The Hundred-Foot Journey

A Novel

By: Richard C. Morais

Narrated by: Neil Shah

Length: 8 hrs and 51 mins

Publisher's summary

“That skinny Indian teenager has that mysterious something that comes along once a generation. He is one of those rare chefs who is simply born. He is an artist.”

And so begins the rise of Hassan Haji, the unlikely gourmand who recounts his life’s journey in this charming audiobook. Lively and brimming with the colors, flavors, and scents of the kitchen, The Hundred-Foot Journey is a succulent treat about family, nationality, and the mysteries of good taste.

Born above his grandfather’s modest restaurant in Mumbai, Hassan first experienced life through intoxicating whiffs of spicy fish curry, trips to the local markets, and gourmet outings with his mother. But when tragedy pushes the family out of India, they console themselves by eating their way around the world, eventually settling in Lumière, a small village in the French Alps.

The boisterous Haji family takes Lumière by storm. They open an inexpensive Indian café opposite an esteemed French restaurant - that of the famous chef Madame Mallory - and infuse the sleepy town with the spices of India, transforming the lives of its eccentric villagers and infuriating their celebrated neighbor. Only after Madame Mallory wages culinary war with the immigrant family does she finally agree to mentor young Hassan, leading him to Paris, the launch of his own restaurant, and a slew of new adventures.

The Hundred-Foot Journey is about how the hundred-foot distance between a new Indian kitchen and a traditional French one can represent the gulf between different cultures and desires. A testament to the inevitability of destiny, this is a fable for the ages - charming, endearing, and a joy to listen to.

Richard C. Morais, author of The Hundred-Foot Journey, is a contributing editor at Barron’s in New York. An American raised in Switzerland, he was stationed in London for seventeen years, where he was Forbes’ European bureau chief.

©2008 2010 by Richard C. Morais (P)2012 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Critic reviews

“Outstanding! A completely engaging human story heavily larded with the lushest, most high-test food porn since Zola. Easily the best novel ever set in the world of cooking—and absolutely thrilling from beginning to end. I wished it went on for another three hundred pages.”—Anthony Bourdain, New York Times bestselling author of Kitchen Confidential

“A gorgeous novel, vivid and intimate, tracing a journey from kitchen to kitchen, from culture to culture, with a perfect touch.”—Susan Orlean, New York Times bestselling author

“Richard C. Morais conjures a richly woven tapestry of exotic sights, smells, and tastes that transports the reader to a world of epicurean delights. This is a charming, deeply felt novel that questions, and ultimately celebrates, the twists and turns of an authentically lived life.”—Elin Hilderbrand, New York Times bestselling author

Where's the love

I thought he was going to be with his childhood lover. Instead he just gets her a job.

a spellbinding yarn

I loved this story! With amazing wordscapes, this tale become my temporary world. I became invested in these people.

Perfect Narration--I didn't want to stop listening

The narrator did such a good job on this book--I wanted to keep listening just to hear that voice. And I enjoyed so many of the sentences--pleasing alliterations and word combinations. A good story, too, but the telling & reading were the hook.
Enjoy! Oh yes, I love hearing about food, too.

The Hundred-Foot Journey - Food Porno

Story: I got the book since I will see the movie soon. It is an interesting adventure of low-middle class Pakistani family from their homeland to France with a strange twist of events that seem slightly unbelievable. The book is about high French cooking and restaurant business but it dives into the Gallic psyche. Finally, it was about the food. Some of the dishes described seem to reach to the heavens while others seem there were the invention of a madman.

Reader: The reader was excellent and show great range. I am unsure if it was westerner speaking with a south central Asian accent for vice-a-versus.

Wonderful book!

I loved the movie but loved the book more! I have read it several times.

Absorbing and salivating

I had to have Indian food while listening. Wish I could have tasted everything described. Beautify and perfectly read. Characters are vivid and plot clips along at a great pace.

I enjoyed the book but...

What did you love best about The Hundred-Foot Journey?

Neil Shah, the narrator was exceptional. I loved all the different voices he used. That is what I loved the most.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Hundred-Foot Journey?

Madame Mallory sitting outside waiting.

Which scene was your favorite?

My favorite scene was when Madame Mallory realizes how good a chef Hassan really is.

If you could take any character from The Hundred-Foot Journey out to dinner, who would it be and why?

Papa. His character made me laugh and I think he would have some great stories.

Any additional comments?

I thought some of the dialogue about butchering was too graphic for me. Being a vegetarian, I really didn't need to hear about it. Although, anyone interested in being a chef would probably find it interesting.

a charming story

This story was absolutely charming. I was captivated and enjoyed it the very end.

I didn't finish it

Meh. I wish there had been more of the storyline the movie was based on. I lost interest.

Hmmmm

Listening to this wonderful story was difficult because it seemed he read without taking a breath. Very exhausting