REVIEW
I loved this novel so much! The Chocolate Factory by Mary-Lou Stephens is an absolute gem in the realm of historical fiction (or any genre) with its main topic of interest being the arrival of Cadbury’s in Tasmania after World War 1. Who doesn’t love a Cadbury chocolate bar! And how fun it was to learn the various aspects and processes of this business. But this story is about more than just the roots of this company in England and its extended branch in Australia. Yes, there’s rivalry and espionage—spies and betrayals. But it is also about friendship, loyalty, PTSD, romance, customs of the day and family ties. Plus, we get an inside view of the heart of Quakerism which is marvellously explored in such a way we can relate and understand its core values—in war, business, nature and family. These elements provide an amazing backbone for the story and portray the company in a positive light. A strong network of Quaker ideas, beliefs and motives run through The Chocolate Factory giving the plot serious motion. I never knew the Cadbury’s were a Quaker family and how it made such an impact on the ‘Firm’ (as they were known by employees) in how it was run. There’s a real sense of community among those working for them as Cadbury provided a lot of good things such as housing, healthcare and education just to name a few.
There are some intriguing characters in this novel including nasty villains who want to get their hands on Cadbury’s intellectual property! There are a fair number of hair-raising attempts to harvest this exclusive knowledge. But wouldn’t it be under lock and key? Would the new factory in Tasmania be an easy target as some competitors think? When the parent company in Bournville, England, sends a number of their highly trained staff to Tasmania to help set up and run the new factory—all these factors are taken into consideration but it doesn’t stop the bad guys from trying. And this is where the mystery of the novel lies. When Forewoman Dorothy Adwell begins receiving threat letters, it not only unnerves her, but also sets into motion a plan to uncover this person. Through indirect means, they attempt to blackmail her to get what they want. It is well known there have always been spies after Cadbury’s recipes, so it is a believable scenario that we can accept. But why use her to get to those secrets? What information could they obtain on her that would force her to trade her job’s intel? There are plenty of twists, turns and surprises and on the edge of your seat action and reactions with this plot. I won’t say who else gets involved because I don’t want to give away the story. But I found this novel very hard to put down once I became engaged in the characters and their dramas. It is so well written, with great maturity and skill, that these exceptional ingredients make it a pure delight to read.
The novel is told by two women affected by WW1. Dorothy is a war widow and one of the British trained staff in charge at Cadbury's in Tasmania. Maisie is the local Hobart hired staff who lost her father in the Great War. We get unique perspectives from these two as it creates a wonderful balance between the old world company and the new extension.
Dorothy has a long history with the mother company and started at age thirteen. Her knowledge of chocolate making and working with Cadbury UK is invaluable to setting up the Tasmanian sector. As mentioned, she also is a young war widow and has lost the love of her life. When offered the chance to come to Australia, she accepts as she sees it as a way to escape the memories of her loss and to start again. In spite of her heartache, she is still a very strong career-minded woman who knows her own strengths and can stand her ground when questioned or when things go wrong.
The second point of view by Tasmanian born Maisie provides an interesting contrast. She is shy but her strength comes from the fact she has a goal. She is the eldest child of a family who has seen its fair share of loss. She has taken it on herself to be a major provider for her mother, brother and sister. Always battling poverty, and although her motives are sincere, her desire to escape this debilitating yoke, makes her vulnerable in some areas. Her father was killed in action so she is trying to assist her mother and keep her sister in school. Landing the Cadbury job is a big deal and she is determined to work hard to get ahead. The factory is a new experience for her, so we get a fresh perspective through her eyes.
I must add, there is a wonderful relationship between Dorothy and (her protégé) Maisie. When Maisie gets a job at Cadbury’s, she learns quickly and shows great promise of advancement. But she has a soft heart and must develop a thicker skin to be a leader once she is appointed to a higher position. Her family has struggled with financial security since her father was killed in the Great War. She is sensitive about those who may not have pulled their weight during this momentous time. She has an encounter with another Cadbury employee where the meaning of ‘coward’ is explored and defined quite well. As you’d expect, misconceptions are raised from external voices. Will these prove true or refuted?
There are lovely elements of romance in this novel and I won’t give any of that away but it adds the softer touches to the story. Yet this brings out the strengths and weaknesses of the characters, too. There are both beautiful and heart-breaking moments in this area where lovers must pause, wait and make hard decisions.
PTSD is a topic respectfully covered in The Chocolate Factory—especially with the memory of war so close at hand. Dorothy’s compassionate heart leads her to help a man she meets on the trip over from England who is suffering badly from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder from his past experiences in the Great War. He reminds her of her late husband but how far will these emotions lead her?
If there is only one Australian historical fiction novel you will read this year, let it be The Chocolate Factory. I was astounded by the writing skills of Mary-Lou: the advanced development of a clever plot, a diverse range of complex characters and a just-right-balance of fascinating details. Memorable five-senses description fills this riveting power-packed human story to make it a perfect read. 5 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Thanks to HQ fiction and Mary-Lou Stephens for a review copy.
