Rating: 
Summary: Did not live up to the hype
Review: I was disappointed with this book. It was too slow going in the scenes with the priest and I was easily bored for most of it. Also, I feel that Ms. Harris's attemps to be secretive only backfire - I was not dying to unravel any mysteries, I truly wanted to just finish so I could start a better book. I love the concept, but it could have been better executed.
Rating: 
Summary: Pure mouthwatering escapism
Review: I don't think I've ever read a book quite like Chocolat before. The plot is fairly simple: Vianne Rocher, a wanderer with a young daughter, arrives in Lansquenet on Shrove Tuesday. Something about the village appeals to her, despite the looming presence of the Black Man, the local priest, and she decides to stay. Taking the lease on an old bakery directly across the road from the church, she opens a chocolaterie. A chocolate shop. In *Lent*! Thus Vianne arouses the fury of Reynard, the priest, while at the same time gradually seducing many of the townspeople one by one with the delicious smell and taste of chocolate, and her uncanny ability to divine everyone's 'favourite'. Does Vianne have some sort of supernatural powers? Can she read minds? Harris never completely answers that question, but then the first-person narrative allows Vianne to reveal only as much as she wishes, and she herself rejects any suspicion of such abilities. And yet the Tarot cards are still ever-present, as are the strange dreams and visions. Reynaud, the priest, whose own first-person narrative takes up about a quarter of the book, is another fascinating character. Overly self-righteous and determined to be in control of everything in the village, he takes immediate exception to *Mademoiselle* Rocher and her chocolaterie, and sees it as his mission to wean his flock away from her. But he has secrets as well, some of which are suspected by the old woman Armande (another fascinating character). As Harris takes us inexorably towards Easter, it's clear that some sort of confrontation is coming between the old habits and the new, the dull darkness of conformity and the glad brightness of joy, and the priest and the chocolate-woman. But exactly what form does it take? You'll have to read for yourself. Oh, and don't forget to savour the secondary characters: Vianne's daughter Anouk, Armande, Guillaume and his beloved dog, Josephine the kleptomaniac who is married to a drunked wife-beater, Roux the proud gypsy and many more.
Rating: 
Summary: a delicious little book
Review: I read this book based on a recommendation from a good friend. The girl has good taste in books. It was a wonderfully relaxing read all the while being full of interesting twists and turns. (how can I love it when the priest is not a priest but a mayor?! That just changes everything...)
I love the dichotomy between the "witch" (she'll never admit to it) and the priest (he'll never admit to anything) at Lent, no less. It just doesn't get any better than this.
Harris's style of switching between the two points of view and how it reveals certain bits and pieces at certain times creates wonderful pacing for the novel.
I highly recommend it to anyone looking for something to read that is both enjoyably relaxing (and not taxing on the brain) and still has a wonderful plot full of interesting twists and turns and tidbits.
Rating:
Summary: delicious
Review: Wow- this was a quick read. Considering I'm a mother with two young children and never get a chance to see a movie. So low and behold I pick up the novel and boy was I happy. I began reading the book on Ash Wednesday and was completed on on the first Friday lent. Also coming from a very strict religious family during lent and its odd sacrifices that we must endure through this book really made me smile through out. A must read for all who need a realistic novel that any one who went to church can relate too.
Rating: 
Summary: a semi-sweet book
Review: This book is the story of Vianne Rocher, a single mother who is quite eccentric and opens a choclate shop in a very conservative small village. The local priest is quite nuts and sees her as a disruption to his devout congregation. There are lovely descriptions of chocolates and some surprising turns in this story. A pleasant read, nothing too complicated. Don't read if you love chocolate and are on a diet.
Rating:
Summary: Alicia
Review: A beutiful, rich, delicious novel that is very hard to put down. The change between Vianne's point of view and that of the town priest helps to draw you in and generates real emotion for each of the characters. Sit back with a cup of hot chocolate (because you'll crave one before long), put your feet up and read a very original story that will take you to meet beutiful people in a beutiful town that you'll want to stay a part of.
Rating:
Summary: Delectable chocolate covered tale
Review: Vivanne Rocher (nice connection to Ferraro Rocher: YUM!)brings mysterious qualities and good chocolate to Lansquenet at the time of festival. This story of the pagan chocolatier allegorically debunks the stifling position of the Catholic church's blemished control of a small, staid French town. Gradually Vivanne seduces the townspeople out of their rut and into living and loving life. A tale of good versus evil with a wry twist, this little book brings back memories of beautiful Swiss chocolate shop window displays on a summer trip long past. In the case of this little war, the gypsy good wins out over the corrupted town and church leaders.
Rating:
Summary: More than candy
Review: This is an easy read about a compelling topic: How should one's spirituality be pursued? The book is composed of short "conversations" by the book's main character, Vianne Rocher, and the priest "Reynaud." For a busy person, this is a good read because it allows you to put it down and pick it up sporadically and challenges your thinking about matters of penitence and dying and what God wishes of you. I also enjoyed the "spiritual" aspect of reading about chocolate's powers to heal. Beware people on diets!
Rating:
Summary: A delight, if a little slight...
Review: This is one of those rare books which one can read in a single sitting and is a delightful way to spend a few hours. The story of a single mother with a mysterious past who moves to a small French village and opens a chocolate shop opposite the local church. What ensues is a battle of wills between the woman and the priest as they fight for 'customers'. Often moving, sometimes funny and always entertaining this is thoroughly recommended. Might annoy a few devout christians but that is never a bad thing.
Rating:
Summary: A Bewitching Tale
Review: Vianne Rocher may not prefer the word "witch" but the spell she casts over the town of Lansquenet-sous-Tannes is bewitching and enlightning all the same. With her new chocolat shop, Vianne gives the townspeople the little something extra they need to shake themeselves out of the monotonous and constricting ways of life. Unfortunately the local priest, whose church just so happens to be straight across the street from Vianne's Lent-free shop, does not take any joy in her arrival. He finds himself on a personal, self-destructive quest to show her that in this town, the church, his church, will 'win'. The tale is told between the priest, Francis Reynaud, and Vianne in dated, but not quite diary entries. Joanne Harris properly paces the unveiling of secrets, scandals and quiet triumphs. The confectioner's descriptions are enough to tempt the very saints, if she was inclined to believe in such thigns that is. (A box of chocolates within arms reach is a must with this novel.) Well worth your time and money. A great story of good and evil and the difference between temptation and greed, happiness and piousness. Vianne may not have been the cause for change in the little town, but she certainly caused some fireworks.
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