The Strawberry Thief

Orion Books

Industry	Publishing
Headquarters	United Kingdom
Products	Books

The Strawberry Thief is a magical realism novel authored by UK writer Joanne Harris, released by Orion Books in 2019. This book represents the fourth entry in a series that began with Chocolat (1999) and was followed by Peaches for Monsieur le Curé. An audiobook version narrated by Harris herself is also available.

Background

Harris has mentioned that the inspiration for the novel partly stems from the William Morris Strawberry Thief textile design. Moreover, the story reflects her thoughts on her daughter's recent wedding, delving into themes of parental adaptation to significant life changes. Harris revealed a personal link to the narrative through a tattoo of a strawberry plant, which symbolizes the novel.

Plot

The narrative utilizes Harris's hallmark multi-narrative technique, presenting alternating first-person perspectives from Vianne, Rosette, Reynaud, and Narcisse’s confession.

Set seven years after Peaches for Monsieur le Curé, Vianne Rocher has established herself in Lansquenet-sous-Tannes, managing her chocolate shop alongside her youngest daughter Rosette, who has cri-du-chat syndrome and is largely nonverbal. Upon the death of florist Narcisse, he bequeaths a parcel of land to Rosette and leaves behind a confession addressed to Reynaud, the local priest, which unsettles the community.

Narcisse’s daughter, Michèle Montour, disputes the land inheritance. Despite their mutual dislike, Reynaud becomes deeply engrossed in Narcisse’s confession. Meanwhile, a tattoo parlor replaces the florist’s shop, operated by Morgane Dubois, a witch whose enchanted tattoos fulfill clients’ desires. Rosette, an artist herself, feels drawn to Morgane, causing concern for Vianne.

Reynaud reads Narcisse’s confession, which recounts Narcisse’s traumatic childhood during WW2, including the death of his sister Mimi and his killing of their abusive aunt. As an adult, Narcisse planted trees on his farm, leaving behind a heart-shaped clearing as a tribute — his final gift to Rosette, the “strawberry thief.”

The confession provokes Reynaud’s guilt over a fire from his youth that claimed two witches’ lives, a secret Narcisse hints at. When Michèle steals the confession to contest the land gift legally, Reynaud races against time to retrieve it before his secret is exposed.

Vianne endeavors to counter Morgane’s growing influence over Rosette and the village through magic and seeks Reynaud’s cooperation. Overwhelmed by guilt, Reynaud accepts a tattoo symbolizing his past but attempts suicide fearing exposure; Vianne and Rosette intervene. Vianne reveals that Narcisse’s confession clears Reynaud of blame and uncovers how the church scapegoated him to justify its persecution of witches.

Morgane abruptly leaves, bequeathing her tattoo pen to Rosette. As Rosette gains self-assurance, Vianne embraces granting children independence. Anouk returns from Paris with plans to marry abroad. Vianne allows Rosette to tattoo her with a strawberry motif representing growth and transformation. Liberated from fear and remorse, Vianne and Reynaud look ahead optimistically. Rosette remains to expand Morgane’s business and pursue her own magical journey.

Themes

In line with Harris' previous novels, major themes include alienation, belonging, mourning, change, acceptance, and the emotional significance of food. The importance of family—both chosen and biological—and the sorrow associated with children leaving home are central motifs reflecting Harris' personal experience as her daughter prepared for marriage and relocation overseas. Transformation and evolution are also key elements, symbolized through Morgane's artistic tattoos and Vianne's chocolate creations.

Scent

Harris, who has synaesthesia that enables her to "perceive colours through scent," incorporates fragrance into her creative writing. For The Strawberry Thief, she partnered with CPL Aromas, a fragrance company, to develop Xocolatl, a scent designed to complement a specific passage in the book. Although this fragrance is not available commercially, it is used during readings and promotional events. The aroma is characterized by "bright vanilla and popcorn top notes layered over a rich foundation of amber, chypre, cumin, bitter chocolate, cedar, and sandalwood."

The William Morris design

The William Morris Strawberry Thief fabric pattern serves as a central visual motif throughout the novel.

The story explores patterns and markings as metaphors for how life and behavior leave their imprint on us. The Morris design vividly embodies these concepts.

The term "Strawberry Thief" in the title alludes both to the character Rosette and this iconic Victorian pattern, which Morgane has chosen to have tattooed on her skin.

Reception

The novel secured Sunday Times bestseller recognition both in the UK and internationally. It earned acclaim from writers such as James Runcie, Marian Keyes, and Monica Ali. The Deccan Herald praised its adept integration of intricate themes and human nature, while The Guardian acknowledged its richly atmospheric quality but recommended a more concise narrative pace. Harris's lush descriptive style was celebrated by The Irish Times:

Harris stands among the few authors who masterfully summon the senses; her writing brims with captivating sounds, aromas, and flavors, delivering some of literature’s most alluring culinary portrayals.