Peaches for Father Francis

A Novel

By: Joanne Harris

Narrated by: Rula Lenska, Gareth Armstrong

Length: 13 hrs and 21 mins

Publisher's summary

The best-selling author of Chocolat and The Girl with No Shadow returns to Lansquenet in this enchanting new novel, Peaches for Father Francis(in the UK called Peaches for Monsieur le Curé).

When Vianne Rocher receives a letter from beyond the grave, she has no choice but to follow the wind that blows her back to Lansquenet, the beautiful French village in which eight years ago she opened a chocolate shop and first learned the meaning of home.

But returning to one's past can be a dangerous pursuit. Vianne, with her daughters, Anouk and Rosette, finds Lansquenet changed in unexpected ways: women veiled in black, the scent of spices and peppermint tea - and there, on the bank of the river Tannes, facing the church, a minaret. Most surprising of all, her old nemesis, Father Francis Reynaud, desperately needs her help.

Can Vianne work her magic once again?

©2012 Joanne Harris (P)2012 Penguin Audio

as always sensational

I cannot stop listening to this series. magical, real, speaks to my soul. thank you

Slow start but worth the wait.

If you could sum up Peaches for Father Francis in three words, what would they be?

French-optimistic- fun.

What other book might you compare Peaches for Father Francis to and why?

A follow-up to Chocolat

What about Rula Lenska and Gareth Armstrong ’s performance did you like?

I initially thought Ms. Lenska's voice was to old for the lead character but her performance of the ethnic dialects were so brilliant that I soon forgot any one character and enjoyed them all . Mr. Armstrong's Father Franci was perfect from the first word.

Charming and thoughtful.

What did you love best about Peaches for Father Francis?

The combination of Harris' story and Roula Lenska's performance was superb. I saved listening to it so that it would seem to last longer. On one level the book continues the story of Vianne and her daughters revisiting the village that was the scene of the movie "Chocolate. However, the book also involves the issues of race and immigration/assimulation, predjudice and religious beliefs.

An excellent story

Would you listen to Peaches for Father Francis again? Why?

I have listened to "Peaches" twice already. I love Joanne Harris' style and the readers really make the book come alive.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Peaches for Father Francis?

I love when Vianne takes in a girl in trouble with no questions asked. I also like the friendship that develops between her and the curee despite past events.

Have you listened to any of Rula Lenska and Gareth Armstrong ’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

This is the first book I've listened to by these readers.

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

Yes; I listened as I cooked dinner, folded laundry and waited for my son during his art lessons.

Fantastic performance!

The Chocolat series just gets better and better with every novel and this one was fantastic. Listening to it was the best decision in order to really get everyone’s tone and personalities. The narrators did such a great job! Fabulous all around!

Left still hungry

I enjoy Joanne Harris' books. Have read them all. I enjoyed this one to the extent that I liked her characters, but the plot was veneer. And the ending less than satisfying. It won't be made into a movie like Chocolat and it doesn't have the depth of Five Quarters of an Orange, but it was pleasant to read about Vianne once again. I wish Anouk and Rossette had played more of a role, but they were quite peripheral to the story. Best rendered character this time is Father Francis.

Read this only if you have enjoyed the two previous books, Chocolat and Girl Without a Shadow.

b.o.r.i.n.g

where to begin? the narration by Rula Lenska was terrible. they couldn't get anyone older?! how old is she , 70? vianne rochet is not old at all. the voice did not match the character. further, you could hear her lick her lips, hear extra saliva, like she is wearing dentures! her pronunciation of certain names and locations varied throughout the book. father francis' narration was fine.
the story itself left much to be desired. it has officially ruined the image of vianne rochet. the characters didnt even come across as likeable. not one moved me. i rolled my eyes thru the whole thing. the story was so predictable. and boring. it took forever to get started and once it did it was over. but I was happy for it to be done. there were so many passages that were ridiculously repetitive. I felt like I was reading a child's book report it essay, when they struggled to meet a minimum word requirement. I was determined to finish even tho several times I almost just shut it off and gave up.
there was one good chapter towards the end. I'm so incredibly disappointed.