From:

Pat Knight

Date: 2008-05-16 10:32

No: 994

Hello Joanne
I have just finished'Lollypop Shoes' and as usual with one of your books, thoroughly enjoyed the read, couldn't bear to put it down until the end.
I had read 'Chocolat'some tme ago and your comments re the making of chocolate drinks reminded me of a book I read long ago but have been unable to trace since.
I thought you might be just the person to ask since you show in the two books the amount of research you have done into chocolate.
The book I am looking for started in the distant past around a story of a man lost and injured in a jungle/forest being rescued and restored to health by a native who made him drinks from cocoa. It continued with the same man appearing in different times, different situations, different centuries, but always with drinking cocoa as a theme throughout, expressing all the benefits of drinking cocoa / chocolate with the addition of spices that we don't use today but which you mention in your two books. The hero ended up in the 20th century, still advocating his chocolate drinks.
After reading this book I promptly forgot it but your two books have awakened an interest and I would love to read it again.
I am hoping either yourself or another reader can help me.
I look forward to your next book, having read most published so far
Kind regards
Pat

From:

Cathy Phillips

Date: 2008-05-14 18:51

No: 993

Dear Joanne,
Our small community theare is always looking for something new and during a recent discussion "Chocolat" came up.
Was wondering if you've ever considered adapting your novels for the stage?
Best to you,
Cathy

Reply:

Hi there,
I get lots of requests to adapt "Chocolat" for stage, but so far no-one has managed to wrest the rights away from Miramax. As for doing the job myself - I'm far too busy writing new books to want to re-write anything in a different medium... Maybe someday it will happen, though.
Best,
Joanne

From:

Catarina

Date: 2008-05-13 21:50

No: 992

Hi Joanne,
I'm from Portugal, I'm 16. I've just finished reading Blackberry Wine. I've already read Five quaters of orange and I've seen the film based on Chocolat. I simply love them all. The stories are amazing and the way you write them make them seem almost real. I sincerely admire the main female characters, they are so strong, so brave. I can't wait to read Lollypop shoes.
Congratulions.

From:

Paul

Date: 2008-05-13 09:36

No: 991

Joanne, my friend! Your excellent recipes will soon render me too large to fit into my clothes (I just made Anoushka's Chocolate Cake again tonight). I would like to ask about the dough of the Tarte Tatin recipe as I tried making it abou a week ago but it could barely hold together. I am using the American version and I know there are some other measurements that have been entered in incorrectly -- could this be the same thing?
No idea! Any help would be appreciated.

Reply:

Hi Paul,
This type of pastry is indeed very crumbly - almost like biscuit crumbs. I think it's just a matter of handling it very, very carefully. As for your other problem -
Elasticated waistbands.
Works for me :-)
Joanne

From:

Rie

Date: 2008-05-12 20:03

No: 990

Joanne, you've done it again, just finished Lollipop Shoes, I was to put it mildly spellbound!! Keep on doing what your doing!
Rie

From:

Linda Wiggs

Date: 2008-05-11 21:41

No: 989

Joanne, I am desperately trying to help my niece with a research paper on you & your works. she has to create a timeline of of important world events as well as important personal events in your life. Unfortunately, your website doesn't give specific dates such as your graduation, marriage, birth of daughter etc. Just publication dates. Also, what major world events in 70s, 80s, or 90s impacted you? Please, Help!

Reply:

Hi Linda,
I don't want to sound unhelpful, but - I only publish details about myself that I think are relevant, and that I'm comfortable seeing in the public domain. Perhaps your niece could slightly alter the theme of her paper, and just write about the books instead?
Best,
J

From:

Nune

Date: 2008-05-11 07:33

No: 988

Dear Miss Harris,
I must say that I am completely enamored with your books. I started reading them quite by accident when a few weeks ago, my mother mentioned that she saw the movie Chocolat and enjoyed it. I vaguely remembered that the movie was based on a novel, so I decided to read it. It was the best decision I could have made! I fell in love with your rich language and detailed plot line from the first page. The complex life of Vianne Rocher and her friends touched me and I read the book as quickly as I could. Filled with love, mystery, and heartbreak, I knew the book would be one of my favorites before I finished it. When I did, I of course requested the sequel, eager to continue reading about the characters' adventures. While I waited impatiently for The Girl With No Shadow, I discovered Runemarks. I was shocked at how different the story was from Chocolat. I've found that most authors tend to stick in a certain comfort zone. In your case, it is obviously not so. Aside from the obvious differences, the tones of the two stories were very different. Chocolat was bittersweet (no pun intended) and the humor was always mixed with the harshness of reality. Runemarks, meanwhile, was funny. A simple word, but it describes the book well in any case. Although it deals with extremely serious matters, and there is plenty of sadness throughout it, the tone of the story was overall sarcastic and light-hearted. I loved it! Maddy was a wonderful heroine, strong, stubborn, and funny. And all of the gods had distinct personalities. I adored each one (although Loki, with his witty and mischievous nature, immediately became my favorite). It was an epic novel and has taken its rightful place in my most prized bookshelf, along with other treasured books. I just have one question. Will there be a sequel to it? Because with the way things ended, I can see that the story could easily be continued. I certainly hope there will be one! Although I'm only in high school and perhaps don't have the expertise that others have, I can say without a doubt that you are one of the best authors I know of. I am an aspiring author myself, and reading your novels has been an excellent motivator. One last thing I must add is that I really enjoy that your books deal with real issues. They make the readers contemplate difficult issues that need to be faced in the modern world. This, I think, is an essential quality in a good book. Now, I will end my long ramble. I just realized how much I wrote, but I think it couldn't be helped. Thank you for gracing the world with the gift of your books. I am truly happy that I discovered them.

Reply:

Hello Nune,
I'm delighted you liked my books, and especially pleased you enjoyed RUNEMARKS, which I have to say I enjoyed writing too... If my daughter and I have our way with this, there will certainly be a sequel - though I'm not sure when that will be. Anyway, thank you so much for your splendid enthusiasm - letters like yours just make my day!
Best,
Joanne

From:

Margje

Date: 2008-05-06 15:05

No: 987

Chocolat en Rode schoenen adembenemend. Mijn dochter zei Mam...die moet je lezen en dat heb ik gedaan. (ik had nog nooit van Joanne Harris gehoord of gelezen) Achter elkaar heb ik ze uitgelezen, ik kon niet stoppen. Wat een fantastische stijl van schrijven. "Super"!Mijn complimenten,ik ben er door geraakt en ik zal zeker meer boeken van Joanne gaan lezen.
Groetjes Margje (Holland)
www.margjeelsendoorn.nl

From:

pentacle

Date: 2008-05-05 22:15

No: 986

I LOVE LOVE LOVE Runemarks!! It is the BEST book ever!! The characters are extremely real and tug on your heartstrings. HARD! I like Loki best. AND I think the Mimir the Former Talking Head found its way into Adam Scattergood. Am I right? Am I right? Please tell me!

Reply:

Hehe. I think you're right. I'm so glad you liked it (and yes, Loki is my favourite, too :-))

From:

Leire

Date: 2008-05-03 19:01

No: 985

Hi!!
Im a 17 years old girl and I live in the basque country (spain). Today I have finished reading The Lollipop Shoes and I have to say that is amazing!!! I really like it!! Im like witched by the book. I have always love all this magic world and I have always dream having the type of life that Vianne has.
After reading the book, I have tried finding some more information about the smoking mirror and all this things but I havent find anything!!! How do you know all this symbols? Could you recommend me some books about this type of things or some web pages that talks about all this stuff? I will be soooooo happy and grateful!!!
Thank you so much!! And don´t stop writing, your books are very good!! :)

Reply:

Hi there,
Try some of the links on this site to research Mesoamerican myths... there's quite a lot of information there.
Best,
J

From:

Michela

Date: 2008-05-03 12:17

No: 984

Dear Joanne,
I'm reading CHOCOLAT and I feel I'll love the book. I think I'll read more about you and I feel I could be inspired by th way you write.
Thank you
Michela

From:

Olivia

Date: 2008-05-01 19:13

No: 983

The Lollipop Shoes? Well, it was simply fabulous! (As Zozie would have it). You're characters are so vividly drawn, I almost forget they're not real.
I adore Chocolat, The Lollipop Shoes & of course, Blackberry Wine (my favourite).
Your use of food imagery and smells make my mouth water. And i'm very much looking forward to perhaps another book about lovely Lansquenet?
Thanks so much for your wonderful books!

From:

Martine

Date: 2008-04-29 16:20

No: 982

Dear Joanne,
I just wanted to say how much I love your books. I have read all of them, apart from Evil Seed (awaiting re-release in September!!!). Travelling home the other day I saw a woman reading Lollipop Shoes, and as I got off the train, I walked straight into my local bookshop and bought it, all the while cursing myself for not realising months ago that a new book of yours had come out. It is now 2 days later and I am drawing out the last 50 pages of the book, wanting to carry on reading, but not wanting the story to end. Your books capture me from page one, and I just wanted to say thank you for being so brilliant!

From:

Mariuka

Date: 2008-04-29 12:01

No: 981

Hello!!!
My name is Maria. I'm from little town in Russia and I hope my message in english will be right.
I want say "thank you" for "Chocolat" because I have fallen in love with this book. And now I read your other books enjoying every little piece.
I like your "voice" and it's close to me.
I'm searching my "voice" now (yes, sometimes I attact Big literature with my novels). And your book is very useful for me.
Good wishes from Russia! =)))

From:

Marysia

Date: 2008-04-28 15:10

No: 980

You say you are writing a sequel for Runemarks, by any chance could you tell us all the name of it... if you have one yet? Thanks, Marysia xxxx

Reply:

I think it's going to be called RUNELIGHT...

From:

pentacle

Date: 2008-04-27 00:42

No: 979

Dear Mrs Harris,
I know I already wrote today, but I have sooo much more to say. Runemarks is great: I've read it five times or so , so when Hel kills Loki I worry but not to much. The first time around I was like OH MY GOD, how COULD she?!?! But then he got his body back , and I was like 'whew' and very relieved. Your characters are so real, they tug on your heartsrtings.

From:

pentacle

Date: 2008-04-27 00:34

No: 978

Dear Mrs. Harris,
I am 11 years old and I love your book Runemarks! My favorite character is Loki, because he's funny and- well, i can't really explain it. Will there be a sequel about finding Magni or about Magni himself (or herself)? Bye!!

Reply:

Could be :-))

From:

Gillian Fieldsend

Date: 2008-04-24 11:26

No: 977

Hi, Joanne
Love the books - keep them coming.
I attended Barnsley High School in the 70s and was taught by both your parents. Remember them both with great fondness - would you pass on my very best wishes?
Gilly

From:

Anna Sophia

Date: 2008-04-23 10:45

No: 976

Hi,
For some reason Chocolat and The lollipop shoes are categorised as Chicklit.. Which is a dissapointment to me, since most Chicklit is just a soap opera transformed into words. Mostly American.
I have now borrowed The lollipop shoes at the library and am deciding if I'll read it or not. Not because of the idiotic Chiklit-lable, but because I'm a little frightened of what it might do to my idillic image of Chocolat. It's more like a feeling I get, including certain music, sand, trees, summer-like weather, the end of childhood, etc. Oh, and a trampoline. If I read the sequel, it might be destroyed.
(About the titles. The lollipop shoes was, as you're probably aware of, translated into Dutch as Rode schoenen, red shoes. Chocolat wasn't translated at all. How odd. Do you know why?)
AS

Reply:

No, I don't - although because all languages are different in tone, I'm assuming my publishers felt that it wasn't easily translatable. Oh, and don't pay too much attention to labels. I never do...

From:

MaryF

Date: 2008-04-22 21:04

No: 975

Like Cory (see 974), I heard Diane Rehm interview you today and I, too, would love audio versions of your books narrated by you. I just listened to the audio clip of Girl Without A Shadow on the Amazon site and it is so flat in comparison to your voice. You have a marvelous voice, quite ideal for your stories. PLEASE consider doing the audio for them - and then do it!! :-)

From:

Cory

Date: 2008-04-22 18:00

No: 974

Joanne,
I just listened to your interview on one of the NPR programs. I have seen Chocolat, but I am very embarrassed to say that I have not yet read one of your books. I enjoyed the interview and your personality in general. I agree with the way you feel that there is a certain rhythm and sound to words and how they are put together. I feel very much the same way about my own work and writing in general. I love to be read to and I also feel that the voice reading the book is very important. I do hope that you eventually do publish an audio book with you reading your own work. I could see the music of the words as you read a segment of it during the program, and hope that when I read your books that I will be able to keep the same sound in my mind.
Thank for your work.

Reply:

Hi Cory,
I'd love to do that - maybe if enough peopple ask my publishers the same thing, they will want me to read an audiobook...

From:

Marc Forster

Date: 2008-04-21 08:02

No: 973

Hi Joanne,
I've read all but two of your books and have loved them all. I knew about chocolat, but my first 'taste' of you was through Blackberry Wine. At the time of reading, I was going through some very troublesome times. When I was little, I used to write and funnily enough, like Jay, I constantly feel like getting away from my current life to write in some dilapadated cottage in the French contryside. That book literally changed my life and some of the themes and issues rang true for me. I saw so much of myself in Jay - apart from the bottles of Joe's vintage. The way you describe and integrate food into your novels is truly wonderful and reading is a veritable sensory overload in the most delectable and decadent of ways. I have noticed a lot of your books tend to have similar characters and I am glad to read that they are based losely around yourself and influencial people in your life. You are an inspiration to me and others all around the world. You have touched my heart and your poetic stories have prompted me to pick up my pen and make time for my writing once more and not only that, but quit my lfe to travel around the world. I can't thank you enough for your writing and the journey it constantly takes me on. If there was such a programme as 'Desert Island Books' on radio four, mine would undoubtedly include most of yours including the cookbooks, which I am yet to acquire. Haven't seen much of them down under, which is where I currently reside. Although, after reading Lollipop shoes, this will soon change to a shop in Montmatre, an already favourite haunt of mine.

Reply:

Thank you so much for those kind words. I'm always touched if people manage to find something of themselves in my books. Thank you for your support! Keep reading/dreaming/
travelling/writing...
Joanne

From:

Lilla Balla

Date: 2008-04-20 17:06

No: 972

Dear Joanne!
I've just finished Gentlemen and Players and it was absolutely amazing! I wish, You come to Europe and meet me. Or I meet You. :-D
Apropo, will You visit Middle Europe some day?
Have a nice day, and "good writings" to you! :-)

From:

Laura Hollins

Date: 2008-04-20 05:38

No: 971

Dear Joanne,
Do you hate editing your writing as much as I do?

Reply:

Actually, I don't hate proper editing - I quite like the procss of cleaning up a scruffy text. It's copy-editing I really can't stand...

From:

Mary Knapp

Date: 2008-04-19 19:34

No: 970

Just read the short story Faith and Hope Fly South. Charming! Finished Chocolat last week. Really looking forward to meeting you and hearing you speak in Salibury, NC next week.

From:

Wendy Clarkson

Date: 2008-04-18 21:25

No: 969

Dear Joanne Harris,
I'm a co-owner of a new magazine, in Cairo Egypt, its a food magazine. I would very much like to e-mail you with a couple of questions to be pubished in my magazine, being such a very big fan of your work. I hope you will agree, and I hope to hear from you,
Yours sincerly
Wendy Clarkson
E-mail: Wendy_Clarkson@Hotmail.com

Reply:

That's fine. Just use the website e-mail, and I'll get back to you.
Best,
J

From:

Maya

Date: 2008-04-18 19:45

No: 968

hi Joanne!
i've just read Runemarks, it barely took me 2 days to read, i loved it! Pleaseeeeee you have to write a sequel, im dying to know what might happen next.
P.s how come Maddy didnt kill loki when she had the chance??

Reply:

Hehe. :-) Actually, I am working on a sequel, though it may take me some time to finish.
As for your question, there are two answers. One, Maddy just isn't a killer. Two - my daughter would NEVER have forgiven me if I'd let Loki die...

From:

Michele Woods

Date: 2008-04-17 10:22

No: 967

Hi Joanne,
I am most of the way through Blackberry wine and I wanted to let you know how much I love it. It is not my usual book (normally trashy novels) but my friend gave it to me and I have been unable to put it down since.
I am a Yorkshire lass and Joe reminds me so much of my late Grandad Rushton who was a miner and jack of all trades.
Thank you for letting me relive some memorys long forgotten.
Michele Woods

From:

Dorina Réka Borda

Date: 2008-04-16 17:58

No: 966

Hey, Joanne!
I just want to tell you, that I love You and your books so much, and You helped me to understand, what I want TO BE? (Author.)
So... Simply... THANK YOU! :-)
(Hungary)

From:

Anna

Date: 2008-04-14 17:03

No: 965

hello, Joanne. i believe a person can't really get tired of displays of admiration, so here's probably a banal one - but I really love and enjoy your books!!! i'm from Russia and study at the faculty of foreight languages, so I read your G&P for my individual reading this term and could you please help me and clear out the title of the book? there was a line in the book "a twelfth man in this game of Gentlemen and players" is there such a game? or it's just a mataphor? thanks in advance and thank you again for amazing books!

Reply:

Hi Anna,
The title (and the twelfth man reference) is actually from cricket - a game so fraught with ritual and weird traditions that even the British don't really understand it... :-)
Glad you liked the books!
Joanne