My take on the Whole Book

This was the second time I had enjoyed this story. The first time I listened on a somewhat scratched up audio book, but I got most of the story. I thoroughly enjoyed rereading it and found it difficult to put down so that I finally just read through, being sure to blog on each section and save it to post later. I love the characters, I love the premise of the cheese making factory and even though it may have been a bit whimsical and dreamy, I enjoyed the story.

I agree that Kit and Abbey falling for each other seems improbable in real life, but I think it works in this book as part of the magic surrounding Corrie, Fee and all of Coolarny. I think Kit is a very interesting character from a psychological standpoint and I just can't help but love poor, innocent, betrayed Abbey. The other characters are of course what make the book, but I think the main characters have their own place in the story.

As for the end of the story, I cried during the last chapter of course. It was touching and beautiful. I love that Corrie's legacy was to save all those little babies and help all those lonely, scared, mothers. I think the whole concept is beautiful and it made the end of the book for me. I also appreciate that it was Lucy's baby that Abbey got to adopt at the end. I am glad for the scene between Abbey and Lucy that Lynch included near the end, where Lucy finds Abbey crying after Kit leaves. I think it helps solidify the connection. Overall I loved reading this story and hope everyone else enjoyed it as well.

The end.

I've been waiting till we got to the end, because I can only think about the book now as a whole, not by chapters.

I did enjoy this book. The cheese-making stuff was probably my favorite bit about it. All very interesting. Corrie and Fee and Avis were great too. In fact, I think the story should have been more about them than about Abbey and Kit.

I had some issues though. The love at first sight thing with Abbey and Kit. Nice to read, but not on the whole very satisfying. Jacey not being dead seemed weak. I mean, how could everyone say she was dead? or was it just Kit and that's why everyone couldn't sympathize much more with him? Anyway, it made me think Kit was a bit mental, which I didn't like.

And the fact that Corrie and Fee had money from elsewhere so that the cheesemaking was a labour of love? Sorry, but that's lame. Deus ex Machina if I've ever saw one. Sort of seemed like bad writing.

I repeat, that I did like this story. Worth reading once, but not something I'd keep and reread later on. Which is good since i have too many books at the moment and need to get rid of some anyway. :)

When do we start Kate's book?

Revelations (Chapters 17-19)

Well this would be the part of the book where we learn everything we don't already know. I don't feel as if the information about Abbey's grandmother was as shocking as it could have been. It is sad, though and offers some insight into Rose's despicable character. With women like those it's a wonder Abbey turned out as well as she did. As for Jacey I can honestly say I did not see that coming in any way, shape or form. It certainly is bizarre. I looked back to see if there was some clue, but I think the point is that Kit actually made himself believe she was dead. Poor man, I guess he didn't know what he was getting into with her. She certainly turned up at an inconvenient time and she sure seems to have some kind of power over Kit. It's no wonder he had to kill her in his mind to be free of her before. The one question that no one is probably asking right now though, is where did Fee go on the tractor?

Note: Today was the first time I actually thought some cheese might taste good and had some along with a glass of grape juice while I was reading...may have something to do with the time of day. I'm normally hungry around lunch and sick around dinner and the evening when I usually read. Today I read just after lunch.

They aren't Clicking

Does anyone else feel like Abbey and Kit are just not working together...not in any way, shape or form! Poor Abbey, she seems to be having her share of most humiliating, most embarrassing moments in a short time...first the thing with her mom and Jasper, then the embarrassing comments about Kit's wife, then the weird almost sex thing! I mean seriously, this poor girl is not doing well. Maybe she and Kit will end up together, but if they do it will take a lot of work. I must say though that I absolutely love that Corrie and Fee don't actually use the pasteurizer unless the inspector is present, but that one only realizes it if one studies the pipes. I love that Kit picked up on it too...too funny!

All Right, Already.

I'm reading it. I've read it. I'm through chapter 17, and even though we're not supposed to post on that until tomorrow--I'm taking a chance (Katie, read no further if you haven't got there yet). Though I'm enjoying the book, I have no overall thesis to essay here, so forgive the randomness of the following reactions:

I feel (like I think everyone else) that the beginning was a bit slow--I mean it takes the first 2/3rds of the book for everyone to get to the farm. But then, I almost feel like things are moving too fast. I mean, Abbey and Kit have known each other two days and they're about to have sex? It's almost like Fee and co.'s expectations for their relationship is enough of a foundation for it to actually happen; I'm not sure I buy that. Plus, I wonder at Lynch having too many balls in the air--I'm intrigued to see if all of them get tied together in a convincing and clever manner, or if some of the side stories and issues are just stand alone. (Although, I really liked that Kit's mom used to be a milkmaid there; that was unexpected, unlike, the fact that Rose married Jasper, but maybe I see that as predictable because I did and if I'd guessed the other or not guessed the marriage, I'd feel differently.) I guess one of my big questions is how do we feel about Fee's premonitions and ability to read thoughts? I think Eden's going to post on this subject, so I won't say much, yet...

Chaps 11-13 Too Funny!

I just have to say that I laughed my head off reading the description of the prospective cheese makers poking at the rotten cheeses and stuffing pieces in their drunk companion's mouth. It was hilarious. Fee is just too funny for words in this section. He knows everything and he seems to take great delight in the shock, chaos, madness and surprise that everyone else is experiencing. While Chapter 11 was shockingly sad (what is it about us picking books with a character with a really screwed up mother?!) Chapter 12 had me laughing out loud and Chapter 13 had me entranced with all of the action. By action I mean everything that is happening at once. All the layers of activity, emotions, premonitions etc make a brilliant scene in my opinion. It makes me long to be a part of it all! I don't know if this could be called the hear of the story or not, but it certainly is the heart of the characters! I am loving this book more and more the further I get into it. Not only is the story original, interesting and unpredictable enough to entertain, but the characters are rich, deep and fascinating. As much as I love the story, I think I love the people in it even more, despite their quirks, problems and issues. I'm giving Lynch 2 thumbs up so far on this one.

Blessed Are the Cheesemakers, part II

So, I don't know about the rest of you, but I do not think I will take until June 20th to finish the book. I am already on Ch. 17, and I only have two more days until I am out for the summer (Hallelujah!) So, I will be having much more free time on my hand. I know that Eden is done, and I think Chris is done as well? I don't know where you are, Emily, and I don't know that Sarah has actually read anything yet (always the slacker), but do we want to change the end date to sooner? Plus, the book is due back in to the library on June 2nd, so I will probably finish it before then. Anyways, let me know what you guys think.

So, since we are only technically supposed to post on the next 5 chapters, I will try not to spoil anything again. I agree with Chris in that the first 5 chapters were interesting but kind of random. I liked the next 5 much better, it is really sucking me into the story. I had to skip ahead a chapter even when Abbey was finding out that her husband was cheating on her because I couldn't wait through a whole chapter to find out what she did. I went back, of course, to poor Kit after Abbey had left her husband.

I am feeling really bad for Kit. I was kind of mad at the other people in his life because I felt they were being really unfeeling. What person would be able to get on with their life only 3 months after a spouse had died? I mean, I know he was falling apart and they were trying to help him with his drinking problem, but still. Everyone was pretty much telling him to get over it and get on. Death is a significant grief, and it takes a long time to work through that kind of pain. I don't think we know yet how Jacey died, do we? Who else is thinking it was suicide?

One of my favorite quotes from chapter 10, involving Kit and Maureen, "He was exhausted enough by Maureen McCarthy and she wasn't even particularly fierce. Just nosy. The strain of her not asking any more about his personal circumstances over breakfast had plum tuckered the two of them out."