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

I really enjoyed this novel. It was fun.

If you could rename The Hundred-Foot Journey, what would you call it?

Yes, the name does not fit the story. maybe, The French Wizard of Taste

Stellar narration. Excellent story.

This book completely drew me in. I became part of the family, the drama, the smells, the smiles. Neil Shah delivered an incredible performance, nimbly dancing between Indian accents, French accents and so much more. I will look for more books read by him. Wonderful experience.

Loved the First Half but Then It Changed Tone

If you could sum up The Hundred-Foot Journey in three words, what would they be?

Don't have time for three words, but here is what I do have time for: I loved the first half, but once the young Chef moved to Paris the story slowed for me, and lost some of it's charm. But I liked it overall.

Have you listened to any of Neil Shah’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

First book by Neil Shah

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

No. I never like to listen in one sitting. Especially if it's a book I like, I want to savor it as long as possible.

Page Turner!! What an excellent story!!

If you could sum up The Hundred-Foot Journey in three words, what would they be?

Great human story.

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

Any piece with the father - he is a wonderful character to read about.

What about Neil Shah’s performance did you like?

He switched voices perfectly. Always felt real.

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

Probably the father - he has such depth and experience in life.

A Shorter Life of Pi with cooking not of tigers

The Hundred-Foot Journey is good. Worth the time, small picaresque, some similarities with Life of Pi, only without the high drama of days in a lifeboat with a tiger. The Hundred-foot Journey is also significantly shorter than Life of Pi.

The narration was supportive of the book story and text. I enjoyed Neil Shah's different voices for different characters, and I was not offended nor put off by the French-ified English accents. (At least one reviewer was.)

I would have been glad for a little more detail in the episodes. Painful or tragic events are described at a distance, so this reader, at least, wasn't brought to damp, shiny eyes, much less tears nor sobs. At least one or two of the chapters would have been worth some real tears if the incidents had been shown more directly instead of reported by the narrator.

I may listen to this twice or not, but it was surely worth the first listen.

(I haven't seen the movie, but I imagine that will focus on a portion of the book rather than re-telling the whole thing. Stopping earlier, showing more details and having a simpler dramatic arch would make for a better movie than the book as a whole.)

A culinary adventure! Loved it!

The book is great! Vivid, rich, vibrant, and told in a wonderful way that gently pulls you into Hasan's world by the narrator. I still love the way they portrayed the movie though, but the book is definitely a journey worth taking!

Great Book!

Where does The Hundred-Foot Journey rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

This is one of my new favorites! I loved the story and the narration was on spot. I will definitely listen it again.

Equally As Good As the Movie

Would you consider the audio edition of The Hundred-Foot Journey to be better than the print version?

I don't know; I only accessed the audio edition.

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

When Madame Mallory sits outside the Haji family's restaurant to persuade Abbas to let Hassan come work at Le Saule Pleureur

Which character – as performed by Neil Shah – was your favorite?

Hassan

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I saw the movie before I read the book. This is the first time I can honestly say that both were very different and absolutely wonderful!

Mais non!

Would you listen to The Hundred-Foot Journey again? Why?

I would not listen to this again. Although the reader did an excellent job with Indian accents, his French accent sounded like Peter Sellers as Inspector Clousea. It was very distracting.

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

I would say it was Gertrude's hunger strike.

What did you like about the performance? What did you dislike?

See my above comments.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I would say the relationships between Gertrude and Hassan and between Hassan and his father were moving. i also enjoyed Margaret's return

Love! the book, the Audible, the Movie

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

Every thing.... This book is comfort, and warmth for the sole

What other book might you compare The Hundred-Foot Journey to and why?

White Truffles in Winter: A Novel , by N. M. Kelby and Climbing the Mango Trees: A Memoir of a Childhood in India by Madhur Jaffrey . Both speak to the inner spice taster, family, and overcoming adversities.

What about Neil Shah’s performance did you like?

I could listen to his voice all day. His character interpretations were spot on and wonderful to the ear and sole.... I read the book twice, and have listened to the audible three times. Saw the movie yesterday, and will see it several move times.

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

The father! He is a hot mess, but a take charge, look out for your family..... "Mans Man".

Any additional comments?

To Richard C. Moraisr, please write move along this line and to Neil Shah, please read more. I would listen to Neil Shah read a phone book.........