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Къпиново вино
Джей Макинтош е уловен в капана на спомените сред стария добре познат пейзаж на детството, по-примамлив от настоящия, в който копнее да се завърне. Бутилка домашно вино, оставено от отдавна изгубен приятел, сякаш му дава ключ към тайна от миналото и врата към друг свят. Докато необичайните свойства на странното питие оказва своето въздействие, Джей се усамотява в изоставена ферма във френското селце Ланскене, където го очаква среща с призрак от миналото, а саможивата Мари - преследвана от духове, красива и опасна - крие ужасна тайна зад затворените капаци на прозорците си. Между тях възниква загадъчна химическа реакция. Или може би магия? „Кьпиново вино" е третият роман на Джоан Харис след
бестселъра „Шоколад" и „Петте четвъртини на портокала", който ИК „Прозорец" предлага на читателите.
бестселъра „Шоколад" и „Петте четвъртини на портокала", който ИК „Прозорец" предлага на читателите.
304 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2000
About the author
Joanne Harris
115 books5,920 followersJoanne Harris is also known as Joanne M. Harris
Joanne Harris is an Anglo-French author, whose books include fourteen novels, two cookbooks and many short stories. Her work is extremely diverse, covering aspects of magic realism, suspense, historical fiction, mythology and fantasy. She has also written a DR WHO novella for the BBC, has scripted guest episodes for the game ZOMBIES, RUN!, and is currently engaged in a number of musical theatre projects as well as developing an original drama for television.
In 2000, her 1999 novel CHOCOLAT was adapted to the screen, starring Juliette Binoche and Johnny Depp. She is an honorary Fellow of St Catharine's College, Cambridge, and in 2022 was awarded an OBE by the Queen.
Her hobbies are listed in Who's Who as 'mooching, lounging, strutting, strumming, priest-baiting and quiet subversion'. She also spends too much time on Twitter; plays flute and bass guitar in a band first formed when she was 16; and works from a shed in her garden at her home in Yorkshire.
Joanne Harris is an Anglo-French author, whose books include fourteen novels, two cookbooks and many short stories. Her work is extremely diverse, covering aspects of magic realism, suspense, historical fiction, mythology and fantasy. She has also written a DR WHO novella for the BBC, has scripted guest episodes for the game ZOMBIES, RUN!, and is currently engaged in a number of musical theatre projects as well as developing an original drama for television.
In 2000, her 1999 novel CHOCOLAT was adapted to the screen, starring Juliette Binoche and Johnny Depp. She is an honorary Fellow of St Catharine's College, Cambridge, and in 2022 was awarded an OBE by the Queen.
Her hobbies are listed in Who's Who as 'mooching, lounging, strutting, strumming, priest-baiting and quiet subversion'. She also spends too much time on Twitter; plays flute and bass guitar in a band first formed when she was 16; and works from a shed in her garden at her home in Yorkshire.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,049 reviews
February 9, 2017
This lovely story about Jay & Jackapple Joe is one of my all time favourite books. I could read it over & over again.
A story filled with nostalgia, a yearning for wonderful childhood memories, magic and trust. Jay goes on a journey of faith and self discovery, learning how to trust in himself and others, believe in magic and that anything is possible as he once did as a child. With a little help from Joe and his 'specials'.
A wonderful heart warming tale that is a pleasure to read.
A story filled with nostalgia, a yearning for wonderful childhood memories, magic and trust. Jay goes on a journey of faith and self discovery, learning how to trust in himself and others, believe in magic and that anything is possible as he once did as a child. With a little help from Joe and his 'specials'.
A wonderful heart warming tale that is a pleasure to read.
April 1, 2018
2018 Reading Challenge: fruit or vegetable in the title
I’m a huge Harris fan, but somehow this is the first of her novels I’ve read with a main male protagonist. I don’t typically gravitate to these types of books.
RTC but I loved this as much as any of her other books. She’s a beautiful storyteller
I’m a huge Harris fan, but somehow this is the first of her novels I’ve read with a main male protagonist. I don’t typically gravitate to these types of books.
RTC but I loved this as much as any of her other books. She’s a beautiful storyteller
March 21, 2013
My first novel by the author of Chocolat and I have to say I enjoyed it far more than expected.
The story of Jay Mackintosh, a 37 years old writer, famous because of an only novel written fifteen years ago. Jay seems to have lost inspiration and faith in the magic of life, as if all these feelings had been spent in that successful novel.
The novel moves forward and backwards in time, and the reader is able to know young Jay, when he meets Joe, an eccentric old man who leaves a deep impression in lonely Jay, becoming his special friend and his secret hideaway.
Home brewed wine made by Joe takes unusual importance in the present time of the story, because it's only when Jay drinks it that he finds the courage to change what makes him unhappy. Guided by a kind of Joe's ghost, Jay leaves London and moves to a little rural village in France where he buys an abandoned farm and where he starts writing again, inspired by his mysterious neighbour, Marisa.
This is a book about haunted lives, unfinished stories and the chance to change your own life and atone for your past mistakes.
Magic, wine, faith or simply luck and coincidence. Choose your own explanation.
I'll stick to the magic and a bit of luck, as Jay says.
It's only a matter of not losing hope completely and let others surprise you, with one foot in the Earth and the other one suspended in the air, letting the wind blow where it has to.
Refreshing, heartening and uplifting reading. Great for dreamers and romantics.
The story of Jay Mackintosh, a 37 years old writer, famous because of an only novel written fifteen years ago. Jay seems to have lost inspiration and faith in the magic of life, as if all these feelings had been spent in that successful novel.
The novel moves forward and backwards in time, and the reader is able to know young Jay, when he meets Joe, an eccentric old man who leaves a deep impression in lonely Jay, becoming his special friend and his secret hideaway.
Home brewed wine made by Joe takes unusual importance in the present time of the story, because it's only when Jay drinks it that he finds the courage to change what makes him unhappy. Guided by a kind of Joe's ghost, Jay leaves London and moves to a little rural village in France where he buys an abandoned farm and where he starts writing again, inspired by his mysterious neighbour, Marisa.
This is a book about haunted lives, unfinished stories and the chance to change your own life and atone for your past mistakes.
Magic, wine, faith or simply luck and coincidence. Choose your own explanation.
I'll stick to the magic and a bit of luck, as Jay says.
It's only a matter of not losing hope completely and let others surprise you, with one foot in the Earth and the other one suspended in the air, letting the wind blow where it has to.
Refreshing, heartening and uplifting reading. Great for dreamers and romantics.
November 1, 2021
не в захваті від цієї книжки, хоча планувала бути, бо дуже люблю "Шоколад".
мені не подобався головний герой, не подобалася надмірна ідеалізація сільського життя, не подобалося захоплення алкоголем - глянемо правді у вічі, наш герой має високі шанси отримати цироз печінки, не подобалася ворожість до міста, ворожість до технологій, ворожість до туристів. там само не сподобався розподіл на "хороших" і "поганих" жінок, де нам розказують, що "жінка має бути річчю в собі". не подобалася обірвана сюжетна лінія дівчинки-ромки.
сподобався фінал, але я йому не вірю.
мені не подобався головний герой, не подобалася надмірна ідеалізація сільського життя, не подобалося захоплення алкоголем - глянемо правді у вічі, наш герой має високі шанси отримати цироз печінки, не подобалася ворожість до міста, ворожість до технологій, ворожість до туристів. там само не сподобався розподіл на "хороших" і "поганих" жінок, де нам розказують, що "жінка має бути річчю в собі". не подобалася обірвана сюжетна лінія дівчинки-ромки.
сподобався фінал, але я йому не вірю.
March 21, 2023
1/5
Maniau, kad Ledinukų bateliai buvo blogiausia iš mano Harris skaitytų, bet va ėmė ir pralenkė. Istorija jau tiek kartų pas pačią autorę girdėta, kad tie visi mažo miestelio žmogučiai ir vienišos mamos su vaikais, nup kažko bėgančios, manęs tiesiog nebeveikia. Vienintelis įdomesnis reikalas – maginis realizmas, pasakojimas iš vyno perspektyvos. Bet net vynas čia sugeba būti nuobodus ir apie nieką, pusė siužetinių linijų niekur nenuveda, pusė Santa Barbara – tipo „dukrą priverčiu vaidinti, kad ji kurčia, nes močiutė durnavota“. Pagrindinis veikėjas nekelia simpatijų (ne taip kaip jo draugas senukas), o nuorodos į „Šokoladą“ tokios pritemptos, labiau iš reikalo, tarsi reikėtų atiduoti duoklę agentams ir skaitytojams, o ne nes iš tiesų tinka ir pačiai autorei patinka.
Būtų dar ne taip blogai, jei ne baisus, nesuprantamas, nepaskaitomas vertimas. Ir nėra redaktorės – what? Tik korektorė. Čia nuoma yra „renta“, miegmaišiai staiga tampa „miego maišais“, kažkodėl veikėjas apibūdinamas kaip „pederastas“, nors originale nėra nieko panašaus. Namas yra terasa, ne terasinis, dingsta lietuviškos raidės, žaizda per dieną tampa randu, vaikystė „pavaizduota paauksuota“, o vaikas aprašomas kaip „amerikietiškas berniukas, rausvai, dirbtinai išradingas“. Jo, aš irgi nežinau ką tai reiškia. Kava su pienu tampa riešutine kava su šokoladu, vietovardžiai išversti pagal mėnulio fazę, ne vietovardžių žodyną. Nu ir dialogai, pvz „Jei ką verta daryti, verta daryti pačiam“. Žodžiu, ne tik kad nerekomenduoju, bet jaučiausi beveik asmeniškai įžeista „Gervuogių vyno“.
Maniau, kad Ledinukų bateliai buvo blogiausia iš mano Harris skaitytų, bet va ėmė ir pralenkė. Istorija jau tiek kartų pas pačią autorę girdėta, kad tie visi mažo miestelio žmogučiai ir vienišos mamos su vaikais, nup kažko bėgančios, manęs tiesiog nebeveikia. Vienintelis įdomesnis reikalas – maginis realizmas, pasakojimas iš vyno perspektyvos. Bet net vynas čia sugeba būti nuobodus ir apie nieką, pusė siužetinių linijų niekur nenuveda, pusė Santa Barbara – tipo „dukrą priverčiu vaidinti, kad ji kurčia, nes močiutė durnavota“. Pagrindinis veikėjas nekelia simpatijų (ne taip kaip jo draugas senukas), o nuorodos į „Šokoladą“ tokios pritemptos, labiau iš reikalo, tarsi reikėtų atiduoti duoklę agentams ir skaitytojams, o ne nes iš tiesų tinka ir pačiai autorei patinka.
Būtų dar ne taip blogai, jei ne baisus, nesuprantamas, nepaskaitomas vertimas. Ir nėra redaktorės – what? Tik korektorė. Čia nuoma yra „renta“, miegmaišiai staiga tampa „miego maišais“, kažkodėl veikėjas apibūdinamas kaip „pederastas“, nors originale nėra nieko panašaus. Namas yra terasa, ne terasinis, dingsta lietuviškos raidės, žaizda per dieną tampa randu, vaikystė „pavaizduota paauksuota“, o vaikas aprašomas kaip „amerikietiškas berniukas, rausvai, dirbtinai išradingas“. Jo, aš irgi nežinau ką tai reiškia. Kava su pienu tampa riešutine kava su šokoladu, vietovardžiai išversti pagal mėnulio fazę, ne vietovardžių žodyną. Nu ir dialogai, pvz „Jei ką verta daryti, verta daryti pačiam“. Žodžiu, ne tik kad nerekomenduoju, bet jaučiausi beveik asmeniškai įžeista „Gervuogių vyno“.
August 23, 2021
Joe is the reason why I'm giving this book four starts and why I loved it despite the somewhat predictable plot and undeveloped characters. The magic realism of this book was wonderful- the present day events and plot- not so much. I didn't find the plot credible at all. Everything works out way too conveniently for Jay, the protagonist of this book. The only thing that made Jay relatable and real was his relationship with Joe- and his struggles at the writer. There was no chemistry in the love story part of the plot.
I felt like this was a novel that didn't fully live up to its potential. I felt like the writer sacrificed potential depth for entertainment and page turning plot. Let me explain. There is a series of events in this novel that while interesting to read about seemed to take away from the magic of this book. I wanted to know more about Giddy and Joe, characters from the past of the protagonist. The whole plot of the book (the one dealing with present day events seemed a bit predictable to me).
Read my full review:
https://modaodaradosti.blogspot.com/2...
I felt like this was a novel that didn't fully live up to its potential. I felt like the writer sacrificed potential depth for entertainment and page turning plot. Let me explain. There is a series of events in this novel that while interesting to read about seemed to take away from the magic of this book. I wanted to know more about Giddy and Joe, characters from the past of the protagonist. The whole plot of the book (the one dealing with present day events seemed a bit predictable to me).
Read my full review:
https://modaodaradosti.blogspot.com/2...
November 11, 2015
I loved this story, or maybe I should say, I was in love with this story, I was in love with Joe and his eccentric ways. I loved the gardening, the wine making, the magic. I was in love with the bond of love between old man Joe and young man Jay. This is a book about the young man growing into maturity, into a man who can love a woman and a child and protect what he values. Growing into a man who can accept the weaknesses and mistakes of others, accept those same things in himself, and figure out how to make things better. It is about an old man passing on his skills and dreams to the next generation. It is about the value of the past to the creation of the future; respect and love for the land and diversity of species. Although the story has many fantastical elements the only thing that struck a somewhat odd note for me was Marise's past. Lovely woman, but more than her share of conveniently dead in her life and rather iffy taste in men, although let's hope that we are looking at a brighter future for her. Truly, I just loved this book. For me, it was better than Chocolat and better than Five Quarters of an Orange. I don't drink wine but I related absolutely to the wine in this story; to the stories it tells, to the stories it releases. Sometimes I want to hug a book. This is one of those books. I haven't yet looked to see how others liked this book, but I recommend it.
April 11, 2019
Blackberry Wine (1999) & Five Quarters of the Orange (2001) by Joanne Harris
Finished Reading: August 2015
Rating: 2/5 & 3/5
I read Harris' Five Quarters of the Orange & Blackberry Wine back to back, so I shall be reviewing them together. They are very similar, actually; a little too much. Both feature lead female protagonists that have strong, proud, independent, walled-away personalities, unwilling to accept, let alone ask, others for any sort of assistance. In both, they are not the lead character, but as the focus of the protagonist, they are as, if not more, important.
In Five Quarters of the Orange, this bold female character is Mirabelle Dartigen, the mother of present-day narrator Framboise Simon.
In Blackberry Wine, Marise d'Api is the strong female lead, writer Jay Mackintosh's unfriendly, closed off, and mysterious neighbor.
Like in all Harris' novels - the singular touch that ensures my return interest in her novels - both novels contain a food that serves as a saving elixir and the irreplaceable addition of magic and whimsy. The former uses an orange, the scent of which inexplicably increases Mirabelle's anxiety spells (for some time, admist verbal and sometimes physical abuse from her, Framboise surreptitiously leaves orange peels to seep through the ventilation so as to earn a reprieve). In the latter, the elixir is fruit-based wine, specifically a set of vintage '75s, which Jay Mackintosh finds in the remains of Pog Hill decades ago when he returns the summer following his unannounced disappearance.
Five Quarters of the Orange tells a multi-generational story with lies, secrets, family database, but with redemption, love, healing, and perseverance shining throughout. Framboise, having had a tenuous relationship with her less than ideal mother (abusive, actually) all her life, she is surprised to uncover redeeming secrets written in code in a beloved cookbook that belonged to her. Her childhood took place during the Nazi occupation, causing more than typical difficulties in her young years. Along with her siblings Cassis & Reinette, they begin associating with a German Officer named Leibwitz. For varying reasons, each idolizes, to the point of compromising their integrity by becoming informants, providing information Leibwitz utilizes to blackmail their neighbors. They rationalize this by convincing themselves as well as each other that this is harmless; it is only words, after all, and it isn't like the Germans are murdering anyone. (Although one evening there is one somewhat accidental related death.)
Framboise falls the most for Liebwitz. By, in fact, actually falling in love with him. Which leads to the event that has remained hidden for years, decades, in the family. The event that changed each of their lives forever. When he tells young Framboise that he can no longer see her, likely ever again, she cries, imploring that this not be so. When he refuses her pleas, she desperately convinces him to swim out to a dangerous area of the lake, simply to spend more time with him. He is caught in a root underwater and drowns. The three of them, Cassis, Reinette, and Framboise, surreptitiously make the body disappear, and never discuss the incident again. Their mother, despite showing no real love for them their entire lives, covers up for them when she finds out. They never know until present day that she even knew.
All these events lead to the entire city shunning the family, and following one situation too many, they flee in separate directions, barely in time escaping death by the neighbors' wrath and need to designate a scapegoat. Of course, there is also the love aspect, a childhood friend, Paul, whom she eventually lets in. Together they learn to heal. If not forget, but to accept the past, their indivual secrets, and Framboise finally makes amends with her mother.
Blackberry Wine I liked far less. Jay honestly seemed like an immature adult, left in the past. Worse yet, he is aware of it, yet quite nonchalant to the idea of changing. His personal relationships are minimal, he hardly allows himself aspirations, avoiding any real work. Honestly, none of the other main characters were that much better. His love interest, Marie A'pi, is a negative, closed off person for most of the novel. The ghost of Joe is more lovable, but honestly his presence was perplexing. I am typically a fan of magical realism, but the ghosts/spirituality aspect was not smoothly embedded into the story. it definitely stood out, causing the reading to seem off-kilter. Kerry, his initial love interest, was written like a bitch, clear and simple. All the other characters in the new town, neighbors to Jay, were not very deeply explored. Relatives to Marise (similar to the neighbors in Five Quarters of an Orange) were cold and unwilling to be understanding, believing only what they want to believe.
The only character that was well-written for me was his childhood friend during his Pog Hills days. Gilly was courageous, spunky, and had a spirit that was lovable rather than unattractive. Marise's daughter, whom Jay initially mistakes for her, comes close to bringing back the spirit.
In all, two fun reads, but I am still searching for a book from Harris in which the depth and overall significance of her words and stories match the way she has perfected the tone of magic and whimsy.
Finished Reading: August 2015
Rating: 2/5 & 3/5
I read Harris' Five Quarters of the Orange & Blackberry Wine back to back, so I shall be reviewing them together. They are very similar, actually; a little too much. Both feature lead female protagonists that have strong, proud, independent, walled-away personalities, unwilling to accept, let alone ask, others for any sort of assistance. In both, they are not the lead character, but as the focus of the protagonist, they are as, if not more, important.
In Five Quarters of the Orange, this bold female character is Mirabelle Dartigen, the mother of present-day narrator Framboise Simon.
In Blackberry Wine, Marise d'Api is the strong female lead, writer Jay Mackintosh's unfriendly, closed off, and mysterious neighbor.
Like in all Harris' novels - the singular touch that ensures my return interest in her novels - both novels contain a food that serves as a saving elixir and the irreplaceable addition of magic and whimsy. The former uses an orange, the scent of which inexplicably increases Mirabelle's anxiety spells (for some time, admist verbal and sometimes physical abuse from her, Framboise surreptitiously leaves orange peels to seep through the ventilation so as to earn a reprieve). In the latter, the elixir is fruit-based wine, specifically a set of vintage '75s, which Jay Mackintosh finds in the remains of Pog Hill decades ago when he returns the summer following his unannounced disappearance.
Five Quarters of the Orange tells a multi-generational story with lies, secrets, family database, but with redemption, love, healing, and perseverance shining throughout. Framboise, having had a tenuous relationship with her less than ideal mother (abusive, actually) all her life, she is surprised to uncover redeeming secrets written in code in a beloved cookbook that belonged to her. Her childhood took place during the Nazi occupation, causing more than typical difficulties in her young years. Along with her siblings Cassis & Reinette, they begin associating with a German Officer named Leibwitz. For varying reasons, each idolizes, to the point of compromising their integrity by becoming informants, providing information Leibwitz utilizes to blackmail their neighbors. They rationalize this by convincing themselves as well as each other that this is harmless; it is only words, after all, and it isn't like the Germans are murdering anyone. (Although one evening there is one somewhat accidental related death.)
Framboise falls the most for Liebwitz. By, in fact, actually falling in love with him. Which leads to the event that has remained hidden for years, decades, in the family. The event that changed each of their lives forever. When he tells young Framboise that he can no longer see her, likely ever again, she cries, imploring that this not be so. When he refuses her pleas, she desperately convinces him to swim out to a dangerous area of the lake, simply to spend more time with him. He is caught in a root underwater and drowns. The three of them, Cassis, Reinette, and Framboise, surreptitiously make the body disappear, and never discuss the incident again. Their mother, despite showing no real love for them their entire lives, covers up for them when she finds out. They never know until present day that she even knew.
All these events lead to the entire city shunning the family, and following one situation too many, they flee in separate directions, barely in time escaping death by the neighbors' wrath and need to designate a scapegoat. Of course, there is also the love aspect, a childhood friend, Paul, whom she eventually lets in. Together they learn to heal. If not forget, but to accept the past, their indivual secrets, and Framboise finally makes amends with her mother.
Blackberry Wine I liked far less. Jay honestly seemed like an immature adult, left in the past. Worse yet, he is aware of it, yet quite nonchalant to the idea of changing. His personal relationships are minimal, he hardly allows himself aspirations, avoiding any real work. Honestly, none of the other main characters were that much better. His love interest, Marie A'pi, is a negative, closed off person for most of the novel. The ghost of Joe is more lovable, but honestly his presence was perplexing. I am typically a fan of magical realism, but the ghosts/spirituality aspect was not smoothly embedded into the story. it definitely stood out, causing the reading to seem off-kilter. Kerry, his initial love interest, was written like a bitch, clear and simple. All the other characters in the new town, neighbors to Jay, were not very deeply explored. Relatives to Marise (similar to the neighbors in Five Quarters of an Orange) were cold and unwilling to be understanding, believing only what they want to believe.
The only character that was well-written for me was his childhood friend during his Pog Hills days. Gilly was courageous, spunky, and had a spirit that was lovable rather than unattractive. Marise's daughter, whom Jay initially mistakes for her, comes close to bringing back the spirit.
In all, two fun reads, but I am still searching for a book from Harris in which the depth and overall significance of her words and stories match the way she has perfected the tone of magic and whimsy.
March 22, 2012
I prefer tea….
I have mixed feelings about Blackberry Wine, unfortunately more negative than positive. For the first ten chapters I despised this book: I didn’t care about the characters, couldn’t care about the plot and wanted nothing more than to just get through the thing so I could move on to another story. Even though the chapters are short, fifty-seven pages is more than I want to wait for a story to get interesting.
Blackberry Wine describes the life of Jay, a one-hit-wonder in the literary arena who fell victim to the freshman curse and now lives as a writer of trashy sci-fi novels and part-time fantasy-conference attendee. One day he impulsively buys a farmhouse in France that brings back childhood memories and moves in, hoping to find what he thinks he’s lost. Via astral projection, his friend/mentor Joe, visits the farmhouse to continue giving the advice he started in Jay’s youth. Jay the adult reverts back to the child he was time and again in his bitterness at being abandoned by the old man’s sudden parting, continuing the legacy. Blackberry Wine is written as a piece of commercial fiction, but has definite elements of fantasy that feel out of place. This inconsistent tone added to my discomfort.
One of the reasons I had trouble with this book is because of the way Jay is written. Personally, I thought he was schizophrenic, but I don’t think that was the author’s intention. He seems like an intelligent person, but has the insight of a fifteen-year-old boy coupled with a dog’s manic need to defend his territory (or in this case, Jay’s righteous indignation). Jay’s lack of maturity and poor decision-making ability mark him as a victim, a martyr, so I had trouble caring about him.
This book jumps back and forth in time about every other chapter which I found distracting. The copious descriptions were a bit much and repetitive: how many times did I have to hear about the canal, or that something was yeasty- an odd word to be given such prominence? And don’t get me started on the magically animated bottles of wine….
On the upside, once the story warmed up it was engaging. Jay’s garden renovation and the relationship with his neighbor and her daughter were nice, the practical peculiarities of Joe added color and interest and the French townspeople formed a nice backdrop. All in all I thought Blackberry Wine was flawed, but it did have moments.
I have mixed feelings about Blackberry Wine, unfortunately more negative than positive. For the first ten chapters I despised this book: I didn’t care about the characters, couldn’t care about the plot and wanted nothing more than to just get through the thing so I could move on to another story. Even though the chapters are short, fifty-seven pages is more than I want to wait for a story to get interesting.
Blackberry Wine describes the life of Jay, a one-hit-wonder in the literary arena who fell victim to the freshman curse and now lives as a writer of trashy sci-fi novels and part-time fantasy-conference attendee. One day he impulsively buys a farmhouse in France that brings back childhood memories and moves in, hoping to find what he thinks he’s lost. Via astral projection, his friend/mentor Joe, visits the farmhouse to continue giving the advice he started in Jay’s youth. Jay the adult reverts back to the child he was time and again in his bitterness at being abandoned by the old man’s sudden parting, continuing the legacy. Blackberry Wine is written as a piece of commercial fiction, but has definite elements of fantasy that feel out of place. This inconsistent tone added to my discomfort.
One of the reasons I had trouble with this book is because of the way Jay is written. Personally, I thought he was schizophrenic, but I don’t think that was the author’s intention. He seems like an intelligent person, but has the insight of a fifteen-year-old boy coupled with a dog’s manic need to defend his territory (or in this case, Jay’s righteous indignation). Jay’s lack of maturity and poor decision-making ability mark him as a victim, a martyr, so I had trouble caring about him.
This book jumps back and forth in time about every other chapter which I found distracting. The copious descriptions were a bit much and repetitive: how many times did I have to hear about the canal, or that something was yeasty- an odd word to be given such prominence? And don’t get me started on the magically animated bottles of wine….
On the upside, once the story warmed up it was engaging. Jay’s garden renovation and the relationship with his neighbor and her daughter were nice, the practical peculiarities of Joe added color and interest and the French townspeople formed a nice backdrop. All in all I thought Blackberry Wine was flawed, but it did have moments.
October 12, 2018
Второе прочтение, теперь в оригинале. Столь восторженные отзывы, как 9 лет назад, я уже не оставляю, но книга бесспорно хороша и тема вина очень моя. И отлично читалось в отпуске на берегу Испании :)
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"Ежевичное вино" - шестой роман Джоанн Харрис в моем зачете :)
Главный герой - англичанин-писатель Джей Макинтош, повинуясь чарам "Особых" вин, созданных эксцентричным садовником Джо, и детских воспоминаний, приезжает в уже знакомый нам городок Ланскне-су-Танн, чтобы разобраться в своем прошлом и найти своё будущее.
Я в восторге! Эта книга понравилась мне больше, чем все остальные (исключая, может быть, Леденцовые туфельки, хотя в целом, для меня сравнивать книги Харрис между собой по критерию "нравится больше/меньше" довольно трудно). В Ежевичном вине мне понравилось решительно всё - и сюжет, и новая встреча с Ланскне (не таким, каким он был в Шоколаде) и его жителями, и главные герои, и ретроспектива, и фрукты-вина-овощи-травы, и загадка Маризы, и напряжение тайны - в общем, всё-всё-всё. Последние страницы я читала так жадно, что засиделась вчера допоздна - не могла остановиться! Бесподобным назван роман в аннотации и я горячо присоединяюсь! Вот уж не ожидала, что буду в таком восторге. По сравнению с этим романом Остров на краю света кажется бледным, шаблонным. Шоколад всегда казался мне слишком затасканным, приторным на грани фола, Ежевичное же вино - как раз по мне!
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"Ежевичное вино" - шестой роман Джоанн Харрис в моем зачете :)
Главный герой - англичанин-писатель Джей Макинтош, повинуясь чарам "Особых" вин, созданных эксцентричным садовником Джо, и детских воспоминаний, приезжает в уже знакомый нам городок Ланскне-су-Танн, чтобы разобраться в своем прошлом и найти своё будущее.
Я в восторге! Эта книга понравилась мне больше, чем все остальные (исключая, может быть, Леденцовые туфельки, хотя в целом, для меня сравнивать книги Харрис между собой по критерию "нравится больше/меньше" довольно трудно). В Ежевичном вине мне понравилось решительно всё - и сюжет, и новая встреча с Ланскне (не таким, каким он был в Шоколаде) и его жителями, и главные герои, и ретроспектива, и фрукты-вина-овощи-травы, и загадка Маризы, и напряжение тайны - в общем, всё-всё-всё. Последние страницы я читала так жадно, что засиделась вчера допоздна - не могла остановиться! Бесподобным назван роман в аннотации и я горячо присоединяюсь! Вот уж не ожидала, что буду в таком восторге. По сравнению с этим романом Остров на краю света кажется бледным, шаблонным. Шоколад всегда казался мне слишком затасканным, приторным на грани фола, Ежевичное же вино - как раз по мне!
December 24, 2015
Nothing evokes memories like scents and Joanne Harris is a 'master' of descriptive prose that will bring memories flooding back.The senses are further brought into play with the sounds of the 70s nailed and remembered. The best times of my life childhood memories were exactly depicted in this wonderful story narrated by a bottle of 'fleurie' wine and the 6 'specials' which are filled with magic. Lansquenet the little french village of Chocolat fame is the setting for this book too along with some characters recognized from their also.
The main characters are Joe an eccentric old man who brews wine, gardens, makes pouches of herbs that protect against bullies layman's alchemy he calls it and Jay a young lad who admires Joe and learns much of life from him the story follows Jay into adulthood in alternating chapters.
If you want reminding of long hot summers, best friends and bike rides when we used to see magic in everyday things then treat yourself to Blackberry Wine.
ps Today I was getting my last bits for Christmas and standing alone on the shelf a bottle of 'Fleurie'..... Karma? Layman's alchemy? magic Ohhhh I really hope so.
The main characters are Joe an eccentric old man who brews wine, gardens, makes pouches of herbs that protect against bullies layman's alchemy he calls it and Jay a young lad who admires Joe and learns much of life from him the story follows Jay into adulthood in alternating chapters.
If you want reminding of long hot summers, best friends and bike rides when we used to see magic in everyday things then treat yourself to Blackberry Wine.
ps Today I was getting my last bits for Christmas and standing alone on the shelf a bottle of 'Fleurie'..... Karma? Layman's alchemy? magic Ohhhh I really hope so.
October 10, 2009
This is a beautiful book, written by the author who later wrote Chocolat. Blackberry Wine takes place in both England and the same small French town that is the setting for Chocolat.
Blackberry Wine tells the story of Jay, who as a boy, meets an eccentric man named Joe, who opens Jay's world to gardening and magic and homemade wine. As an adult and established author, Jay escapes his stifling life in England by buying a small cottage in Lansquenet, France, where he not only becomes a gardener, but writes another book, solves a mystery when he falls in love with a local woman scorned by most of the town, babysits this woman's daughter and goat, and is visited by the ghost of the late Joe, as well as an old girlfriend from London, who, unfortunately for Jay, is alive and still controlling and vicious.
Beautiful book. I felt like I was tasting the words while I was reading.
Blackberry Wine tells the story of Jay, who as a boy, meets an eccentric man named Joe, who opens Jay's world to gardening and magic and homemade wine. As an adult and established author, Jay escapes his stifling life in England by buying a small cottage in Lansquenet, France, where he not only becomes a gardener, but writes another book, solves a mystery when he falls in love with a local woman scorned by most of the town, babysits this woman's daughter and goat, and is visited by the ghost of the late Joe, as well as an old girlfriend from London, who, unfortunately for Jay, is alive and still controlling and vicious.
Beautiful book. I felt like I was tasting the words while I was reading.
April 3, 2011
The first time I tried to read Blackberry Wine apparently wasn't the right time to try to read this book. This time, though, I read it practically all in one go -- with, yeah, a glass of wine. Joanne Harris' prose is always easy to read, really clear, and I can believe in the characters she creates at least enough to carry on to the very last page. Joe, in particular, rang true with me: a miner's son, a gardener, a Yorkshire lad... Jay, perhaps not as much, particularly not at the beginning, but yes, enough that I cared what happened to him.
I love the everyday magic that Joanne Harris' characters work. Just normal enough that you can believe it's true for a while. Just close enough to coincidence or wishful thinking that if you can't step over into fantasy, you don't have to.
I don't think I'm likely to reread any of Joanne Harris' books: I guess to me they're a bit like chocolate, or a bottle of wine. You can only have the experience once. But I do greatly enjoy them, and will be sad when there are no more that I can read.
I love the everyday magic that Joanne Harris' characters work. Just normal enough that you can believe it's true for a while. Just close enough to coincidence or wishful thinking that if you can't step over into fantasy, you don't have to.
I don't think I'm likely to reread any of Joanne Harris' books: I guess to me they're a bit like chocolate, or a bottle of wine. You can only have the experience once. But I do greatly enjoy them, and will be sad when there are no more that I can read.
January 31, 2020
This book is set in the same village as the author's most famous work Chocolat but it didn't have any of the charm for me. There's only a few characters in this book, but I didn't like any of them. The story didn't feel like it was going anywhere either. Not for me, but I still love the author and will read more from her.
February 24, 2020
It had to happen, my bookish love affair with Joanne Harris came to a grinding halt with this book, despite it being set in Lansquenet-sous-Tannes where 'Chocolat' was set. Any magical realism written by anyone other than Haruki Murakami I struggle to appreciate, and this split narrative (the other narrative is set 20 years earlier in Yorkshire) read, from the point of view of a bottle of Blackberry wine was lost on me. Interestingly I later found out that the American versions have a conventional third person narrator! 2 out of 12.... sorry!
June 24, 2021
Приємний твір у стилі Джоан Гарріс:
магічна мелодрама
акцент на аромати, смаки,
ретроспекції в дитинство головного героя, письменника,
Франція, те саме вигадане містечко Ланскне-су-Тан,
деякі персонажі з "Шоколаду" перекочували сюди, зокрема Жозефіна Бонні, проте з'являються епізодично, а про Віану Роше Жозефіна лише згадує.
Незважаючи на всі впізнавані та улюблені деталі, притаманні творам Гарріс, твір значно слабший за "Шоколад" чи "П'ять четвертинок апельсина". Проте достатньо гарний і приємний, щоб провести з ним декілька вечорів і відпочити :)
магічна мелодрама
акцент на аромати, смаки,
ретроспекції в дитинство головного героя, письменника,
Франція, те саме вигадане містечко Ланскне-су-Тан,
деякі персонажі з "Шоколаду" перекочували сюди, зокрема Жозефіна Бонні, проте з'являються епізодично, а про Віану Роше Жозефіна лише згадує.
Незважаючи на всі впізнавані та улюблені деталі, притаманні творам Гарріс, твір значно слабший за "Шоколад" чи "П'ять четвертинок апельсина". Проте достатньо гарний і приємний, щоб провести з ним декілька вечорів і відпочити :)
April 10, 2020
Just another story, what is remarkable however, is the start of the story; it truly is innovative and simply amazing.
The wine bottles have these marvellous conversations with each other, they laugh, they giggle, they are oh so snooty, the disdain they have for some lesser wines would make you cringe.
Throughout the novel you have these quirky passages that place the otherwise banal story on a simply different level.
The wine bottles have these marvellous conversations with each other, they laugh, they giggle, they are oh so snooty, the disdain they have for some lesser wines would make you cringe.
Throughout the novel you have these quirky passages that place the otherwise banal story on a simply different level.
May 19, 2022
An enjoyable book that dabbles in magical realism and alternates between two periods of time in the main character's life, with the past affecting his present reality.
May 13, 2013
Of all the books written by Harris, this is my favorite by far. It is a delightful tale of young Jay MacIntosh and the friendship he develops with Joe Cox over the course of 3 summers spent at a small village in England. Joe's past is never made clear; his tales become truth and his truths become tales. The one certainty is that Joe, in his ramshackle cabin knows all there is to know about gardening, herbs and their "magical" healing and protective powers, and wine-making. Althouogh the quality of the wine could be debated. After Jay's parents divorce and he is sent back to school in London, his unhappiness is so great that he decides to return to Joe; only to find Joe has vanished without a good-bye.
Jay grows up to write one acclaimed novel based on Joe Cox, his childhood friend, but no more great writing comes to him. When Jay sees a picture of a farmhouse in Lansquenet, France, he is reminded of Joe's dream of one day owning such a place. On sudden impulse, Jay buys the property without seeing it first, packs a duffle bag, his typewriter and a few bottles of wine he managed to retrieve from Joe's abandoned home and leaves his urban London life to farm and to write another novel.
I loved the few references to Vianne and Roux (Chocolat); I also loved the fact that while a strong woman character enters the story, this is the story of Jay, a male character who is struggling to find himself and to put his friendship with Joe into perspective without the feeling of betrayal at not being able to say good-bye. There is still magic and whimsy, but it is without the darkness of the controversy between magic and the church. Finally, I loved the fact that Jay does write his next great novel with surprising results, and that he does win the struggle of finding out just what he has been searching for over the years. Oh! One more thing....the references to so many of the great songs in the 70's was a delightful, whimsical touch, no magic needed, that made me smile. (Springsteen, Beach Boys, Elvis...)_
Jay grows up to write one acclaimed novel based on Joe Cox, his childhood friend, but no more great writing comes to him. When Jay sees a picture of a farmhouse in Lansquenet, France, he is reminded of Joe's dream of one day owning such a place. On sudden impulse, Jay buys the property without seeing it first, packs a duffle bag, his typewriter and a few bottles of wine he managed to retrieve from Joe's abandoned home and leaves his urban London life to farm and to write another novel.
I loved the few references to Vianne and Roux (Chocolat); I also loved the fact that while a strong woman character enters the story, this is the story of Jay, a male character who is struggling to find himself and to put his friendship with Joe into perspective without the feeling of betrayal at not being able to say good-bye. There is still magic and whimsy, but it is without the darkness of the controversy between magic and the church. Finally, I loved the fact that Jay does write his next great novel with surprising results, and that he does win the struggle of finding out just what he has been searching for over the years. Oh! One more thing....the references to so many of the great songs in the 70's was a delightful, whimsical touch, no magic needed, that made me smile. (Springsteen, Beach Boys, Elvis...)_
March 27, 2019
Η Τζοαν Χάρις είναι μια από τις αγαπημένες μου συγγραφείς. Με μαγεύει με την ταξιδιάρικη πένα της. Με κατακλύζει με μαγιά και τόσα συναισθήματα Κάθε φορά που την αναζητώ συχνά στις προτιμήσεις μου.
Όμως σε αυτό το βιβλίο η μαγεία χάθηκε.
Στις 100 πρώτες σελίδες ήταν ένα υποτονικό ανάγνωσμα.
Το παρόν με το παρελθόν με κούρασαν.
Μετά όμως έγινε λίγο πιο ευχάριστο Αλλά ως εκεί.
Μου θύμισε πάρα πολύ το βιβλίο της: Καί��η σοκολάτα.
Σαν να διάβαζα την ίδια ιστορία με διαφορετικές προεκτάσεις, με Αλλά προβλήματα μα όμως ήταν σαν να διάβαζα ξανά το ίδιο βιβλίο.
Η ιστορία βέβαια διαδραματίζεται στο ίδιο χωριό. Υπάρχουν ήρωες που τους συναντάμε και στα Αλλά βιβλία της, όπως το καυτή σοκολάτα μα και σε όλα τα βιβλία που ως κεντρική ηρωίδα ήταν η Βιαν.
Μου έλειψε η ελξη της ανάγνωσης που αισθάνομαι Κάθε φορά διαβάζοντας δικό της βιβλίο.
Μου έλειψε η μαγιά και το συναίσθημα.
Ο χορός των σκέψεων και το συναίσθημα.
Μου έλειψαν όλα τα χαρακτηριστικά που μου δίνει πάντα απλόχερα η συγγραφέας και με γεμίζουν.
Αυτή τη φορά Ναι μεν μου άφησε μια γλυκιά γεύση Αλλά είχε και πικράδα.
Όμως σε αυτό το βιβλίο η μαγεία χάθηκε.
Στις 100 πρώτες σελίδες ήταν ένα υποτονικό ανάγνωσμα.
Το παρόν με το παρελθόν με κούρασαν.
Μετά όμως έγινε λίγο πιο ευχάριστο Αλλά ως εκεί.
Μου θύμισε πάρα πολύ το βιβλίο της: Καί��η σοκολάτα.
Σαν να διάβαζα την ίδια ιστορία με διαφορετικές προεκτάσεις, με Αλλά προβλήματα μα όμως ήταν σαν να διάβαζα ξανά το ίδιο βιβλίο.
Η ιστορία βέβαια διαδραματίζεται στο ίδιο χωριό. Υπάρχουν ήρωες που τους συναντάμε και στα Αλλά βιβλία της, όπως το καυτή σοκολάτα μα και σε όλα τα βιβλία που ως κεντρική ηρωίδα ήταν η Βιαν.
Μου έλειψε η ελξη της ανάγνωσης που αισθάνομαι Κάθε φορά διαβάζοντας δικό της βιβλίο.
Μου έλειψε η μαγιά και το συναίσθημα.
Ο χορός των σκέψεων και το συναίσθημα.
Μου έλειψαν όλα τα χαρακτηριστικά που μου δίνει πάντα απλόχερα η συγγραφέας και με γεμίζουν.
Αυτή τη φορά Ναι μεν μου άφησε μια γλυκιά γεύση Αλλά είχε και πικράδα.
August 11, 2019
* 3 - 3.5
Toen ik 10 jaar geleden een gesigneerd exemplaar van dit boek vond in een charity shop in het stadje in Wales waar ik toen woonde, verwachtte ik dat ik helemaal op zou gaan in het verhaal. Helaas kwam ik er toen totaal niet in. Nu ik bijna dezelfde leeftijd heb als de hoofdpersoon sprak het me veel meer aan en kon ik samen met de personages uit Lansquenet wegdromen. Ik vond wel dat het even duurde voordat het verhaal op gang kwam. Net als met een speciale fles wijn moest dit boek even rijpen door op een plank te blijven liggen en na opening even decanteren ;-)
Toen ik 10 jaar geleden een gesigneerd exemplaar van dit boek vond in een charity shop in het stadje in Wales waar ik toen woonde, verwachtte ik dat ik helemaal op zou gaan in het verhaal. Helaas kwam ik er toen totaal niet in. Nu ik bijna dezelfde leeftijd heb als de hoofdpersoon sprak het me veel meer aan en kon ik samen met de personages uit Lansquenet wegdromen. Ik vond wel dat het even duurde voordat het verhaal op gang kwam. Net als met een speciale fles wijn moest dit boek even rijpen door op een plank te blijven liggen en na opening even decanteren ;-)
May 4, 2021
As usual, I enjoyed the author's blend of everyday people and everyday magic. Whether Joe's presence in France is real, ghostly or something else, it largely doesn't matter. His presence helps Jay to bring some order to his life and reconcile the events of his childhood. As with all Harris' books, the love of nature and the natural world shines through, and people who are kind get the best deal from the storyline. A lovely story, and nice to return, even if somewhat in passing, to the world of 'Chocolat'.
January 31, 2022
"Šiame gėrime jauti aitrumą, tarsi dūmus ir degančią gumą, tačiau jis žadina, griebia už gerklės, rausiasi po atmintį, kelia ir kviečia iš ten vaizdus, kuriuos manei užmiršęs visiems laikams."
Jei prakalbėtų, ką papasakotų vynas? Tai ir tam tikro laiko dvelksmas, prisiminimai ir nostalgija, kvapų ir skonių alchemija, šventė ir kasdienybės akimirka. Šiame romane neįprasta tai, jog istoriją pradeda pasakoti vynas. Viskas prasideda nuo to, kai rūsyje atsiranda šeši seno vyno buteliai, ranka užrašytomis etiketėmis – Ypatingieji.
Kaip ir pirmoje dalyje "Šokoladas", į nedidelį Prancūzijos kaimelį Lankenė, atvyksta naujas gyventojas. Džei Makintošas yra vienos knygos rašytojas, išgyvenantis kūrybinę krizę. Sprendimas nusipirkti apleistą ūkį priimamas visiškai spontaniškai, tačiau kartu tai ir proga pradėti naują gyvenimą. Tačiau ir čia jo nesiliauja persekioję praeities vaiduokliai.
Naujakurys sudrumsčia nusistovėjusį Lankenės bendruomenės gyvenimą. Žinoma, permainos patinka ne visiems, o kiti gyventojai labiau norėtų išorinių permainų, kurios atneštų finansinę naudą. Pamažu atsiskleidžia paslaptys, kurias kaimelio gyventojai slėpė vieni nuo kitų. O Džei, įgyja drąsos grįžti į savo praeitį, kuomet buvo apleistas paauglys ir ištaisyti senas klaidas.
Nors aš šokoladą mėgstu labiau nei vyną, antroji trilogijos dalis, mano akimis, dar geresnė už "Šokoladą". Į romaną labai gražiai įsiliejo paauglio ir seno, ekscentriško angliakasio draugystė. Gaivus, poetiškas netgi šiek tiek svaiginantis pasakojimo stilius, pagardintas kvapniomis žolelėmis, sodo augalais, vaikystės prisiminimais ir kasdienybės magija. "Gervuogių vynas" — tai priminimas jog tikėjimas mažais, tačiau stebuklingais dalykais, padaro mūsų gyvenimą ypatingą.
Daugiau knygų apžvalgų: www.profesionalimama.wordpress.com
Jei prakalbėtų, ką papasakotų vynas? Tai ir tam tikro laiko dvelksmas, prisiminimai ir nostalgija, kvapų ir skonių alchemija, šventė ir kasdienybės akimirka. Šiame romane neįprasta tai, jog istoriją pradeda pasakoti vynas. Viskas prasideda nuo to, kai rūsyje atsiranda šeši seno vyno buteliai, ranka užrašytomis etiketėmis – Ypatingieji.
Kaip ir pirmoje dalyje "Šokoladas", į nedidelį Prancūzijos kaimelį Lankenė, atvyksta naujas gyventojas. Džei Makintošas yra vienos knygos rašytojas, išgyvenantis kūrybinę krizę. Sprendimas nusipirkti apleistą ūkį priimamas visiškai spontaniškai, tačiau kartu tai ir proga pradėti naują gyvenimą. Tačiau ir čia jo nesiliauja persekioję praeities vaiduokliai.
Naujakurys sudrumsčia nusistovėjusį Lankenės bendruomenės gyvenimą. Žinoma, permainos patinka ne visiems, o kiti gyventojai labiau norėtų išorinių permainų, kurios atneštų finansinę naudą. Pamažu atsiskleidžia paslaptys, kurias kaimelio gyventojai slėpė vieni nuo kitų. O Džei, įgyja drąsos grįžti į savo praeitį, kuomet buvo apleistas paauglys ir ištaisyti senas klaidas.
Nors aš šokoladą mėgstu labiau nei vyną, antroji trilogijos dalis, mano akimis, dar geresnė už "Šokoladą". Į romaną labai gražiai įsiliejo paauglio ir seno, ekscentriško angliakasio draugystė. Gaivus, poetiškas netgi šiek tiek svaiginantis pasakojimo stilius, pagardintas kvapniomis žolelėmis, sodo augalais, vaikystės prisiminimais ir kasdienybės magija. "Gervuogių vynas" — tai priminimas jog tikėjimas mažais, tačiau stebuklingais dalykais, padaro mūsų gyvenimą ypatingą.
Daugiau knygų apžvalgų: www.profesionalimama.wordpress.com
July 6, 2021
Легка історія для відпустки, такий собі Пітер Мейл - маленьке французьке село, куди втікає англієць, навколо виноградники, багато садівництва і звичайно, вино. Тут є і драматична лінія, яку в кінці авторка просто кинула на самотік - якось та й само розв'яжеться)) от вона й скомкалась у раптовий хепі-енд. Не обійшлось і без магії та духів, бо вино ж то незвичайне))
Я ще над жодною книжкою так багато не спала як над цією)) Просто заколисує...
Я ще над жодною книжкою так багато не спала як над цією)) Просто заколисує...
December 15, 2019
Затишна спокійна книга. Найцікавіше в ній те, що існує дві версії: американська описана звичайним способом, а у британській оповідь ведеться від імені пляшки вина.
April 24, 2008
I really enjoyed this. I liked the setting (England and France) and the magical quality of the story. I liked the old character, Joe and in my mind saw one of our library patrons playing his part. It made me want to read more of Harris's books. I like the way she conveys that there is more going on in our lives than meets the eye.
From Publishers Weekly
Like her well-received 1999 novel, Chocolat, Harris's latest outing unfolds around the arrival of an outsider in a tiny French town. This time wine replaces chocolate as Harris's magic elixir, and the newcomer to the village of Lansquenet sur Tannes is Jay Mackintosh, a 37-year-old has-been writer from London. Fourteen years have passed since Jay's debut novel, Jackapple Joe, won the Prix Goncourt. Since then, he has been churning out B-novels under a pseudonym; he currently lives with his girlfriend, Kerry, an aggressively successful 25-year-old celebrity journalist. Flashbacks reveal that Jay's only recollections of happiness are the golden summers he spent as a youth with old Joseph "Jackapple Joe" Cox in the small English town of Kirby Monckton. Joe, a colorful character who made wines from fruits and berries, inspired Joe's successful first novel. But one day he disappeared. When Jay stumbles across an advertisement for an 18th-century "chateau" in wine-growing country, the spell of his misery is broken. After downing a bottle of Joe's '75 Special, which he has been hoarding for 24 years, Jay decides to buy the house sight unseen. Leaving Kerry in London, Jay moves to Lansquenet and starts a new rural life, beginning to write under his own name again. He is bewildered by his reclusive neighbor, Marise d'Api, who apparently coveted his derelict house and land, and is ostracized by the townspeople. Jay's quest to discover why everyone, including Marise's former mother-in-law, blames Marise for her husband's suicide keeps the plot moving at a steady clip. Despite some unbelievable twists and a slightly uneven paceAit begins slowly, but by the last quarter races aheadAthis is an entertaining narrative, equal parts whimsy and drama. (July)
From Publishers Weekly
Like her well-received 1999 novel, Chocolat, Harris's latest outing unfolds around the arrival of an outsider in a tiny French town. This time wine replaces chocolate as Harris's magic elixir, and the newcomer to the village of Lansquenet sur Tannes is Jay Mackintosh, a 37-year-old has-been writer from London. Fourteen years have passed since Jay's debut novel, Jackapple Joe, won the Prix Goncourt. Since then, he has been churning out B-novels under a pseudonym; he currently lives with his girlfriend, Kerry, an aggressively successful 25-year-old celebrity journalist. Flashbacks reveal that Jay's only recollections of happiness are the golden summers he spent as a youth with old Joseph "Jackapple Joe" Cox in the small English town of Kirby Monckton. Joe, a colorful character who made wines from fruits and berries, inspired Joe's successful first novel. But one day he disappeared. When Jay stumbles across an advertisement for an 18th-century "chateau" in wine-growing country, the spell of his misery is broken. After downing a bottle of Joe's '75 Special, which he has been hoarding for 24 years, Jay decides to buy the house sight unseen. Leaving Kerry in London, Jay moves to Lansquenet and starts a new rural life, beginning to write under his own name again. He is bewildered by his reclusive neighbor, Marise d'Api, who apparently coveted his derelict house and land, and is ostracized by the townspeople. Jay's quest to discover why everyone, including Marise's former mother-in-law, blames Marise for her husband's suicide keeps the plot moving at a steady clip. Despite some unbelievable twists and a slightly uneven paceAit begins slowly, but by the last quarter races aheadAthis is an entertaining narrative, equal parts whimsy and drama. (July)
October 29, 2021
This is a beautiful book, beautiful being the word here instead of good, though it is good as well.
It does for gardening and wine what Chocolat does for chocolate, it's even partly set in the same town, with some familiar names making appearances.
It has its usual themes you will find in most Harris books: France, art, mothers and daughters, wine, cheese, fruit, plants, scents, tastes, atmospheric overloads, more descriptions than events, more impressions than actions, a very strong sense of place, travelling folk, issues with the church, issues with modernisation and gentrification, feminism, conservative mistrust of single mothers, estranged families, secrets and magic.
Now Harris Magic is never really magic (except the Norse books and the fairy tales) but it's the kind of magic you can choose to believe is real but maybe it's also just the magic you find in the small things in life. Her books are the closest I ever get to reading what I call Mummy Literature, which mainly features unexpected romances in charming small villages with a cupcake shop on the cover and a woman in a polka-dot dress... But I love her novels because, unlike those Mummy books, her novels aren't about bubbly pretty young things who get a prince when they least expect it after a bad break up. They are about real things and independence and rawness and grief and they make you want to live a wilder, less artificial life and enjoy every damn fruit you eat.
This book has her traditional split writing style with parts set in the past and parts set in the present, the past bits very much have the magical feeling of the endless summer that you only have as a kid and you also find in some Stephen King stories like IT and Stand by me. The summary advertises it as a mystery but really that part hardly matters. It's a small grain of intrigue surrounded by a massive bowl of poetic vegetables, for better of worse.
I recommend it, as a summer or spring read, ideally with a budget for food cravings.
It does for gardening and wine what Chocolat does for chocolate, it's even partly set in the same town, with some familiar names making appearances.
It has its usual themes you will find in most Harris books: France, art, mothers and daughters, wine, cheese, fruit, plants, scents, tastes, atmospheric overloads, more descriptions than events, more impressions than actions, a very strong sense of place, travelling folk, issues with the church, issues with modernisation and gentrification, feminism, conservative mistrust of single mothers, estranged families, secrets and magic.
Now Harris Magic is never really magic (except the Norse books and the fairy tales) but it's the kind of magic you can choose to believe is real but maybe it's also just the magic you find in the small things in life. Her books are the closest I ever get to reading what I call Mummy Literature, which mainly features unexpected romances in charming small villages with a cupcake shop on the cover and a woman in a polka-dot dress... But I love her novels because, unlike those Mummy books, her novels aren't about bubbly pretty young things who get a prince when they least expect it after a bad break up. They are about real things and independence and rawness and grief and they make you want to live a wilder, less artificial life and enjoy every damn fruit you eat.
This book has her traditional split writing style with parts set in the past and parts set in the present, the past bits very much have the magical feeling of the endless summer that you only have as a kid and you also find in some Stephen King stories like IT and Stand by me. The summary advertises it as a mystery but really that part hardly matters. It's a small grain of intrigue surrounded by a massive bowl of poetic vegetables, for better of worse.
I recommend it, as a summer or spring read, ideally with a budget for food cravings.
April 2, 2020
I have just finished this and I’m feeling warm and smiley.
Might sound odd, but this book , and most other books by Joanne Harris, make you feel that way.
A little magic for adults, but oh so believable and well told.
During these dark, weird times we live in right now, this was the perfect book for me. Transported to Yorkshire childhood long summers, and a dusty old farm in France, with its grounds and gardens. Likeable characters, decent story line. Sad to finish it really, would have liked to stay in that world a bit longer.
Might sound odd, but this book , and most other books by Joanne Harris, make you feel that way.
A little magic for adults, but oh so believable and well told.
During these dark, weird times we live in right now, this was the perfect book for me. Transported to Yorkshire childhood long summers, and a dusty old farm in France, with its grounds and gardens. Likeable characters, decent story line. Sad to finish it really, would have liked to stay in that world a bit longer.
July 22, 2015
When I compare this offering from Joanne Harris to her other books, it is just a meh response. I was disappointed.
It flipped back and forth between 1975 and 1999 too rapidly. I couldn't really get into either period. The ending was abrupt, like the author herself was tired of the whole thing.
I did like some of the characters - Joe & Rosa. It was nice to be in the company of Josephine and Roux again. And there was lots of wine and food to be enjoyed.
It flipped back and forth between 1975 and 1999 too rapidly. I couldn't really get into either period. The ending was abrupt, like the author herself was tired of the whole thing.
I did like some of the characters - Joe & Rosa. It was nice to be in the company of Josephine and Roux again. And there was lots of wine and food to be enjoyed.
September 28, 2023
I loved this book. If you like a bit of magical realism and are willing to dream a bit then I think you'd enjoy it. It's nice, I think it's the first book I've read in years with a happy ending.
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