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Mary M. (Beverly Hills, FL)
Perfect baking, perfect life
The five main characters in this book, four women and one man, contestants in a baking contest, all have imperfect lives. They all are trying, with limited success, to fulfill themselves, mask their self-perceived imperfections and faults, and make things "nice." They are all trying to give and receive love in some way or another. I found the characters to be fairly complex and their individual back stories mostly realistic, though the one man less so, and less time was spent on him. He seemed to be written in mostly as a potential love interest for one of the women. Motherhood is also a main theme in the book -
…more the drive to be a mother and it's subsequent demands trials and rewards. I am not a baker, though I am a cook, and I did find the intensity with which the characters baked somewhat unrealistic. But I cheered them on, and by the end of the book, all had found some happiness. Everything wrapped up a little too neatly, I felt, but it was a pleasant and easy read. (less)Five people are chosen to vie to be the New Mrs Eaden, an iconic baking personality of the 1960s. Their stories are interspersed with hers as the baking competition ensues. Filled with likable people and interesting backstories this novel is like a big, warm butter-and-vanilla-scented hug. There's no great mystery, the writing is enjoyable but not stellar, and it's not ground-breaking literary fiction, but baking fans will enjoy the heck out of this novel. The pastry descriptions in particular, will enthrall bakers. I would have loved to have seen some recipes included.
Cecilia Z. (Montclair, NJ)
All the right ingredients!
This is a thoroughly enjoyable read. It has all the right ingredients - a baking competition, enticing descriptions of delicious treats and an interesting group of characters, competing to be the next Mrs. Eaden, the author of the baker's bible, "The Art of Baking." I enjoyed the alternating sections from each character's point of view, especially those that go back in time to the original Mrs. Eaden. The heart of the book is the contrast between the perfect life Mrs. Eaden described through her recipes and the real struggles of the characters and how they are transformed by their love of baking. I would have
…more liked to see the characters developed a little more. Although interesting, they sometimes read like a list of problems. Otherwise, a very good read. (less)I wanted to like The Art of Baking Blind, but between the language barrier of British cooking terms and even some of the terms of everyday life, I lost interest as it became confusing for me and almost like it's own reality show Desperate Cooks of Britain. Except for all of the above, I think fans of Debbie Macomber will really enjoy this book.
Rebecca H. (Bolton, CT)
The Art of Baking Blind
Sarah Vaughan's Art of Baking Blind is a novel told from the multiple viewpoints of four women and one man who have entered a baking contest sponsored by an upscale supermarket chain. The wife of the supermarket owner, Kathleen Eaden, was the Martha Stewart of her time, 1960's Britain. The contest's winner will become the new "Mrs. Eaden." The novel follows the daily lives, relationships, joys and struggles of each of the five contestants as they practice and take part in the various stages of the contest. Interspersed with their stories are the journal entries of the original Mrs. Eaden, whose life was not as
…more picture-perfect as it appears.
Vaughan does a good job of drawing us into the characters' lives and hearts, and we find ourselves rooting for each contestant as we read about their desires, aspirations and difficulties. Unexpected crises arise for two of the front-runners as the contest's finale approaches, increasing the story's tension. I found the novel very engaging and the characters believable. A very enjoyable read. (less)I enjoyed this book and so will you if you are not looking for anything of real depth. I found myself constantly looking to the jacket to remind myself who each character was, as they seemed to run together in their sameness. It was only towards the end of the book, did they take on their own distinction. It was a good storyline but wish there would have been more 'meatiness' to it.
Betsy R. (Gig Harbor, WA)
British story-Art of Baking Blind
The first thing of note in this book is how very British it is - different terms (courgette, pudding,etc)-even the various items in the baking contest are different from what Americans would describe. Still, the story of five contestants in a baking contest for the New Mrs. Eadon is interesting as the four women and one man (never quite explained how he was in the Mrs. contest) get to know each other and eventually reveal their own personal problems and challenges. I enjoyed it but there was nothing that new in the story.
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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