- Hardcover: 288 pages
- Publisher: Tor Books; First Edition edition (Aug 1996)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0312861672
- ISBN-13: 978-0312861674
- Product Dimensions: 20.8 x 14.7 x 2.8 cm
- Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (1 customer review)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 489,230 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- See Complete Table of Contents
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
3 of 9 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
A book filled with interesting ideas, but as in the only other "Sector General" book I've read, the dialogue is clunky (almost all of it being, contextually, machine-translated might excuse this, but no mention is made of the general defects of the translators) and ultra-expository, and the characters foam-core if not cardboard. The "messages" of the book might as well be bold-faced or all-caps, much as I agree with them; I can easily see another reader (who might happily wend his way through Pournellography that would make me cringe) want to through this book against the wall at regular intervals....
That being said, it reminds me of the (usually worn, paperbacked) s.f. from the Forties and Fifties on which I grew up, though better-done than most of that. Perhaps my mind is clouded by nostalgia, and regret that I had never heard of the author until his death, but I find that I usually overlook the book's flaws whilst reading it. I think I'll read more of these.
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com:
9 reviews
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Another great "First Contact" novel
28 Mar 1999
Format:Paperback
Once again James White gives us a novel where we see the action through the eyes of an interesting alien character, Gurronsevas, the great gourmet chef. As with Lorien in *The Genocidal Healer*, Gurronsevas is allowed to learn and grow -- always to be welcomed in fiction. I've read all the previous Sector General books I love the fact that the aliens are fully people in their own right and humans don't always hog the limelight. The official reviews are correct about the humor. (The exchange two aliens have over an old human saying cracked me up.) I really enjoyed reading about Gurronsevas' role in the first contact situation and the people he tried to help. I did have one minor problem with the book, though: it was too easy to figure out what was going on (although there were a couple of things I didn't see coming). However, I'm 44 years old and I have over 30 years' experience reading SF and mysteries. Even if you're another "old" fan, don't worry. The book is well worth your time even when you're mildly irritated at the characters for taking so long to catch on. Ann E. Nichols
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
"I have yet to earn their respect..."
30 Aug 2005
Format:Paperback
James White isn't a well-known sci-fi name, despite the huge sales of his delightful "Sector General" series. His books aren't flashy; there's little violence, even less sex, and no coarse language. But when it comes to writing thought-provoking, inventive, and just plain entertaining stories, in my opinion White is up there with Asimov and Heinlein.
In all the Galactic Federation there is not a more revered and honored chef than Gurronsevas, whose culinary talents are well-known by every species. He can easily command any salary in any of the most prestigious hotels and resorts in the galaxy, but after a lifetime of cooking for the rich and powerful, he finds to his horror that he is growing bored. What he needs is a challenge, and what bigger challenge could there be for a chef than the kitchens of the gigantic, awesome, famous and infamous Sector General Hospital?
The challenge proves a whopper even for this legend. How, for instance, can Gurronsevas improve the meals of beings that breathe chlorine, when one whiff of their air would poison him? How can he prepare a feast for someone whose mind contains the consciousness of more than one species, none of whom eat the same thing? And how can he navigate the delicate and fragile world of a multi-species hospital when he's built like an elephant? This last one gets him into one scrape too many, and it is in disgrace that he is sent on a dangerous final mission: Convince the population of a dying world to stop starving themselves to death. Can the greatest cook in the universe save an entire planet?
The problems are interesting, the solutions ingenious, and as always with White the journey fun and fascinating. All his books are page-turners, and this one's no exception. And while tenth in the "Sector General" series, "The Galactic Gourmet" is a stand-alone and can be read by a newcomer. If you like this, please get ahold of the first three "Sector General" novels, often sold together in an omnibus. While the beginning of the series deals more with the medical aspect of White's brilliant creation, all the tales of "Sector General" are worth reading. Please don't let this one pass you by!
GRADE: B+/A-
In all the Galactic Federation there is not a more revered and honored chef than Gurronsevas, whose culinary talents are well-known by every species. He can easily command any salary in any of the most prestigious hotels and resorts in the galaxy, but after a lifetime of cooking for the rich and powerful, he finds to his horror that he is growing bored. What he needs is a challenge, and what bigger challenge could there be for a chef than the kitchens of the gigantic, awesome, famous and infamous Sector General Hospital?
The challenge proves a whopper even for this legend. How, for instance, can Gurronsevas improve the meals of beings that breathe chlorine, when one whiff of their air would poison him? How can he prepare a feast for someone whose mind contains the consciousness of more than one species, none of whom eat the same thing? And how can he navigate the delicate and fragile world of a multi-species hospital when he's built like an elephant? This last one gets him into one scrape too many, and it is in disgrace that he is sent on a dangerous final mission: Convince the population of a dying world to stop starving themselves to death. Can the greatest cook in the universe save an entire planet?
The problems are interesting, the solutions ingenious, and as always with White the journey fun and fascinating. All his books are page-turners, and this one's no exception. And while tenth in the "Sector General" series, "The Galactic Gourmet" is a stand-alone and can be read by a newcomer. If you like this, please get ahold of the first three "Sector General" novels, often sold together in an omnibus. While the beginning of the series deals more with the medical aspect of White's brilliant creation, all the tales of "Sector General" are worth reading. Please don't let this one pass you by!
GRADE: B+/A-
My Favorite Book!
9 Jan 2011
Format:Paperback
Of all the books I've read, this one was the most difficult to put down - a fantastic novel with a story that really sucks you in and flows well. Also, this is the only book that has ever made me laugh out loud. It's the only Sector General novel I've ever read, but after all these years it remains my favorite book. Treat yourself to this entertaining story and enjoy the ride!
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