third and last installment of the series. It gave me hope that there was more to come, more laughter and more wonderful moments to be had. I can't wait to dive into the final part and see how the story concludes.

July 15,2025
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I'm going to have to write a review soon.

It's truly essential that more people become acquainted with Gerald Samper.

He is an absolute comic genius. His ability to make people laugh with his unique brand of humor is simply outstanding.

Every time I watch his performances, I find myself in stitches.

His comedic timing is impeccable, and his jokes land with precision.

Gerald Samper has a way of seeing the absurdity in everyday life and turning it into hilarious comedy.

He has a large following, but he definitely deserves to be more widely known.

I can't wait to share my thoughts about him in my review and introduce this amazing comic to a larger audience.

Hopefully, more people will discover the joy that Gerald Samper brings with his comedy.
July 15,2025
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I absolutely adored the first book, Cooking with Fernet Branca. It was truly a gem that left a lasting impression on me.

This latest installment, however, was highly anticipated but unfortunately turned out to be a disappointment. The absence of Marta was a significant drawback as she provided the narrational counterpoint that added so much fun and charm to the first book. Without her, something felt lacking in the overall narrative.

Nevertheless, there were still moments of lovely snarky British humor that managed to shine through. These little闪光点reminded me of the brilliance of the first book and gave me hope that perhaps future installments might recapture that magic. But for now, I can't help but feel a bit let down by this particular offering.

July 15,2025
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Effete snob Gerald Samper has made his return once more. He is a writer and a loner, but one has to wonder if those two qualities are truly distinct. Somehow, despite his efforts to seclude himself in his Italian mountain eyrie, he still manages to land himself in hilarious scrapes. In "Amazing Disgrace," the follow-up to Hamilton-Paterson's delightful "Cooking with Fernet Branca," I discovered that there was something lacking. Maybe I desired more recipes of Samper's outrageous culinary endeavors, or perhaps it was because Samper's pretentiousness seemed less humorous and far more aggravating. Nonetheless, H-P writes with a zest that I struggle to find anywhere else. It is precisely this particular brand of English sarcasm that I simply cannot get enough of.


Gerald Samper's character is both entertaining and frustrating. His attempts to isolate himself only seem to lead to more comical situations. The new book, "Amazing Disgrace," while not quite as satisfying as its predecessor, still has its moments. The writing style of Hamilton-Paterson is engaging and full of life. The use of English sarcasm adds a unique flavor to the story. However, the lack of certain elements, such as more detailed recipes or a more likable portrayal of Samper, leaves something to be desired. Overall, it is an interesting read that will appeal to fans of the author's previous work.

July 15,2025
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A highly anticipated novel, this serves as the sequel to the delightfully irreverent Cooking with Fernet Branca. Once more, Gerald Samper makes his return, demeaning his talent (as he would put it) by ghostwriting the biography of a one-armed, record-breaking yachtswoman, the brutally ambitious Millie Cleat.


Regrettably, a great deal of the magic present in the first novel is absent here. The inspired madness of the initial book stemmed from the combative relationship between Gerald and his neighbour Marta. In this installment, there is an excessive amount of stage setting, and insufficient time is dedicated to the odious Millie or to the comedic set pieces that were so successful the first time around.


For those approaching this book for the first time, they may still find enjoyment in it. However, my recommendation is to commence with Fernet Branca.

July 15,2025
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This is a very witty follow-up to Cooking with Fernet Branca. There is a lot less discussion of food in this installment, but the meals are still just as weird. The main character, Gerry, is more fully developed in this book. He is one cynical, snarky, sick, and wickedly funny guy.



Gerry is sick of his career as a biographer to sports stars. This is mostly due to his disdain for his sports star clients. In this book, his main client is a one-armed, grandmother yachtswoman who is eager to be famous. She makes an excellent target for Gerry's cynicism and wit. Through his work with her, he meets other characters that allow him to show more of his personality.



The situations he gets himself into are laugh-out-loud funny. I'm not typically into bathroom humor, but Hamilton-Paterson manages to make it a bit more cerebral. And what's with the PowRTabs, Gerry?



Overall, this book is a great read. It's full of humor, interesting characters, and strange situations. I am really looking forward to the third book in this series to see what adventures Gerry will get himself into next.

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