I ordered this from The Book Depository in order to read along with The Readers book club and it has not been released in the US yet. This is the first literary novel of a Science Fiction writer and it is wonderful! It takes place in the 18th Century in France and tells the life story of a nobleman, JeanMarie D'Aumont, concluding at the onset of the French Revolution. It describes in great detail many different flavors and foods that he tasted through his life as well as the odors of his fellow countrymen. Jonathan Grimwood writes beautifully and I really enjoyed and recommend this novel of historical fiction.