Customer Reviews

Chocolat

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This is the perfect fantasy for anyone who's not afraid to be different. Instantly drawn to this story, I found myself getting further and further into the plot while relating more and more with Vianne Rocher and her delightful daughter Anouk.
Filled with vivid depictions of a small-town attitude contradicting a world traveler's broadened horizons, one is instantly drawn to Vianne's witty, intelligent, exotic, and ecclectic personality. She is intuitive to the extent of being a witch, yet uses her supernatural gifts for the good of the town (whom for the most part wishes her away at once). Those villagers (whom I just want to hug!) who had the courage to befriend Vianne, find they are not dissappointed. On the contrary, they find a beautiful friendship which they all needed more than anything.
Not only does Vianne inspire in her friends and customers of the Chocolaterie a yearning to be different, she gives them the courage to indulge, enjoy life, live a little.
Although I expected a romance to develop in this story, it's not what one expects. However, that is by far not its importance. For that, one can go to Blockbuster and watch Juliette Binoche and Johnny Depp's romance in the film.

A very moving story with an exotic mysticism that will leave you entranced...A must-read!

In an accomplished fiction debut, Chocolat, English author Joanne Harris offers an intriguing modern day morality tale laced with a soupcon of sorcery. The combatants in this deliciously different take on the eons old tug-of-war between good and evil are a young woman, the daughter of a self-proclaimed witch, and a platitudinous curate.

As she struggles to find her place in the world and he equivocates to protect dusty tradition, they vie for the hearts and loyalties of some 200 French villagers, inhabitants of Lansquenet-sous-Tannes, "no more than a blip on the fast road between Toulouse and Bordeaux."

Ms. Harris displays an original voice in perfect pitch as she depicts the cowed, affection starved townspeople. Her meticulous character imagery is telling: Francis Reynaud, the guilt-ridden parish cure' with his cold eyes and "the measuring, feline look of one who is uncertain of his territory;" the 81-year-old Armande Voizin "with a smile that worked her apple-doll face into a million wrinkles;" and the venal wife-beater, Muscat, who struts "stiff-legged like a dog scenting a fight."

Vianne Rocher and her six-year-old daughter are wanderers. They arrive in Lansquenet on Shrove Tuesday, where their appearance is greeted with veiled curiosity by villagers who "have learned the art of observation without eye contact." Battle lines are drawn when Vianne opens La Celeste Praline, a gaily decorated confectioner's shop on the town square, directly across from the austere St. Jerome's church overseen by Pere Reynaud.

It is Lent, the priest has decreed abstinence, deprivation. Yet, Vianne's shop is a "red-and-gold confection," her window a proliferation of truffles, pralines, Venus's nipples, candied fruits, hazelnut clusters, candied rose petals, all there to tempt Reynaud's parishioners. He sees it as a disgrace, a degradation of the faith, and eventually preaches against Vianne from his pulpit.

When a band of gypsies moor their colorful houseboats at the village's small harbor, the prelate asks them to leave. Vianne welcomes them, further infuriating Reynaud. Weakened by his self-imposed Lenten fasts, he denies his hunger and watches her shop with "loathing and fascination" as he begins plotting to rid Lansquenet of what he believes is her evil influence.

One of Vianne's staunchest allies is a kindred spirit, the elderly Armande, the village's oldest inhabitant who delights in reminding Reynaud "of things best forgotten," and dares to invite the gypsies to remain as her guests.

At times fearful of the consequences, Vianne turns to her mother's cards, seeking an answer in augury. Nonetheless, she stands her ground, even making plans for a "Grand Festival Du Chocolat" on Easter Sunday. It would be a celebration with games in the square and a riot of sweets in the shop. But Reynaud sees it as an affront, an excess, he would have "The egg, the hare, still living symbols of the tenacious roots of paganism exposed for what they are."

Wisely compressing her provocative narrative to the days between Shrove Tuesday and Easter Monday, the author uses impeccable pacing in leading to Reynaud's final assault, an effort to destroy the festival and Vianne along with it.

A surprising yet fitting denouement caps this deftly told tale of lust, greed and love. Francophiles will be drawn to the evocative descriptions of daily village life, while gourmands revel in the mouth-watering descriptions of chocolate preparation. All will relish the skillful pen of Joanne Harris. Chocolat is to be savored.

- Gail Cooke

Years after seeing Chocolat the movie, I have finally read Chocolat the book. As usual, the book was way better than the movie. While Chocolat the movie implies that Vianne is a witch, the book makes it abundantly clear that Vianne has magical powers. She turns the small French town on its head when she opens a chocolate shop. The book focuses much more on the issue of Lent and giving up chocolate. Another key difference is that the book features two or three short chapters told from Vianne's point of view and then one short chapter told from the priest's point of view. I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys good women's fiction, especially those featuring a bit of magic.

Nothing will ever equal "Chocolat" for its sensuality and appeal. Having successfully mixed some pagan traditions with the catholic religion, I can appreciate this sort of magic.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book - the added detail and mood created a story far superior to the movie, which just skimmed the surface of the concepts here. I love the contrast of the restrictive, hatefulness of the minister and church-goers with the pagan protagonist's generous love and unconditional giving - it spoke volumes to me about the hypocracy of the church and its so often hateful, exclusory ways. Love and generosity know no religion; they are choices we each make in how we treat one another. The ending in particular packed a whallop for me. Powerful, great read.

Vianne Rocher blows in to the small French town of Lansquenet-sous-Tannes on the Caranval wind, the final celebration before Lent begins. On the first day of Lent, the season where Catholics traditionally take vows of abstinence and fast, she opens a delightful, beguiling chocolate shop that, much to the chagrin of Reynaud, the town priest, becomes a favorite to many townsfolk. Vianne and her shop seem to exude an influence on the town and its people as Josephine finally finds the strength to confront an abusive husband, Armande's friendship with Vianne blooms over into other parts of her life, and changes in spirit and personality--even slight--seem to magically stir change. Even Reynaud has a bout with temptation.

Chocolat is an enchanting story filled with folklore and magical realism as well as real life situations and people. The religious current, especially as told through the voice of and seen through the eyes of Reynaud, moves through a spooky labyrinth of guilt, denial, self-righteousness, pity, fear, hatred, and loathing, with surprises around each corner.

"Chocolat" is the story of a mysterious woman, Vianne Rocher, who moves to a small French village with her young daughter in tow. Vianne quickly establishes a small chocolate shop in town, which creates more excitement than the village has seen in years. While many residents welcome the new establishment, the local reverend, Père Reynaud, sees Vianne's chocolate shop as a slap in the face to the church and to morality in general. When Vianne plans to hold an elaborate chocolate festival in conjunction with Easter Sunday, the reverend becomes enraged and vows that she must be stopped at all costs.

This is a fun little novel that includes elements of magic and sorcery. It's a quirky book with memorable characters, and although it does drag a bit in places, it was an enjoyable read that I would recommend.

Of course this is a very famous book, being made into a major motion picture. But actually reading it is a great experience, as her writing style is beautiful.

I read this book after watching (and loving) the movie...and was thrilled all over again. What a fantastic book. I'm no critic, but I highly recommend it.

From the back cover:
Try me...Test me...Taste me... When an exotic stranger, Vianne Rocher, arrives in the French village of Lansquenet and opens a chocolate boutique directly opposite the church, Father Reynaud identifies her as a serious danger to his flock - especially as it is the beginning of Lent, the traditional season of self-denial. War is declared as the priest denounces the newcomer's wares as the ultimate sin. Suddenly Vianne's shop-cum-cafe means that there is somewhere for secrets to be whispered, grievances to be aired, dreams to be tested. But Vianne's plans for an Easter Chocolate Festival divide the whole community in a conflict that escalates into a 'Church not Chocolate' battle. As mouths water in anticipation, can the solemnity of the Church compare with the pagan passion of a chocolate eclair? For the first time here is a novel in which chocolate enjoys its true importance, emerging as a moral issue, as an agent of transformation - as well as a pleasure bordering on obsession. Rich, clever and mischievous, this is a triumphant read.

Review:
The film Chocolat is one of my favourite films to watch, especially on cold winter nights rugged up on the couch with a cup of hot chocolate. I'm really glad that I watched the film before I read the book as they are really quite different and I think if I had read the book first I would have been disappointed in the movie and not fallen in love with it. As it stands now, I feel like I can really enjoy both the book and film despite their differences. The movie has a slightly saccharine tone, with the characters portrayed in a way that leads the viewer to feel an affection for their foibles, but the book is much darker. While there is the comic aspect to the writing (some parts very funny that made me laugh aloud) the characters' light and dark aspects are much more clearly presented, with some of the dark being truly horrific.

The writing is rich and descriptive, especially the descriptions of the chocolates, and I warn you to have some chocolate to hand whilst reading or you might find yourself on a midnight chocolate run because you just can't sleep until you get some! Everything about the people, their mannerisms, clothes, speech, and the village, houses, church, paths, gardens and river is so well described that I feel that if I happened upon Lansquenet I would recognise it immediately and would recognise all the people too. But also the motivations of the characters, both publicly announced and those held secretly, are fully explored, and I feel like I took a journey through the human condition as the events of the story unfolded.

This is a book to disappear into and emerge from with an appreciation and understanding of the way people survive the struggles of life. I really enjoyed this book and am looking forward to reading more of Joanne Harris' books.