The Telling Room: A Tale of Love, Betrayal, Revenge, and the World's Greatest Piece of Cheese

by Michael Paterniti

In the picturesque Spanish village of Guzman, villagers have gathered for centuries in 'the telling room' to share their stories. It was here, in the summer of 2000, that Michael Paterniti listened as Ambrosio Molinos de las Heras spun an odd and compelling tale about a cheese made from an ancient family recipe. Reputed to be among the finest in the world - one bite could conjure long-lost memories. But then, Ambrosio said, things had gone horribly wrong . . .

Paterniti was hooked. Relocating his young family to Guzman, he is soon sucked into the heart of an unfolding mystery, a blood feud that includes accusations of betrayal and theft, death threats, and a murder plot. As the village begins to spill its long-held secrets, Paterniti finds himself implicated in the very story he is writing. The Telling Room is as surprising, evocative and wildly entertaining as the world it portrays.

• ISBN10: 0385337000
• ISBN13: 9780385337007
• Publish Date: 30 July 2013 (first published 1 January 2013)
• Publish Status: Remaindered
• Imprint: Dial Press
• Format: Hardcover
• Pages: 368
• Language: English

Reviews

[Beth C.]

This book is a mystery - oh, not at its heart (though it seems to be sort of billed as such). More in how it's told and what it wants to be. As such, it is a mystery exactly how to feel about it and what to say in a review.

Once Upon A Time, Michael Paterniti was working for a deli in New York, helping to edit the newsletter the deli put out. He read about some newly discovered, amazing cheese that was incredibly expensive. The wonder of the article and the price of the cheese burned itself into his brain and never quite managed to go away. One day, he was given the chance to go see the splendor of the cheese and its maker for himself, only to find that all was not right within the world of the cheesemaker and the amazing cheese. As Paterniti gets sucked into the story told by Ambrosio the cheesemaker, he finds that he is losing more and more of himself to the drama that seems to include betrayal, a desire for revenge, and a small town that is Castilian to its core.

The story was a good one, and Ambrosio is quite the character. Unfortunately, as Paterniti makes quite clear within the story, he is unsure where he stands as things play out, and that makes itself known within the book. It tends to bounce around between Paterniti's life, the cheese and Ambrosio, the history of Spain and Castile in particular...in some parts, it is not very cohesive. However, Paterniti does a fantastic job of getting to the heart of Castilian attitudes and lives, and his love for that place and its people is very evident.

I don't know that the book lives up to its huge title, but it is an interesting story regardless. Certainly worth picking up and reading, though I would rate this as a library book instead of a keeper.