Set on a small Irish dairy farm, this tender and funny debut novel follows two lost souls as they try to carve out new lives amid a colorful cast of characters reminiscent of those in the hit film Waking Ned Divine. Abby has been estranged from the family farm since her rebellious mother ran off with her when she was a small child. Kit is a burned out New York stockbroker who's down on his luck. But that's all about to change, now that he and Abby have converged on the farm just in time to help Corrie and Fee, two old cheesemakers in a time of need. Full of delightful and quirky characters--from dairy cows who only give their best product to pregnant, vegetarian teens to an odd collection of whiskey-soaked men and broken-hearted women who find refuge under Corrie and Fee's roof--BLESSED ARE THE CHEESEMAKERS is an irresistible tale about taking life's spilled milk and turning it into the best cheese in the world.
Blessed Are the Cheesemakers
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Book Description
Frequently Bought Together
Editorial Reviews
From Publishers Weekly
In the spirit of Chocolat, Lynch's debut novel is a tender love story told through the medium of food, in this case cheese. In County Cork, Ireland, Joseph Corrigan and Joseph Feehan, better known as Corrie and Fee, are the aging manufacturers of world-renowned Coolarney Blue. Their chief worry is a conspicuous lack of successors, and the narrative chronicles the solution to their quest in the unlikely but fated convergence of two characters. Abbey Corrigan, granddaughter of worrywart Corrie, who hasn't seen her in 24 years, sits abandoned on the Pacific Island Ate'ate while her irrigation-obsessed and hypercritical husband gets biblical with the natives. Meanwhile, in Manhattan, Kit Stephens is a burned-out stockbroker and despondent alcoholic, heartbroken by the recent departure of his wife and now fired from his job. In a series of fantastic coincidences, the two end up at the Coolarney factory, a meeting that will forever change their lives and the future of cheese. In an engaging and humorous style, Lynch details the cheesemaking process (sun, rain, a salty sea breeze and of course, grass, are the essential ingredients, along with constant music and a secret mold), and enlivens the narrative with eccentric, loquacious and comical characters, including three ginger cats named Jesus, Mary and All the Saints. The pace of this heartwarming novel is brisk, and the background detail so colorful that the reader will henceforth eat cheese with a new appreciation for its magical properties. Optioned by Working Title Films.
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
From Booklist
This sensuous and celebratory first novel is luscious in every way imaginable, a book to dip into eagerly and consume with much gusto. It is the story of two emotionally damaged people whom fate has dropped on a small cheese-making farm in Ireland. Kit Stephens' fast track in New York City has quite suddenly screeched to a halt, and friends have sent him to Ireland to make sense of his life. Abbey Corrigan is lost when her marriage to a not-so-good-doer on a tropical island has left her with no place to go but her barely remembered grandfather's cheese farm. In a story and style reminiscent of Steven Nightingale or Tom Robbins, the cheese and the cosmos and a cheese maker named Fee conspire to bring these two saddened souls to a storybook ending. Where other writers might overdo the magic realism or fairy-tale aspects of such an unfolding, Lynch proves to be gentle handed. This novel is a delight. Debi Lewis
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
10 of 10 people found the following review helpful
By E. Stanclift
Format:Paperback
"Blessed are the Cheesemakers" was favorably compared to "Chocolat", one of my all time favorite books, as well to books by Maeve Binchy, an author whom I adore. Unfortunately, with high expectations like these, I couldn't help but be disappointed when this novel fell far short of both comparisons.
The story was disjointed, but the ideas were there and were excellent. Additionally, the beginnings of the characters were interesting, but they seemed to never become fully developed. I agree with the reviewer who felt this book was crying for an editor. I think that's an excellent point !
All of this said, it's a sweet book. I would not recommend it highly, but it's a nice, if not thought-provoking read. I had just hoped for "more", with such promise in plot, characters and locations.
The story was disjointed, but the ideas were there and were excellent. Additionally, the beginnings of the characters were interesting, but they seemed to never become fully developed. I agree with the reviewer who felt this book was crying for an editor. I think that's an excellent point !
All of this said, it's a sweet book. I would not recommend it highly, but it's a nice, if not thought-provoking read. I had just hoped for "more", with such promise in plot, characters and locations.
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
This book is a delightful tale of those who need emotional and physcial healing, and the wonderful dairy farm and its inhabitants (some of whom are quite kooky) who provide it. The characters in this book are wonderfully written. The descriptions of the cheeses make one's mouth water. At times during this book I found myself smiling, laughing, and, yes, even crying (sobbing to be honest). It is a fantastic story, very well written, and I highly, highly recommend it. Add another five stars if you love cheese!
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
In County Cork, Ireland, Joseph "Corrie" Corrigan and Joseph "Fee" Feehan produce the internationally famous Coolarney Blue cheese. However as the two Josephs age, they worry about their company's future. So they decide to embark on successor planning.
Corrie has not seen his granddaughter Abbey in almost a quarter of a century. Currently, she feels abandoned by her womanizing preacher of a spouse spouting the word to natives on a Pacific Island. She knows she needs a change of scenery from her locale and more from her ripping her skin for some alleged sin husband.
On an Atlantic island named Manhattan, alcoholic Kit Stephens has lost his way since his wife and child died. Recently he also loses his stockbroker position. He needs a change of scenery to start over. Fate enters the mix and soon Abbey and Kit meet at the Coolarney cheese factory.
This cheesy romance is amusing due mostly to the geezers, the cows, and the cats serving as interesting secondary characters. Abbey and Kit seems like nice people, but both sing the blues until they meet each other and see in the other a second chance. Throw in the magic of Eire leading to the audience singing along to the Sound of Music.
Harriet Klausner
5 of 6 people found the following review helpful
By snowqueen
Format:Hardcover
I picked up this book from our local library (it was recommened by one of the staff members) and I just loved it. It was a fast, easy read and full of great characters. It reminded me of those fun, quirky UK movies like "Waking Ned Devine" and "Local Hero." This is a feel-good book...kind of a fluffier version of Sue Kids,"The Secret Lives of Bees" (which is a fabulous book). I definitely recommend this book if you are looking for a good escape.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
By Nikki Joe
Format:Preloaded Digital Audio Player
This book is witty, quick and charming. It's no great intellectual piece, which is no insult. It is of another genera, containing lots of personality quirks and riddled with soap opera-like surprises. I love this book, and I love cheese!
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
By Bonnie L.
Format:Paperback
I have enjoyed the book and it's characters so much. In fact I am down to just a few pages...maybe 20 or so and I am only allowing myself to read one or two until one of her other books arrives in the mail.
This writer really knows how to create characters that make you smile the whole time you are reading about them. I really care about the people and will always wonder how they are doing. That is how real they seem to me.
This writer really knows how to create characters that make you smile the whole time you are reading about them. I really care about the people and will always wonder how they are doing. That is how real they seem to me.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
I'm party of a cooking group in which we read books, cook according to the theme and then have Literary Luncheons.
I probably would not have read this book otherwise, but since I did, I might as well review it.
It's a nice summer read - very palatable. The characters are quirky, and yet the plot is predictable. Some of the concepts are funny and cute, others are a bit tiresome.
I loved the idea of having pregnant teens milking cows while singing show tunes, so the cows would give the best possible milk. Meanwhile, the teens are harbored and taken care of during their pregnancy and after the birth.
Parts of the storyline were psychologically improbable, but I guess not all books can be all good.
It's about love and cheese - if you like either of these, read it.
I probably would not have read this book otherwise, but since I did, I might as well review it.
It's a nice summer read - very palatable. The characters are quirky, and yet the plot is predictable. Some of the concepts are funny and cute, others are a bit tiresome.
I loved the idea of having pregnant teens milking cows while singing show tunes, so the cows would give the best possible milk. Meanwhile, the teens are harbored and taken care of during their pregnancy and after the birth.
Parts of the storyline were psychologically improbable, but I guess not all books can be all good.
It's about love and cheese - if you like either of these, read it.
4 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
"Blessed are the Cheesemakers" is a must-read for anyone with a sense of humor. It is a delightful story of relationships, growing up, growing old, being in love with life and each other. I cannot recommend this book enough - especially to anyone who loves Irish wit, has Irish relatives, and/or loves a good laugh.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Blessed is Sarah-Kate Lynch !!
Such a GREAT read - just finished it for the second time & glad to have it on my kindle in case I want to read it again .
So much humor woven into a terrific story.
So much humor woven into a terrific story.
Published 1 month ago by Mikki Clark
5.0 out of 5 stars
This book stays in your memory...
I listened to this book on CD over a year ago, and I still think about it. The CD is very entertaining, with accents and all. Read more
Published 3 months ago by locally grown
5.0 out of 5 stars
A favorite
This was the first of Sarah-Kate Lynch's books I read, borrowed from a friend. I was completely sucked in by the characters and found myself very caught up in the story. Read more
Published 8 months ago by Cali
4.0 out of 5 stars
The power of cheese
(3.5 stars) Three stories come together in an Irish dairy farm. Corrie and Fee are the elderly cheesemakers, who are desperate to find the next generation before it is too late. Read more
Published 13 months ago by Michelle Boytim
4.0 out of 5 stars
another great book club selection
i loved this book. it's not the greatest title, but the story was one that caught me up almost instantly. plus its a real quick/one weekend kind of read.
Published 22 months ago by kelly
4.0 out of 5 stars
No disapointment
I was pleased with the quality of the book and the timely delivery. Blessed are The Cheese Makers was recommended by a friend and a wonderful read full of romance, intrigue and... Read more
Published 23 months ago by tkahike
4.0 out of 5 stars
Good Book
I thoroughly enjoyed this book! The unique story-telling of alternating characters was difficult to adjust to at first, but after a while I appreciated the different perspectives. Read more
Published on February 15, 2011 by Mom uv2, neighbor of many
5.0 out of 5 stars
Delightful!
This story was whey quirky and fun from the first paragraph. Yes, it's a bit cheesy and implausible but its...FICTION. Read more
Published on January 21, 2011 by J Nymph
5.0 out of 5 stars
Wonderful story read by talented reader
I actually had listened to this book on CD before but had given it away and so I purchased this second copy. Read more
Published on October 7, 2010 by Ethyl
5.0 out of 5 stars
More cheese, please.
If you love books that uncover the wonder of ordinary magic in everyday life this is the book for you. Read more
Published on April 12, 2010 by Robert L. Brickey
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