Rating: 
Summary: Flat-out yummy!
Review: What happens when an out-of-towner moves into an old-fashioned, quaint French village, opens up a chocolate shop across the street from a church during Lent, and charms most of the neighborhood with her delicious treats, easy-going manner, and her eerie talent for being able to read minds? Well, it ticks the priest off for one thing......which then begins an all-out war between church and chocolate, good and evil, saints and sinners. Father Francis Reynaud doesn't take much to outsiders coming into his community who do not believe in God, practice pagan rituals (most specifically Easter in the Easter bunny sense), and who tempt his parishioners with sinful chocolate at the beginning of Lent. Reynaud refers to the arrival of Vianne Rocher as a single dandelion spreading her seeds, and soon the whole town turns upside down with all sorts of goings-on. Joanne Harris writes with a skillful, intelligent hand. Sometimes the sentences have to be read twice (what with the big words and all), but the text is pure poetry. This novel builds slowly and takes readers on a magical carpet ride. Definitely recommended to those who enjoy a sweet and sad story, a not regularly written about topic, and a writing style that's beautiful in it's symbolism, clarity and description.
Rating: 
Summary: A Scrumptious Tale
Review: Who in their right mind doesn't like Chocolate just a little bit? This book is kind of like its name.....you have to admire what it provides for you in its simplicity. Joanne Harris gives us simple delights in both the characterizations in the novel as well as the descriptions of the small French town. I particularly liked the alternating chapters from Vianne and Reynaud describing the events leading up to easter with each of their priorities being so different. Reynaud in the book is a far less likeable character than depicted in the movie, however, this makes the book even more entertaining. He is a real nut! The funny thing is that I have known people just like him. Vianne, on the other hand, is a complex character with a mysterious past that the reader can't help but want to win over the town with her tempting chocolatier's goods. She will always guess your favorites, but be prepared for so much more. I read the book after I saw the movie so I was delighted by both of them. In fact, I would recommend seeing the movie first so that you can enjoy the added depth and intricacies the book offers that the movie can not provide. Watch out for Armande, Luc, Caro, and Josephine.....each one will steal your heart in their own ways. The only problem was that I found myself craving chocolates while I read the book. My waistline was happy when I finished and started a different book. Enjoy!
Rating:
Summary: Lead me to La Celeste Praline!
Review: This book is simply magical. Lovely and mysterious Vianne Rocher arrives in a tiny, close-minded French provincial town with her daughter, Anouk, and turns the town upside down. Vianne and Anouk open the sweet shop La Celeste Praline during Lent and soon are the talk of the neighborhood. However, the Rochers are most unwelcome by the town's priest, Pere Francis Reynaud, who views the sweet shop as a direct attack on the church and an irresistable temptation to his simple-minded congregation during the church's holiest season. Perhaps Reynaud has a special reason to fear temptation? Slowly, things in the town begin to change. Josephine Muscat leaves her abusive spouse. Guillaume comes out of his shell. The "river people" find a home and a friend in Vianne, Josephine, and Armande Voizin, the town's oldest resident. All these changes occur under the sensitive watch of Vianne. I loved the beautiful descriptions of the town. The townfolk were richly drawn and complex. Even the villian, Reynaud, was given an opportunity to narrate and reveal the origins of his fears--making him a multi-dimensional character instead of simply the "Black Man". And I loved the idea of chocolate as a type of magical elixir (I've always known that it was!). This is the second book I've read by Joanne Harris, the first being "Five Quarters of the Orange". Both were excellent, but "Chocolat" is softer, sweeter, while still tackling serious subjects in a generous and kind-hearted manner. This is a beautiful tale of penance and redemption, of the foolishness of self-deprivation, and about chocolate as the root of all good. Highly recommended.
Rating:
Summary: Seductive. Spellbinding. A tapestry of a book.
Review: "We came on the winds of the carnival." So begins Joanne Harris' novel, "Chocolat", and from this intriguing first sentance, she weaves a rich tale that captured me from the first page. I had never heard of this book until I saw that Lasse Halstrom had taken it under his wing for filming, and I first found it in a shop in Portland. I read half of it, standing there, in two hours that day, and found it this summer at my library, from where it helped me through a very odd and hard night. Enough background. The tale is a "good versus evil" one, but not the way it woud appear at first glance: A wanderer woman, her daughter, and Pantoufle, Anouk's guardian sprite (you'll see) move into the small French town of Lansqenet-sous-Tannes during Lent and open La Celeste Praline, a chocolate shop - but one that is far more than a chocolate shop, as along with knowing everyone's favorites, Vianne has the witchblood in her, and she has the sight as well. Of course, the town's priest, Francis Reynaud, does not like this. Even though these two are perhaps the amin characters, they are in no way the only developed ones. There is Josephine Muscat, abused and frightened by her husband. There is Armande, the town's grande dame and the only one to stand up to Francis. There is Caroline Clairmont, who despairs of the shop as much for her religion as for her waistline and who has been taught to hate differences. There is her son Luc, who reads Rimbaud and stutters. And then there are the gypsies, the "river people", come in their houseboats to live for awhile. The color and festivity they bring with them are condemned by the priest, who becomes psychopathic and can think only of ridding the town of them and Vianne. Among the gypsies, there is: Zezette, who has a baby and wears oddly beautiful things, Blanche, given to red dirndles, and Roux....so called because of his hair, a red-gold the color of marigolds at sunset. [SOS to Halstrom: NO! no!!! Change that please-!!!!] The conflicts, fears, alliances, and beliefs that are shaken up and created during this period of time are what this book is. Not to skim over the chocolates, which after all are the soul of the book. To take something literally seen, in this day of KATE MOSS, and convert it into the "good" side is a masterstroke. It is, after all, not denial which will ultimatley make you holy. You may not be able to resist the siren song of the cocoa bean while reading. Seductive, in a word. One more thing I found especially wonderful is Harris' repeated useage of the Tarot to symbolize essences of people and circumstances, occasionally hinting at what is to come through this. Every person in the book may be seen, in essence, as one of the Tarot, though figuring some is very hard. I cannot reccommend this book any higher, though I mean it when I say that if there were 10 stars here, this would get that many and more from me. Read it. It is a dream. And go see the movie!! the winds still sing, they pull.
Rating:
Summary: A thoroughly recommended read, especially if you love eating
Review: Vianne Rocher is a wanderer, and it is a warm February wind tht brings her and daugher Anouk to the small hamlet of Lansquent-sous-Tannes. Vianne knows that she has something to offer this small community who seem to be a little lost. She opens a chocolaterie "La Celeste Praline" directly opposite the village church, and begins to produce some mouth watering delicacies as Lent approaches. Father Reynaud, the village pastor does not take kindly to the sinful extravagance of the delectable items on offer. The patronage of the chocolaterie also weighs heavily on his mind. Vianne has the personality and charm to become acquainted with some of the village's key characters. These include Josephine and Jean-Paul Muscat; a bully and his tormented wife, Guillaume Depleiss; a man devoted to his dog, Armande Voizin; an eccentric and strong willed woman who constantly battles her prim and proper daughter. Father Reynaud interprets the Easter Chocolate Festival as direct defiance against his authority and the sanctity of the Church. A line is drawn between Father Reynaud and his collection of 'bible groupies' and Vianne Rocher and her customers. A battles ensues in which nearly every colourful character becomes involved. The lives and destinies of everyone in the village are touched by Vianne's prescence. An absolute delight to read as you become drawn into the lives of Vianne, Anouk and her friends.
Rating:
Summary: Fantastic!!!
Review: I watched the movie "Chocolat" a year or so ago and found myself amazed at the sensuality of this little story. So I decided to read the book although I felt I knew the story. Joanne Harris is a brilliant story teller with such admiration for the senses that she pulls her readers into a land of sensory overload where you want to reside forever. The book is different than the movie (isn't this always the case?) but just as entertaining. The delicate prose and romantic verse keep you interested until the very end and then for days and days afterwards. I dare you to read this tale and not find yourself sipping wine and cocoa while being tempted by all the chocolate. France will be calling your name!
Rating: 
Summary: Chocolat Review
Review: I thought the book Chocolat was great and I enjoyed reading it. It was definitely a change of pace from all other books I have read in school which made it that much more enjoyable. I think that it was a good decision for Joanne Harris to have the book set up in journal entries by both Vianne and Reynaud because it allowed us to see both of their points of view instead of only one perspective throughout the entire novel.
I thought the details in the book were amazing especially about the chocolates because most of the time I could almost taste the chocolates in my mouth as I was reading it.
Vianne Rocher was a very admirable character in this novel. She demonstrated the strengths of a woman and the courage to stand up against a society for your beliefs. She remained strong even when she became pregnant and when Roux left her for Josephine. I think that she was portrayed very well in the novel.
Rating:
Summary: Chocolat!
Review: Chocolat by Joanne Harris was an exceptionally well written novel and now one of my favorites. I particularly enjoyed the journal format of the book between the two protagonists, Vianna and Reynaud. The book has a fairytale like sensation centered around the magical touch of Vianne. Her mystique of people's sense and chocolate is mesmerizing. The contrasts of masculine and femininie support the novel well, as well as the struggle between Vianne and the church. The ending caught me by surprise and it sure is the unexpected. Chocolat is a heart warming and enjoyable story. The only downfall: the intense chocolate cravings the whole time you read!
Rating:
Summary: chocolat review
Review: Chocolat by Joanne Harris can be depicted as an inspirational novel. Vianne Rocher, the main character, is a unique woman who will not conform to the ways of society. This is an amazing story that relates to happiness, sorrow and romance. Harris reflects Vianne as a woman worthy of praise. Vianne easily disregards the opinions of society. She is deeply rooted in her own morals and beliefs. The author captures the spirit of the characters as well as fulfilling the beauty and magic of the town. She also provides vivid descriptions and images of the townspeople and their reactions to Vianne and her daughter Anouk. However nothing compares to the images the author provides when Vianne is brewing up her famous chocolate recipes. My favorite scene was the arrival Roux. I knew something special was going to happen between him and Vianne. Joanne Harris is more than capable of grabbing the reader's attention, in fact she is able to leave their emotions rising and falling with every turn of the page.
Rating:
Summary: One of my favorites!
Review: I must admit I saw the movie before I read the book, but liked the book much more. Joanne Harris knew the romance between Vianne and Roux (respectively played by Juliette Binoche and Johnie Depp in the movie) was not an important factor in this story, only Hollywood's little addy, and undoubtedly the reason for people saying the movie was better.
Harris writes in an entrancing manor which is not only evocative in her descriptions of Vianne's Aztec chocolate recipes, but it leaves an impression of the exotic, appealing, and surreal nature of Vianne Rocher's character. Vianne is the epitome of a wanderer with her little daughter Anouk, but in their wanderings they come across many people who's lives they touch. The persuit of belonging is a predominant theme as well as not being afraid to be different and possess some mystery (it's so much more interesting).
Description of chocolate has never been so vividly mouth-watering as in this book, and with its promotion of indulgence, makes one want to savor its taste long afterwords. No wonder even the priest is forced to live a little (what harm is there in that?)
The witchlike characteristics of Vianne and Anouk (as well as Armande Voizin) not only appall the enemy villagers who rebel against her Paganistic rituals, it makes the reader incredibly curious for more hints of supersticion, fortune-telling, or mind-reading eminent in Vianne. The north-wind's blowing, and allusions to the "black man" also add to this enchanting tale of two wanderers who defy the black man in hopes to find somewhere they can settle in.
A must-read, especially while on vacation, and be sure to bring chocolates with you!!
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