Condition: As New. Unread book in perfect condition.
Condition: New.
Paperback. Condition: New. 1829. Sainte-Suzanne, Bourbon Island. A Black orphan, a slave of only seven weeks, is placed - as if by fate - into the arms of Ferréol Beaumont, a botanist with a passion for orchids. He raises this child, Edmond, teaching him all he knows of the lush plants that populate his tropical garden. At twelve years old, the illiterate young prodigy unlocks the secret to hand-pollinating the vanilla orchid, revolutionizing not only the island's economy but French patisserie, perfumes and more. While his discovery brings prosperity to others, the exhilarating aroma of the vanilla flower soon dissipates for Edmond as a bitter reality stretches out before him - his brilliance unrecognized, his name forgotten.A caustic look at the nineteenth-century history of Reunion Island under French colonial rule. For lovers of history, botany and vanilla ice cream.
Paperback. Condition: New. The name Dessaintes is one to reckon with. A bombastic, violent and increasingly dangerous clan, little do they know that their downfall is being chronicled by one of their own.This is La Reunion in the 1980s: high unemployment and low expectations, the legacy of postcolonialism. One little girl makes a bid for escape from her sadistic parents' reign of terror and turns to school for salvation. Rich in the history of the island's customs and superstitions, and driven by a wild, offbeat humour, this picaresque tale manages to satirize the very notion of freedom available in this French territory, and perhaps even the act of writing itself and where it might lead you.'A novel that is as beautiful as it is brutal. Life in La Reunion is described in brilliantly vivid, unflinching, and at times, humorous prose. This is a story that will transport you across the world with its incredible narrator, characters and places, but despite the distance, our narrator does what great voices do: whispers, we are all the same.' Kevin Curran, author of Youth'Vivacious and mordantly funny, the tragicomic voice of There's a Monster Behind the Door is forensically and brilliantly merciless.' Wendy Erskine'Harsh, hilarious, spine chilling and heart warming - an unmissable French debut.' Michelle Gallen'A tour-de-force as volcanic as the little island of La Reunion, a tiny sliver of France marooned in the Indian Ocean, "a heap of rubble on the edge of the world". The narrator of Gaelle Belem's novel, a little girl no-one wanted, the unloved daughter of the Dessaintes, is determined to be someone, to tell the story of her family, and through them the story of an island founded on slavery, poverty, cruelty and superstition with a caustic wit and a keen eye. It is a tragi-comedy worthy of Zola, candid and unflinching, yet shot through with humour and poignancy and even a glimmer of hope. Belem's novel is a joyous discovery and in Laetitia Saint-Loubert and Karen Fleetwood she has found translators alert to the nuances of French and Creole and to the poetry threaded through this startling debut.' Frank Wynne, translator, 2022 International Booker Prize - chair of the judges.
Condition: New.
Language: English
Published by Europa Editions, 2025
Seller: Park Hill Community Bookstore, DENVER, CO, U.S.A.
hardcover. Condition: As New. Excellent condition.
Condition: As New. Unread book in perfect condition.
Condition: New.
Condition: New. Brand New! Not Overstocks or Low Quality Book Club Editions! Direct From the Publisher! We're not a giant, faceless warehouse organization! We're a small town bookstore that loves books and loves it's customers! Buy from Lakeside Books!
PAP. Condition: New. New Book. Shipped from UK. Established seller since 2000.
Condition: As New. Unread book in perfect condition.
PAP. Condition: New. New Book. Shipped from UK. Established seller since 2000.
Hardback. Condition: New.
Condition: New.
Paperback. Condition: new. Paperback. 1829. Sainte-Suzanne, Bourbon Island. A Black orphan, a slave of only seven weeks, is placed as if by fate into the arms of Ferreol Beaumont, a botanist with a passion for orchids. He raises this child, Edmond, teaching him all he knows of the lush plants that populate his tropical garden. At twelve years old, the illiterate young prodigy unlocks the secret to hand-pollinating the vanilla orchid, revolutionizing not only the islands economy but French patisserie, perfumes & more. While his discovery brings prosperity to others, the exhilarating aroma of the vanilla flower soon dissipates for Edmond as a bitter reality stretches out before him his brilliance unrecognized, his name forgotten.A caustic look at the nineteenth-century history of Reunion Island under French colonial rule. For lovers of history, botany and vanilla ice cream. 1829. Sainte-Suzanne, Bourbon Island. A Black orphan, a slave of only seven weeks, is placed - as if by fate - into the arms of a botanist with a passion for orchids. At the age of twelve the illiterate prodigy unlocks the secret to hand-pollinating the vanilla orchid. While his discovery brings prosperity to many, a bitter future awaits Edmond. Shipping may be from multiple locations in the US or from the UK, depending on stock availability.
Seller: The Castle Bookshop, Castlebar, MAYO, Ireland
Soft cover. Condition: New. No damage to interior or exterior of the book and no inscriptions.
Condition: New.
Hardcover. Condition: new. Hardcover. NEW YORK TIMES 100 NOTABLE BOOK OF 2025Best Book of the Year - Washington Independent Review of Books "A gorgeous novel."--New York TimesBased on a true story, The Rarest Fruit is a captivating tale of resilience, discovery, and the secret history of a beloved flavor.Born into slavery, orphaned at an early age, and raised by a passionate botanist on Reunion Island, Edmond Albius will defy the expectations of his time and, with his extraordinary natural talent for botany, revolutionize global culinary culture by discovering the secret life of vanilla orchids.A novel of 19-century adventure, perseverance, a book at the intersection of science, exploration, and cuisine, The Rarest Fruit brings to light the contributions of a Black botanical innovator, who, during a time of colonial exploitation and against all odds, changed food culture forever. It is both a poignant tribute to the unsung heroes of history and a vivid portrayal of intertwined destinies shaped by a single discovery."The book is that rare find: a revealing, history-infused novel that spills its tale with the eager breathlessness, wry commentary, and frank truths of a close friend. exquisite."--Christian Science Monitor Shipping may be from multiple locations in the US or from the UK, depending on stock availability.
Hardback. Condition: New.
Soft cover. Condition: Very Good. as new unused.
Condition: New.
Condition: New. 2025. Paperback. . . . . . Books ship from the US and Ireland.
Condition: New. 2024. Paperback. . . . . . Books ship from the US and Ireland.
Condition: New.
Softcover. Condition: Fair. Verschmutzung / Wasserschaden; Leichte Kratzer / Abnutzungen / Druckstellen. It all began one evening in 1981 when, in the town of Sainte-Marie, two young people had the misfortune of meeting. While a party was in full swing outside, a cook was taking off his jacket and the white hat he had worn since morning. The Dessaintes are one of the most famous families in Réunion. They are ambitious, brave, and a bit whimsical. But, in the opinion of the neighbors, psychiatrists, and the police, they are just crazy. As eccentric as they are, they give birth to a daughter. A little firecracker who is determined to become someone. This poignant family story set in Réunion in the 1980s is told here. Readers will find rhythm, a lively and offbeat tone, and, above all, sharp humor. They are invited to open the door to see the monster leap out. Surprises await, with no regrets!
Condition: New.
Seller: Ria Christie Collections, Uxbridge, United Kingdom
£ 12.42
Quantity: Over 20 available
Add to basketCondition: New. In English.
Paperback. Condition: Brand New. 7.87x5.12x0.79 inches. In Stock.
hardcover. Condition: New. New from the publisher.
Condition: Brand New. 176 pages. 13.31x5.16x0.79 inches. In Stock.