Product Description

'Who died?' I said. 'Or is it a secret?'

'My mother, Vianne Rocher.'

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.


From the Hardcover edition.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #920850 in Books
• Published on: 2007-06-26
• Released on: 2007-06-26
• Number of discs: 1
• Format: Audiobook
• Original language: English
• Dimensions: 5.75" h x 1.00" w x 5.00" l, .44 pounds
• Binding: Audio CD

From Publishers Weekly
Harris revisits characters from 1999's bestselling Chocolat in this equally delectable modern fairy tale. More than four years have passed since Vianne Rocher pitted her enchanted chocolate confections against the local clergy's interpretation of Lent in smalltown France; since then, Vianne has renounced magic, changed her name to Yanne Charbonneau and moved with her two daughters to Paris's Montmartre district. There, Yanne embraces conformity and safety, much to the dismay of her increasingly troubled older daughter, Anouk. When Anouk becomes entranced with Zozie de l'Alba, an exotic itinerant who happens upon a job at the new shop, and the relationship grows increasingly sinister, Yanne must call up all of Vianne's powers, culinary and mystical, to save her family. Harris again structures the narrative (told in alternate chapters by Zozie, Yanne and Anouk) around a liturgical season (in this case Advent). Harris gives fans much to savor in this multilayered novel, from the descriptions (including Yanne's mouthwatering chocolate confections, Zozie's whimsical footwear and Anouk's artistic efforts) to the novel's classic, enduring theme of good vs. evil—and the difficulty of telling the difference. (Apr.)
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From AudioFile
The multiple perspectives involved in this modern-day witch's tale are ably tackled by Susanna Burney. She takes on the various voices of a precocious teenager, a depressed middle-aged mother, and an ambitious manipulator of indiscernible age. Each of these characters has her own accompanying cast of supporting characters. Although it may take listeners a while to get used to the shifting narrative perspective, the alternating chapters build to a palpable tension. Burney's voice modulates the distinct personalities in a versatile and engaging style. She is also adept at the French phrases interspersed throughout the story. The lives and passions of these three women are presented in a fascinating manner. M.R. © AudioFile 2008, Portland, Maine-- Copyright © AudioFile, Portland, Maine

Review
“This is Harris’s best novel to date.” —Financial Times

“Chocolat was a hard act to follow but Harris has managed it in style.” —Daily Express

“One of Britain’s most popular novelists.” —Daily Mail

“She is so terrific, she can write about anywhere, anything, anyone.” —Daily Telegraph


From the Trade Paperback edition.