The Rarest Fruit
by Gaëlle Bélem
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Pub Date Jun 17 2025 | Archive Date Jun 17 2025
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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.
A Note From the Publisher
- Readers of stories about people triumphing over adversity, Edmond Albius’s rags-to-riches tale (The Frederick Douglas of Botany)
- For readers of fiction that blends adventurous historical narratives with the world of science creativity, and discovery, like: The Fraud by Zadie Smith; The Orchid Thief by Susan Orlean; The Signature of All Things by Elizabeth Gilbert; Friday Black by Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah; What We Lose by Zinzi Clemmons; Washington Black by Esi Edugyan; Mozart’s Starling by Lyanda Lynn Haupt; Orchid Muse by Erica Hanickel
- Readers of narratives about the Black experience and Black history
- For readers of atmospheric narrative non-fiction about science, botany, plants, and ground-breaking discoveries, like: The Botany of Desire by Michael Pollan; Seeds of Change: Six Plants that Transformed Mankind by Henry Hobhouse; The Reason for Flowers by Stephen Buchmann; Empire of Tea: The Asian Leaf that Conquered the World by Markman Ellis; The Invention of Nature by Andrea Wulf
KEY SELLING POINTS
- A gripping, plotty, stylish narrative with many points of access for readers with interests varying from botany and science to Black history and inspirational stories
- This is the first novel to be written about a man who revolutionized flavor and emerged from slavery to become a brilliant botanist
Advance Praise
“With elegant prose, agile rhythm, and mischievous wit, Gaëlle Bélem masterfully intertwines rigorous historical research with fiction, resurrecting Edmond Albius from oblivion. In this novel of impossible possibilities, she grants him the love history denied.”—Gladys Marivat, Le Monde
“Gaëlle Bélem’s novel shows an unrivalled sense of words to describe the intertwining of these three stories: that of Edmond Albius, that of Reunion Island, and, finally, that of vanilla, which became a globalized object thanks to this anonymous inventor to whom the writer wanted to pay a heart-felt tribute... Precise historical and botanical details take the reader to the heart of this perfume’s secrets.”—Christophe Premat, World Literature Today
“A fictionalized biography infused with the bittersweet essence of vanilla during the time of slavery... As moving as it is unimaginable, rich with the aromas of garden herbs and kitchen spices, The Rarest Fruit brings to life the incredible story of Edmond Albius.”—AllAfrica.com
“This novel brings Edmond Albius out of oblivion—an orphaned, illiterate slave from Bourbon Island who, in 1841 at the age of twelve, discovered the secret of vanilla pollination. Thanks to this prodigious feat, he introduced the world to a new aroma, a new flavor that pastry lovers, ice cream aficionados, and connoisseurs of fine cuisine would soon be unable to do without... Based on meticulous historical research, this novel masterfully portrays the saga of vanilla, the sociocultural realities of Bourbon Island in the 19th century, its lush natural environment, and its colonial history leading up to the abolition of slavery. Bélem delights in listing the myriad species of the island’s abundant flora, their names imbued with poetic resonance. She plays with different linguistic registers—dancing between irony, sarcasm, fantasy, and poetry.”—Marie-Agnès Sourieau, The French Review
Marketing Plan
Marketing & Publicity
- Print & e-galleys available
- National and regional media
- Galleys, marketing material, and finished copies sent to botanical and horticultural societies, authors of gardening books
- Submission for coverage to science, nature, gardening, and cooking publications, e.g. Smithsonian Magazine, NPR's Science Friday, Food History Magazine
- Direct outreach to niche publications and Vanilla related orgs and companies, like The Vanilla Company
- Outreach to culinary influencers, web sites, blogs, chefs, and vanilla-centric brands (bakers, ice cream shops, etc.) about giveaways, promotions, collaborations tied to the vanilla theme.
- Literary reviewers covering topics of social justice and marginalized histories, for outlets like The Rumpus or Bitch Media. Albius’s identity as a slave who made uncredited scientific contributions provides social/historical insight.
- Francophone literature reviewers, such as those at World Literature Today or Foreword Reviews, who appreciate French/Francophone perspectives in post-colonial narratives.
- Historical Fiction readers
Available Editions
| EDITION | Hardcover |
| ISBN | 9798889660996 |
| PRICE | $24.00 (USD) |
| PAGES | 192 |
