The Rarest Fruit

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...Bélem...transforms little-known history into an exquisite ode."--The Christian Science Monitor Set in the 19th-century on Réunion Island, this new novel by International Booker Prize-longlisted author, Gaëlle Bélem, 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)

Gaëlle Bélem was born in Saint-Benoît, Réunion. Her English-language debut, There's a Monster Behind the Door, was long-listed for the 2025 International Booker Prize. The Rarest Fruit is her American debut.