The novel "Five quarters of an orange" by the British writer Joan Harris captivates readers not only with an interesting plot, but also with its ability to recreate the atmosphere of a French village during the Second World War. Harris masterfully combines childhood memories, tragic moments and incredible aromas in the novel, which give a special flavor to this unusual story.

The main character, Françoise Simone (also known as Framboise), returns to her home after years of living away. As an inheritance, she receives her mother's old family album, full of mysterious recipes and notes. Through these records, she plunges into memories of her childhood, which was spent in France occupied by Germany. From this moment on, the reader is immersed in a world where cooking is both a means of survival and a way to preserve the past.

Filled with the aromas of oranges that permeate the pages of the novel, "Five Quarters of an Orange" is more than just a story about cooking recipes. This is a story about family ties, guilt, fears and redemption, which unfolds against the background of one of the greatest tragedies of the 20th century - World War II. Françoise's childhood memories are intertwined with adult experiences, and the reader, along with her, discovers unexpected secrets and perhaps even crimes that have remained in the shadows until now.

The novel also addresses the theme of forgiveness and reconciliation with the past. Through her notes and memories, Framboise reveals a complicated relationship with her mother, who left both recipes and unsolved secrets to her descendants. Harris reminds us that the past always accompanies us and shapes our future, even if we don't realize it. It's a trip down memory lane that can be as bitter as an orange peel, but at the same time as sweet as the best childhood moments.

Joan Harris has created a multi-layered story that combines the realities of war with the simple joys of life, in which cooking plays a special role. Five Quarters of an Orange is a novel full of aromas and colors, with each quarter of an orange telling its own part of the story.