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
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
A delicious, indulgent read,
By
This review is from: Chocolat (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.
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Original and captivating,
By A Customer
This review is from: Chocolat (Paperback)
The great originality of this novel lies in its narrative. I had never read a story in which two characters strongly opposing each other,like Vianne Rocher and M.Le Cure, have the power to hold the narration, giving us the opportunity to judge both unbiasedly within the light of their own consciousness.The character-building is fantastic and I loved Armande. She is witty, magic and her bitter-sweetness(not only of her strong liking for chocolate) captivates us. I was enchanted by the hearty birthday party banquet prepared for her. If you read this book you know what I mean.My only criticism is that of the mystery about M.Le Cure,which Viane is to find out is A bit in the air. It has left me frustrated as the plot-building was intriguing but dies down in the end. Too open-ended in my opinion,maybe.However, I strongly recommend it. You wont want to put this book down if this type of reading is your cup of tea, or chocolate. Full of simple messages like _ the little things you do in life are ,or can be, magic when enjoyable_ makes this book a must-read!
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Beautifully descriptive,
By suepumff@btopenworld.com (England) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Chocolat (Paperback)
I thoroughly enjoyed this. It was beautifully written, giving an accurate description of french village life. You could almost taste the chocolates yourself and felt you knew the characters. I have read 'Blackberry Wine' and 'Five Quarters of the Orange' and am looking forward to 'Coastliners'. Joanne Harris has taken me into France again after many holidays there, including the food and wine!
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