Customer Reviews

Blessed Are the Cheesemakers

5 star:		(17)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(6)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

"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.

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!

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

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.

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!

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.

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.

"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.

Had to read this book as a book club pick, and thought it looked a little lame (best review on jacket was by Cleveland Plain Dealer), but of course I was going to read it, reluctantly. Well, I was in for a surprise! Though it is nowhere close to great writing, it WAS one of the more enjoyable books I had read in a while. The people were interesting, the world of Ireland and cheese were wonderful, and I felt good when it was over. Sometimes, that is exactly what we need in life - - kind of like a good chick movie.

This book was very unusual in that the plot is both common and unique at the same time. Unwed mothers, abandoned children, bachelor men, comittment phobic people, relationships with pets...all themes we have read many times before. However, the author adds a touch of mysticism, some coincidences and rules about making cheese, to make this book stand out among its peers. Well written, not a super quick read, satisfying ending though there is a bit of a surprise I didn't see coming until it was too late.