The Ex-Boyfriend Cookbook: They Came, They Cooked, They Left (But We Ended Up with Some Great Recipes)

by Erin Ergenbright and Thisbe Nissen

Every time we tell someone about this book we get puzzled grins, raised eyebrows, and hilarious guesses as to what on earth The Ex-Boyfriend Cookbook might possibly be. Every time we tell a guy about it, he becomes instantly intent on doing pretty much anything if it'll get him into the book. One boy (who swears he only went out with Thisbe in order to get a recipe named after him) found out he'd missed the print deadline by a hair but that the cover...

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0060185201
• ISBN13: 9780060185206
• Release Date: June 2002
• Publisher: William Morrow & Company
• Length: 192 Pages
• Weight: 1.35 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 6.3" x 8.9"

Customer Reviews

Much Needed Praise

I've read the reviews, and I think some of you completely missed the point of the book. It is not supposed to be a deep novel of some sort. Nor is it supposed to be a gormet cookbook. It is a cute, fun book that combines the two biggest passions of women: men and food. It's just meant to make you smile. Thisbe Nissen graduated from the writer's workshop at the University of Iowa. For those of you who don't know, this workshop is higly respected and highly competitive. Writers such as Kurt Vonnegut taught there. So, Thisbe Nissen is no stranger to critiques and if she were a terrible writer there is no way she would have been admitted to such an elite program. To those of you who haven't read the book and are just reading the reviews, don't be fooled by what some people have posted. Thisbe Nissen and Erin Ergenbright are beautiful writiers. If you are looking for a book to make you crack a smile or even make you laugh a little, give it a shot. At the very least you'll end up with some simple, tasty treats.

a great book

I checked this book out of the library and ended up buying it. it's great. the recipes are easy, but the stories are what make this book worth the buy. it's more like a collection of short stories than a cookbook. I swear I've dated some of those guys. a big screw you to the bad reviews...this book was great.

That Which Doesn't Kill Us, Leaves Us With Great Recipes!

I heard the authors being interviewed on NPR and knew I had to get this book! They share stories from all stages of their lives, add great recipes and always make you wonder if a woman really had to endure these males. During the interview, they came clean that not all the stories came from them, but some happened to a 'freind-of-a-friend'. The fun part is trying to figure out which is which. Knowing that the two most powerful things in most of our lives are food and love, this is a clever twist on short stories. Each story has a complimentary recipe associated with it. All I have to say is you are bound to met interesting men while working at farms. (You'll have to read the stories) Who would have thought it could be such a pick-up place?!?!? I highly recommend this crafty culinary romp for the recipes and the stories. They will make you laugh, cringe, shake your head in belief (yes, not disbelief)and hungry!

It's on my Women's Lit reading list!

This book is not only humorous, it is smart. The authors have managed to put forth a work of post-feminism that puts the men in the kitchen. The short stories that accompany the recipes allow the authors the chance to muse on loves that have left their lives, but in no way have left them bitter or helpless. Instead, they have taken what was left and made it sweet--or in some cases savory! The Ex-Boyfriend Cookbook is on my reading list for the Women's Lit course I teach in fall.

Great idea, great book

Thisbe Nissen and Erin Ergenbright have really come upon a great idea for a book! The premise is great, their stories are fun, the recipes look great and the collage-illustrations add to the charm of this book. I have not yet tried these recipes, but they appeal to me, as a mother of two young children, because they seem relatively straight forward and only ask for a limited number of ingredients. I also appreciated the running commentary in the recipes, both for its entertainment value and because they seem to warn readers about potential issues that may arise when cooking these recipes. The authors' writing style is casual and humorous, making it a thoroughly enjoyable read. I definitely recommend this book both for its recipes and because it really is a great idea! I look forward to future books by this duo!