Chocolat

Rating:
Summary: Geographically realistic - somewhat disappointing
Review: This is definitely an entertaining novel. The setting is interesting, the subject is good, Ms. Harris knows both French and French life extremely well and is comfortable depicting it. However, the good/evil opposition is brushed upon but not brought to conclusion - I found the end disappointing - are we to understand that the Black Man is destroyed by ridicule? is then laughter (or humiliation) the ultimate weapon? Maybe it is, thinking of it.

All in all, bon travail, Mme Harris. J'aimerais gouter vos Truffes au chocolat...

Rating:
Summary: A Tasty Read
Review: Oddly enough I've chosen to read this book during Lent. I would love to be in her shop sipping one of her chocolate confections. But for now I will take pleasure in the way she welcomes anyone and everyone into her shop and seems to know what their special desire is. I wonder what she would give me?

Rating:
Summary: A "gotcha" from the very first page.
Review: "We came on the wind of the carnival. A warm wind for February, laden with the hot greasy scents of frying pancakes and sausages and powdery-sweet waffles cooked on the hot plate right there by the roadside, with the confetti sleeting down collars and cuffs and rolling in the gutters like an idiot antidote to winter."

Thus the first two sentences of a book that was instantly captivating, and remained so, despite a story line that veered away from the promise of whimsy to grapple with some of the darker aspects of the human condition - spousal abuse, social prejudice, religious zealotry and intolerance, and heavy-handed "management" of the aged.

I only wish the author had dwelt more at length on the subjects of Anouk's Pantoufle and Vianne's talents as a witch(?). But for these omissions, 5 stars for a thoroughly enjoyable and satisfying book.

Rating:
Summary: Thank you, Joanne Harris!
Review: My husband gave me this book for Valentine's Day. Thank you for a book that made me smile for a change! I savored it for the sweet treat that it was! After reading the final words of the book, I whined aloud "But I don't want it to end!" The "battle" between Vianne Rocher and the priest is very well developed. Harris is artful with her details, subtle clues and her fantastic ending! I definately fell in love with the characters and would LOVE a sequel!

Rating:
Summary: Waiting for sequel!
Review: This was the best "feel good" book I have read in a long while. It left me wanting more..story and chocolate! Hopefully we will have a sequel and find out what happens to these marvelous characters in this delightful fairy tale.

Rating:
Summary: MMMMMMMMMM
Review: This was a hoot! I loved all the characters and how the appearance of just one person can change the dynamics of a small town. Gimme more Chocolat!

Rating:
Summary: sweet treat
Review: I was interested in this book as I am a chocolate lover and was pleasantly surprised with an interesting story to go along with the chocolate descriptions. I found myself rooting for Vianne to find out the priest's secret and expose for who he truly was. The book is about life; the petty prejudices that keep people from enjoying life, the supression of those in power for any change of the status quo, etc. Of course the story is better when you are munching on godivas with a glass merlot while reading.

Rating:
Summary: A sweet weekend escape
Review: I found Chocolat to be a magical little journey and couldn't put it down. The story of Vianne Rocher is a modern day fairy tale about how certain people pass through our lives and transform our world. I found Joanne Harris's writing detailed and penetrating, portraying a small village existance reflective of struggles everywhere. What I liked best about the book is that it is without any modern day cynicism or sarcasm, and is not meant to be seen as overly pragmatic and ultra realistic. Its the magic and illusion that makes the novel so great. For readers who complain it is not real enough of a French Village, they have completely missed the point, they should be reading a Fodor's travel guide instead. The great thing about the book is that it could take place in any small village. All in all, a brilliant piece of writing!

Rating:
Summary: A great read
Review: This was an enjoyable read - a flawless depiction of the strggle between good and evil. I loved the story and found only the ending to be trite and contrived. The writing is beautiful and the characters became friends. I'd recommend to most anyone for the enjoyment.

Rating:
Summary: I could taste this book!
Review: Honestly, this was a delicious book! Puns aside, I thoroughly enjoyed this story. The chocolate descriptions were so detailed and so true-to-life that I beg you not to read it if you're even remotely hungry (I suffered from too many cabinet raids because of this book!). I thought the chocolate was a wonderful character in and of itself. It was used to twist the story and was as much of a player as any of the human characters.

The interpersonal plots were well-written and I found all of the characters human, as though I could easily pick them out of a crowd. Ms. Harris does a wonderful job of creating sympathetic characters....there wasn't one I didn't feel for at some stage during the story, even the priest!

While I was hesitant of the idea of Vianne changing the complexion of a small town with the help of her chocolate, I found myself becoming just as transfixed with her shop as the townspeople were. This was a very enjoyable read!