Amazon.co.uk Review
After three novels which centred around gastronomic pleasures Joanne Harris's new book,
Coastliners, focuses on more astringent joys. Sea, gritty sand and adverse weather conditions replace
Chocolat,
Blackberry Wine and
Five Quarters of the Orange. Set on a small, blustery fishing island off the coast of France, it tells the story of Mado, a young woman who returns to her childhood home to find the local community torn apart by family feuds, bad tides and murky political machinations.
Passionate, stubborn Mado, whose "head is full of rocks" tries to save the livelihoods of the villagers of Les Salants by urging them to work together to save the beach from erosion, both natural and man-made. The villagers, written with endearing panache by Harris, are an eccentric, curmudgeonly bunch, who eventually cooperate with the help of Flynn, a charismatic stranger with a shady past. He's not the only man of mystery in Mado's life; her father, taciturn Grosjean, has a secretive heart that's as "prickly and tightly layered as an artichoke", and local, wealthy businessman Brismand also seems to be hiding something. Mado does her best to unravel these mysteries, while attempting to keep a hold on her own sense of self in the claustrophobic, close community. It's not only the shore line that takes a buffeting. The villagers and the island are so vividly described that it's impossible not to become engrossed in Mado's story. Coastliners is a book about longing to belong, and Joanne Harris charts that emotional voyage compellingly. --Eithne Farry
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Review
The author of that amazing bestseller Chocolat (now a film) has come up with an accomplished novel about an island community. Mado, daughter of the boat builder Prasteau, returns to the island of Le Devin in northern France following the death of her mother. The island is divided into two warring factions, La Houssiniere on one side and Les Salants on the other, poorer side. Mado belongs to Les Salants, and decides to build a massive reef which (it is hoped) will divert the tide and help retain the beach. This stirs up all sorts of problems, including an old tragedy. On top of all this, Mado falls for a flame-haired stranger. It is a tale full of good things and the writing is hugely imaginative. A wonderful read and a truly powerful story.
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
by Joanne Harris
by Joanne Harris
by Joanne Harris
by Joanne Harris
by Joanne Harris
