Candyfreak
Steve Almond
Narrated by Oliver Wyman
2004
6 hours and 48 minutes
********************
It’s amazing that I made it through this book without eating a candy bar. Because it was pretty much all candy, all the time. Steve Almond is obsessed with candy…and he embraces his candy freakishness. He eats it every day. He stockpiles it. He obsesses over the stuff..the taste, how it’s made, everything. And he shares it all (and more) in this book. Good thing he’s a funny guy.
I listened to this on audio, so it’s hard to give details about the book (if my memory is poor when it comes to reading, it’s just plain old crap when it comes to audio). However, I can tell you that Almond is hilarious, and the narrator is a perfect match for Almond’s self-deprecating humor. I particularly liked the second half of the book, in which Almond talks about his week-long frenzied journey to visit some regional candy manufacturers. Almond stayed away from the Big Three in Candy Land…Hershey’s, Nestle and Mars. Instead, he focused on the little guys, whose products may not be that well known outside of a particular geographic area.
He went to Boise to visit the manufacturer of the Idaho Spud. Yes, it’s a candy bar that’s supposed to look like a potato. I’ve heard of them, but never tried one.
He stopped by Valomilk, a very small company that makes what I’m imagining to be the marshmallow version of a peanut butter cup.
Then there was Palmer Candy, maker of the Twin Bing…which is some sort of of cherry filled candy thingie. The thought makes me a little nauseous, since anything cherry flavored (other than the real fruit,, which I actually like) reminds me of cough syrup. The later visual comparison to testicles also didn’t help. I can honestly say I will die happy if I never come across this candy bar in person.
Annabelle Candy is in my neck of the woods, and although I’ve never been a fan of either the Abba-Zaba or the Big Hunk (waaaaaaay too chewy for me…I always feel like my teeth are being pulled out, or are in danger of breaking off), Hamburger loves them, Abba-Zaba in particular (a strip of vanilla taffy with a peanut butter center). I found it ironic that Annabelle Candy is based in Hayward, California…which is where his parents were from. It’s like his DNA has a candy homing instinct or something.
Anyways, hearing about how these small companies have survived, and how they actually make their candy bars was fascinating. Earlier in the book, Almond also visited Five Star, which makes gourmet candy bars that sound absolutely delicious, and I was seriously jealous over the free samples that he was scoring right and left. But by the time he got to the Twin Bing, I was okay with NOT getting the free samples. Although if the Idaho Candy Company wanted to send me a free sample I wouldn’t say no. I’m kinda curious about what a chocolate wanna-be potato tastes like.
Kim at Sophisticated Dorkiness has also read this book. Her review obsesses (a little) less over the candy and talks more about the book itself. In other words, it’s a heck of a lot better than this post.
OMG, my family is from Boise, and every year for Christmas, my great aunt and uncle give everyone an Idaho Spud. I love them, but my parents hate them, so I always get three
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Rachel´s last [type] ..Spotlight: BEA Books
I’ve heard they can be pretty sweet. Which probably wouldn’t be a problem for me.
softdrink´s last [type] ..Kamchatka
I think I need to find this on audio. Sounds hilarious!
Amanda´s last [type] ..a couple new challenges
Damn. My library doesn’t have it on audio. I put it on hold in print form though. Hopefully it’s just as funny that way, even though I prefer nonfic on audio.
Amanda´s last [type] ..a couple new challenges
Darn library. Too bad audible books aren’t lendable!
softdrink´s last [type] ..Kamchatka
This reminds me of the show on the food network that is pretty much all about how candy is made. It sounds like something that I would love, and even though I don’t eat a lot of candy these days, I am still fascinated by how it’s made and the cool stories behind it. I might have to read this one. Great review, Jill!
zibilee´s last [type] ..Miss Timmins’ School for Girls by Nayana Currimbhoy — 512 pgs
I’ve seen that show! And it is a lot like that, only funnier.
softdrink´s last [type] ..Kamchatka
Yeah, I wouldn’t make it. My ass would grow to gargantuan proportions just reading.
Andi´s last [type] ..Monday Reading – Dipping and Diving
Hah! But there are some candies that didn’t sound all the great. Although most did…
softdrink´s last [type] ..Kamchatka
Sounds like a fun book!!! The cravings might be a little much.
Beth F´s last [type] ..Imprint Extra: David Anthony and the Mixing of Genres
I’m not a big marshmallow fan, so that pretty much saved me, since a lot of the candy bars had marshmallow centers. The agar agar description helped, too.
softdrink´s last [type] ..Kamchatka
Yah, now I would kill for a big hunk of candy bar goodiness.
I’m afraid I can’t help you there.
softdrink´s last [type] ..Kamchatka
This book sounds…….interesting? haha
celawerd´s last [type] ..Abhorsen “Trilogy”; books
But it was! And delicious, too.
softdrink´s last [type] ..Kamchatka
I am sure that this is not the time for me to be reading this! I have a hard enough time not eating a candy bar every day as it is. I’m down to, like, 5 days a week
stacy´s last [type] ..Monday Movie Meme – Epic Battle
The author eats at least one a day, so you’re doing better than he is. Of course, the bastard has super-metabolism.
softdrink´s last [type] ..Kamchatka
I LOVE Idaho Spud’s. Hard to find, but totally worth it
I think I want this book on audio now. What a totally unique one.
Amused´s last [type] ..Mailbox Monday: June 27th, 2011
I’m pretty sure I’ve never seen them in a CA store. Ohh, I have a friend who’ll be going to Couer d’Alene soon…I need to recruit her as a buyer.
softdrink´s last [type] ..Kamchatka
I think your review is quite tasty!
bybee´s last [type] ..Canadian Book Challenge 4: The Road Past Altamont – Gabrielle Roy
Thanks!
softdrink´s last [type] ..Kamchatka
I read this a few years back – I remember it was a fun book to read, and wish I got to try the candies mentioned! I didn’t grow up in the US so a lot of them were unfamiliar to me, but still made me drool…
christa @ mental foodie´s last [type] ..When to review?
VALOMILK is in KANSAS!!! I’ve BEEN there! I think. I know I went to a candy factory on a school trip once.
Still, how does some guy get away with writing a book – a readable enjoyable book – about candy passion? Life aint fair. Then again, how did Joyce create something that inspires such obsession-crazed fanatics? I really need to find a more exciting life. I am way too dull.
Care´s last [type] ..Tuesday Topicals June 28, 2011
I know! I need to find a bizarre fascination to write about. Oh wait…I’d need to learn to write, first!
softdrink´s last [type] ..Kamchatka
Requested! This one sounds like fun, though I’ll have to work on my willpower before loading up my iPod…
Erin´s last [type] ..Thoughts on “Mr. Chartwell” by Rebecca Hunt
Ever since my mowing the lawn and laughing to Tina Feys Bossypants I have craved more funny audio…. I want this one and wonder where my review will fall, more candyish… or more bookish…. hmmmm
Perhaps I can eat candy while reviewing….
Sheila (Bookjourney)´s last [type] ..Miss Timmins’ School For Girls by Nayana Currimbhoy
Just ordered off audible.
Sheila (Bookjourney)´s last [type] ..Miss Timmins’ School For Girls by Nayana Currimbhoy
I remember wanting to try almost all the candies of the small manufactures he visited (don’t remember the particular feelings about each though.)
I also remember near the beginning of the book he had a list of the candies he hated, including a hilarious bashing of Peeps that I wish I could recall.
Christy´s last [type] ..Update and all that
Great post. I haven’t hard of any of these.
Ann
Sounds like such a fun book. I wonder if I have a Kit Kat in the cupboard.
I am really thinking of having a candy and I do not have anything here! You have lot of will-power to really have gone through this fun-book without having one
Veens´s last [type] ..Shorty Talks: Briar Rose by Kim Antieau
I’m impressed that you were able to get through this book without a trip to the candy store to stock up on something deliciously chocolatey.
This book sounds like something that I wouldn’t mind reading if I came across it. I don’t know all that much about the making of the deliciously sugary confections that I enjoy so much.
How have I never heard of an Idaho Spud or Valomilk? Both look insanely good (particularly the Vaolmilk — Reece’s cup with marshmellow… what?!?)! I completely feel the same way about Big Hunks, “I always feel like my teeth are being pulled out, or are in danger of breaking off.” I actually feel way too nervous while eating them (which is why I’ve only ever had one).
Wallace´s last [type] ..Got Magazines?
i LOVE this book and have read it a few times. i’ve also used it in my classroom (portions of it, anyway) for a nonfiction piece to prove nonfic can be fun and funny. i usually introduce the unit on this book with a blindfolded candy taste test. i buy a bunch of crazy candy bars, cut them up, and have the kids taste test them to see if they can identify them by taste and texture alone. they LOVE it and enjoy the excerpts of the book, too.
natalie @book, line, and sinker´s last [type] ..The Time Scott Brick Called Me