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Confections Of A Closet Master Baker: One Woman's Sweet Journey From Unhappy Hollywood Executive To Contented Country Baker (2009)

by Gesine Bullock-Prado(Favorite Author)

3.72 of 5 Votes: 4

ISBN

0767932684 (ISBN13: 9780767932684)

languge

English

genre

Memoir & Autobiography

publisher

Broadway Books

review 1: I didn't realize initially that this is written by Sandra Bullock's sister, or that the 'Sandy' in the book referred to her. I mention this up front because it really doesn't matter. While Sandra Bullock is mentioned, it is only through the natural course of Gesine telling the tale of how she started her bakery. Name-dropping can be annoying at best and gratuitous and nauseating at worst, but this never felt like name-dropping, I'm happy to say.Gesine has a lovely writing style, and a sharp wit that I liked. It's easy to read, it connects you to what she's feeling and brings you into the story. I applaud her for breaking out of the difficult and stressful life that is working in the movie business, and going forward with an entirely different type of life. While the small ... morefood business is also fraught with difficulties and stress, it's of a different sort, and the reader can really tell how much Gesine loves what she does now.Gesine describes herself and everyone in her book so well, I feel like I know them too. I liked reading about her childhood, and the stories behind the included recipes. I haven't yet made any, but I hope to do so one day.Long live Gesine and her macaroons!
review 2: This is a wonderful little book which I savoured over two weeks (pun intended!). Gesine, the author has a passion for baking and using quality ingredients which is felt throughout the book. Each chapter of the book is an hour in the day of a professional baker, starting at 4.00am when she stumbles out of bed. At the end of each chapter she includes a wonderful recipe. The memoir is part reminising about her childhood in Germany, her German Opera singing, vegetarian, marathon running mother and how she hated her life in Hollywood(she is Sandra Bullock's sister which I didn't realise until I started reading the book). She now lives in Vermont and runs an amazing litle bakery producing the most mouth-watering pastries and cakes. The book was also very funny in parts and I liked her down-to-earth outlook on life. Anyone who likes to bake, is thinking of setting up their own bakery business, with family ties to Germany (the story brought back fond memeories of 3pm coffee and cake with my German aunties and uncles) or just feels like reading something a little different would enjoy this book. Off now to bake a chocolate cake with my son - yes, be warned you may bake and consume more than usual as a result of reading this book! less

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