The Baker's Apprentice: A Novel [Paperback]

Judith R. Hendricks (Author)

Book Description

Release date: March 14, 2006

The sequel to Judith Ryan Hendricks' absorbing debut novel, Bread Alone

Having found her calling, Wynter Morrison is blissful about her new career in Seattle as a baker -- cherishing the long days spent making bread and the comforting rhythms of the Queen Street Bakery. Still, she struggles with the legacy of her failed marriage and with her new boyfriend Mac's reluctance to share his mysterious past. When Mac abruptly leaves Seattle, Wyn again feels abandoned and betrayed, at least until intimate letters arrive in which Mac at last reveals his deepest secrets. But the more she learns about her absent lover, the more Wyn discovers about herself -- and when tragedy threatens, she will have to decide if there is a place for Mac in this new life she has made.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Bread remains a significant metaphor for life in Hendricks's warm and savory if somewhat predictable sequel to her debut novel, Bread Alone (2001). In the fall of 1989, Wynter Morrison, now a full partner in Seattle's funky Queen Street Bakery, is still waiting for her divorce settlement to become final. The former L.A. socialite, empowered by the lessons she's learned working with bread, takes on a new responsibility: teaching Tyler Adler, an angry ex-cheerleader, about the joys and perils of baking. Meanwhile, Wyn's relationship with bartender Mac McLeod, a frustrated writer, is in trouble: "Throw some sex into the mix and it's like putting too much yeast in bread. It's all very fizzy and light and wonderful, but then it rises too high and can't support its own weight and the whole thing falls flat." Then Mac suddenly takes off, retreating to a small town where he struggles to overcome writer's block and deal with an old tragedy that has affected his romance with Wyn. When Mac returns, Wyn faces a future that might not include bread baking, and the couple learns that a recipe for life without love is totally useless. Bakers will welcome the recipes (such as for Capuccino Hazelnut Scones) that Hendricks includes. Agent, Jane Gelfman at Gelfman/Schneider. (Apr. 5)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Booklist

Readers who loved Wynter and Mac in Bread Alone (2001) will be glad to know that Hendricks cooks up a fulfilling second helping in this engaging sequel (recipes included). In the first novel, Wynter needed a bit of rescuing and Mac made a wonderful knight errant. Here it is Mac who needs saving, but he's not ready to accept her help, so he takes off for Alaska, settling in tiny, quirky Beaverton. From there he writes letters to Wynter and tries to come to terms with his past. Hendricks excels at creating atmosphere, bringing both the Yukon and Seattle to life as determined Wynter copes and Mac broods. Hendricks' story reveals many secrets as it provides readers with a fulfilling and happy reading experience. Although not as funny as Jennifer Crusie's Bet Me [BKL D 1 03] or Raffaella Barker's Summertime (2003), Hendricks' latest expresses the same heartfelt and committed love, sense of community, and pervasive kindness via fabulously cool and competent heroes. Highly recommended for both romance and women's fiction fans. Neal Wyatt
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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Product Details

• Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: Harper Perennial; Reprint edition (March 14, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0060726180
• ISBN-13: 978-0060726188
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 5.3 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (23 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #721,605 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars A slightly uneven sequel to "Bread Alone" January 10, 2006

By S. Hodge TOP 500 REVIEWERVINE™ VOICE

Format:Hardcover

I enjoyed Judith Hendricks' other books "Bread Alone" and "Isabel's Daughter," so when I found out that "The Baker's Apprentice," sequel to "Bread Alone," had come out, I rushed out to read it. Like several other Amazon reviewers have mentioned, "The Baker's Apprentice" lacked the cohesion of the first Wynter novel. There are still the zany characters that share Wynter's passion for baking at Seattle's funky Queen Street Bakery: owner Ellen, the cantankerous Linda, the Mazurkoids, and Tyler, former barista and now Wyn's unwilling apprentice.

Wynter is waiting on her divorce settlement and is strapped for cash, having borrowed $15,000 from her mother to become a partner in the bakery. Although the sex is great, her sometime boyfriend Mac is experiencing personal (emotional) problems, and splits for Alaska to rewrite his rejected manuscript. Things at work are well nigh unbearable: new cake decorator Maggie and barista Tyler are engaged in a perpetual war against each other, creating tension and worse. Wynter is left to pick up the pieces, and after Linda retires, Tyler is made a baker's apprentice in her place. Surprisingly, the artistic Tyler proves a quick study. Wynter is offered the chance to return to Toulouse to visit the bakery where she had a fateful internship in college, hoping to learn new bread wisdom from the master baker she once dreamed of seducing.

There are several mouthwatering recipes included (Hazelnut Cappuccino Scones, Tyler's Indian Maiden Bread, fouace aux noix), and Hendricks' lush descriptions of the process of baking, baked goods, and the luscious dinners that Wynter whips up borders on food porn. However, the plot slows to a crawl at times, with too much of the book devoted to Mac's narrations of life in Beaverton, Yukon Territories.... The numerous secondary characters' crises and dilemmas never seem adequately resolved, and the ending is abrupt.

Newcomers may want to start with "Bread Alone," since a good deal of "The Baker's Apprentice" is explained in the first novel. For those who enjoyed "Bread Alone" or who enjoy breadmaking, "The Baker's Apprentice" is a pleasing, mouth-watering read. At any rate, I enjoyed the rich descriptions, tasty recipes, and closure of Wynter and Mac's journey. Read more ›

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful

2.0 out of 5 stars Plodding and boring June 30, 2005

By VoraciousReader

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

Man, do I feel foolish. Usually, because I read so many books, I check them out of the library and then buy the ones I love so I can re-read them whenever I want. Well, I didn't do that this time -- mostly because I loved _Bread Alone_ so much that I couldn't wait to read it and I am so disappointed.

To me, this book reads like a jumbled mix of everything that was edited out of the first book. The pace is frustratingly slow and not much gets resolved. For example: the whole divorce issue, which was core in the first book, peters out as if the author is tired of discussing it.

As more of a minor but irritating point: not one person is happy in the entire book. Every employee has a personal crisis (none of which are resolved or moved forward) and the book ends very abruptly.

So, I'm ticked that I bought -- and read -- what amounts to the author's cast-off notes from _Bread Alone_. I kept hoping the story would get better but it never did. My mistake was not sticking to the "library strategy".

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars A cozy and satisfying read April 16, 2005

By Bookreporter

Format:Hardcover

Wynter Morrison is in a very good place in her life. She's content with her work at her Seattle bakery, baking bread during the serene night hours. Her lover, Mac, has recently reappeared in her life, to her intense joy.

But things start falling apart, bit by bit. One of the bakery's workers, blue-haired waif Tyler, attempts to make the new cake designer look bad, and ends up damaging the bakery's reputation. When Wynter agrees to take on a bread baker's apprentice during her night shift, she's dismayed when troubled Tyler steps into the role. Soon Tyler is smoking pot during her shift and complaining about having to do routine chores such as cleaning equipment and measuring flour.

Wynter begins to be bothered by certain aspects of her relationship with Mac. She wonders why Mac refuses to talk to her about his childhood and why the role he assumes among her friends strikes her as false. When Wynter asks Mac to go home to her mother's with her at Christmas, she knows he won't come --- and he doesn't. Their own Christmas celebration is a disheartening bust. Needless to say, Mac never utters the words "relationship" or "commitment."

Wynter develops tendonitis in her wrist. With bread making impossible, can she rely on Tyler? Well --- yes, as a matter of fact. Tyler amazes Wynter by rapidly becoming an expert and enraptured bread maker. This cheers Wynter in the face of her continuing divorce problems and her accompanying financial woes.

Mac heads into the sunset suddenly, stating he needs time to himself. His meandering plus car troubles land him in the Yukon, where he writes strangely impersonal letters to Wynter.... Mac's hurried leave-taking and his frosty letters devastate Wynter, but when an event in Tyler's life plunges her into grief, Wynter finds comfort in consoling her. Mac's absence lessens in importance as Wynter continues creating a family of her own in Seattle. Evidently, the Mac chapter of her life is closed forever. Or is it?

THE BAKER'S APPRENTICE is leisurely and full of description. The pace of the plot slows a bit at times, and there are so many characters that I occasionally lost track of who they were. Yet, as soon as I'd think, "Isn't this dragging a bit?" I'd happily delve back into Wynter's world of food and plants and friendship and love. In fact, I unhurriedly devoured this feast of a story the way I'd savor a prolonged meal at a gourmet restaurant --- one luscious tidbit at a time. So snuggle down in front of the fireplace with a big cup of tea and a cappuccino hazelnut scone (the recipe is in the book!) and settle in for a cozy and satisfying read.

--- Reviewed by Terry Miller Shannon Read more ›

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars The Baker's Apprentice May 29, 2006

By B. Sayer

Format:Hardcover

Unlike Bread Alone, I found this book to be the better of the two. Wyn Morrison has grown past that annoying complainer from the first book and into a mature, intelligent, strong woman. I thought this story was great. I enjoyed these characters very much. I am new to Judith Ryan Hendricks but will continue to follow her work.

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars More than recipes and More than a lovers' relationship April 13, 2005

By Rachel24

Format:Hardcover

I cannot believe no one has rated this book. You people don't know what you're missing!!!! I loved Bread Alone and was hoping for a sequel- when I found out Hendricks actually wrote a sequel - my expectations were high - and Hendricks delivered. I love that Mac's POV was added to Wyn's first person POV, this style brought the characters and their surroundings to life. I appreciate that Wyn and Mac matured independently (Wyn finally stops whining). I also love the symbolism of making bread, making meals, eating meals....This story is a great read.