Chocolat
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Amazon.co.uk Review
Chocolat begins with Vianne Rocher and her six-year-old daughter Anouk arriving in the small village of Lansquenet-sous-Tannes--"a blip on the fast road between Toulouse and Bordeaux"--during the carnival. Three days later, Vianne opens a luxuriant chocolate shop crammed with the most tempting of confections and offering a mouth-watering variety of hot chocolate drinks. It's Lent, the shop is opposite the church, it's open on Sundays and Francis Reynaud, the austere parish priest, is livid.
One by one the locals succumb to Vianne's concoctions. Harris weaves their secrets and troubles, their loves and desires, into this, her third novel, with the lightest touch. Sad, polite Guillame and his dying dog. Thieving, beaten-up Joséphine Muscat. Schoolchildren who declare it "hypercool" when Vianne says they can help eat the window display--a gingerbread house complete with witch. And Armande, still vigorous in her eighties, who can see Anouk's "imaginary" rabbit Pantoufle, and recognises Vianne for who she really is. However, certain villagers-- including Armande's snobby daughter and Joséphine's violent husband--side with Reynaud. So when Vianne announces a Grand Festival of Chocolate commencing Easter Sunday, it's all-out war. War between church and chocolate, between good and evil, between love and dogma.
Reminiscent of Herman Hesse's short story Augustus, Chocolat is an utterly delicious novel, coated in the gentlest of magics, which proves--indisputably and without preaching--that soft centres are best. --Lisa Gee --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Review
'An addictive read haunting,obsessive, and just a little nutty, like a freshly made praline.' -- Elisabeth Luard, author of Family Life 'A celebration of pleasure, of love, of tolerance.' -- Observer 'Samantha Bond is perfectly cast as Vianne: her voice is smooth and luxurious. But Gareth Armstrong steals the show as the priest who turns increasingly to his faith and in so doing loses touch with reality.' -- Observer
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
13 of 13 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
In this novel Harris captures a certain magic that compels you to read on and discover the secrets within. Set in a small French village, Chocolat tells the tale of Vianne Rocher- a pagan, single mother who sets up a chocolate shop in a mainly god-fearing town on the eve of the Christian celebration of Lent. As the novel unfolds and the townsfolk one-by-one give in to the allure of Vianne's famous chocolates and drinks we hear their life stories and really get a clear image of their character and hidden selves. Showing the struggle between religion and ingulging your desires this is a truly captivating read.
The characters all seem to have a true-to-life element about them and are completely believable. The only dissapointing part of this book for me was the end which was a little too abrupt for my liking. It is well worth a read, but save it for when you have a large space of time free as it will completely enthrall you in all it's twists and turns.
The characters all seem to have a true-to-life element about them and are completely believable. The only dissapointing part of this book for me was the end which was a little too abrupt for my liking. It is well worth a read, but save it for when you have a large space of time free as it will completely enthrall you in all it's twists and turns.
13 of 14 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I didn't expect much from this book, my mother told me to read it as she loved it and so i thought i would give it a go - and how glad i am that I did! This book has so much hidden depth which is not apparently obvious from the title. I have never seen paganism and catholicism brought together so cleverly. A beautiful look at how religions work and are not so different. I found the book to be very touching and insightfull. The characters are a very well thought up blend of people and portrays a good spectrum of people from most walks of life, all cleverly tied together in a small village. Harris brought everyone of them to life beautifuly and each had a different yet stricking character and they all somehow seem very familiar and I found i could relate most of them to people I have encountered. All in all this is a wonderful feel good book I would recomend it to everyone as a clever look at religion and sociology! (I will appologise hear for my spelling which im sure is atrocious)!
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
When Vianne Rocher first made her loud entrance into the peacefulness of Reynouds village, he knew that she would be trouble.
He tried to discourage her ;she opened her chocolate shop anyway. He tried to tell the other villagers that she was a bad influence, but they wouldn't listen.
The chocolate craze began with Vianne, and Reynoud is determined that HE will be the one to end it.
He tried to discourage her ;she opened her chocolate shop anyway. He tried to tell the other villagers that she was a bad influence, but they wouldn't listen.
The chocolate craze began with Vianne, and Reynoud is determined that HE will be the one to end it.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
great light read but still draws you in
I really enjoyed the film and wondered about the book, it is a very easy but enjoyable read.The conflict between the two protagonists dealt with with great charm. Read more
Published 2 months ago by dazed and confused
fabulous it keeps you reading
i read this book after seeing the film, so was familar with the story. however, i found the book so much better. Read more
Published 3 months ago by libby_black
Too good to taste
This international bestseller will tempt you to enjoy the delicious taste of chocolat again and again. Read more
Published 8 months ago by Fenix Orion
Chocolat- By Joanne Harris Review
This is such a brilliant book! Joanne Harris uses such vivid description in her writing and I can imagine everything she describes (The french town, the chocolate shop, the... Read more
Published 9 months ago by Customer
Awful
This book is truly awful. I had heard many good things about it and so decided to give it a go - and really wished I hadn't. Read more
Published 13 months ago by AndyJ
Lovely lovely lovely
You just have to read this book.
You have to.
Made into a film which is gorgeous but if you haven't seen it or read the book - read and enjoy
You have to.
Made into a film which is gorgeous but if you haven't seen it or read the book - read and enjoy
Published 15 months ago by Sally h
Gorgeous
'Chocolat' is the story of Vianne Rocher (one of her many names) and her daughter Anouk who set up home in the small village of Lansquenet in France just as Lent begins, much to... Read more
Published 16 months ago by Weave
chocoholic!
I have lost count of the number of times I have purchased this book, and then given it away to a friend! Read more
Published 16 months ago by diana
A good read if rather limited in perspective
Joanne Harris writes beautifully and, without being a great creator of character, does engender feeling in the reader for her characters. Read more
Published 17 months ago by Cole Davis
Springtime For Thatcher.
I agree with all the points made in the other 1 and 2 star reviews. But the really awful thing about this book is the right-wing political subtext. Read more
Published 20 months ago by Elster
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