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.

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

• Mar 27 2025
  ★ “An impressive feat.”
  — Publishers Weekly