Customer Reviews

The Quilter's Kitchen: An Elm Creek Quilts Novel with Recipes (Elm Creek Quilts Novels)

5 star:		(23)
4 star:		(12)
3 star:		(13)
2 star:		(10)
1 star:		(24)

 

 

I was a little let down by the content of the book. I have read other books that had recipes (Joanna Fluke series) but there was still a real story there. If I would have known then what I know now, I would have waited for the local library to get the book instead of wasting money on a book that I read in 3 hours. Each chapter had Sylvia talking about items her and Anna find in the kitchen as they are cleaning it out in preparation of a remodel, but you only get about 6 pages of story and then 6 to 8 pages of recipes in each chapter of the book. I would have liked more story and less recipes personally. I sincerely hope that the book that is coming out in the early part of 2009 is a full story. I would rather have a quilt pattern in the back of the book that 1/2 a book of recipes.
It is still a good series, this one just lacked content.

I liked it, but I read these reviews in advance so I knew what to expect. Anna has become one of my favorite characters, so it was fun to get a little more insight into her background and passions (plus some tantalizing speculation about Jeremy???) It was a nice short autumn escape, and most of the recipes look fantastic.

Anna Del Maso is the new chef at Elm Street Quilts. Her new boss, Sylvia Compson, promised that Anna could re-do the old kitchen as a condition of her employment, and that is what occurs in this short book. The two women work in the kitchen, cleaning out the cupboards in preparation for the remodeling. As they pull out pots, pans, serving dishes, aprons, and table cloths, Sylvia reminisces about how each of these items fit into her family's past. Following each section is a number of recipes which are relevant to some occasion which occurred in the house in the past. Be aware that there are more recipes than text, and then enjoy this story which explores Sylvia's past and Anna's future.

I love this series and am usually first in line to purchase them when they come out. I am also a cooking fanatic, so you'd think I'd love this book, but it was awful. Poorly written (very stilted dialogue) with no story line - just two women spending a day cleaning out kitchen cabinets. The recipes which fill 75% of the book weren't even very interesting. This was clearly just a throwaway book designed to make a little money. The author should be ashamed.

I have always enjoyed the Elm Creek Quilts series, particularly how Ms. Chiaverini uses quilting as a metaphor for the lives of her characters. I was particulary looking forward to this book, as it features the exceptionally likeable character Anna Del Maso. Unfortunantly, this book did not live up to my expectations.
Cons:
1. Based upon the marketing of this book, I expected it to be primarily an Elm Creek NOVEL, with added recipes. However, it is the opposite- I would estimate that 75% of the book is a cookbook, with the remainder being a short story.
2. The plot does not really advance the primary story of the Elm Creek Quilters. It is really a day in the life of Sylvia and Anna, with Sylvia relating past tales of Elm Creek Manor.
3. This is NOT a book for a new reader to the series. There's not enough free standing plot.
Pros:
1. While I have not tried out the recipes yet, they were developed by an accomplished chef/food writer. They appear to be relatively easy to follow, and produce an appetizing product. I look forward to trying them.
2. The added backstory adds to the overall character development.

Conclusion:
This is a recipe book with a short story. If you purchase it with this in mind, it is enjoyable. Just don't make my mistake assume it is primarily a novel.

Like others, I ordered this book hot off the press and tucked it in my carryon for a long plane ride. Needless to say, this book barely carried me for 1.5 hours, nevermind the 3+ hours of the flight. No matter how slowly or carefully I read the words, there simply was not enough content to spend any great amount of time on. I'm sure the recipes might work for some, but for me and my family, they are a bit out of our taste range.

For the $$ I would recommend waiting for your library's copy; spend your money on new fabric<g>.

I have enjoyed this series but it is getting old. Like other reviewers, I agree that the author should explore new paths, like the new characters that she introduced a couple of books ago, and let the tired ones fade away. This is neither a good cookbook or a good story. I wasn't interested in the recipes, which weren't in any way linked to the story, which they all should have been. The story was dull and disturbing. You mean to tell me Sylvia never bothered to look in her own kitchen cupboards and find out what was in them! Things were damp and rotten and she didn't notice. Come now! The book seemed like an idea someone threw together to market for the holidays to make money. Don't buy this or they might think that such a slap-dash effort worth repeating. Very disappointing.

This is not just a recipe book from Elm Creek Manor. There is a story and more history of Sylvia's family and the manor in this book. The recipes are extra and are found in the remodeling of the kitchen at Elm Creek Manor.

Having completely remodeled a kitchen, I could relate to the stories in it. I also thought this was an amazing way to publish all the recipes for the foods described in Jennifer's books. This fall I decided to cook my way through this book, much like Julie and Julia. I found the recipes to be well tested. They are challenging enough for an experienced cook, but easy enough for a beginner. Everything I have made has turned out very well and the aromas they create are tantalizing. My family has been very pleased with everything I have made from this book. I didn't buy it for a cookbook, but it has turned out to be a favorite of mine and of my family. When they walk in the door they say, "What are you cooking? It smells fabulous!" And the results are always exceptional.

Elm Creek Quilts has a new chef, Anna, (who was introduced to us in the book Circle of Quilters) but one of her conditions to taking the job was a total renovation of the manor's kitchen, which had not been updated since the 1940's with the exception of a very old microwave. To prepare for the makeover Anna and Sylvia, whose family has called the manor home since the 1800's, must clean out all the drawers and cupboards. They spend the day packing up the good and throwing out the bad, but they also uncover many treasures, from a cut glass serving dish, old family recipes, and heirlooms that just have to be kept. These treasures bring back many memories for Sylvia of years past at Elm Creek Manor which she shares with Anna, causing her to reflect on some of her family memories. The book contains over 100 recipes, old ones found in the kitchen and new ones that have become favorites of the Elm Creek quilters.

The is the thirteenth book in the Elm Creek series and when you finish it you will have a big decision to make. Do you put it on the bookshelf with all the other Elm Creek books or keep in the kitchen with your cookbooks?

I have to say Jennifer Chiaverini is one of my favorite authors and I have loved all the books in this series. While Elm Creek Manor is in Pennsylvania, I am thrilled Jennifer calls Madison, Wisconsin home.

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