Cheesemaker's Tall Tale

According to Spanish legend, El Cid was valiant and faithful knight to a king who unjustly exiled him.  In reality, El Cid was a mercenary and was a more self-interested individual that the one portrayed in epic poetry, ballads, and film.  What does this have to do with a guy named Ambrosio Molinos who made excellent artisan cheese in a small Spanish village for a short time in the late 20th century?  More than you may think!  Michael Paterniti's The Telling Room is an exploration of the author's decade long attempt to write about Molinos and his famous Paramo de Guzman cheese.  Paterniti first heard about Molinos while he worked for a gourmet deli in Ann Arbor, Michigan.  Infuatuated with Molinos and his cheese, Paterniti years later moves his small family to a remote village only to become blocked and unable to finish his book.  Clearly, he worked his was through the dilemma but only after overcoming his reluctance to investigate the facts behind Molinos' story which turns out to be - surprise- not the perfect knight anymore than El Cid was. This lovely and rollicking tale is full of charm and provides an insight into the storytellers whose magic makes reality bearable.