The Rarest Fruit

By Gaëlle Bélem

NEW YORK TIMES NOTABLE BOOK OF 2025・BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR - Washington Independent Review of Books

"A gorgeous novel."--New York Times

"A revealing, history-infused novel that spills its tale with the eager breathlessness, wry commentary, and frank truths of a close friend...B lem...transforms little-known history into an exquisite ode."--The Christian Science Monitor

Set in the 19th-century on R union Island, this new novel by International Booker Prize-longlisted author, Ga lle B lem, tells the true story of Edmond Albius, a young Creole boy whose extraordinary talent for botany leads him to revolutionize the highly competitive vanilla industry. Here is the incredible hidden story of a beloved flavor wrapped in a tale about resilience, science, exploration, defiance, and desert Told with great verve and perfect pitch, The Rarest Fruit is both a poignant tribute to the unsung heroes of history and a vivid portrayal of the many destinies that may be shaped by a single discovery.

★ "Belem's piercing bildungsroman memorializes Edmond while filling in the gaps with a masterful balance of humor, tragedy, and emotional insight. It's an impressive feat."--Publishers Weekly (starred review)

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: B0GLXR92YP
• ISBN13: 9798889662181
• Release Date: August 2026
• Publisher: Europa Editions
• Length: 192 Pages