The library of lost and found

Martha Storm works as a volunteer in an English public library though she hopes to shortly obtain permanent employment. Martha obviously loves working with and helping people, most of the time, but eventually she decides that it is time to declutter her house and reorganise her life.

Martha has always helped other people including looking after her parents for many years when they were ill instead of marrying the man she loved. Martha's childhood memories, however, are of good times spent with her grandmother, Zelda, and the stories that they would write. But then in 1982 Zelda died.

Many years later Martha found a book of short stories with the inscription - June 1985, To my darling, Martha Storm. Be glorious always, Zelda x. - a book containing many of the stories Martha had written as a child.

This was the beginning of new life for Martha as she strove to discover not only the whereabouts of her grandmother but why she had been told that her grandmother had died. Other family stories are also revealed as Martha reunites with her grandmother and learns about her past. Martha also learns the true meaning of friendship and independence.

This gentle, often amusing, book by Phaedra Patrick is a story about relationships including discovering oneself. It is also a book about reading and libraries and many of us who have worked in public libraries will recognise some of the incidents and perhaps even people as described in this book about life.

From secret ballot to democracy sausage

Today Australians voted at a Federal election. Consequently it seems a good time to write briefly about a new book with the title From secret ballot to democracy sausage: how Australia got compulsory voting by Judith Brett.

In Australia voting is compulsory for those over eighteen. Our elections are held on a Saturday making it relatively easy for people to find time to vote.Within each state residents can vote at any polling station, usually at a local school or hall.  On election day designated polling stations cater for voters from interstate. For those unable to vote on the day polling a number of stations are open for several weeks before the election. Postal votes are also available if required.

Australia was one of the first countries to implement secret ballot. Australians also use a preferential sytem of voting. The Franchise Act 1902 allowed women to vote in Federal elections though not all women could vote in State elections at that time. However it was many years before franchise was available to Aboriginal Australians.

One of the features of elections in Australia is the opportunity taken by schools or local community groups where elections are held to raise a little money by holding cake stalls or running a sausage sizzle where 'democracy sausages' can be purchased. To some extent elections can become a community event often providing the opportunity to catch up with people you may not have seen for some time.

By providing a brief history of the development of federal politics in Australia, particularly showing how our voting system varies from many other countries, this book is a useful overview of the development of voting systems that we take for granted today.

Peaches for Monsieur le Cure

When Vianne Rocher received a letter from Armande, her friend who died eight years previously, she decided to take her two daughters back to Lansquenet-sous-Tannes for a short holiday in order to carry out Armande's wishes. Arriving at Lansquenet-sous-Tannes Vianne discovered many changes including the (temporary replacement) of Francis Reynard as priest and an influx of immigrants from Tunisia now living in the village.

As most of the original inhabitants of Lansquenet-sous-Tannes have been renowned for their non-acceptance of change it is no surprise that there are obvious pockets of friction. Vianne encounters power groups within the church as well as well as power struggles within the Muslim community not to mention tensions between the old timers in the village and the newcomers.

The power of the sharing of food continues to be a theme in the third book in the Chocolat series by Joanne Harris. Chololate is, of course, prominent but in this story Armand's peach tree holds a special place. The first book in the series was set during Lent and Easter, the second during Advent and Christmas while this book is set during the month of Ramadan and consequently there is an emphasis on the feasting that takes place each evening in the Muslim section of the village.

The story told through two voices - that of Vianne and Francis Reynard - gradually unveils the causes for the disturbances and sometimes violence occurring in the community. Vianne though gradually discovers people on both sides who are disturbed by what is happening in Lansquenet-sous-Tannes and attempts are made to improve communication and understanding. However the greatest hope for the village lies with the children who find a common cause and work and play together away from adult interference. Vianne is also forced to evaluate why she has returned to Lansquenet-sous-Tannes examining her lifestyle on the move.

This continuation of the story of Vianne Rocher and her family poses many questions about religion, especially when followed by groups of people who follow what they believe to the letter without regard to the effects on individuals and the community. Parts of the story are dark but at the end the reader is left with the feeling that trust, hope and understanding my have come to the village of Lansquenet-sous-Tannes.

In the United States this book was published with the title, Peaches for Father Francis.

The Lollipop Shoes

Another tale of chocolate and magic by Joanne Harris. The action of the first book in this series, Chocolat, was set during Lent leading to Easter. In this book the story takes place between Halloween and Christmas.

It is more than four years since we left Vianne Rocher and her daughter, Anouk, at the village of  Lansquenet-sous-Tannes where Vianne had a chocolate shop. They have now moved to Paris where Vianne (now using the name Yanne) has established another chocolaterie at Montmartre. Living with them is Rosette, Vianne's younger daughter who is about to turn four. Vianne has decided to leave the world of magic and witchcraft behind as she attempts to fit in and lead an 'ordinary' life. However this is proving to be difficult as her two daughters have 'accidents, proving that they too have magical abilities.

The lollipop shoes refers to shoes favoured by Zozie de l 'Alba, a major character in this book. Zozie, a collector of identities, decides to befriend Vianne and her young family when she realises that the powers that Vianne is obviously trying to hide may be useful to her. Vianne initially appreciates Zozie's assistance and ideas as she tries to establish her chocolate business but she soon realises that something sinister is about to occur. Vianne is particularly concerned about the relationship developing between Zozie and Anouk.

Three people tell this story - Vianne (Yanne), Anouk (Annie) and Zozie. It is very much a tale of relationships. It is also a tale of the use (or non use) of magic for good or evil. As in Chocolat the reader meets a variety of characters from the local community who frequent the shop. As well as protecting her family from Zozie, Vianne must also decide what lifestyle she really wants to live and who she wants to live it with.

The Lollipop Shoes, a darker tale than the first book, Chocolat, with a greater emphasis on the use of magic, folklore and fable, is a compelling continuation of the story of Vianne and her family.

This book was published in the United States under the title - The girl with no shadow.

Joanne Harris - The Lollipop Shoes.

The little book of chocolat

This cookery book by Joanne Harris and Fran Warde contains 50 recipes celebrating chocolate.

In 1999 Joanne Harris published Chocolat, a book about Vianne Rocher and her chocolate shop and cafe in a French village. Since then Joanne Harris has written three sequels to the original novel. It is not possible to read Chocolat without feeling the need to consume an excellent piece of chocolate, a piece of rich chocolate cake or drink a delicious cup of rich hot chocolate. This book, published in 2014 supplies a collection of recipes based on chocolate, including some of the delicacies featured in the book. A must read for any chocoholic.

Unto us a son is given

When Commissario  Guido Brunetti's father-in-law asks him to investigate the actions of an old friend Brunetti is reluctant to do so, however he eventually agrees. Before long it seen becomes clear that other people are also concerned about the possible actions of Gonzalo who plans to adopt a younger man as his son. Then Gonzalo dies of natural causes so the investigation ceases. However, before a memorial service for Gonzalo can be be held by his friends in Venice one of the organisers of the service is murdered.

The murder only occurs towards the end of this book which is largely about relationships between the main characters, the city of Venice and the intricacies of Italian law. Descriptions of food continues to be important throughout the story as does Brunetti's love of literature which helps him relax. Bruneti is also asked to investigate a family whose young son is insulting and annoying the Vice-Questore's wife.

This is another excellent installment in the Commissario Brunetti series of books by Donna Leon.

Chocolat

The novel, Chocolat, by Joanne Harris was first published in 1999 and made an immediate impact as a book and then a film. I read it many years ago but decided to reread it, especially as the fourth book in the series has recently been published.

Vianne Rocher and her six year old daughter, Anouk, arrive in the French village of Lansquenet-sous-Tannes during a carnival and decide that this is the place that they should stay. They move into a shop that was a former bakery and re-establish the premises as a choclolate shop/cafe La Celeste Praline Choclaterie Artisanale. Vianne, Anouk and Pantoufle (Anouk's imaginery friend) settle into rooms at the back of the shop.

The redecorated shop with its display of exquisite delights is set to entice the locals but not everyone in this small village welcomes the strangers.

The shop is located across the square from the church and Monsieur Le Cure, Francis Reynaud the priest, totally dispproves of the new arrivals especially as Vianne opens her shop at the beginning of Lent. However many of the locals, particularly Guillaume with his dog, Narcisse and Armande Voizin welcome Vianne and Anouk. It is when Vianne and her friends prepare for a Chocolate Festival to begin on Easter Sunday that divisions with in the village become threatening. The village's dislike of strangers is further demonstrated by the reaction to the arrival of gypsies who moor their barges along the river bank.

The story is told by Vianne and by Francis Reynaud whose chapters gradually reveal the possible reasons for his behaviour. We also learn that Armande knows many of the priest's secrets.

I really enjoyed reading this book and re-entering the world centering around Vianne's chocolate shop. I suspect, however, that it  may not be possible to read this book without having a cup of good hot chocolate or a selection of scrumptious chocolates to sustain you.

Pearly Gates: a novel

Pat (Pearly to his friends) Gates runs a real estate agency in a small town on the South Island of New Zealand. To all intents and purposes he is a successful businessman and well liked in his local community where he is a councillor about to stand for a third term as mayor. In his younger days Pearly was a successful rugby player and may have even played for his country if injury had not cut short his rugby career. He is married to Helen and they have two grown up children who have moved away from home.

All appears to be going well for Pearly but he begins to have doubts and question some of his decisions and actions as well as his relationships, especially with family. At the end of some of the chapters there is a flashback to events that occurred earlier in Pearly's life which provide a back story as well as an insight into the state of Pearly's mind.

The author of this novel, Owen Marshall, is well known in New Zealand as a writer of short stories and poetry as well as, more recently, novels.

Owen Marshall's website