The Bread Maker

by Moira Leigh MacLeod

It's 1933 and Mabel just wants to bake bread. She leaves the cold shack she shares with her father for the warmth of her kneading table at Cameron's store and gets caught in a snow storm, sparking events that expose the raw humanity of those around her. Loyalty and betrayal, guilt and shame, and faith and doubt collide as the dirty secrets of the bleak coal mining community throw lives into turmoil. A series of brutal attacks, a murder, and an ambitious sergeant intent on seeing someone hang, reveal a town, oppressed as much by its dreary prospects, as it is by its institutionalized corruption, sexism and racism.
Mabel just wants to bake bread, but she has her own secrets to protect.
The Bread Maker is a rich, beautifully told narrative that seamlessly weaves humour and tragedy into a touching story about life, love and the potential of the human spirit to overcome great odds.

Genres: Canada, Historical Fiction, Fiction

540 pages, Hardcover

Published September 19, 2016

Reviews

[Karen Neal]

The Bread Maker was our Chester NS summer Book Club most recent read and the first choice ever (in my experience) to rate a unanimous "I loved it!" from all on board. Also a first to consume two hours of discussion. I admire Moira MacLeod's character development. Like the lyrics of a wonderful musical that stay with you, Moira's characters are still playing out their roles in my imagination. A best, best story!!!

[Wendy Mugridge]

What a great read. So much happens. Great, original characters.

[Andree Gracie]

Absolutely loved this book, I fell in love with Mabel immediately and felt every emotion of her journey. I can so see this being on the big screen! It was suspenseful, totally unpredictable and revealed a gritty, turmoil filled time in this coal mining town's history. It is a must read!

Being an emotional person, I was constantly moving from tears to laughter, the writer has the ability to take you to the edge and back in moments. Can't believe this is Moira Leigh MacLeod's debut book, can't wait for the next one!!

Andree Gracie

[Dalav]

A friend mentioned this book as it was written by her sister-in-law. Decided to get it in order to support this Canadian author with her first book. I was pleasantly surprised. The book is set in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia and spans several decades up to the 1930s. I quickly got attached to Mabel, the principal character and bread maker as well as several of the other characters. They are very well developed by the author. Also came to despise a few others in the book. Murder, love, WWI, the Depression, secrets, family ties all feature in the Bread maker. Worth a read

[Debbie Symonds]

One of the best books I've read in a long time. The characters were down-to-earth and I could relate to them. Ms. MacLeod had me laughing one minute and crying the next. Highly recommend it. One drawback - the book is heavy and has to be propped up on a pillow if you're reading it for any length of time. And you WILL read it for long periods of time because you can't put it down!

[Barry Brown]

Absolutely fabulous read. Great characters and wow what a story. Could only happen where it did. Even got a handle on the language spoken although it took a while. It will make you laugh and cry.

[Nancy Belliveau]

There were a few little editing issues, but I LOVED the story line...and the character development was phenomenal. Great read for a debut novel.

[Wanda MacDonnell]

I would recommend this book to anyone. I couldn’t put it down til I finished it. The author captured my interest in all her characters and made them seem so real. She captured the essence of life in Cape Breton and the hardships and trials of the characters. She brought out the beauty of the spirit and tenacity and allowed you to feel all the emotions of each of the characters. A beautiful book all the way around. The sadness, the joys and the natural spirit of the principle characters was so real ...must admit it made me feel so connected to them. Looking forward to reading the next book. I certainly hope the author is proud of her accomplishment in writing this book...I applaud you Moira Leigh MacLeod .

[Margaret Cooper]

This is a wonderful read. The characters are so real and believable, the setting a place so full of strong culture and history. I did not want the book to end as I felt I was saying good bye to friends. The strength of Mabel, the main character in the story, is remarkable. The author allowed me to feel her emotions. I can't wait to read this author's next book which I hear is coming this autumn....I will be waiting in line.

[Sheri]

A great read! I loved getting to know all the characters and how they were connected. You couldn't help but feel all their emotions and become part of their lives.

I look forward to the follow up book!

[Linda Saunders]

Have you ever read a book that is set in your own hometown, although it’s not identified as such?
I thoroughly enjoyed The Bread Maker, written by Moira Leigh MacLeod (a school mate of my sister’s) and kept asking myself if my enjoyment was somewhat fuelled by the familiarity of the place, the characters, and some of the circumstances I might have recognized. In the end, I do believe my emotional investment in the story was enhanced because I grew up in Glace Bay…a booming mining town until the mines were shut down… and where Iggies, Senator’s Corner and the Brook (now Renwick Park) are landmarks.

Having finished it, I am confident that my rating is based on what I believe to be great writing. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
MacLeod’s knack for character development is impeccable. Mabel, James, Stanley, Johnny and every supporting character are believable as people caught in the circumstances of the time. Some, as in real life, are despicable…yet Moira lets us glimpse their frailty.
The setting is masterfully crafted giving the reader a scene that enhances the action…and there’s a fair amount of action in this one.
Mabel’s story is gripping. I was thoroughly engaged from the beginning and invested in knowing how things turned out throughout.
I believe this was MacLeod’s virgin voyage into published writing and that leaves me even more impressed by the quality of her writing. Her turn of phrase captures the essence of the people and her skill at succinct description is impeccable.
Would I recommend this one… Definitely ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Would I say it’s a “Must Read” for anyone who grew up in a mining town (like Glace Bay) Most Definitely ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[Valli Ostrowski]

I really liked the first half of the book. The section about the trial dragged on for me. Then after the trial was over the book went through the last bit at warp speed. It really felt rushed to me and I didn't enjoy it. The editing of the book itself was atrocious. A lot of extra words so you could tell the author changed something but didn't delete the old word. That really should have been picked up by the editor. On another page she referred to the subject by a completely different name. I did enjoy the book though for the most part and I will read her work again.

[Kelly Greenwood]

There was so much to this story of community and family and the ties that connect people together and pull them apart. Heartwarming and heartbreaking, and helped me make better sense of the author's Plenty to Hide novel I read last year. Now I want to read Or So it Seemed, which is the second book featuring Mabel and Stanley and their family, friends and neighbours.

[Jillian]

Being from Nova Scotia & all of my immediate family from Cape Breton, this book was very close to home for me. Many of my family have less than conventional home lives & life stories.
Such a heart felt read.
I will say that they need a new editor because there were a bunch of typos or mistakes throughout the book lol

[JaiCee]

4.5

[Ellen Thomey]

Great read. The characters come to life on the page. It's a story of real life, real people that face adversity. Loved it!

[Joanne]

Low 3 star, needed much tighter editing ( some parts just rambled ) and less similes!! Interesting Cape Breton story. Quick read.

[Shauna Scanlan]

Great characters and the book flowed well with plot. A small drag in the middle but the overall and that was minor ! Loved it

[Wendy Luciano]

Book club members said that this book and the author were one of the most engaging books and book clubs so far. A book that you don’t want to put down or end. No one will forget Mabel.

[Karen Arthur]

Could not put the book down! Looking forward to see what happens to Mabel next. Imagery abounds ... I pictured every character, every home, every baked bread. A must read!

[Lorna]

I enjoyed this book; an easy read. I had read the sequel first *Or So It Seemed* and enjoyed the sequel more; definitely a fan of Moira Leigh MacLeod’s books!

[Debbe]

I wasn't sure about this at the get go but once I got into it I was hooked. A wide variety of characters, some to love some to hate, and a few you want to kill... Read and find out for yourself!

[Dana]

Wonderful read. I felt like I was back in time in Glace Bay. I am starting the next book in the series...

[Mary Melnick]

Wonderfully written,, easy flowing story.A great read.

[Lorna]

This was a fantastic story! I loved the characters and how they lived, how they spoke, their connection and resilience. It's truly reflective of the people of Glace Bay and Cape Breton.

[Roberta Keough]

loved it

[Katharine Borch]

Good story. I would have preferred that the author combine the prose into longer chapters. The many short sections made the reading choppy.

[Cathy]

Loved it. Can’t wait to begin book 2 in the series.

[Lisa Walters]

Loved this book. Such an engaging story and characters. Anxious to read the series.

[Kim Lewis]

Loved the book and all the characters! Moira keeps u guessing who did it! Enjoyed the book and to read the sequel. Or as it seemed.
Definitely worth a read.