Rating: 
Summary: Great story with a disappointing ending
Review: I throughly enjoyed this story right up to the very end. The story line of a single mom. . .living the life of a modern gypsy witch was very appealing. She was intuitive, clever and healing. What more could you ask of a woman? It was almost inspirational to me to read of the good this very pagan flavored gal did through her art, the art of chocolate making and human beings. My only gripe is the ending. It didn't do the richly flavored story justice. I did however go on to purchase Harris' other two books, and am currently enjoying both.Had the ending had more substance to it, I would have given it a 5 star rating.
Rating: 
Summary: Fun and mischievous
Review: What a fun and mischievous book! If you have seen the movie, you will be surprised by the book. The character of the priest is so much more interesting in the book. If you like stories that are a little bit irreverent, you will enjoy this one :-)
Rating:
Summary: very good!
Review: first off, i saw the movie before i read the book, i didn't even realize it was a book until about 2 monthes after i saw the movie. i usually try to avoid doing this because it sometimes will ruin the book.this book kept me reading until i finished it, even though i basically knew what would happen. it also made me really want to go to France and find a really good chocolate store! the main thing about this book that i really loved, was that even though most of the town was against her, she did her best to be kind to them without changing herself to what they wanted her to be.
Rating: 
Summary: More fun to eat than to read about
Review: This was an enjoyable read, but I fail to see what all the fuss is about. Frankly, "Chocolat" just isn't written very well, and the clumsy verbiage is distracting and annoying. This book compares unfavorably to "Like Water for Chocolate," which is much more elegantly written. Definitely overrated.
Rating:
Summary: Beautiful!
Review: Such wonderful verbage... took me back to the villages of France in a second. Don't miss this book, especially if you love France and all it has to offer to the senses. Much better than the movie as well - don't miss this book!
Rating:
Summary: What characters! Loads of fun!
Review: I haven't seen the movie, but after reading the book, I really want to! Harris creates such a visually stimulating world in the pages, I can already see the scenes in my head. A scrumptious treat of a book, you'll enjoy every detail, every line. The village of characters comes alive in full dimension with their quirks and personalities and flaws. If just a bit heavy-handed in the portrayal of the two feuding sides, Vianne and the local priest, Chocolat is still a wonderfully rounded story full of a fabulous cast of secondary characters, each with their own storyline. Everyone in the story learns or grows a bit, and you'll enjoy the ride! Read it! Really great!
Rating:
Summary: An Enjoyable Quick Treat!
Review: Read this book if you're looking for a quick, light, and fun read. It has a wonderful whimsical setting, full of beautiful imagery and allusions. It contains a touch of mystery, a dash of magic, some charming characters, a sharp wit, and the proverbial "good vs. evil" theme. You'll end up rooting for Vianne, the protoganist, and wish you had her for a friend. Don't read this book if you're looking for a deep insightful read - Chocolat, just like chocolate, is just a simple and delightful morsel to enjoy.
Rating:
Summary: I'll never view Chocolat the same again
Review: Joanne Harris weaves a delightful story blending two sides of the story into one. Our heroine, Vianne Rocher, brings comfort and a message of love and forgiveness to the people of Lansquenet. She opens up a chocolate shop in full view of the very negative and slightly sinister village priest, Reynaud. Vianne brings a mysterious past as well as her young daughter with her to Lansquenet. As our story unfolds the reader is quickly drawn into the battle waged against Vianne by Reynaud as well as the discovery of the secrets in each of their lives. Vianne accomplishes much by offering chocolat treats to the townspeople. Her shop becomes a gathering place and a source of comfort to young and old. The descriptions of chocolat confections created in Vianne's kitchen were mouth watering. Readers should have chocolat on hand as they read or like this reader, will just have to pay a visit to the corner store. A joy to read.
Rating:
Summary: If you liked the movie, you can skip the book
Review: I was really disappointed in this book, especially since I loved the movie. It lacks all of the charm and lightheartedness of the movie and is instead dark and sad. As one reviewer said, the writing isn't as good as it could be. Therefore, instead of being subtle and seductive, it's boring. If you love "Chocolat" you'll have a better time seeing the movie again than reading the book.
Rating:
Summary: Chocolat -- A delicious book!
Review: I must admit, I picked up this book with a few reservations. The book, however, turned out to be one of the best books I've read in a long itme!! Vianne Roche (IS she a witch?) breezes into town one day on the tails of carnival and sets up shop across from the local church, to the dismay of the local priest. This book has just the right amount of tension between "good" and "evil". Seldom has a book evoked such emotion. At times laughing out loud and unashamedly crying, I could not put the book down until the very last page. The characters are wonderfully portrayed, the plot is well-thought out and the book itself is beautifully written. A delight to read! If the movie follows the book, it should be a box office hit. I highly recommend this book to anyone! Delicious!!
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