I love a Joanne Harris. She writes such good, satisfying stories and food always plays a huge part even, as in this case, just as symbols and tools to show the character's attitudes. Having said that there is always something that annoys me about the way she writes, if all the rhetorical questions were edited out her novels would benefit hugely.
This novel is very different to any of the others I have read though. It is a real mystery with plot twists and slow reveals. It centers around a boy who seems to be a sociopath and an ageing and well meaning Latin teacher at St Oswald's Grammar School. Harris touches on what feels like a thousand different themes in the book. I am not sure that I agree with her conclusions on some of them but it is compelling and readable. IT reminded me something of Harry Potter in places, but I think that was mostly down to the setting in a fairly well to do and very traditional school.
