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

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.........

Predict I will like movie better

I had this book in my library before I knew it was going to be a film with Helen Mirren, so when I saw the preview I rushed to listen.
It's a passable book with a good germ of a story. But it never delved into character. It was more of the protagonist reading his datebook/journal with no real depth of feeling.
Listening to the narrator do the French accents, was like listening to Inspector Clouseau. I look forward to the film and Ms. Mirren breathing life into a cliché relationship.

Watch the Movie--Much Better than the Book

Well, this is one rare instance in which I think that the movie was far better than the book. The story focuses on Hassan, a young Muslim from India with a natural talent for cooking: his taste buds are "the equivalent for a chef to what perfect pitch is for a musician." After being struck by a tragedy in Mumbai, the family moves first to to London, then to Lumiere, France to open a restaurant featuring Hassan's mother's prized recipes. Unfortunately, their new place is across the street from a three-star Michelin French restaurant run by the haughty Mme. Mallory. The entire movie and a significant part of the book focus on the relationship between Hassan and Mme. Mallory, who at first tries to drive the family out of town but eventually mentors the young Indian. Even though the characters are somewhat stereotypes, I found them rather charming on film--but less so in print. And the last third of the book, when Hassan is trying to establish himself in Paris, tends to drag, and then leaps to an ending. The film's director was wise to bring back Mme. Mallory near the end and even to suggest a budding romance between her and Hassan's father. By the end of the book, however, we just find out that she is long dead. Bummer.

Very Enjoyable Story

I really was swept away with this story not in an intense, thrilling way but in a relaxed journey. I really enjoyed the narration and wanted to follow this story. I listen to the books on my hour commute and found myself leaving for work early because I was anticipating what would happen next.

Amazing

I really love this story line make sure to watch the movie as well, it is a really good book.

Fantastic

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

Not only a good book, but the narration was terrific. Great characters, heart moving, ethinic, interesting, high moral content.

Very good until he left for Paris

I really enjoyed the beginning of the book, as the boy's life unfolds, and then the rivalry between the two chefs. Though I haven't seen the movie I can imagine the grand French chef being wonderfully played by Helen Mirren. However, the book fell flat when the young man left for Paris and never regained its brightness. I didn't finish it for that reason.

Great story

Great story line. I saw the movie previews and wanted to read the book first. Still haven't seen the movie, but really enjoyed the book.

Completely enjoyable.

It was so much better having the various accents read to me rather than wondering how to pronounce the French and Indian words.

Totally enjoyed this ..

This book is an absolute must. As always, the movie couldn't do it justice.