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There are currently 27 member reviews
for The Art of Baking Blind
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Cheryl
Disjointed novel
The Art of Baking Blind is a quick, brainless read, perfect for a beach or an airplane. The best way I can describe this book is disjointed - traveling back in time and when in the present - moving from character to character. It focused on the lives of a few of the characters much more than the others, even leaving an ending open for some of them. I suppose it would appeal to an avid baker, but without recipes, it would have limited value. Mostly I didn't like the ending of the book, finishing with an exchange that occurred before the main part of the book took place. I prefer a book with more depth and insight.
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Julie H. (Pine Grove, PA)
Light fare
This book was an engaging, light read. The descriptions of the 'bakes' were well written and one could picture (and almost smell) the goodness. The parallels between the baking competition and Mrs. Eaden's story were well done. However, I did feel that the characters were not fully developed; some of the storylines felt rushed and choppy. As a consequence, I did not feel connected to the story. Overall, entertaining, but not memorable.
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Donna W. (Lansing, NY)
The Art of Brits Baking Blind
I found that this book just couldn't fly in the U.S. I didn't find that I could appreciate the complexity of the baking challenges due to the fact that I didn't know what many of the food items were.
I thought I'd find the topic appealing, when in fact it just left me without further thought. The character development was nothing extraordinary or interesting, in my opinion.
Very disappointed, and just couldn't be compelled to finish it.......
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Lucy S. (Westford, MA)
Don't read this when you're hungry....
There was a contest to find the next Mrs. Eaden and at the beginning of each chapter was an excerpt from the cookbook she wrote - the prose was wonderfully descriptive of baking and beautifully written.
The characters of the book - the absent, late, Mrs. Eaden and all the contestants, all had back stories which made the book come alive. Some of the characters were developed more than others and I thought some of the character threads started, but not resolved.
Easy read, but in some parts just didn't feel complete. The theme of "things and people are not always how they appear" was strong throughout the book.
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Carol F. (Lake Linden, MI)
Good but predictable
Although I enjoyed this book I found that the story was pretty predictable from the start. The characters were somewhat cookie cutter in that it seemed like each was there for a particular outcome - one rich and thin, one struggling single Mom etc. I don't think this book would work for a discussion group because I'm not sure what you would actually discuss. I would put this book in the vacation or beach read category.
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Sheila S. (Supply, NC)
The Art of Baking Blind
The Art of Baking Blind really didn't do much for me. It was a pleasant read, nothing more. Perhaps if I had been an ardent foodie I would have found it more compelling. I was also unfamiliar with many of the names of the baked goods. Even though I have lived in England, I have never tasted a Battenburg or lardy cake nor laid eyes on a Chelsea bun. And millefeuille? Really? I thought that the characters were flat. Their personal issues, which they tried to overcome by throwing themselves into the baking competition, are pretty stereotypical of chick lit. I will not recommend this for my book club because I don't think that it would engender much of a discussion.
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