Julia Child: A Life

Written by Laura Shapiro

Narrated by Julia Prud'homme

The delicious life of one of the most beloved figures in twentieth-century American culture. With a swooping voice, an incredible sense of humor, and a passion for good food, Julia Child ushered in the nation’s culinary renaissance. In Julia Child, award-winning food writer Laura Shapiro tells the story of Child’s unlikely career path, from California party girl to coolheaded chief clerk in World War II spy station to bewildered amateur cook and finally to the Cordon Bleu in Paris, the school that inspired her calling. A food lover who was quintessentially American, right down to her little-known recipe for classic tuna fish casserole, Shapiro’s Julia Child personifies her own most famous lessons, that learning how to cook means learning how to live.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Listen & Live Audio
• Release date: Feb 15, 2025
• ISBN: 9781593164959

Reviews for Julia Child

[Lauren Schnoebelen · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This was such a fun and heart warming story. Being someone who was born shortly before her passing, I never got to experience this moment in American culture. Listening to this story and how impactful she was in trying to teach Americans to value a cooked meal as well as pushing more women to be chefs was exactly what I needed. It was definitely a surprise though to hear the chapter on her homophonic views and how they influenced her relationships with well known gay chefs in America. Being someone who loves a good book on food and the culture surrounding it, I highly suggest taking a listen.

[Dee Wallace · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

An excellent read for anyone who desires a more intimate look at one of the world’s most beloved kitchen masters! The narrator captures the wit and passion of a Julia and endeared Julia even more to me. Two very enthusiastic thumbs up!

[librarycin · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

3.5 stars

This is a (short) biography of Julia Child, though the bulk of it does focus on her career, food, and cooking. Julia, of course, learned to cook in France, and she was not a natural at it! She later wrote cookbooks and hosted tv shows. Her first tv show in the ‘50s was very popular and it catapulted her to stardom. People loved her. Though the cooking may have been more work than housewives wanted at the time (when convenience foods were becoming popular), Julia insisted her show wasn’t for housewives, anyway.

I listened to the audio, which was entertaining. The narrator did a decent job of Julia’s voice, I think. It didn’t sound exactly, but I can’t say for sure, as I’ve never watched Julia’s shows. I am also not “into” cooking, so the detailed descriptions of cooking and food might be of more interest to someone who does like cooking and/or is more of a “foodie” than I am. It was unfortunate to learn of Julia’s homophobia, although I suppose she was a product of her time (even though she and her husband, Paul, knew and were friends with gay people).

[jimocracy · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I really, really admire Julia Child more than ever and I want to learn more about her!

[juva_3 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Loved this biography. Short and easy to get into. Julia's life is so charming and inspirational. The author makes a point of describing the tone and atmosphere of Julia's TV episodes too. I felt like I really got to know her.

[kristysp · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I enjoyed what I read of this book, but then I realized that it was essentially the same stories I read in My Life in France--which was a really wonderful book. And I read My Life in France too recently to feel like re-reading these stories, you know?

[satyridae · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Delightful short biography of The French Chef. I had no idea Child was in the OSS, but she was- and she kept her signaling mirror in her kitchen drawer ever after, just in case. Lots of fascinating facts, warmly told. Too short by half.