The Story Baker - by Carsten Henn (Hardcover)

Book Synopsis

From the international bestselling author of The Door-to-Door Bookstore comes a delicious, heartwarming story of a has-been ballerina who takes up a temporary job in a bakery, finding purpose in every loaf she bakes, for readers of Fredrik Backman and Robin Sloan.

What ingredients does a good life need?

Though she only just started her temporary job at the village bakery, former ballet dancer Sofie already wants to quit from day one. Her career abruptly ended after an injury threatened any and all chances of success, and losing her most beloved passion has thrown her life off track.

Yet there's something about the rhythms of the bakery that captivates her. Fascinated, Sofie watches old Italian baker Giacomo at work, and discovers that baking bread is almost like a dance: the dough is kneaded on beat, the rotation of the hands a steady rhythm, the swing of the hips like a practiced routine. To her own surprise, Sofie comes to see the little bakery as far more than just a place of work: it slowly transforms into a reprieve. It is here that she discovers the wisdom of a simple man, the joy of small things and the courage to embrace change.

A bestselling phenomenon, The Story Baker is the delightfully charming small-town story of one woman who finds solace, love, and community in the most unlikely of places.

Review Quotes

Praise for The Door-to-Door Bookstore

"This charmer, translated from German by Melody Shaw, is an unabashedly sentimental, determinedly uplifting novel about friendships forged through books."―NPR

"Completely satisfying.... A specific kind of summer fun."―LA Times

"The feel-good novel for all book lovers."―Spiegel online

"The most warm-hearted and touching novel we could wish for as readers for this special year. It is a book that somehow hugs you when you read it, it really pulls you into its arms."―Deutschlandfunk


"It is a warm-hearted story without kitsch with lovingly described protagonists. The right book for a dark rainy day, which immediately becomes a little brighter when you read it."―Westdeutsche Allgemeine Zeitung


"The basic idea of the book - that an unselfconscious child turns the life of a lonely old man upside down - is not new. But Henn has created characters with great empathy who quickly grow on you."―Kölner Stadt-Anzeiger


"Henn's novel is a declaration of love for the written word, a cheerful, fast-reading feel-good book for in between."―Westfalen-Blatt


"A book to snuggle up with, a book that warms and gives confidence. Just the thing for anyone who knows how important a good book can be."―Brigitte


"This is a feel-good book that caresses the soul and conveys the beautiful message of books that make you happy."―Ruhr Nachrichten