The Telling Room: A Story of Love, Betrayal, Revenge, and Cheese

NPR, Entertainment Weekly, Kirkus Reviews, and The Christian Science Monitor have all named The Telling Room as one of the best books of the year. The story is set in the picturesque village of Guzmán, Spain, where an ancient door leads to a cramped limestone chamber known as “the telling room”. Here, villagers have gathered for centuries to share their stories and secrets over copious amounts of wine.

In the summer of 2000, author Michael Paterniti found himself in this unique setting, listening to a larger-than-life Spanish cheesemaker named Ambrosio Molinos de las Heras. Ambrosio shared a strange and fascinating tale about a piece of cheese with mystical qualities that conjured long-lost memories. However, things took a dark turn, revealing a blood feud of betrayal, theft, death threats, and murder plots within the village.

Paterniti became deeply involved in village life, even moving his family to Guzmán to uncover the truth about the mysterious cheese and explore the enchanting world where villagers conversed with animals, lived by an ancient code of honor, and made everything by hand. The idyllic slow-food fable he had imagined was shattered, as he discovered the complicated reality of the village.

Equal parts mystery, memoir, travelogue, and history, The Telling Room is a compelling work of literary nonfiction that delves into themes of happiness, friendship, and betrayal. It introduces readers to the unforgettable Ambrosio Molinos de las Heras, a real-life hero, while also examining the power of storytelling in defining and sustaining us.

Paterniti's writing is praised for its captivating style, whether he is discussing the role of food in activating memories or reflecting on the joys of witnessing his children grow. The Telling Room is a mesmerizing journey into a world where truth and fiction intertwine, leaving readers engrossed in a tale that transcends the boundaries of time and place.

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