Amazon.co.uk Review
Joanne Harris weaves spells of "everyday magic" once again in Blackberry Wine. Her previous novel, Chocolat, was a delicious confection, melding together bewitchment and romance in a chocolatier, in the sleepy French village of Lansquenet. This time around six bottles of home-made brew are the catalyst for her "layman's alchemy." The story is even told by a Fleurie 1962: "A pert, garrulous wine, cheery and a little brash, with a pungent taste of blackcurrant!"

Jay Mackintosh, once a literary star, is stalled. He spends his time writing second rate science fiction, leading a hollow media life and drinking: "Not to forget, but to remember, to open up the past and find himself there again." Nice, expensive wines don't do the trick, it's the six "Specials", a gift from Joe, an old friend, that are the magical elixir. Just like Proust's lime blossom tea, they give him the gift of his memories but also unlock his future; Jay escapes the rut of his London life and buys a house in Lansquenet.

As Jay settles in, he contemplates his childhood friendship with Joe, who made the Specials and whose idiosyncratic outlook on life was the inspiration for his only successful book. Jay becomes involved in village life, meeting up with some familiar characters from Chocolat. Caro and Toinette, the snooty troublemakers, make an appearance and Josephine, the bar owner and battered wife of the earlier novel, becomes a real friend. But it is a new character, the enigmatic Marise that becomes the real focus of his attention. It's the lure of her story that really changes his life, re-ignites the flare of his work.

Another lovely book from Joanne Harris. I read this straight after Chocolat and was pleased to find this set in the same French village. Although there are references to the village from the time of Chocolat this book stands entirely on its own. Once again the combination of food (or wine in this case) with magic and mystery is irresistible.

I'm going to offer this as a Ring as I would like to read it again sometime.

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Players:

acanthium32
Gooner
TheChinaSourcer

Posted today to acanthium32

Received this an awfully long time ago, just before my computer died and took me to hell! Apologies it has taken this long to be up and running again.

This is another delicious book from Joanne Harris -Chocolat was impossible to read without piling on the pounds from copious amounts of accompanying chocolate, Blackberry Wine forces you to drink just enough homemade plonk not to care anymore! Wonderful book from an author I wouldn't have picked up if it hadn't been for Bookcrossing.

Safely received today. Many thanks to ChinaSourcer for sending it out as a ring and acanthium32 for posting it to me.

A seasonal choice with blackberries dropping off the bushes here on the fen.

Unfortunately, it's come through the letterbox with an avalanche of books. I've got at least four on my urgent pile (rings/rays and reading group books) but two of those are very short. I hope to start this within ten days.

Released unread, sadly, because of need for space at home. Hope finder enjoys it!