Rating: 
Summary: A delicious and mouthwatering affair
Review: I had never heard of Joanne Harris and was frankly skeptical about the rave reviews (hype, I thought) that this novel attracted. I picked up a second hand copy expecting little and was absolutely bowled over by it. It is THAT good ! "Chocolat" is written in a mouthwatering and delicious prose that leaves you drooling for more. Harris' story superficially resembles a morality play. The running battle between newcomer Vianne Rocher to Lansquenet and parish priest Francis Reynaud is often depicted as a duel between good and evil. Somehow, I don't see it that way. Vianne, the protagonist, isn't a paragon of virtue. She is far too complex a character to serve as a symbol. And Francis isn't really evil either. His half crazed obsession with conformity and determination to stamp out the unusual is born of a deep self loathing and persecution complex that deserves only our pity. Vianne is just the catalyst the small town of Lansquenet needs to release its members from the prison they inhabit and she does it with chocolate. Josephine, Luc and even Roux discover themselves from knowing and being influenced by Vianne. Grand dame Armande's dictum is to live life or be dead. She is a living testimony to the celebration of life. Harris also contrasts the hypocritical piety of Christianity with the unadorned goodness of humanity. "Chocolat" made such an exhilirating read I couldn't put it down until I finished it. It isn't particularly deep or complex in its themes but is such a hugely enjoyable novel I would recommend it unreservedly to just about anybody. Some serious readers have criticised Harris' fairytale like story for its simplemindedness. Perhaps. But like its subject (chocolate), it may not be good for you but it sure feels like heaven when you're savouring it !
Rating: 
Summary: .......and they cut down a tree for this?
Review: I truly regret wasting time reading this ...coz spare time is something I don't have much off. I've read picture books designed for toddlers...that have more of a plot than this book did.
Rating: 
Summary: She should trust her readers
Review: While the book showed some promise at the beginning, I grew tired of the simply-drawn characters. If a writer can't trust her readers to understand that a character is evil without comparing that character to a Nazi, the author needs to work a little longer on her story. The author just didn't trust her readers to understand earlier actions, words and descriptions of her characters, so the book became repetitive, and the characters more one-dimensional. This wouldn't necessarily keep me from reading future books by this author. The dialog, her characters, and her descriptions, at the beginning of the book, were interesting. As time passes, I trust that the author will develop, as will her characters.
Rating: 
Summary: The chocolate was delicious
Review: The first part of this book was very intriguing and all of the characters seemed like they would develop into something special. The author did a good job of setting everything up and her writing throughout was fluid and fun to read. The ending, however, left a lot to be desired. Instead of the big showdown the author led us to expect, the story just fizzled. The best parts of Chocolat was all the wonderful descriptions on the chocolates. They really made me hungry! Even though the ending was a bit of a letdown, this is still an interesting book, one that was lighthearted and fun to read.
Rating:
Summary: Absolutely delicious
Review: Weird-and delicious-things begin to happen when a mysterious woman, her small daughter...and her daughter's imaginary cat-friend appear in a small town in Provence on the first day of Lent. Their mission? To open a chocolatiere-right across the street from a highly disapproving priest. Soon, everyone in town has a strongly held opinion about the woman, her past and the shop which produces the wickedly enticing sweets as if by...magic. Engrossing, amusing and enlightening all at once, CHOCOLAT is a book that will drive the reader to the kitchen to whip up double bittersweet chocolate mousse brownies while reading along. One bite-you'll be hooked!
Rating:
Summary: Sweet but forgettable
Review: I picked this book for the title, as I suspect many others have done, and because it seemed to offer a intriguing mix of food and magic. It's a little gem of a book, and if you approach it as you would a fairy tale then you won't be disappointed when the story becomes at once unbelievable and cliched and the characters stereotypical and one dimensional. Harris seems to want to create the feel of a fairy tale - she is reluctant to establish a real time period for the story; no real clues are given as to whether this book is set 5 or 50 years ago. Her characters are thin and easily recognisable archetypes. She sets up very basic good verus evil, magic versus church, indulgence verus abstinence premises for her story and deftly weaves them into colourful prose that glistens with images of magic and candy. It's very simple and possibly not really very accomplished, but taken lightly it is rather enjoyable, if not for the story, then for the gorgeous images, tastes and smells it conjours up.
Rating:
Summary: Unmemorable
Review: Chocolat is an ambitious novel that attempts to set up a classic good versus evil duel set against the backdrop of a closed-minded little town. Harris's writing is appealing, but the story is predictable and the characters are cookie-cutter sterotypes. I gave Chocolat two stars instead of one because the parts of the novel that tell the story of Vianne's migrations with her mother and with her daughter are compelling, as are the vignettes in which she interweaves cooking and magic. Harris obviously has a lively imagination and has led a fascinating life, but the plot takes an early turn for the obvious and follows through to the end in like fashion.
Rating:
Summary: A Delicious Treat
Review: It is always wonderful to find a new voice and Joanne Harris definitely has a way with Chocolat. I won't get into the plot lines and specifics of the book because there are dozens of other reviews that have done that part already. What I will say is that I thoroughly enjoyed this book and have recommended Chocolat to everyone I have met along the way that loves books as much as I do. The voices used to tell the story are wonderful and engaging in such a way that you get immediately transported to a small village full of wonderful characters and atmosphere...you become a part of their lives. I read for the love of books and words, if you are the same and looking for a light story full of interesting characters this is definitely the book for you.
Rating:
Summary: Heartwarming like a good cup of hot chocolate
Review: What a beautiful book. This is a new author to me whom I stumbled across at my bookclub. The characters are real, the warmth and passion of the village reverberates throughout the book. Without be being a soap saga, the books covers day to day realities such as death, chocolate, love for humans and animals, marital problems and personal conflict - all with a soft touch of the author which never hides the complexities of living. I wait in anticipation for the new book out in July.
Rating:
Summary: If you like Alice Hofman . . .
Review: I think you will like this book. I *rarely* rate a book 5 stars, but I have been reading so many so-so books, that when I like one as much as I did Chocolat, I feel like it deserves it. The story is compelling, the language was smart and refreshing, and I enjoyed all the characters. Make no mistake, this book is about Vianne and Francis--the other characters are a subtext to the bigger conflict that exists both inwardly and outwardly in Vianne and Francis's lives. Like a box of chocolates with only 1 or 2 left, I was sad when I got to the last chapter. I would love to read more about Vianne and where the wind takes her.
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