- Sign In
- Help
-
My Basket0
Your basket is empty.
The Art of Baking Blind (Paperback)
Sarah Vaughan (author)- In stock online
'Clever and compelling. I loved this!' Nina Stibbe, bestselling author of Love, Nina
There are many reasons to bake: to feed; to create; to impress; to nourish; to define ourselves; and, sometimes, it has to be said, to perfect. But often we bake to fill a hunger that would be better filled by a simple gesture from a dear one. We bake to love and be loved.
In 1966, Kathleen Eaden, cookery writer and wife of a supermarket magnate, published The Art of Baking, her guide to nurturing a family by creating the most exquisite pastries, biscuits and cakes.
Now, five amateur bakers are competing to become the New Mrs Eaden. There's Jenny, facing an empty nest now her family has flown; Claire, who has sacrificed her dreams for her daughter; Mike, trying to parent his two kids after his wife's death; Vicki, who has dropped everything to be at home with her baby boy; and Karen, perfect Karen, who knows what it's like to have nothing and is determined her facade shouldn't slip.
As unlikely alliances are forged and secrets rise to the surface, making the choicest choux bun seems the least of the contestants' problems. For they will learn - as Mrs Eaden did before them - that while perfection is possible in the kitchen, it's very much harder in life.
Publisher: Hodder & Stoughton General Division
ISBN: 9781444792256
Number of pages: 432
Weight: 292 g
Dimensions: 198 x 130 x 28 mm
MEDIA REVIEWS
Delicious . . . friendship, rivalry and exposed secrets, gorgeously told * Elle *
Pick up this tale of five enthusiasts competing to be the new Mrs Eaden - a renowned baker (think an oh-so-glam '60s version of Mary Berry) * Fabulous Magazine *
Warm, wise and inspiring, an utterly delicious novel -- Polly Williams, bestselling author of The Rise and Fall of a Yummy Mummy
Fabulous * Good Housekeeping *
Vaughan's engaging writing is packed with brilliant baking tips not to mention delectable descriptions of the food the contestants create. Enjoy. * WI Magazine *
Kathleen's heartbreaking story is so vivid, I had to check she wasn't a real person. It's a challenge to manage a story with five protagonists, particularly in a debut, but Sarah Vaughan manages it with aplomb. One to add to your holiday reading pile and indulge in. * The Writes of Women blog *
Sarah Vaughan's debut novel is a delicious treat . . . There's plenty of baking and food talk for foodies but it's contained within a wonderful narrative. Sarah Vaughan has perfectly balanced the ingredients of this book . . . Where the baking lends a warm and pleasant tone, this is brilliantly offset by the darker side of the narratives. Each of the stories is compelling. * We Love This Book blog *
5 out of 5. An amazing read. It makes you crave cake and it makes you want to devour the words, enjoying every morsel till it reaches the . . . tear-jerking . . . end. * Random Redheaded Ramblings blog *
The Art of Baking Blind is gorgeous. Not just to look at and touch, but Sarah's writing is beautiful. She pulls you in, she captivates you and you just don't want to leave. Her writing creates such warmth; it really hugs you tightly. She describes the cakes and bakes exquisitely . . . Mouth-watering. * novelicious *
An extremely enjoyable book with strong characters and intriguing story lines. I loved every minute of it. * Bookbag *
Before I knew anything about the contents of this novel I had already fallen in love . . . It begs to be oohed and aahed over, not to mention to be stroked. A lot. And once I started reading, I discovered that the story within was equally beautiful and enthralling . . . A delicious read which I devoured like a freshly baked, homemade bread . . . The lush descriptions of the food made them so vivid that I could almost taste them on the tip of my tongue . . . [and] for all the sweetness of the sugary decadences . . . there is also plenty of drama and intrigue to balance it all out. * novelicious *
A novel to devour. * Maxi magazine, France *
Attention fans of GBBO! If you can drag yourself away from the doughy goings-on in the famous tent, you're sure to love this story * New *
An interesting cast of characters juggled with great skill. A lovely read that deserves to fly off the shelves. -- Claire Fuller, author of OUR ENDLESS NUMBERED DAYS
You may also be interested in...
“An absolute pleasure to read”
Over the past couple of years there's been a flurry of novels published with covers and titles that include cakes and chocolate and cafes. It would be easy to assume that Sarah Vaughan's The Art of Baking... More
“So much more than I expected”
We're all familiar with the bake-off style competition but Sarah Vaughan's wonderful debut novel adds an interesting twist: the contestants are vying for the position of "the New Mrs Eadon"... More
“A delicious read”
Before I knew anything about the contents of this novel I had already fallen in love with the striking turquoise colour of its packaging and the simple yet very effective drawing adorning the cover. It begs to be... More
Please sign in to write a review