Five Quarters of the Orange

Joanne Harris

Summary:

Beyond the main street of Les Laveuses runs the Loire, smooth and brown as a sunning snake – but hiding a deadly undertow beneath its moving surface. This is where Framboise, a secretive widow named after a raspberry liqueur, plies her culinary trade at the crêperie – and lets her memory play strange games.

Into this world comes the threat of revelation as Framboise’s nephew – a profiteering Parisian – attempts to exploit the growing success of the country recipes she has inherited from her mother, a woman remembered with contempt by the villagers of Les Laveuses. As the spilt blood of a tragic wartime childhood flows again, exposure beckons for Framboise, the widow with an invented past.

Plot:

This is an exceptional work of fiction, brilliantly written and fascinating from start to finish. It keeps you guessing by giving you tiny bits of information, but makes you wait for the full story. Harris’ writing style is excellent, descriptive without being boring or overdone. This story will keep you thinking long after you’ve put down the book.

Characters:

Again Harris shows her genius in creating characters that are much too complex to describe in a couple of words. All the characters have major flaws, which makes them all the more interesting. Some are surprising, others are more predictable. The dynamics between the characters are also very interesting, how they change and develop.

Who should read this:

(13+) Mainly for language and non-graphic, but still upsetting, violence and sexual content. If you enjoyed Harris’ other books I would definitely recommend this one. Also if you like books with atmosphere and intrigue that will pull you in this might be the one for you. This is not a light or simple book, but it’s easy to read and understand.

My rating:

I almost like this book better than Chocolat, I though the descriptions were exquisite and the storyline intriguing. I’ll definitely read it again, because I think you could discover something new every time. 5/5

Quote:

“I let it go. It's like swimming against the current. It exhausts you. After a while, whoever you are, you just have to let go, and the river brings you home.”