Joanne Harris Livres

A Lansquenet, petit village du sud-ouest de la France, rien ne va plus entre les chrétiens de la commune et les musulmans du quartier des Marauds. Et voici qu'un incendie avive encore les tensions. Plus qu'une solution : appeler à la rescousse Vianne Rocher, l'ancienne chocolatière. Huit ans auparavant, elle avait réconcilié les habitants en les convertissant aux plaisirs gourmands. S'aidant de ses ensorcelantes recettes, elle mène de nouveau l'enquête. Pour se rendre compte que la religion n'est pas la seule responsable des conflits. Et qu'à Lansquenet chacun a ses secrets...

When the exotic Vianne Rocher opens her chocolate boutique “La Celeste Praline” in the French village of Lansquenet, she becomes a target for Father Reynaud, who views her as a threat to his congregation during Lent. Vianne, who doesn’t attend church and embraces superstition, begins to charm the townspeople with her delightful confections and intuitive understanding of their desires. Her shop becomes a haven for secrets and a challenge to the community’s rigid morals. Vianne's plans for an Easter Chocolate Festival create a rift in the town, pitting the solemnity of the Church against the allure of chocolate. This novel elevates chocolate as a transformative force, blending rich storytelling with elements of folklore. Vianne, portrayed as both a mythical figure and a relatable woman with insecurities, seeks love and acceptance. The narrative explores the complexities of community and the unease surrounding carnivals, symbolizing a break from inhibition. The book quickly became an international best-seller and inspired an Oscar-nominated film featuring a star-studded cast. The author was inspired by a comment from her husband about chocolate and its significance to women, leading her to craft a story uniquely centered around this beloved treat. Rich in metaphor and exquisite prose, this tale invites readers to indulge in its sweetness.

Lorsque Framboise Simon revient dans le village de son enfance sur les rives de la Loire, personne ne reconnaît la fille de la scandaleuse Mirabelle Dartigen, tenue pour responsable de l'exécution de onze villageois pendant l'occupation allemande, cinquante ans auparavant. Framboise ouvre une auberge qui, grâce aux délicieuses recettes de sa mère, retient l'attention des critiques, mais suscite les jalousies de sa famille. Le carnet de recettes de Mirabelle recèle des secrets qui donneront à Framboise la clé de ces années sombres. Peu à peu, elle découvrira la véritable personnalité de sa mère, parfois si tendre, maternelle et sensuelle, subitement cruelle et tourmentée. En temps de guerre, les jeux d'enfants et les histoires d'amour ne sont pas toujours innocents. Leurs conséquences peuvent même être tragiques.

En ce début de XVIIe siècle, les bûchers des procès en sorcellerie, des tentatives de régicide et des guerres de religion embrasent la France. Actrice, danseuse, acrobate, Juliette, dépositaire d'un trop lourd secret, doit dire adieu à la troupe avec laquelle elle a couru les routes et les places. Elle trouve refuge à l'abbaye de Sainte-Marie-de-la-Mer, en Vendée. Enceinte, elle y donnera naissance à la petite Fleur. Ayant pris le voile, elle y deviendra sœur Auguste. Mais réussit-on jamais à fuir son passé ? À la mort de la mère abbesse, est nommée une nouvelle prieure, âgée de douze ans, que manipule son confesseur, le père Colombus. Un inconnu pour tous. Sauf pour Juliette. Qui a reconnu en lui le saltimbanque Guy Le Merle, bandit, débauché, et autrefois son amant. Dans un déchaînement de passions, de pièges et de sortilèges, le couvent va tourner à l'arène de leur ultime combat. Un grand roman historique, sur fond de théâtre et de fanatisme, de fête et de magie, de vengeance et de liberté.

An indispensable guide to the craft of writing and business of publishing from one of our bestselling and most versatile authors.

A book of chocolate lore and recipes from around the world that can bring a touch of magic to your kitchen.

A mouth-watering collection of recipes inspired by fresh, seasonal French market produce, and illustrated with gorgeous full-colour photographs.Once again Joanne Harris and Fran Warde have collaborated to write a French cookbook with a difference. This time they have gone to Gascony for their inspiration and into the world of the French rural market. The best ingredients in season, locally produced fruit, vegetables, wines and cheeses combine to make it a recipe for success.Melon with Floc, Foie Gras with Peaches, Summer Duck Salad and Roasted Stuffed Courgettes are only some of the recipes that will help recapture the tastes of summertime and the authentic French regional experience.

Set in the enchanting world of Chocolat, the story follows beloved characters as they navigate new challenges and adventures. With a blend of magic and culinary delights, the narrative explores themes of love, community, and the transformative power of chocolate. Joanne Harris masterfully weaves together the familiar charm of her previous work with fresh elements, inviting readers back to a place where indulgence and emotion intertwine. This return promises both nostalgia and new experiences for fans of the original tale.

"The toymaker who wants to create the perfect wife; the princess whose heart is won by words, not actions; the tiny dog whose confidence far outweighs his size; and the sinister Lacewing King who rules over the Silken Folk. These are just a few of the weird and wonderful creatures who populate Joanne Harris's first collection of fairy tales"--

Anouchka, Madame Douazan, Great-Aunt Simone... These are not characters from one of Joanne Harris's novels, they are the inspiration for a mouth-watering celebration of French cuisine. For, like Framboise, the heroine of Five Quarters of the Orange, Joanne Harris has family recipes that have been passed down through the generations, and she shares them with us now. From Grandmother's Festival Loaf to traditional French classics like Moules Mariniere or Daube of Beef, The French Kitchen is a tantalizing collection of casseroles, soups, roast, salads, tarts and sweets.A collaboration between a writer who loves food and a former chef who loves writing about food, The French Kitchen gathers together simple yet stylish recipes from the heart of a French family.

Set against a backdrop of rich storytelling, this novel weaves a tapestry of imaginative narratives reminiscent of The Arabian Nights. It offers an erudite blend of artfulness and entertainment, captivating readers with its lavish inventiveness. The intricate plot and vibrant characters invite exploration of themes that resonate deeply, making it a significant contribution to contemporary literature.

Take a deep breath and immerse yourself in this stunning updated collection of vivid and evocative tales from Number 1 bestselling author Joanne Harris.

A bold and timely novel from #1 bestselling author Joanne Harris that explores how women can feel invisible as they grow older - and what happens when they decide to take back control...Have you ever felt invisible? Bernie Moon has given her life to other people: her husband, her son, her friends (who are these days, mostly online). At nineteen she was full of dreams and ambitions; now almost fifty, and going through the menopause, she's fading, fast. Heartbroken and hormonal, she often feels like she's losing her mind.But when a young woman is murdered in a local park, it sparks a series of childhood memories in Bernie and with them, a talent that has lain dormant most of her adult life.She promised herself she'd never think of it again. When she was a teenager, it almost destroyed her. But now she's older, could it be the power she's been missing? Could it be the chance to, finally, make them look?

For the past three years, Mr. Malik has been secretly in love with Rose Mbikwa, a woman who leads the weekly bird walks sponsored by the East African Ornithological Society. Just as Malik is getting up the nerve to invite Rose to the Nairobi Hunt Club Ball (the premier social occasion of the Kenyan calendar), Harry Khan, a nemesis from his school days, arrives in town. Khan has also become enraptured with Rose and announces his intent to invite her to the Ball. Rather than force Rose to choose between the two men, a clever solution is proposed. Whoever can identify the most species of birds in one week’s time gets the privilege of asking Ms. Mbikwa to the ball.

The compelling new novel from the author of the bestselling Chocolat. Vianne Rocher has settled down. Lansquenet-sous-Tannes, the place that once rejected her, has finally become her home. With Rosette, her 'special' child, she runs her chocolate shop in the square, talks to her friends on the river, is part of the community. Even Reynaud, the priest, has become a friend. But when old Narcisse, the florist, dies, leaving a parcel of land to Rosette and a written confession to Reynaud, the life of the sleepy village is once more thrown into disarray. The arrival of Narcisse's relatives, the departure of an old friend and the opening of a mysterious new shop in the place of the florist's across the square - one that mirrors the chocolaterie, and has a strange appeal of its own - all seem to herald some kind of change: a confrontation, a turbulence - even, perhaps, a murder...

The squabbling Norse gods and goddesses of Runemarks are back! And there's a feisty new heroine on the scene: Maggie, a girl the same age as Maddy but brought up a world apart - literally, in World's End, the focus of the Order in which Maddy was raised. Now the Order is destroyed, Chaos is filling the vacuum left behind... and is breaching the everyday world. A chilling prophecy from the Oracle. A conflict between two girls. And with just twelve days to stave off the Apocalypse, carnage is about to be unleashed...

I am as brown as brown can be, And my eyes as black as sloe; I am as brisk as brisk can be, And wild as forest doe. (The Child Ballads, 295) So begins a beautiful tale of love, loss and revenge. Following the seasons, A Pocketful of Crows balances youth and age, wisdom and passion and draws on nature and folklore to weave a stunning modern mythology around a nameless wild girl. Only love could draw her into the world of named, tamed things. And it seems only revenge will be powerful enough to let her escape. Beautifully illustrated by Bonnie Helen Hawkins, this is a stunning and original modern fairytale.

An earthly nourris sits and sings And aye she sings, "Ba lilly wean, Little ken I my bairn's father, Far less the land that he staps in. (Child Ballad, no. 113) So begins a stunning tale of love, loss and revenge, against a powerful backdrop of adventure on the high seas, and drama on the land. The Blue Salt Road balances passion and loss, love and violence and draws on nature and folklore to weave a stunning modern mythology around a nameless, wild young man. Passion drew him to a new world, and trickery has kept him there - without his memories, separated from his own people. But as he finds his way in this dangerous new way of life, so he learns that his notions of home, and your people, might not be as fixed as he believed. Beautifully illustrated by Bonnie Helen Hawkins, this is a stunning and original modern fairytale.

When Tom Fellows proclaims that a Venn diagram is a far better way of illustrating modern family ties than a traditional tree, his young daughter Andrea has no idea that he is referring to their own situation.It is only when she loses both parents in a shocking car accident that she takes an interest in her own genealogy and begins to realize that her perfect upbringing was not all that it seemed... Half-truths & White Lies is a beautifully crafted, thought-provoking novel that questions the influence of the people who are missing from our lives. It examines the thin line between love and friendship, looking at our complex emotional needs. It also explores how one woman's life is dictated by her desire for children, whilst another's is shaped by her decision not to have them.

For generations, privileged young men have attended St. Oswald's Grammar School for Boys, groomed for success by the likes of Roy Straitley, the eccentric Classics teacher who has been a fixture there for more than thirty years. This year, however, the wind of unwelcome change is blowing, and Straitley is finally, reluctantly, contemplating retirement. As the new term gets under way, a number of incidents befall students and faculty alike, beginning as small annoyances but soon escalating in both number and consequence. St. Oswald's is unraveling, and only Straitley stands in the way of its ruin. But he faces a formidable opponent with a bitter grudge and a master strategy that has been meticulously planned to the final, deadly move.

'Who died?' I said. 'Or is it a secret?''My mother, Vianne Rocher.'Seeking refuge and anonymity in the cobbled streets of Montmartre, Yanne and her daughters, Rosette and Annie, live peacefully, if not happily, above their little chocolate shop.Nothing unusual marks them out; no red sachets hang by the door.The wind has stopped - at least for a while.Then into their lives blows Zozie de l'Alba, the lady with the lollipop shoes, and everything begins to change....But this new friendship is not what it seems.Ruthless, devious and seductive, Zozie de l'Alba has plans of her own - plans that will shake their world to pieces.And with everything she loves at stake, Yanne must face a difficult choice; to flee, as she has done so many times before, or to confront her most dangerous enemy.....Herself.

Jay Mackintosh is trapped by memory in the old familiar landscape of his childhood, to which he longs to return. A bottle of home-brewed wine left to him by a long-vanished friend seems to provide the key to an old mystery. As the unusual properties of the strange brew take effect, Jay escapes to a derelict farmhouse in the French village of Lansquenet . There, a ghost from the past waits to confront him, and the reclusive Marise - haunted, lovely and dangerous - hides a terrible secret behind her closed shutters. Between them, a mysterious chemistry. Or could it be magic?

"The joy of fiction is the joy of the imagination. . . ." The best stories engage readers, compelling them to turn pages in anticipation of what comes next. Great literature is defined by its imagination, as demonstrated in this exceptional anthology, which redefines the boundaries of imaginative fiction. It features contributions from renowned writers like Peter Straub, Chuck Palahniuk, Roddy Doyle, and Joyce Carol Oates, among others, showcasing their craft and challenging misconceptions about genres. Curated by Neil Gaiman and Al Sarrantonio, who personally selected each story, the anthology sets a high standard for this "new literature of the imagination." The collection aims to present familiar themes in fresh, illuminating ways. Notable tales include Joe Hill's disturbing exploration of evil in "Devil on the Staircase," Lawrence Block's unique take on fishing in "Catch and Release," and Carolyn Parkhurst's dark sibling rivalry in "Unwell." Joanne Harris introduces ancient gods in modern New York in "Wildfire in Manhattan," while Richard Adams's "The Knife" delves into vengeance. Jeffery Deaver's "The Therapist" features a psychologist on a mission to save lives, and Neil Gaiman's chilling "The Truth Is a Cave in the Black Mountains" offers a haunting punishment for a grave crime. This visionary volume will transform readers’ perspectives and ignite a renewed appreciation for exceptional fiction.

"A dark world of emotional complexity and betrayal, where twist follows twist and nothing is what it seems. A masterful narrative voice, and a compulsive thriller from one of our greatest writers. I absolutely loved it." - Alex Michaelides, No.1 bestselling author of THE SILENT PATIENTFrom the Sunday Times and internationally bestselling, multi prize-winning author Joanne Harris, comes A NARROW DOOR - an explosive psychological thriller about one woman who, having carved out her own path to power, is now intent on tearing apart the elite world that tried to hold her back . . . piece by piece.---Praise for Joanne Harris's other books set in the St Oswald's world - which all read as standalone thrillers:'A masterpiece of misdirection' Val McDermid'Delivers an almighty twist . . . brilliantly atmospheric ' The Times'Crime novel or literary novel? Categories really don't matter; readers will find themselves comprehensively gripped' Independent'[A] gripping psychological thriller . . . Harris is one of our most accomplished novelists' Daily Express'Marvellously mischievous' Good Housekeeping'A classic whodunnit with the characters carefully crafted and the tension at a knife edge' Sunday Express'[A] delicious black comedy' Daily Mail

The impressively versatile Joanne Harris in her psychological thriller mode, at her darkest and most unsettling. After thirty years at St Oswald's Grammar in North Yorkshire, Latin master Roy Straitley has seen all kinds of boys come and go. Each class has its clowns, its rebels, its underdogs, its 'Brodie' boys who, whilst of course he doesn't have avourites, hold a special place in an old teacher's heart. But every so often there's a boy who doesn't fit the mould. A troublemaker. A boy with hidden shadows inside. With insolvency and academic failure looming, a new broom has arrived at the venerable school, bringing Powerpoint, sharp suits and even sixth form girls to the dusty corridors. But while Straitley does his sardonic best to resist this march to the future, a shadow from his past is stirring. A boy who even twenty years on haunts his teacher's dreams. A boy capable of bad things.

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.

Master storyteller Joanne Harris has created a magical and epic romp– a fresh, funny, and wonderfully irreverent new take on the old Norse tales, sure to be enjoyed by readers young and old.Seven o’clock on a Monday morning, five hundred years after the end of the world, and goblins had been at the cellar again. . . . Not that anyone would admit it was goblins. In Maddy Smith’s world, order rules. Chaos, old gods, fairies, goblins, magic, glamours – all of these were supposedly vanquished centuries ago. But Maddy knows that a small bit of magic has survived. The “ruinmark” she was born with on her palm proves it – and makes the other villagers fearful that she is a witch (though helpful in dealing with the goblins-in-the-cellar problem). But the mysterious traveler One-Eye sees Maddy’s mark not as a defect, but as a destiny. And Maddy will need every scrap of forbidden magic One-Eye can teach her if she is to survive that destiny.

Take a deep breath and immerse yourself in this stunning new novella from #1 Bestselling author Joanne Harris.

Conjured from a wickedly imaginative pen, here is a new collection of short stories that showcases Joanne Harris’s exceptional talent as a teller of tales, a spinner of yarns. Sensuous, mischievous, uproarious and wry, here are tales that combine the everyday with the unexpected;

Ragnarok was the End of Worlds. Asgard fell, centuries ago, and the old gods have been defeated. Some are dead, while others have been consigned to eternal torment in the netherworld - among them, the legendary trickster, Loki. A god who betrayed every side and still lost everything, who has lain forgotten as time passed and the world of humans moved on to new beliefs, new idol and new deities . . . But now mankind dreams of the Norse Gods once again, the river Dream is but a stone's throw from their dark prison, and Loki is the first to escape into a new reality. The first, but not the only one to. Other, darker, things have escaped with him, who seek to destroy everything that he covets. If he is to reclaim what has been lost, Loki will need allies, a plan, and plenty of tricks . . .

In these 22 short stories by Joanne Harris, the miraculous goes hand-in-hand with the mundane, the sour with the sweet, and the beautiful, the grotesque, the seductive and the disturbing are never more than a step away

From the bestselling author of Chocolat, this is a novel about two rival communities on the tiny Breton island.

Urban moths have evolved to blend in with a world of concrete and stone, rather than a woodland environment. What if fairies did the same?

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.

Set in a gothic atmosphere, the story weaves a dark and compelling narrative reminiscent of Joanne Harris's earlier work, Holy Fools. It explores themes of intrigue and the macabre, showcasing Harris's signature style that combines rich storytelling with a haunting sensibility. This novel precedes her more celebrated works like Chocolat and Blackberry Wine, offering readers a glimpse into her early literary prowess and ability to evoke deep emotions through vivid characters and settings.

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.

The Pre-intermediate Student's Book with Online Workbook provides 80 hours of core teaching material. The Online Workbook contains a wide range of easy-to- use consolidated activities and also allows teachers to monitor student's work and progress. Vocabulary and Grammar are given equal importance and there is a clear focus on improving student's listening and speaking skills in social situations. The Student's Book includes optional video for the Real World lessons (available on the Teacher's DVD) with vocabulary selection informed by English Profile and the Cambridge Learner Corpus. (Please note that the face2face Second edition Class Audio CD's are available separately).

In Chocolat verzaubert Vianne die Menschen eines kleinen französischen Dorfes im Flug mit ihren selbstgemachten Pralinés und Schokoladenkreationen. In Himmlische Wunder hat Vianne ihr altes Dorf in Südfrankreich verlassen und lebt mit ihren Töchtern in Paris, wo sie eine Chocolaterie betreibt. Mit Charme, Ausdauer und ihrer unwiderstehlichen Schokolade nimmt sie die Menschen für sich ein. Dann tritt eine mächtige Gegenspielerin auf den Plan, und Vianne gerät in große Gefahr.

Crow Lake is that rare find, a first novel so quietly assured, so emotionally pitch perfect, you know from the opening page that this is the real thing—a literary experience in which to lose yourself, by an author of immense talent. Here is a gorgeous, slow-burning story set in the rural “badlands” of northern Ontario, where heartbreak and hardship are mirrored in the landscape. For the farming Pye family, life is a Greek tragedy where the sins of the fathers are visited on the sons, and terrible events occur—offstage. Centerstage are the Morrisons, whose tragedy looks more immediate if less brutal, but is, in reality, insidious and divisive. Orphaned young, Kate Morrison was her older brother Matt’s protegee, her fascination for pond life fed by his passionate interest in the natural world. Now a zoologist, she can identify organisms under a microscope but seems blind to the state of her own emotional life. And she thinks she’s outgrown her siblings—Luke, Matt, and Bo—who were once her entire world. In this universal drama of family love and misunderstandings, of resentments harbored and driven underground, Lawson ratchets up the tension with heartbreaking humor and consummate control, continually overturning one’s expectations right to the very end. Tragic, funny, unforgettable, Crow Lake is a quiet tour de force that will catapult Mary Lawson to the forefront of fiction writers today.

Naser, een twintigjarige jongen, leidt een eenzaam leven in Saoedi-Arabië, nadat zijn moeder hem uit het door oorlog geteisterde Soedan heeft laten smokkelen naar zijn wrede oom in Jedda. Het bestaan als immigrant is hard en uitzichtloos, en in de monochrome wereld van Jedda, met zijn zonovergoten minaretten en zwaar gesluierde vrouwen, verlangt hij naar zijn moeder en de liefde. Wanneer een gesluierd meisje hem een briefje toewerpt, verandert zijn leven. Dit briefje, een liefdesverklaring, symboliseert hoop en het begin van een gevaarlijk spel, aangezien relaties tussen ongetrouwde mannen en vrouwen onder het wahhabistisch regime streng verboden zijn. In het diepste geheim wisselen Naser en zijn habibati brieven uit en ontmoeten ze elkaar. Hun liefde wordt een daad van verzet, maar als deze ontdekt wordt, zijn de gevolgen voor Naser en zijn geliefde rampzalig. Sensueel, ontroerend en hartverscheurend, dit verhaal verkent de verlangens van jonge mensen naar liefde en vrijheid in een van de meest gesloten en repressieve landen ter wereld.

První sbírka povídek. Hrdinové této knížky vás opravdu zavedou do různých světů; poznáte s nimi kouzlo maloměsta, vyzývavé straé dámy, stárnoucí netvory, sebevražedného vítěze loterie, nenapravitelného sukničkáře a středověkou nanufakturu na výrobu kožených erotických obleků a pomůcek... V následujících dvaadvaceti povídkách se snoubí svět zázraků s tím všedním, sladké s hořkým, krása s grotesknem, svůdné s ohavným - je to svět plný kontrastů a obrazivých scén, nadčasový, a přece hluboce lidský. Jiné světy, jiní lidé je první sbírka povídek autorky, jež se proslavila jako prozaička. V předmluvě se nám svěřuje ... Je mi trochu smutno z toho, že povídka v posledních desetiletích utrpěla takový pokles zájmu. Ve světě fikce jsou zřejmě stále žádoucnější objemné romány, a spisovatelé povídek se postupně stali vymírajícím druhem. Teď se na ně většinou nahlíží jako na spisovatele bez dostatku umělecké kuráže na to, aby napsali pořádný román, kteří se proto pouštějí jen do nižších, zanedbatelnějších žánrů... A snad aby dokázala opak, předkládá nám svůj příspěvek k napravení pověsti povídkářů. A že je to důkaz zdařilý, o tom se můžete přesvědčit na následujících stránkách....

Barber Guillaume Ladoucette has always enjoyed great success in his tiny village in southwestern France, catering to the tonsorial needs of Amour-sur-Belle's thirty-three inhabitants. But times have changed. His customers have grown older—and balder. Suddenly there is no longer a call for Guillaume's particular services, and he is forced to make a drastic career change. Since love and companionship are necessary commodities at any age, he becomes Amour-sur-Belle's official matchmaker and intends to unite hearts as ably as he once cut hair. But alas, Guillaume is not nearly as accomplished an agent of amour, as the disastrous results of his initial attempts amply prove, especially when it comes to arranging his own romantic future. For every reader who adored Chocolat, Julia Stuart's The Matchmaker of Périgord is a delectable, utterly enchanting, and sinfully satisfying delight.

На одной из тихих улиц Монмартра нашли прибежище Жанна и её дочери Розетта и Анни. Они мирно и даже счастливо живут в квартирке над своей маленькой шоколадной лавкой. Ветер, который в былые времена постоянно заставлял их переезжать с места на место, затих - по крайней мере, на время. Ничто не отличает их от остальных обитателей Монмартра, и возле их двери больше не висят красные саше с травами, отводящими зло. Но внезапно в их жизнь вторгается Зози де Лальба, женщина в ярко-красных, блестящих, как леденцы, туфлях, и всё начинает стремительно меняться... "Леденцовые туфельки" Джоанн Харрис - это новая встреча с героями знаменитого романа "Шоколад".

Quelle che Joanne Harris racconta nei suoi libri sono prima di tutto storie:appassionanti avventure vissute da personaggi che s'imprimono nella memoria,rivissute con il brio e la sapienza di un'autrice che padroneggia le più sottili tecniche di scrittura. Ma a colpire nei suoi libri è soprattutto la voglia e la capacità di comunicare, di stringere un patto di immediata simpatia con il lettore, anche quando affronta i lati oscuri dell'esistenza.In "Profumi, giochi e cuori infranti" il piacere del racconto torna con tuttala sua forza di seduzione: temi spesso curiosi e spiazzanti, narrati da voci ben caratterizzate e autentiche, situazioni sorprendenti che si dipanano in trame piene di invenzioni con sorpresa finale.

La Londra vittoriana impazzisce per i quadri preraffaelliti. Tra i soggetti dipinti ossessivamente da Henry Chester ci sono bambine e ragazze. La sua modella preferita è Effie, che per lui incarna gli ideali di bellezza e purezza. Quando l'ha ritratta per la prima volta, lei aveva solo nove anni, ma poi l'ha educata e plasmata, e ne ha fatto sua moglie. Infantile, bellissima, innocente, Effie sembra la sposa ideale, ma è spesso malata. Lenisce le sue sofferenze con il laudano e vive come sospesa tra il sogno e la realtà. La gabbia dorata in cui l'ha rinchiusa suo marito le sta sempre più stretta. A liberarla saranno l'incontro con un altro pittore, l'ambiguo e sensuale Moses, e l'amicizia con Fanny Miller, la maîtresse di una casa d'appuntamenti frequentata da Chester, a suo tempo teatro di un orribile delitto. La giovane donna sprofonderà così in un incubo pericoloso e terribile, dove la voce della ragione si perde nei labirinti del delirio e l'unico punto fermo sembrano l'amore e la sensualità.