1 post tagged “whale rider”

Sorry it has been so long since the last Book and Cheese Blog Entry.  I didn't have time to read for so long, and then good cheese was so expensive.  But, Renee Marie and comebacknikki will be pleased at my cheese choice.

Today's book is The Whale Rider by Witi Ihimaera, and today's cheese is artisanal Manchego cheese.  I'm afraid I don't know where it was crafted.  Probably Spain, probably.  The label was in Spanish.  Anyway, on with it!

The Whale Rider

Witi Ihimaera

I had seen parts of the movie-- those that know me might be shocked that I never saw the whole thing, but movies make me impatient.  Still-- the movie did not prepare me for the book.  Basic synopsis of the book, taking place in New Zealand and containing mostly or entirely Maori characters:  Kahu's great-grandfather is extremely disappointed when she is born-- she is not a boy, and therefore cannot lead her iwi (tribe) in the future.  Kahu, however, knows that she is destined to be chief, but not only will her great-grandfather not see that, he hardly acknowledges her, though she loves him unconditionally.  Though he continues to ignore her, she has a gift passed down from her ancestor Kahutia Te Rangi, Paikea, and the survival of her people may hinge on that gift.

My, how I loved this book.  I can't even sit back and be articulate, I loved it so much.  I was going to quote from other reviews, but the reviews I want seem to have disappeared from the internet.  Kahu is not exactly spunky, but she fights for what she loves-- the denizens of the water, her iwi, and her Koro Apirana (not in that order).  She is secure in herself and knows who she is and who she is to be.  A very strong character.  All of the main characters (the great-grandparents, the uncle who narrates the book)are strong and well written.  This one is definitely a novel for older readers-- middle school kids would understand it but I think they might be impatient with it-- but it is rewarding.

artisanal Manchego cheese

WHERE has this cheese been?  How did I not know about it?  It is sweet and flavorful and absolutely nothing like an emmentaler. Even better, it is nothing like that Dubliner cheese (ugh).  It goes well by itself or with things.  I ate it with apple slices.  This is a very gorgeous cheese.  The odor exists but is not too pungent, the taste not too bland or too strong (and as I said, sweet).  Though it doesn't come on strong, it does have a full flavor.  I got a 4 month-aged piece, but there were 8 month-aged pieces that apparently have a bolder taste.  I shall try that sometime.  Thank you, Renee and C-nikki, for suggesting it! 

The cheese and the book complemented each other somehow.  I didn't eat the book or anything (heh) but I was eating the cheese while I read and... they just seemed to fit each other.

Also, I managed to upload "The I Love You Song" to my audio, as I was talking about it with S.