Laura Grandi Boeken

It isn't often you receive a letter from the dead. When Vianne Rocher receives a letter from beyond the grave, she has no choice but to follow the wind that blows her back to Lansquenet, the village in south-west France where, eight years ago, she opened up a chocolate shop. But Vianne is completely unprepared for what she finds there. Women veiled in black, the scent of spices and peppermint tea, and there, on the bank of the river Tannes, facing the square little tower of the church of Saint-Jerome like a piece on a chessboard - slender, bone-white and crowned with a silver crescent moon - a minaret. Nor is it only the incomers from North Africa that have brought big changes to the community. Father Reynaud, Vianne's erstwhile adversary, is now disgraced and under threat. Could it be that Vianne is the only one who can save him?

When Vianne Rocher arrives in the old French village of Lansquenet and opens her chocolate boutique, “La Celeste Praline,” across from the church, Father Reynaud sees her as a threat to his parishioners during Lent, predicting her failure by Easter. Vianne, who doesn’t attend church and practices superstition, begins to charm customers with her delightful confections and intuition for their favorites. Her shop becomes a haven for secrets and grievances, challenging the community's rigid morality. Vianne's plan for an Easter Chocolate Festival creates a divide: can the solemnity of the Church compete with the allure of chocolate? This novel elevates chocolate to a transformative agent, blending rich storytelling with elements of folk tales. Vianne is portrayed as both an archetype and a relatable figure, embodying kindness and the desire for acceptance. She and her daughter Anouk arrive on Shrove Tuesday, a time symbolizing the tension between tradition and liberation. The book, an international bestseller, was quickly adapted into a film featuring a star-studded cast. The inspiration stemmed from a comment about chocolate's significance to women, prompting an exploration of its deep connections to human experiences. Rich in metaphor and beautifully written, this story invites readers to indulge in its enchanting world.

"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."

St. Oswald is een traditionele upper class jongensschool in Noord-Engeland. Het nieuwe jaar is net begonnen, en er zijn veranderingen op komst voor de jongens en de leraren: mannen in pakken en de nieuwe media zijn aan de macht. Roy Straitley, de excentrieke en traditionele leraar Latijn en een van de veteranen van St. Oswald denkt dan ook, met tegenzin, na over zijn pensioen. Hij verzet zich tegen de nieuwlichterij, maar weet ondertussen als geen ander wat er speelt: onder de dagelijkse ergernissen en kleine crises wordt een donkere onderstroom voelbaar en zet bittere wrok een reeks catastrofale gebeurtenissen in gang. Wie is de geheimzinnige insider, kind van een vroegere conciërge, die gruwelijke grappen uithaalt die steeds moorddadiger worden? Zal een haast vergeten schandaal het verval kunnen inzetten van het glorieuze St. Oswald?

De mooie Yanne Charbonneau heeft een chocolaterie in Parijs, in het pittorekse Montmartre. Ze woont boven de winkel met haar twee kinderen; de 11-jarige Annie en de kleine Rosette. Haar leven lijkt rustig en op orde, maar schijn bedriegt: eigenlijk heet zij Vianne Rocher, en haar oudste dochter heet Anouck; namen uit een verleden dat ze achter zich wil laten. Op een dag loopt Zozie de l'Alba op hoge knalrode naaldhakken hun leven binnen. Zij is een betoverende vrouw, met een groot geheim, die beetje bij beetje Anouck en Vianne in haar macht krijgt.

Joanne Harris returns to the enchanting French village of Lansquenet in her novel, shifting focus from food to drink. The story is narrated by a lively Fleurie 1962 wine, which serves as a catalyst for "layman's alchemy." The protagonist, Jay Mackintosh, is a once-celebrated author now stuck in a rut, writing mediocre science fiction and leading a hollow existence. He seeks solace in fine wines, but it's six "Specials" from his old friend Joe that truly unlock his memories and inspire him to escape his mundane London life for Lansquenet. As Jay settles into the village, he reflects on his childhood friendship with Joe, whose unique perspective influenced his successful book. He becomes entwined in village life, encountering familiar faces from Harris's previous work, including the troublesome Caro and Toinette, and Josephine, who becomes a true friend. However, it’s the mysterious Marise who captivates Jay and reignites his passion for writing. This journey of self-discovery and resurrection adds depth to the narrative, making it a delightful read that enriches Lansquenet as a destination where dreams can come true.

The novel is a brilliant first-person narrative of the rise and fall of the Norse gods - retold from the point of view of the world's ultimate trickster, Loki. It tells the story of Loki's recruitment from the underworld of Chaos, his many exploits on behalf of his one-eyed master, Odin, through to his eventual betrayal of the gods and the fall of Asgard itself. Using her life-long passion for the Norse myths, Joanne Harris has created a vibrant and powerful fantasy novel.

Malin woont in een afgelegen vallei in de Middenwerelden. De Orde overheerst: Chaos, magie en bijgeloof zijn ten strengste verboden. Maar Malin weet dat niet alles verloren is gegaan. Hun runenteken dat zij op haar hand heeft, bewijst dat. De dorpelingen denken dat het een teken van hekserij is.

In 22 verhalen van de schrijfster van de bestseller van "Chocolat" gaat het wonderbaarlijke hand in hand met het aardse en het bittere met het zoete. Bokkensprongen is een breed geschakeerde selectie eigentijdse, spitsvondige verhalen die tegelijkertijd ontroeren, verrassen, vermaken en soms ontgoochelen met de magie van Joanne Harris.

A dark and intricately plotted tale of a poisonously dysfunctional family, a blind child prodigy, and a serial murderer who is not who he seems. Told through posts on a webjournal called badguysrock, this is a thriller that makes creative use of all the multiple personalities, disguise and mind games that are offered by playing out a life on the internet.

In this romantic suspense novel the reaappearance of a diary ensures that past and present intertwine, paving the way for unknown consequences. Joanne Harris is also the author of 'Chocolat'. Originally published: London: Warner, 1992.