Critics' Opinion:
Readers' rating:
Published Apr 2008
464 pages
Genre: Literary Fiction
Publication Information
Seeking refuge and anonymity in the cobbled streets of Montmartre, Yanne and her daughters, Rosette and Annie, live peacefully, if not happily, above their little chocolate shop. Nothing unusual marks them out; no red sachets hang by the door. The wind has stopped – at least for a while. Then into their lives blows Zozie de l’Alba, the lady with the lollipop shoes, and everything begins to change….
But this new friendship is not what it seems. Ruthless, devious and seductive, Zozie de l’Alba has plans of her own – plans that will shake their world to pieces. And with everything she loves at stake, Yanne must face a difficult choice; to flee, as she has done so many times before, or to confront her most dangerous enemy … Herself.
"Harris gives fans much to savor in this multilayered novel, from the descriptions...to the novel's classic, enduring theme of good vs. evil - and the difficulty of telling the difference." - Publishers Weekly.
"Although it's a bit darker than Chocolat, readers will drink up this pleasurable tale of love. Highly recommended " - Library Journal.
"A contemporary, razor-edged fairy tale - very dark chocolate but likely to be gobbled up." - Kirkus Reviews.
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Any "Author Information" displayed below reflects the author's biography at the time this particular book was published.
Photo: Paul Barker
Joanne Harris was born in Barnsley, Yorkshire on July 3, 1964, her mother is
French, her father English. She was educated at Wakefield Girls' High and
Barnsley Sixth Form College, and then read Modern and Mediaeval Languages at
Saint Catharine's College, Cambridge. After a number of heroic career
failures (rock musician, herbalist, accountant) she succumbed to genetic
pressure and became a French teacher for 12 years at a boys' grammar school in
Leeds, and later taught a French Literature course at Sheffield University.
Her first novel, The Evil Seed, was published in 1989, although she
strongly advises against reading it. Since then she has written Sleep,
Pale Sister (1993); Chocolat (1999); Blackberry Wine (2000);
Five Quarters of the Orange ...
... Full Biography
Author Interview
Link to Joanne Harris's Website
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