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Five Quarters of the Orange
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Five Quarters of the Orange
Author: Joanne Harris

Book Information
Publisher: Perennial
Book Type: Paperback
Rating:

ISBN-13: 9780060958022 - ISBN-10: 0060958022
Publication Date: 6/1/2002
Pages: 307


Other Versions of this Book: Hardcover, Hardcover, Audio Cassette, Audio CD

Book Description:
In her bestselling and critically acclaimed novel Chocolat, Joanne Harris told a lush story of the conflicts between pleasure and repression. Now she delivers her most complex and sophisticated work yet, an unforgettable tale of mothers and daughters, of the past and the present, of resisting and succumbing -- an extraordinary work of fiction lined with darkness and fierce joy.

When Framboise Simon returns to a small village on the banks of the Loire, the locals do not recognize her as the daughter of the infamous woman they hold responsible for a tragedy during the German occupation years ago. But the past and present are inextricably entwined, particularly in a scrapbook of recipes and memories that Framboise has inherited from her mother. And soon Framboise will realize that the journal also contains the key to the tragedy that indelibly marked that summer of her ninth year....


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Top Member Book Reviews

Angela D. (adixon) - GA wrote on 6/4/2009...

2 member(s) found this review helpful.

This was an OK read. I give it just an "OK" because I think I was more taken with her descriptions than with the story itself. Read the passage below to see what I mean. Great wording!

"I must have been born confrontational, but that summer I grew more so than I had ever been. My mother and I stalked each other like cats staking out their territory. Every touch was a spark that hissed static. Every word was a potential insult, every conversation a minefield."

Connie (jazzysmom) - IL wrote on 5/15/2009...

2 member(s) found this review helpful.

I loved this book. Very satisfying story about mother and daughter, tragedy, revenge, suspicion, and love. As a review on book says, "better not read this on an empty stomach" "You will be treated to the tastes and smells of French food. Olive oil, fresh rosemary, ripe sheese, wild mushrooms and herb and apple sausages."

MIRAH W. wrote on 4/13/2007...

2 member(s) found this review helpful.

I really enjoyed this book...told from the point of view of Framboise, a woman who moves back to the village in France where she grew up during the German occupation...lots of intrigue as to what she, her siblings, and mother experienced...by the author of Chocolat...highly recommend it! -Mirah W.

Marla C. (Purgeclutter) wrote on 2/18/2008...

1 member(s) found this review helpful.

This is another great family history told from the memories of the main character. The backdrop is WWII France: local town invaded by the Germans and how it impacts all the town's residents, especially the children of this one family. It's intriguing, filled with secrets and a few subplots regarding growing up and coming into one's own self. It is rich with suffering, denial, rewriting history, keeping secrets and putting your chin up and facing the world, however many deceptions required. It is also filled with sweet moments and dramatic "aha!" revelations. Good book. Short enough to read in a weekend but you may want to stretch it out just to enjoy it a little longer.

Tamara T. wrote on 4/10/2007...

1 member(s) found this review helpful.

I love Joanne Harris as an author becuase of her way of mixing in fantasy into everyday lives. I highly recommend this book to anyone. It's also a nice, quick and refreshing read.

Jody F. (writetime) wrote on 4/8/2007...

1 member(s) found this review helpful.

By the author of 'Chocolat' the story is a gripping one about mothers and daughters and of the past and present and how all intertwine. A great book club selection.

Elizabeth D. (LizGH) wrote on 3/30/2007...

1 member(s) found this review helpful.

By the author of Chocolat, and just as charming and perceptive about a woman who returns to a German town and is suspected of collaborating during WWII.

Kimberly I. (RaccoonGirl) wrote on 12/28/2006...

1 member(s) found this review helpful.

When Framboise Simon returns to a small village on the banks of the Loire, the locals do not recognize her as the daughter of the infamous woman they hold responsible for a tragedy during the German occupation years ago. But the past and present are inextricable entwined, particularly in a scrapbook of recipes and memories that Framboise has inherited from her mother. And soon Framboise will realize that the journal also contains the key to the tragedy that indelibly marked that summer of her ninth year.


Please Rate these Book Reviews

Desiree W. wrote on 3/22/2009...


Wonderful book!

Claire B. wrote on 12/3/2008...


Wonderful story of a woman returning to her childhood home and relivings haunting evets from her past. Full of delicious references to French food.

Kathryn C. wrote on 10/5/2008...


tqles of struggles in a small village in France during the occupation. A surprize ending.

Suzette M. (FamilyTravelExpert) wrote on 3/28/2007...


Compelling, hard to put down. Written by the author of Chocolat.

Jerrilynn L. (jerrilynnl) wrote on 3/18/2007...


Great book- tells a story of a woman in two time periods. As with all Joanne Harris stories, the storyline includes food and recipes.

Jan L. wrote on 3/7/2007...


Unexpectably sweet and powerful...

Teresa H. (WarEagle78) wrote on 11/25/2006...


Intriguing tale of life in France during World War II.

Rebecca H. (Rebemdee) wrote on 11/3/2006...


A little slow to get going, but soon blossoms into an engrossing tale about mystery, revenge, love, hatred and war. I was impressed with the writing and reading about the food Mirabelle cooked made me hungry!

Jen P. (quixotictea) wrote on 10/29/2006...


A beautifully embroidered story of a woman who moves back to the village of her childhood after fleeing years before in utter disgrace with her mother and siblings. Through flashbacks, we learn the history of Framboise's family, their connection with the German occupation, their own family's inner turmoil, and childhood mistakes with dire consequences. I have great admiration for Joanne Harris' ability to paint such compelling relationships and characters. I feel that I know this family intimately.

Debra R. (MediumDebbi) wrote on 10/11/2006...


This book, for me, was a bit anticlimactic. I was very compelled by the story for about a 1/3 of it but after the traumatic episode towards the end I just lost interest and couldn't connect and I did not finish it. Lots of interesting potential and information about WWII in France and seizure disorders.


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