Book Swap Review - Blackberry Wine by Joanne Harris

[bumbleweed]

Really enjoyed this one - thanks for Kipper for sending it in the bookswap.

I loved the character of Joe. It was a nice that it linked to her other novel 'Chocolat' be being set in the same village peopled by some names already familiar.

A little cliched in places - eg the characters of Kerry and of Zeth and some of the other peripheral characters, but this didnt detract from the main characters.

Cant think of anything else to say - would recommend it - full of nostalgia for summers gone by, a sprinkling of mystery and intrigue, and easy to get lost in.

i thought it was interesting that the narrator was the wine bottle.
i enjoyed this very much too.

I'm reading at atm, don't tell me the ending as I'm not quite there, but I must say I am enjoying it. My favourite part is all the descriptions of the things they grow and the little tricks they use, as well as the jams and wines they make with the fruit. It's really got me going.

I'm sipping a glass of my own homemade 'port' as I post, it's made out of blackberries, elderflowers and bananas and is 4 years old, just bottled it today and tastes as good as anything you can buy.

The book is filling my head with ideas about things I want to make, I've been out for blackberries and sloes today, have made two pies and will be making sloe gin next, this book is not the most perfect literary thing I've ever read, it's far from highbrow, but it's really inspired me

but things don't have to be highbrow to be enjoyable do they? it's a soft, warm book-i read it while on hol in france and it was perfect!

Certainly agree with you on that!

acutally I didnt think the narrator as the wine bottle worked particularly well, not for me anyway, it just seemed a bit pointless

I also loved the gardening inspiration and the little red flannel talismans

I'm fond of this book (read it after enjoying Chocolat so much) and it is soft, summery and fruity, with a nostalgic vibe. She's very good on her folklore and magiky touches is Joanne harris. I have an allotment and love making folksy produce from it so maybe I like it because of that...(I have been known to plant according to the phases of the moon )

I then found her books went off the boil, for me, but have just read Gentlemen and Players and think she's totally back on form

I enjoyed this book too, not as much as I did Chocolat but probably on a par with Five Quarters of the Orange. it's whimical and folklore-ish and all that appeals to me.

Dh bought me Coastliners last year but although I gave it a few shots I just couldn't get into it - has anyone else read it and would they recommend persisting with it?

I like Joanne Harris's books, but Blackberry Wine was my least favourite - much preferred Coastliners and Five Quarters of the orange

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