Book Review: "The Telling Room" by Michael Paterniti

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Spring quarter 2020 was the last time that I was enrolled in school and taking classes. Since I decided to take fall quarter off, I have had time to reflect on my first quarter of online classes and prepare for this next one. I read the most wonderful book for one of my Spanish classes, and it gave me the final push of inspiration needed to include a "food education" series into my curriculum that is based in the slow food movement by preserving traditional practices.

"The Telling Room" written by Michael Paterniti, is described as A Tale of Love, Betrayal, Revenge, and the World's Greatest Piece of Cheese. This amazing book is based out of the small Spanish town of Guzmán, and the Castillian cheesemaker who started it all, Ambrosio Molinos de las Heras and his family. This book explores the Spanish traditional values and dives deep into the rich history of this landscape. Paterniti's writing gives you a front row seat to a world where the people spend their lives dedicated to experiencing good food, wine, conversation and community at the bodega. This relationship is treasured because of the value that quality time with your loved ones, and supports the local economy and traditional food systems.

"The Telling Room" is a story about Paterniti's decade long journey in discovering the amazing story of the world's best piece of cheese and a plan to murder an ex-best friend. I loved reading this book for the many opportunities to reflect on the different cultural and historical aspects that contribute to this books captivating nature. On page 289, Paterniti writes about one specific historical relationship that continues to this day. " Yes, American life was messy and maddening, overwhelming and aggressive, supersaturated and plaque plagued, but is was deeply comforting, too. In the blur of our digital times, we may not have been as in touch with our inner Daniel Boones as Ambrosio was in touch with his El Cid, but this America was who I was. " This snippet gives you a brief insight to the cultural influences of The States and Spain by referencing historical figures that are told through a specific cultural lens. Spain's cultural history is a Castillian knight and warlord while the mention of Daniel Boones strikes up conversation about The United States's white-washing and cultural erasure. Both characters offer insight into whose history is being told and whose is not. Paterniti goes on to talk about the future and what he imagines for his kids as they grow up in such honest and humbled words, " ... I realized that whatever legacy I gave my kids, I wanted them to know what it meant to be close to the land, close to history, close to the song of stars at night. " I think that this is really important because it highlights the intersectionality between the land we occupy and our history and that implications of this intersection affects the relationships within our community.

Ambrosio refers to "mi grandísima filosofía de la vida" or "my grand philosophy of life" throughout this book as he shares more of his own story and his purpose of continuing traditional practices. On page 71, Ambrosio is reflecting on the international success of his family recipe for cheese, "'But if you asked me the secret, I'd say it was because we made it in our home, the old way, the way it had been made for hundreds of years. Perhaps in the United States you don't know what it's like to have old flavors, flavors from the past, from centuries before. I don;t conbsider myself in the middle of this conflict between old and new-- I'm clearly on the side of the old. I feel that there are two ways to create nourishment in food, and in the future, there's only going to be one.' His big forefinger waggled. 'My mission is to make sure we don't forget the old way'". He challenges society and unravels the web of capitalism that controls the lives of so many. We do not need to take part in this toxic, individualistic, capitalist society that we've been brainwashed to believe is the only way of living. It is our responsibility to continue these traditional practices that have nourished our bodies and our minds for hundreds of thousands of years. Paterniti ponders Ambrosio's grand philosophy and continues by reflecting on this conversation, "This certainly wasn't normal conversation, I knew that-- or certainly not normal American conversation, from the country that blithely consumed nine billion chickens a year, most of them factory made and McNuggetized. The more he spoke the more I appreciated the relative humanity of his vision. His grand philosophy wasn't just idealistic, it was achievable, actionable, with intimations of beauty and epiphany. He was in dialogue with an inaccessible world I'd never had the occasion to live in, let alone lose touch with. Yet it was one we all felt some instinctual connection to, wasn't it? " (pg.72-73). Throughout the 10 years Paterniti was writing this book, he feels like Guzmán is pulling him back. He finds this small town so exciting that he moves his family there for a short time.

Slow life absolutely has a strong appeal. For anyone who has been privileged enough to be able to experience and extended time of "slow living", you understand the change that occurs when you slow down to experience the moment whole-heartedly. There are so many studies that talk about the health benefits of slowing down your daily routine from the overly independent, capitalistic society we live in and reconnecting. There are many opportunities that our communities can begin living locally, reconnecting to the land through food is one way that we can heal to improve our future. " The Power of Slowing Down " written by Carolyn Appleton perfectly summarizes this process. This article was presented through the online platform, Thrive Global, a collective of that promotes health and resiliency. One thing I especially like about this brand is that the goal is not for monetary gain, the most important part of working is managing stress and avoiding burnout. (I will provide more information about burnout in upcoming content!) These concepts are not new, these ways of living are not forgotten. They DO work.

As I mentioned previously, the slow food movement is specifically mentioned in this book but the concept is woven in throughout the whole book. If you are unfamiliar with this movement or haven't had the chance yet, I suggest checking out their website. I pulled their purpose statement off of their website to demonstrate the relationship between community involvement and living locally, their message reads: "Slow Food envisions a world in which all people can access and enjoy food that is good for them, good for those who grow it and good for the planet. Our approach is based on a concept of food that is defined by three interconnected principles: good, clean and fair. "

Another article that I think demonstrates the intersectional importance of slowing down and living locally is " Slow Living Is Healthy Living " written by Michael Finkelstein, MD, is presented through the Huffington Post. The reason why these concepts are so important to incorporate into the education system is because of the negative health effects that plague our society. There is no right or wrong way for someone to live their life, however there are certain priorities that we have lost touch with as a society. My goal is to create a curriculum that influences the educational system and its policies that highlights the importance of inquiry, community, personal well-being and food systems.

It is important that while highlighting this art by way of books or organizations, that we are also contributing to the work of the people who embody in these spaces. Community based organizations and movements have such power due to the deeply rooted interconnectivity. We must make space to acknowledge that these teachings and practices are "trending" at our current societal state for a number of reasons. The issue with this is that in continuing our unhealthy connections to our community, our food systems and our bodies, we are single-handedly at fault for our own discomfort. We have to take the initiative to make the change that we want to see for the future we see. We prioritize health and connection because we know this will benefit the people and the planet as we grow forward into this new era.

This book is one eaof my new favorites and I highly recommend it. You can purchase the book here or by click on the image above. If you can make time for yourself to read during these next few months, get yourself a blanket and a cup of your favorite winter beverage! Enjoy!