Chocolat: A Novel (A Vianne Rocher Novel)

Chocolat - by Joanne Harris Here is a book filled with magic and smells and tastes that had me craving chocolate and sweets the entire time I was reading it! Chocolat is the story of an unmarried woman, Vianne Rocher, her 6-year-old daughter Anouk, and their impact on a small French town called Lansquenet. Lansquenet is a very Catholic place, and the townspeople (parishioners) are very structured in the way they lead their lives. Church on Sunday, abstinence during Lent - only a handful dares to disobey these traditions. Vianne comes to town with a mission - to show these people how to live and love and enjoy life to the fullest. Enter Pere Reynaud. He's the head of the local church, the shepherd for his sheep of followers. He hides behind the cloth and believes that what he preaches is for the good of the church and in the name of God. However, a lot of hate and prejudice underlies what he preaches in the chapel. He instantly sees Vianne as the enemy (her being unmarried has Reynaud labeling her from the start). Vianne, with her instincts and sixth sense, sees all this, and decides to help the town overcome Reynaud's unhealthy grip on their lives. She soon opens up a chocolate shop in the middle of Lent, shocking the townspeople and Reynaud especially, but soon she wins many of the townspeople over. We are introduced to many interesting characters, all of whom become Vianne's friends and supporters, including Roux, a rough-looking vagrant gypsy, and Armande an older woman with the spirit of a younger one. The book heads towards a climax with the announcement of a Chocolate festival at Easter. At first the town splits into factions, and the reader is left to guess who will win - Pere Reynaud, or Vianne Rocher. Told in the viewpoints of two narrators, Vianne and Pere Reynaud, the reader learns slowly of Pere's darkest secrets and Vianne's deepest fears. Pere's narration is told as he "speaks" to an older priest and apparent confidante, confiding in him his doubts and sinful feelings, revealing secrets that are probably left untold. Through Vianne's narration, we learn of her past and the reasons why she fears Pere Reynaud so much. I highly recommend Chocolat for its imagery and beautiful writing. I consider it light reading despite some of its heavier themes, but all in all, a great summer read.

This gentle story follows one Vianne Rocher, a wandering woman who comes with her six-year-old daughter, Anouk, into the tiny French hamlet of Lansquenet-sous-Tannes. She falls in love with the place and decides to put down roots there for the first time in her life, and accordingly she opens a chocolate shop right across from the town church. The priest of the church is Pere Reynaud, a dour man with ugly secrets who takes an immediate dislike to Vianne and Anouk, and the battle is joined between the hippie and the priest. Caught in the crossfire between these two enemies are a number of the townspeople, some of who side with the priest and some of whom side with Viannne. Things never get too out of control, though, as this book is essentially about people's basic decency, and the ending is a surprise for the priest and a funny one at that. Along the way we meet about a dozen interesting characters who pull for this side or that one and add their unforgettable voices to the struggle. The book is not all sweetness and light, however. The priest harbors dark secrets from his own past, there is a wife-beater and his downtrodden lady, and one of Vianne's best friends is slowly going blind and is fighting it all the way. But the overall tone of the book is one of uplift, and having faith in people. It is a good message, and an enjoyable book, and a fun read.

I don't even know why I'm bothering to review this book when my comments will only add to the symphony of praise here! I first saw the movie before learning there was a book; now I love both. Chocolat is especially fascinating because it treads a fine border between magic and the mundane. In Harry Potter, there, too, is a boundary between "magic" and "normal," but the boundary is much more distinct. You're either a "muggle" or you're not. In Lord of the Rings, the whole world is, well, another world; although it may share similarities to our world, it is still Middle Earth--not OUR Earth. Chocolat is set in our world; Vianne, her daughter, and the people she meets in the quaint French village are relatively 'normal' people in that they don't use magic wands, fight with epic swords, cross parallel universes, or what have you. Yet even so, there is something magical about the way Vianne creates her chocolate and, in the process, affects the lives of everyone in the village. Although the story mentions "magical" artifacts like tarot cards, it never really asserts what should be believed or what is real/magical and what isn't. You're left wondering, does Vianne really have some supernatural powers that allow her to, say, divine the desires of others? To read her future in the cards? Or is it more the nearly-supernatural power of great intuition? Are you born with magic, or can you learn to acquire it through a more open-minded, insightful perspective on life? This is what I love about the book most--not to mention Joanne Harris's writing voice makes the story a delight to read and easily a page-turner. Chocolat makes you look for the everyday magic in your own life, and we could all use a little magic...

First of all, I was expecting the book to be more like the film. It is not! This book takes place in the present. There isn't a mayor AND a priest; there's only the priest. While many of the characters are similar to those in the film, I think it's better to enjoy the film and book for what they are: two separate things. The characters in this story are well developed. The plot moves along quickly. However, there are so many chapters that mention food, I think I gained weight just reading this book! This book would be very good if you're looking for a cosy read on a rainy day. It's sweet. It's cute. Yes, there's a sprinkling of magic, more so than in the movie. This book would be suitable for young adults and older.

"Chocolat" is one of those books I read after seeing the movie several years ago. As such, I knew the general premise of the story and major characters, but there were a few twists and of course more detail in the book. This story hints at, but never really explains several things like the changing wind, whether Vianne is a witch, why she must always be moving, etc. All of these elements come up in the story, but the reader is left to decide what it all means in relationship to Vianne, her past, her present, and her future. One part of the story is Vianne, and her dead mother's, fight against the church, which is portrayed as "The Black Man". I think it is unfortunate that both of them seem to be constantly running into bad, hypocritical Christian examples, which seems to forever shut them off from any good a church might do. While I don't agree with Vianne's life choices, I can understand her motivations. I don't recall a time frame for the book, but it seemed to be fairly modern due to the use of radios, mention of electric mixers, houseboats with engines, etc.; however, those elements seemed a bit out-of-place compared to the closed-minded nature of the people and priest Vianne encountered. It seemed like the story would have worked better for me if it were set in a bygone era when folks weren't as receptive to an unwed mother. Overall, I enjoyed the book, and my mouth was watering as the author described so many yummy chocolate treats! It was a fun story that bogged down at times in the middle, but a worthwhile read.

I throughly enjoyed reading this addictive chocolate story about a mysterious woman and her young daughter who arrive in a small French town on the tail end of a carnival, turning the town and the people in it completely upside down. There's a little bit of magic, a hint of witchcraft, some riverboat gypsies, and a large dose of humanity! The book is different from the movie version. It's better, although I enjoyed the movie as well. However, there's a lot more secrets and deception hidden in the shadows of this quaint little Christian town than first meets the eye. While the story may appear to be about good and evil, outsiders and towns folk, sinners and saints, it's first and foremost a story about how people are more alike than different. Everyone has a story behind their mask, hidden pain we don't see, if only we can open our eyes and see each other with understanding. Plus an author who can make your tastebuds yearn for a mouthful of chocolate from her tantilzing descriptions, has definitely done her job!! Within this chocolate covered story lies a deeper message about being judgmental and forgiveness. How even the most seemingly righteous among us, still suffer from past imperfections. It's a story about loving one another for who we are, letting go of the past, excepting that people make mistakes, children grow up, and loved ones pass away. Its a beautiful message about facing your fears, discovering who you are, and finding where you belong. It's a story about celebrating life! Read it with a piece of your favorite decadent chocolate for some heartfelt moments of kindness and brotherly love!! "I sell dreams, small comforts, sweet harmless temptations." —Joanne Harris, Chocolat "There is a kind of sorcery in all cooking; in the choosing of ingredients, the process of mixing, grating, melting, infusing and flavoring the recipes." —Joanne Harris, Chocolat "I don't think there is such a thing as a good or bad Christian. ... Only good or bad people." —Joanne Harris, Chocolat "Life is what you celebrate. All of it. Even it's end." —Joanne Harris, Chocolat

I enjoyed the movie so took a chance the book would be as good. So happy I did! I secured my bicycle for the train ride home (late train so it is stuffed so I hang my bike up and sit on my Panniers)and settled to see if the book Chocolat is as good as the movie. I train my ears to buzz me at the Rainier Station (gives me time to close the Kindle, pack the bike before my stop). So I hear "next stop Rainier...." So I look up and see a huge cop entering and I now have THREE COPS surrounding me --- all I could think of was (poor guys) I actually raised both hands in the air and said "it's OK, it's just a Kindle" The biggest one asked if I had a ticket (why do I have to be technical?) I said "will no" the other 2 move closer "I have a pass" and I then need to remove my gloves, remove my over coat to unzip the pocket with the card in it. Beep all is good. 3 sets of eyes @@ I leaned over and asked the guy next to me how long the guards were standing there. He said when the 1st guard came around and saw me 'hiding' he called for the 2nd guard and then asked twice. When I continued to ignore them (duh like in READING) they waited for the 3rd guard. He then asked me what book I was reading because it must be good. In short -- yes the book is as good as the movie!

I am looking at a Penquin Books edition which has a different cover than the one illustrated (and more connected to the story). Having visited the French Village of Lansquenet in the author's later novel, "Blackberry Wine," I decided to step back in time to her first novel, also set in Lansquenet. The novel covers a relatively short time period, from Shrove Tuesday to Easter. A stranger has arrived in town while a local parade is in progress on this last day before Lent (OK, so the heathens in the US call it Fat Tuesday). She gives her name as Vianne Rocher and is accompanied by her daughter, Anouk, and her daughter's invisible rabbit Pantoufle, who some people can sometimes see. Vianne decides to stay, at least for a while, and turns an abandoned bakery into a chocolat shop, La Celeste Praline. She opens during lent, tempting people with gourmet selections, and has an unusual knack for knowing what individuals like as their favorites. She also has some other special magic. Vianne immediately finds herself in contention with Francis Reynaud, cure of the parish. They both have secrets in their pasts that they keep hidden. She views Reynaud as the Black Man, and he views her as an evil influence on the village. An assortment of local characters are introduced. Some become allies of Vianne, and some align themselves with Reynaud. And there are the "gypsies," people who live on houseboats on the river and move about from town to town. Vianne has the ability to win over people's minds with chocolat, but there are evil influences at work. The white hats win in the end, and the village is left a somewhat different place. Vianne, who grew up with her mother as a wanderer from town to town and country to country, considers moving on to another town. This is a well written novel, alternating chapters between Vianne and the curate Reynaud. The chocolat can, perhaps, be viewed as white magic opposing the dark side represented by Reynaud.

Delicious.

Chocolat is such an entrancing, sensual read. The descriptions of food, Parisian village life and the characters are so richly drawn that you will feel as if you are right there and part of the experience. Vianne Rocher and her daughter Anouk blow into the small village of Lansquenet and promptly set up a chocolatier directly opposite the Church. What's more it is Lent and she opens on a Sunday! Monsier Reynaud, the parish priest, can scarcely believe her audacity. He simply does not understand and believes a quiet word will quickly sort out the issue. But Vianne knows her mind and will not be swayed. Harris alternates the narrative between these two strong-willed protagonists clearly providing us with their starkly contrasting approach to life. Vianne is a vivacious, tolerant, and intuitively loving free-spirit. Reynaud is a guilt ridden, rancorous dogmatic who rules the village, sometimes employing questionable means. And so we are bought to the central premise: what constitutes Christian behaviour? Secondary to this, Harris asks us to question Vianne's `gift'. Does she employ magic to bewitch the townsfolk? Or is the `magic' simply Vianne's generous loving nature that beguiles them (and us), inspiring and supporting change? The book is slow to start but just like the townsfolk entering Vianne's chocolatier, we see the promise and come under the books hypnotic charms. And just one more point - the book is infinitely better than the movie! Enjoy and savour (with a chocolate or two......)!

The book that launched Joanne Harris’s career. It’s delicious experience - you can almost taste the chocolate. It’s also a wonderful evocation of life in a small French town and the clash between a free spirit (Vianne) and the repressed life of the priest (Reynaud), each chapter alternating with their different POVs. I’m a fan of her writing style so routed in taste and smell. I liked it a lot and have already read the three sequels, all of which I enjoyed. I hadn’t yet read with this, the first book in the series, as I’d seen the movie, but even if you know the story, the book gives a lot more detail and reveals things you won’t pick up from the film, and, of course, there is her exceptional prose to relish. The only downside was I couldn’t get out my head the likeness of Juliette Binoche, Judi Dench, and Johnny Depp when visualising characters, which is why I don’t like reading a novel after seeing the movie first.

Leitura tranquila e agradável.

Wonderful story, beautifully written. A real treat. Harris's bicultural background makes this into an unforgettable read. Thank goodness there are more!