Chocolat

Rating:
Summary: Chocoholics beware!
Review: I don't know how many times she mentioned chocolate, but I have been cramming chocolates into my mouth during and after finishing this delightful book. Oh, I never dreamed how much she could write about chocolate. Not only is creating chocolate an art, but it seems eating it is as well. What a cute little story! Such wonderful descriptions, a light story on the outside but full of meaningfulness in the center. Ms. Harris creates a wonderful dream world, real and imaginary for her characters.

Her characters! Such fascinating "insights" into the lives of French villagers! The best part, I think: Viane vs. the cure---what an imaginative ending; I kept waiting for a "showdown" between indulgence and mad conservatism---but you have to be patient. Ms. Harris writing style reminds me of Judith Merkle Rileys; if she were to right in the present. Such a sweet, indulgent book!

Rating:
Summary: Rich, smooth read
Review: I didn't even know this author existed until I happened to see my favorite word on a bookshelf. I could not resist (I never even try when it comes to chocolate), so I bought the book, and for once I was glad to let my sweet tooth do my thinking. The story begins when a gentle, easygoing wanderer, Vianne, settles in a small French village and opens a chocolate boutique, drawing the attention of everyone, specially of a straitlaced, self-righteous priest named Reynaud (one word of advice to staunch Catholics: pick something else). Tension mounts on each side, or more like, in Reynaud's side, since Vianne pretty much ignores him. I love the underlying idea in the story that chocolate is connected with temptation, sin, and all bad things worth doing. And the ending was so good, I just laughed my heart out. The only thing I couldn't quite accept is the depiction of the villagers; the story would have been more believable if it had been located in a small New England town; the Puritanism of some of the characters just doesn't coincide with my idea of French thinking, but since I haven't lived in France I can't say more on the subject. Heavy readers, look for something else; this is light reading, only perfect for someone looking forward to have a good time and not to analyze.

Rating:
Summary: a delicious confection!
Review: When I finished this delicious novel I thought --what a treat! It is a lovely story , beautifully written and composed, with a touch of mysticism. Vianne Rocher has seemingly magical powers when creating chocolates in her shop, and also when she affects the lives of the people in the small French village into which she has settled with her young daughter.

I bought this book last year during Lent, which plays such a large part in the book. It is when Vianne goes head-to-head with Father Reynaud and the power of the Catholic church as he administers it. I especially liked the way Vianne quietly defused Reynaud by just being her gentle self.

The author competently tackles the issues of spousal abuse, prejudice (social rather than racial), religious intolerance, and the problems of the aged, both mental and physical. Yet the book is never preachy.

The life in this village was so old fashioned and quaint that I was jarred back to the present day when things like computers and laser-eye surgery were mentioned. It was seemingly taking place in another time.

Rating:
Summary: Sweet and Simple
Review: Chocolat is a bit like that really good dark chocolate you only get in expensive shops. Smooth and rich with a sharp bite. The book is reminescient of many South American Novels with is depiction of food, smell and taste as some of the central characters. A grown-up fairytale, anyone could find magic in it. Read it curled up on the sofa with a really good mug of hot chocolate.

Rating:
Summary: Good enough to eat!
Review: I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book which I had originally purchased for my wife. She praised it highly, so I thought that I'd read it also. I'm very happy that I did. The author weaves magic and chocolate into a brew of life in a small French town, and the reaction of the population to the arrival of a stranger and her young daughter. Soon a chocolate shop is opened, and thus begins a silent but none the less deadly war between the heroine and the local vicar, who is painted as not a very nice person. It's well done, and has a satisfying ending, with just the right blend to be called bittersweet. Read it, you'll like it!

Rating:
Summary: A lovely confection
Review: Chocolat is an adept, smoothly written novel about a stranger who blows into a small French town and wakes different passions and hatreds through the tempting treats she creates. Some suspect she is a witch, set to corrupt the town during their season of Lenten promises and fasting; or is she simply a gourmet who knows how to bring her customers exquisite plesaure? Chocolat is very well written with prose that flows along effortlessly, carrying the reader into the lives of the small French town and its inhabitants. It couples a sense of sophistication with an appreciation for rural life, wrapping it with a certain magical aura, which nicely echoing how the main character feels in the town. Soon to be a movie, with Julia Ormand, Judi Dench and Johnny Depp...

Rating:
Summary: sweet like chocolate
Review: Joanne Harris' wonderful novel, Chocolat, is a treat for all the senses. She drew me into a world where I could just taste the bittersweet chocolat Vianne mixed and moulded in her little shop. I could hear the whispers of the wind across the square, smell the smoke from the river, and feel the touch of her daughter's hand. Harris mixes religious and pagan themes. She exposes the petty hypocrisies and politics of rural village life. But she also created wonderful rounded characters who I missed when I finished the last page. I fell in love with Lansquenet and its residents. The only criticism is that I felt the priest's story was rushed at the end and I would have liked to have him face Vianne one last time. Otherwise a delightful read. I look forward to reading Blackberry wine.

Rating:
Summary: A disappointment
Review: This book was recommended by a friend whose literary tastes I respect. However, I was disappointed. The story is simplistic, with the plot development easy to predict. Harris's evil priest is a one-dimensional character as are most of the others. Good for an "airplane read" but nothing more.

Rating:
Summary: Sweet and delectable....
Review: Chocolat was a selection of our women's book group, and it was a great choice and a great summer read. Harris weaves a charming story around appealing and different characters. Plenty of sweet magic and warm moments, with a few surprises. I looked forward to picking up the book and was sorry when the story came to an end...maybe Ms. Harris will treat us to a sequel? She's a lovely writer. I am recommending Chocolat to everyone!

Rating:
Summary: Read "Chocolat" while eating Chocolate
Review: This delectable book is a joy to read, and impossible (if not simply wrong) to read without eating chocolate. Scene after scene is dedicated to the divinity of Cocoa, and I had to get up and make a pan of brownies before I could finish the novel. I needed the scent of chocolate filling the room, the taste dissolving on my tongue -- its power had so permeated my mind.

But this book isn't only about chocolate. It's a multi-layered, symbolic, beautifully written tale. If I start listing all the themes, I won't be able to stop. In summary, this book is about Life with a Capital "L" (which means it's also about death and the complete journey in between.)

I also enjoyed the references to the Tarot. Can you guess which card Vianne symbolizes?

One warning: if you're a devout Catholic, you probably won't like this book. The church is NOT painted in a good light.