
The Rarest Fruit
Hildegarde Serle
(Translated by)This title will be released on
May 13, 2025
Description
Gaëlle Bélem’s The Rarest Fruit is a captivating tale of resilience, discovery, and the untold stories behind a beloved flavor.
Set in 19th-century La Réunion, this novel follows Edmond Albius, a young Creole boy born into slavery, whose extraordinary talent for botany leads him to revolutionize the vanilla industry with his method of hand-pollinating orchids. Raised by a passionate botanist after becoming an orphan, Edmond defies the expectations of his time, making a discovery that connects the histories of La Réunion, France, and beyond.
Based on the true story of Edmond Albius, Bélem weaves a richly detailed narrative, exploring themes of survival and ingenuity against the backdrop of colonial exploitation. The Rarest Fruit is both a poignant tribute to the unsung heroes of history and a vivid portrayal of the intertwined destinies shaped by a single discovery.
Product Details
Publisher | Europa Editions |
Publish Date | May 13, 2025 |
Pages | 192 |
Language | English |
Type | |
EAN/UPC | 9798889661009 |
About the Author
Gaëlle Bélem was born in Saint-Benoît, Réunion. The Rarest Fruit is her English-langauge debut.
For Europa Editions, Hildegarde Serle has translated the best-selling Mirror Visitor series by Christelle Dabos and Valérie Perrin’s Fresh Water for Flowers. She lives in London.
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