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Chocolat #1
Chocolat
A timeless novel of a straitlaced village's awakening to joy and sensuality - every page offers a description of chocolate to melt in the mouths of chocoholics, francophiles, armchair gourmets, cookbook readers, and lovers of passion everywhere.
Illuminating Peter Mayle's South of France with a touch of Laura Esquivel's magic realism, Chocolat is a timeless novel of a straitlaced village's awakening to joy and sensuality. In tiny Lansquenet, where nothing much has changed in a hundred years, beautiful newcomer Vianne Rocher and her exquisite chocolate shop arrive and instantly begin to play havoc with Lenten vows. Each box of luscious bonbons comes with a free gift: Vianne's uncanny perception of its buyer's private discontents and a clever, caring cure for them. Is she a witch? Soon the parish no longer cares, as it abandons itself to temptation, happiness, and a dramatic face-off between Easter solemnity and the pagan gaiety of a chocolate festival.
Chocolat's every page offers a description of chocolate to melt in the mouths of chocoholics, francophiles, armchair gourmets, cookbook readers, and lovers of passion everywhere. It's a must for anyone who craves an escapist read, and is a bewitching gift for any holiday.
Illuminating Peter Mayle's South of France with a touch of Laura Esquivel's magic realism, Chocolat is a timeless novel of a straitlaced village's awakening to joy and sensuality. In tiny Lansquenet, where nothing much has changed in a hundred years, beautiful newcomer Vianne Rocher and her exquisite chocolate shop arrive and instantly begin to play havoc with Lenten vows. Each box of luscious bonbons comes with a free gift: Vianne's uncanny perception of its buyer's private discontents and a clever, caring cure for them. Is she a witch? Soon the parish no longer cares, as it abandons itself to temptation, happiness, and a dramatic face-off between Easter solemnity and the pagan gaiety of a chocolate festival.
Chocolat's every page offers a description of chocolate to melt in the mouths of chocoholics, francophiles, armchair gourmets, cookbook readers, and lovers of passion everywhere. It's a must for anyone who craves an escapist read, and is a bewitching gift for any holiday.
306 pages, Paperback
First published March 4, 1999
About the author
Joanne Harris
107 books6,050 followersJoanne Harris is also known as Joanne M. Harris
Joanne Harris is an Anglo-French author, whose books include fourteen novels, two cookbooks and many short stories. Her work is extremely diverse, covering aspects of magic realism, suspense, historical fiction, mythology and fantasy. She has also written a DR WHO novella for the BBC, has scripted guest episodes for the game ZOMBIES, RUN!, and is currently engaged in a number of musical theatre projects as well as developing an original drama for television.
In 2000, her 1999 novel CHOCOLAT was adapted to the screen, starring Juliette Binoche and Johnny Depp. She is an honorary Fellow of St Catharine's College, Cambridge, and in 2022 was awarded an OBE by the Queen.
Her hobbies are listed in Who's Who as 'mooching, lounging, strutting, strumming, priest-baiting and quiet subversion'. She also spends too much time on Twitter; plays flute and bass guitar in a band first formed when she was 16; and works from a shed in her garden at her home in Yorkshire.
Joanne Harris is an Anglo-French author, whose books include fourteen novels, two cookbooks and many short stories. Her work is extremely diverse, covering aspects of magic realism, suspense, historical fiction, mythology and fantasy. She has also written a DR WHO novella for the BBC, has scripted guest episodes for the game ZOMBIES, RUN!, and is currently engaged in a number of musical theatre projects as well as developing an original drama for television.
In 2000, her 1999 novel CHOCOLAT was adapted to the screen, starring Juliette Binoche and Johnny Depp. She is an honorary Fellow of St Catharine's College, Cambridge, and in 2022 was awarded an OBE by the Queen.
Her hobbies are listed in Who's Who as 'mooching, lounging, strutting, strumming, priest-baiting and quiet subversion'. She also spends too much time on Twitter; plays flute and bass guitar in a band first formed when she was 16; and works from a shed in her garden at her home in Yorkshire.
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November 4, 2021
Chocolat (Chocolat, #1), Joanne Harris
Chocolat is a 1999 novel by Joanne Harris. It tells the story of Vianne Rocher, a young single mother, who arrives in the French village of Lansquenet-sous-Tannes at the beginning of Lent with her six-year-old daughter, Anouk.
Vianne has arrived to open a chocolaterie—La Céleste Praline, which is on the square opposite the church. During the traditional season of fasting and self-denial; she gently changes the lives of the villagers who visit her with a combination of sympathy, subversion and a little magic.
تاریخ نخستین خوانش: روز بیستم ماه سپتامبر سال2009میلادی
عنوان: شکلات؛ نویسنده: جوآن (ژوان) هریس؛ مترجم: طاهره صدیقیان؛ تهران، کتابسرای تندیس، سال1380، در406ص؛ شابک9645757207؛ موضوع: داستانهای نویسندگان بریتانیا - سده 20م
عنوان: شکلات؛ نویسنده: جوآن (ژوان) هریس؛ مترجم: گیسو ناصری؛ تهران، واژگان، سال1381، در368ص؛ شابک9646664016؛ چاپ دیگر در سال1381 نشر گیلونه؛
نقل از متن کتاب شکلات: (کار اتاق زیر شیروانی، تقریبا تمام شده، بعضی جاهایش، گچ هنوز خشک نشده؛ اما پنجره ی جدید، مثل پنجره ی کشتی، گرد و دور برنجی، تکمیل شده است؛ «رُو» فراتخته های کف را می‌چیند، و وقتی آن‌ها، نهایتا ساب و جلا بخورد، می‌توانیم تخت‌خواب «انوک» را، به اتاق جدید منتقل کنیم؛ دری وجود ندارد؛ یک دریچه ی کف با دوازده پله از پایین، تنها ورودی اتاق است؛ «انوک»، کاملا هیجان زده شده؛ سرش را از دریچه، به داخل اتاق می‌برد؛ و بیشتر وقتش را، به تماشای آن، و دادن دستورات دقیق، درباره ی آنچه که باید انجام شود، می‌گذراند؛ بقیه ی وقتش با من، توی آشپزخانه است، و تدارکات عید پاک را تماشا می‌کند؛ «ژانو»، اغلب با اوست؛ آن‌ها با هم، کنار در ِ آشپزخانه می‌نشینند، و هر دو هم‌زمان صحبت می‌کنند؛ مجبورم به آن‌ها رشوه بدهم، تا بروند)؛ پایان نقل از متن
بانو «ژوان هریس»، نویسنده ی کتاب «شکلات»، در مورد اثر خویش می‌گویند: (این سوژه، در عید پاک به فکرم رسید؛ وقتی که اطرافم پر بود از انواع شکلات‌ها، و آنچه که به عید پاک، مربوط می‌شد؛ به نظر می‌رسید، که راه آسانی برای شروع داستانم یافته ام؛ علاوه بر این در نظر نداشتم، که داستانی جدی بنویسم؛ نمی‌خواستم قصه ام، داستانی تکراری باشد، بلکه در نظر داشتم، سرگرم کننده، و جالب، باشد؛ بنابراین واژه ی «شکلات» را، به کار بردم. به عنوان بهانه ای برای پیش کشیدن همه ی این موضوعات جدی، که در سر داشتم، به نظرم جالب آمد)؛ پایان نقل
کتاب سرشار از طراوت است
تاریخ بهنگام رسانی 01/10/1399هجری خورشیدی؛ 12/08/1400هجری خورشیدی؛ ا. شربیانی
Chocolat is a 1999 novel by Joanne Harris. It tells the story of Vianne Rocher, a young single mother, who arrives in the French village of Lansquenet-sous-Tannes at the beginning of Lent with her six-year-old daughter, Anouk.
Vianne has arrived to open a chocolaterie—La Céleste Praline, which is on the square opposite the church. During the traditional season of fasting and self-denial; she gently changes the lives of the villagers who visit her with a combination of sympathy, subversion and a little magic.
تاریخ نخستین خوانش: روز بیستم ماه سپتامبر سال2009میلادی
عنوان: شکلات؛ نویسنده: جوآن (ژوان) هریس؛ مترجم: طاهره صدیقیان؛ تهران، کتابسرای تندیس، سال1380، در406ص؛ شابک9645757207؛ موضوع: داستانهای نویسندگان بریتانیا - سده 20م
عنوان: شکلات؛ نویسنده: جوآن (ژوان) هریس؛ مترجم: گیسو ناصری؛ تهران، واژگان، سال1381، در368ص؛ شابک9646664016؛ چاپ دیگر در سال1381 نشر گیلونه؛
نقل از متن کتاب شکلات: (کار اتاق زیر شیروانی، تقریبا تمام شده، بعضی جاهایش، گچ هنوز خشک نشده؛ اما پنجره ی جدید، مثل پنجره ی کشتی، گرد و دور برنجی، تکمیل شده است؛ «رُو» فراتخته های کف را می‌چیند، و وقتی آن‌ها، نهایتا ساب و جلا بخورد، می‌توانیم تخت‌خواب «انوک» را، به اتاق جدید منتقل کنیم؛ دری وجود ندارد؛ یک دریچه ی کف با دوازده پله از پایین، تنها ورودی اتاق است؛ «انوک»، کاملا هیجان زده شده؛ سرش را از دریچه، به داخل اتاق می‌برد؛ و بیشتر وقتش را، به تماشای آن، و دادن دستورات دقیق، درباره ی آنچه که باید انجام شود، می‌گذراند؛ بقیه ی وقتش با من، توی آشپزخانه است، و تدارکات عید پاک را تماشا می‌کند؛ «ژانو»، اغلب با اوست؛ آن‌ها با هم، کنار در ِ آشپزخانه می‌نشینند، و هر دو هم‌زمان صحبت می‌کنند؛ مجبورم به آن‌ها رشوه بدهم، تا بروند)؛ پایان نقل از متن
بانو «ژوان هریس»، نویسنده ی کتاب «شکلات»، در مورد اثر خویش می‌گویند: (این سوژه، در عید پاک به فکرم رسید؛ وقتی که اطرافم پر بود از انواع شکلات‌ها، و آنچه که به عید پاک، مربوط می‌شد؛ به نظر می‌رسید، که راه آسانی برای شروع داستانم یافته ام؛ علاوه بر این در نظر نداشتم، که داستانی جدی بنویسم؛ نمی‌خواستم قصه ام، داستانی تکراری باشد، بلکه در نظر داشتم، سرگرم کننده، و جالب، باشد؛ بنابراین واژه ی «شکلات» را، به کار بردم. به عنوان بهانه ای برای پیش کشیدن همه ی این موضوعات جدی، که در سر داشتم، به نظرم جالب آمد)؛ پایان نقل
کتاب سرشار از طراوت است
تاریخ بهنگام رسانی 01/10/1399هجری خورشیدی؛ 12/08/1400هجری خورشیدی؛ ا. شربیانی
April 18, 2008
Chocolate, crazy-fun old ladies, Bible thumpers learning to lighten up, French people, witchcraft, and sexy gypsies.
Come on, say no to any of those things. I dare you.
Come on, say no to any of those things. I dare you.
June 17, 2020
This wasn’t really my cup of tea. Think I’ll stick to Joanne Harris’ thrillers in future.
It was ok. That pretty much sums up my feelings toward this book. There were parts I liked - mainly the side characters like Armande, and her grandson Luc. I liked Josephine and her storyline.
I didn’t particularly like either of the main characters and there was so much pettiness that is just wasn’t enjoyable and i found myself rushing just to finish.
Vianne Rocher and her daughter Anouk have just moved to a small town and opened up a chocolate shop on the first week of Lent in a strong Catholic community.
Naturally feathers are ruffled and a lot of the locals give Vianne a wide berth. However there are some that make it their business to give their opinion on Vianne and her way of living. Mainly the Priest and some of his more devout believers.
Vianne doesn’t go to church, as is her right, but this doesn’t sit well with the community. At the same time she is quite open about her disregard for the others beliefs.
I can see where both sides were coming from, and it made the whole thing uncomfortable. The priest is in the wrong, he sees Vianne as a threat to his congregation, he acts in a way he believes is right - but often frequently doubts his own path.
Vianne is also pretty disrespectful. She has every right to live her life as she chooses and not be spoken down to because of it, but surely so do the believers? Unless they are being cruel of course, then they need standing up to.
I don’t know, it wasn’t enjoyable and I read for enjoyment. I couldn’t relate to either side really - there were two major extremes shown. Plenty of good themes in here, but I would be lying if I said I’d recommend it.
It was ok. That pretty much sums up my feelings toward this book. There were parts I liked - mainly the side characters like Armande, and her grandson Luc. I liked Josephine and her storyline.
I didn’t particularly like either of the main characters and there was so much pettiness that is just wasn’t enjoyable and i found myself rushing just to finish.
Vianne Rocher and her daughter Anouk have just moved to a small town and opened up a chocolate shop on the first week of Lent in a strong Catholic community.
Naturally feathers are ruffled and a lot of the locals give Vianne a wide berth. However there are some that make it their business to give their opinion on Vianne and her way of living. Mainly the Priest and some of his more devout believers.
Vianne doesn’t go to church, as is her right, but this doesn’t sit well with the community. At the same time she is quite open about her disregard for the others beliefs.
I can see where both sides were coming from, and it made the whole thing uncomfortable. The priest is in the wrong, he sees Vianne as a threat to his congregation, he acts in a way he believes is right - but often frequently doubts his own path.
Vianne is also pretty disrespectful. She has every right to live her life as she chooses and not be spoken down to because of it, but surely so do the believers? Unless they are being cruel of course, then they need standing up to.
I don’t know, it wasn’t enjoyable and I read for enjoyment. I couldn’t relate to either side really - there were two major extremes shown. Plenty of good themes in here, but I would be lying if I said I’d recommend it.
January 11, 2016
"Lansquenet-sous-Tannes, two hundred souls at most, no more than a blip on the fast road between Toulouse and Bordeaux. Blink once, and it's gone. One main street, a double row of dun-colored half-timbered houses leaning secretively together, a few laterals running parallel like the tines of a bent fork. A church, aggressively whitewashed, in a square of little shops. Farms scattered across the watchful land."
Magical and scrumptious, Chocolat is a thrilling delight for the senses. When Vianne Rocher and her imaginative daughter, Anouk, establish themselves and their chocolaterie in the small, French-Catholic town of Lansquenet, they are met with guarded curiosity and veiled hostility. As Vianne slowly begins to attract the townspeople with her winning combination of tantalizing chocolate creations and her warm friendship and unprejudiced acceptance, she sparks the wrath of the self-righteous and judgmental priest, Père Reynaud. Determined to rid the town of both the river gypsies as well as the influence of Vianne Rocher, Père Reynaud readies himself and his church for the battle between what he considers good versus evil. But, there is something quite incongruous and disturbing in his convictions. He loathes the members of his congregation: "Sheep are not the docile, pleasant creatures of the pastoral idyll. Any countryman will tell you that. They are sly, occasionally vicious, pathologically stupid." He is arrogant and overly confident: "When Vianne Rocher sees the power of the church - my influence over every single soul in the community - then she will know she has lost." Can Vianne and Père Reynaud exist side by side in this small community?
The story alternates between the first person narration of Vianne and Père Reynaud, allowing the reader to become quite intimate with the innermost thoughts of these complex characters. With vivid imagery, an entertaining and eccentric cast of secondary characters, and an engaging storyline, author Joanne Harris has created a novel which satisfies not only your senses, but also your intellect. Don't let the backdrop of exquisite chocolates and other heavenly concoctions fool you into thinking there is nothing more to this novel. With its underlying themes of moral perplexities, Chocolat contains more than meets the eye.
Note to potential reader: Prior to opening the pages of this book, I highly recommend that you indulge and stock up on a plentiful supply of superior chocolates to be consumed while reading. A last minute search for a leftover Hershey bar or chocolate kiss will leave you a bit disappointed.
Magical and scrumptious, Chocolat is a thrilling delight for the senses. When Vianne Rocher and her imaginative daughter, Anouk, establish themselves and their chocolaterie in the small, French-Catholic town of Lansquenet, they are met with guarded curiosity and veiled hostility. As Vianne slowly begins to attract the townspeople with her winning combination of tantalizing chocolate creations and her warm friendship and unprejudiced acceptance, she sparks the wrath of the self-righteous and judgmental priest, Père Reynaud. Determined to rid the town of both the river gypsies as well as the influence of Vianne Rocher, Père Reynaud readies himself and his church for the battle between what he considers good versus evil. But, there is something quite incongruous and disturbing in his convictions. He loathes the members of his congregation: "Sheep are not the docile, pleasant creatures of the pastoral idyll. Any countryman will tell you that. They are sly, occasionally vicious, pathologically stupid." He is arrogant and overly confident: "When Vianne Rocher sees the power of the church - my influence over every single soul in the community - then she will know she has lost." Can Vianne and Père Reynaud exist side by side in this small community?
The story alternates between the first person narration of Vianne and Père Reynaud, allowing the reader to become quite intimate with the innermost thoughts of these complex characters. With vivid imagery, an entertaining and eccentric cast of secondary characters, and an engaging storyline, author Joanne Harris has created a novel which satisfies not only your senses, but also your intellect. Don't let the backdrop of exquisite chocolates and other heavenly concoctions fool you into thinking there is nothing more to this novel. With its underlying themes of moral perplexities, Chocolat contains more than meets the eye.
Note to potential reader: Prior to opening the pages of this book, I highly recommend that you indulge and stock up on a plentiful supply of superior chocolates to be consumed while reading. A last minute search for a leftover Hershey bar or chocolate kiss will leave you a bit disappointed.
July 3, 2023
"I sell dreams, small comforts, sweet harmless temptations to bring down a multitude of saints crash-crash-crashing among the hazels and nougatines.”
At the tail end of a carnival wind, Vianne Rocher and her young daughter Anouk land in Lansquenet-sous-Tannes. A small French village, traditional, where everybody knows everyone else. And outsiders are treated with suspicion.
After a lifetime of being a nomad, it’s finally time for Vianne to settle, and create a home. To stop running from forces known and unknown as she did as a child with her Maman. Vianne wishes for Anouk to know the security and sense of safety from staying in one place that she didn’t.
Vianne sets up a chocolaterie La Céleste Praline in an old disused bakery. Creating all sorts of sweet comforts from scratch, where the locals one by one come to try her delights. And unknowingly share their secrets and bare their souls to her. As Vianne has a depth of understanding and genuine warmth that draws people to her.
The only problem is that her chocolaterie is set up directly across the road from, and in full view of, the village Church. And she opens her store at the beginning of Lent. A time of penitence and self denial.
"Try me…test me…taste me…"
What’s not to love about a story filled with pages and pages of descriptions of the most delectable, mouth watering, tempting chocolates? Because Vianne knows what your favourite is, even if you don’t, and is never wrong.
The chapters are told by the alternating points of view of Vianne and Père Francis Reynaud, the village Priest, who immediately views Vianne as a troublemaker, and heathen, who is leading his flock astray.
We meet the people who live in the village, and those who live on the village river, as a bunch of gypsies stop temporarily to replenish supplies and make repairs to their barges. They too earn the attention and wrath of Père Reynaud, and those who are on his side.
This story is a beautiful insight into showing, gently, that we fear that which we do not know. Even when we have no reason to feel that way. How “other” can also stir up feelings and emotions, and enable some people to be brave enough to find their voice.
It’s hard to believe that this book is over twenty years old, and was released in 1999. Which means I read it over two decades ago. How did that happen! And the beauty of it is, the story remains just as fresh and intriguing the first time I read it. After all, the universal themes of love, family, community and belonging never change do they? And you just have to have chocolate for Easter! After all, it’s practically the one time of year where it can be “guilt free”.
A truly magical, sensual book. I’m so happy to have finally read it again, after thinking of doing so for so long. And the timing with Easter is perfect.
This has reminded me of why I loved the Chocolat series the first time around, and I’m hoping to continue with The Lollipop Shoes, Peaches for Monsieur le Cure, and The Strawberry Thief. All of which I’ve read (and loved) with the exception of the last one. Truly, Vianne Rocher is one of my favourite fictional characters.
"And now? What do I believe right now?
‘I believe that being happy is the only important thing,’ I told him at last.
Happiness. Simple as a glass of chocolate or tortuous as the heart. Bitter. Sweet. Alive."
Amen to that. I couldn’t agree more.
☆☆☆☆☆ 5 shining chocolate truffle filled stars ☆☆☆☆☆
At the tail end of a carnival wind, Vianne Rocher and her young daughter Anouk land in Lansquenet-sous-Tannes. A small French village, traditional, where everybody knows everyone else. And outsiders are treated with suspicion.
After a lifetime of being a nomad, it’s finally time for Vianne to settle, and create a home. To stop running from forces known and unknown as she did as a child with her Maman. Vianne wishes for Anouk to know the security and sense of safety from staying in one place that she didn’t.
Vianne sets up a chocolaterie La Céleste Praline in an old disused bakery. Creating all sorts of sweet comforts from scratch, where the locals one by one come to try her delights. And unknowingly share their secrets and bare their souls to her. As Vianne has a depth of understanding and genuine warmth that draws people to her.
The only problem is that her chocolaterie is set up directly across the road from, and in full view of, the village Church. And she opens her store at the beginning of Lent. A time of penitence and self denial.
"Try me…test me…taste me…"
What’s not to love about a story filled with pages and pages of descriptions of the most delectable, mouth watering, tempting chocolates? Because Vianne knows what your favourite is, even if you don’t, and is never wrong.
The chapters are told by the alternating points of view of Vianne and Père Francis Reynaud, the village Priest, who immediately views Vianne as a troublemaker, and heathen, who is leading his flock astray.
We meet the people who live in the village, and those who live on the village river, as a bunch of gypsies stop temporarily to replenish supplies and make repairs to their barges. They too earn the attention and wrath of Père Reynaud, and those who are on his side.
This story is a beautiful insight into showing, gently, that we fear that which we do not know. Even when we have no reason to feel that way. How “other” can also stir up feelings and emotions, and enable some people to be brave enough to find their voice.
It’s hard to believe that this book is over twenty years old, and was released in 1999. Which means I read it over two decades ago. How did that happen! And the beauty of it is, the story remains just as fresh and intriguing the first time I read it. After all, the universal themes of love, family, community and belonging never change do they? And you just have to have chocolate for Easter! After all, it’s practically the one time of year where it can be “guilt free”.
A truly magical, sensual book. I’m so happy to have finally read it again, after thinking of doing so for so long. And the timing with Easter is perfect.
This has reminded me of why I loved the Chocolat series the first time around, and I’m hoping to continue with The Lollipop Shoes, Peaches for Monsieur le Cure, and The Strawberry Thief. All of which I’ve read (and loved) with the exception of the last one. Truly, Vianne Rocher is one of my favourite fictional characters.
"And now? What do I believe right now?
‘I believe that being happy is the only important thing,’ I told him at last.
Happiness. Simple as a glass of chocolate or tortuous as the heart. Bitter. Sweet. Alive."
Amen to that. I couldn’t agree more.
☆☆☆☆☆ 5 shining chocolate truffle filled stars ☆☆☆☆☆
January 10, 2015
When Vianne Roche blows into Lansquenet-Sous-Tannes, a sleepy French town, on the tail of carnival she brings with her a touch of witchcraft and huge gobs of humanity. Accompanied by her daughter, Anouk, her imaginary pet rabbit, and a wealth of knowledge not only of how to make the finest confections, but how to see into people’s souls, she is destined to stir things up. The darkness to her light is the local priest, Francis Reynaud, who makes it his business to try to rid the town of this impure non-believer, and spoil her planned chocolate festival. Vianne’s humanity proves decisive for many in the town, Josephine, who finds the strength to leave her abusive spouse. Gaillume eventually learns to let his sick dog Charley move on. Vianne befriends Amande, an elder practitioner of Vianne’s arts, who welcomes the travelers when they arrive and are rejected by the bigots of the town. She is less successful with the dark Muscat, wife beater and perpetrator of even darker crimes.
Most chapters tell Vianne’s story, but some are told through the eyes of Reynaud, as he speaks of his fear, desires and crimes to his comatose predecessor.
This is a clear battle between the warmth of a secular or at least non-Christian humanity against the cold disapproval of the church. Harris has made her demons quite dark, but allows a glimmer of humanity to peep through. We have a sense, at least, of why they may have fallen so far from the path of truth. Vianne is sometimes a bit too quick to judge, and if she does indeed become aware of that the fact that the author allows her a flaw or two adds to her humanity.
The book was engaging, magical, both literally in its subject matter and in the beauty of its telling.
Joanne Harris can be found at her site
Most chapters tell Vianne’s story, but some are told through the eyes of Reynaud, as he speaks of his fear, desires and crimes to his comatose predecessor.
This is a clear battle between the warmth of a secular or at least non-Christian humanity against the cold disapproval of the church. Harris has made her demons quite dark, but allows a glimmer of humanity to peep through. We have a sense, at least, of why they may have fallen so far from the path of truth. Vianne is sometimes a bit too quick to judge, and if she does indeed become aware of that the fact that the author allows her a flaw or two adds to her humanity.
The book was engaging, magical, both literally in its subject matter and in the beauty of its telling.
Joanne Harris can be found at her site
April 27, 2020
Yes, you are stuck: Juliette Binoche is Vianne Rocher, and you can't work your way around it, unless you've spent the past two decades under a rock. But, let's face it, she was at least appropriately cast, and you'll get through it.
Beyond that, it turns out this novel is like a refreshing and delicious wind that blows in your direction right when you need it.
And, naturally, by the end of the novel, you're ransacking your kitchen for chocolate.
Beyond that, it turns out this novel is like a refreshing and delicious wind that blows in your direction right when you need it.
And, naturally, by the end of the novel, you're ransacking your kitchen for chocolate.
November 16, 2019
I loved the read. I had read the book as a child from the local library and now picking it up after many many years was a pure joy. I loved Lansquenet, the characters, the lovely prose; everything! Basically the story looms around chocolates being an indulgence and a sin and the local priest seeing Vianne and her chocolate shop as the evil that has come to break the lent and prayers of the townsfolk. The descriptions will make you yearn for chocolates and hot chocolate drinks. That’s a guarantee because I don’t even love chocolates that much. I had unbearable cravings.
Strengths:
-Atmospheric (you might want to bathe in chocolates)
-Magical (oh, Lovely)
-Strong characters (all of them touched my heart. They were written to perfection)
-Themes of religion, superstition, prejudice towards gypsies, the idea of Home to those who are always on the run etc
I had forgotten how the book was and the movie had imprinted itself in my thoughts. I didn’t know (or rather remember) both the stories were different. OH MY GOd!! WHYYY? I kept screaming in my head, ‘’ Joanne, follow the movie. FOLLOW the movie.’’ But yeah, nothing happened. Don’t get me wrong. I LOVED the book. I kept reading searching for A’s party because it is one of the BEST scenes in the movie. Ah! It isn’t there in the book. Roux? I refuse to believe that the gypsy’s story turns out the way it does in the book. Movie please?
The book is good, the movie is good too. You might say the book is more realistic, but why don’t we have happy endings over warm chocolate drinks? Doesn’t that sound better?
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Strengths:
-Atmospheric (you might want to bathe in chocolates)
-Magical (oh, Lovely)
-Strong characters (all of them touched my heart. They were written to perfection)
-Themes of religion, superstition, prejudice towards gypsies, the idea of Home to those who are always on the run etc
I had forgotten how the book was and the movie had imprinted itself in my thoughts. I didn’t know (or rather remember) both the stories were different. OH MY GOd!! WHYYY? I kept screaming in my head, ‘’ Joanne, follow the movie. FOLLOW the movie.’’ But yeah, nothing happened. Don’t get me wrong. I LOVED the book. I kept reading searching for A’s party because it is one of the BEST scenes in the movie. Ah! It isn’t there in the book. Roux? I refuse to believe that the gypsy’s story turns out the way it does in the book. Movie please?
The book is good, the movie is good too. You might say the book is more realistic, but why don’t we have happy endings over warm chocolate drinks? Doesn’t that sound better?
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February 24, 2011
Let me start this review by saying I have never seen the film version of Chocolat. Therefore, I started reading this with no preconceived notions. (Well, no more than usual, anyway.)
I liked Chocolat but there were several glaring annoyances that ruined it for me.
I did not appreciate the "chocolate lovers vs. churchgoers" plot. Casting a priest in the role of the villain irritated me. (I echo the others who say this is overdone.) Even so, I think the priest could have been redeemed. If only he had worked through his guilt and developed a good sense of humour and humility. But, nooo... that would never do. Because religious figures can never have true faith. *rolls eyes*
And the most unforgivable sin: I never really felt anything for the characters... No love or sympathy. Except maybe Guillaume. I liked him.
Also, the moral of this book seemed to be: "Indulge yourself! Do what feels right! (Even if you consequently die/get pregnant/shame yourself forever.)" Yeah. I'm not really digging that moral.
Yet, I could not dislike this book. It was strangely addicting. Reading it was like eating a confection you know is not very good when compared with something of a higher calibre, but you keep mindlessly eating it anyway though you're not sure why.
Oh! Which reminds me: Don't read this book if you're on a diet. I literally craved chocolate the entire time I was reading.
I liked Chocolat but there were several glaring annoyances that ruined it for me.
I did not appreciate the "chocolate lovers vs. churchgoers" plot. Casting a priest in the role of the villain irritated me. (I echo the others who say this is overdone.) Even so, I think the priest could have been redeemed. If only he had worked through his guilt and developed a good sense of humour and humility. But, nooo... that would never do. Because religious figures can never have true faith. *rolls eyes*
And the most unforgivable sin: I never really felt anything for the characters... No love or sympathy. Except maybe Guillaume. I liked him.
Also, the moral of this book seemed to be: "Indulge yourself! Do what feels right! (Even if you consequently die/get pregnant/shame yourself forever.)" Yeah. I'm not really digging that moral.
Yet, I could not dislike this book. It was strangely addicting. Reading it was like eating a confection you know is not very good when compared with something of a higher calibre, but you keep mindlessly eating it anyway though you're not sure why.
Oh! Which reminds me: Don't read this book if you're on a diet. I literally craved chocolate the entire time I was reading.
August 3, 2015
Having read and loved Five Quarters of the Orange
by Joanne Harris, I was really looking forward to reading Chocolat. Unfortunalty this particular book just didnt suit me.
I didn't enjoy the plot of the novel and the found the characters underdeveloped and no sense of time and place. I rarly rate a novel 1 star but I found nothing in this stroy to to keep me entertained and I felt like I was reading each chapter over and over. I did finish the book as I was waiting for something to happen that would redeem the novel but butI by the end I was left feeling very disappointed. Many of my friends have loved this book but it just didnt work for me.
I didn't enjoy the plot of the novel and the found the characters underdeveloped and no sense of time and place. I rarly rate a novel 1 star but I found nothing in this stroy to to keep me entertained and I felt like I was reading each chapter over and over. I did finish the book as I was waiting for something to happen that would redeem the novel but butI by the end I was left feeling very disappointed. Many of my friends have loved this book but it just didnt work for me.
September 15, 2023
Written in 2000, I feel this truly is the definition of a timeless novel; it could easily have been written yesterday.
There really is something for everyone - chocolate lovers, church goers, mystery, french setting, witchcraft all contained within the antics of a small french village, Lansquenet.
It may be the season of Lent, but newcomer Vianne Rocher and her daughter Anouk arrive with the change of the winds on Shrove Tuesday; opening a chocolate boutique nonetheless. And despite it being the season of abstinence, the locals soon find they can’t stay away…before long Vianne’s shop becomes the talk of the community - both good and bad. I often felt sorry for Vianne as she was only trying to do good, not only for her more likeable customers, but for the whole community.
However, despite her charm, Father Reynaud is set against her and determined not to see any of the good she is doing. She may not be a church goer but she has taught her daughter a great sense of morality - what is good and bad…and by all ways possible she is a person of goodness.
It was overall a lovely, comforting and engaging read however the final 50 pages really made it for me. It had me laughing (rare with books) and had me in moments of sadness but overall, the joy was so tremendous and ended on a note of great strength and contentment.
This was a very enjoyable read for me. I have actually read The Strawberry Thief (4th in the series) so I had a fair idea whether or not I would enjoy it. But it was really special to be taken right back to the beginning and see how it all began. This series was recommended to me by my aunty; thankfully we gave similar taste in books. I look forward to reading books 2 and 3.
There really is something for everyone - chocolate lovers, church goers, mystery, french setting, witchcraft all contained within the antics of a small french village, Lansquenet.
It may be the season of Lent, but newcomer Vianne Rocher and her daughter Anouk arrive with the change of the winds on Shrove Tuesday; opening a chocolate boutique nonetheless. And despite it being the season of abstinence, the locals soon find they can’t stay away…before long Vianne’s shop becomes the talk of the community - both good and bad. I often felt sorry for Vianne as she was only trying to do good, not only for her more likeable customers, but for the whole community.
However, despite her charm, Father Reynaud is set against her and determined not to see any of the good she is doing. She may not be a church goer but she has taught her daughter a great sense of morality - what is good and bad…and by all ways possible she is a person of goodness.
It was overall a lovely, comforting and engaging read however the final 50 pages really made it for me. It had me laughing (rare with books) and had me in moments of sadness but overall, the joy was so tremendous and ended on a note of great strength and contentment.
This was a very enjoyable read for me. I have actually read The Strawberry Thief (4th in the series) so I had a fair idea whether or not I would enjoy it. But it was really special to be taken right back to the beginning and see how it all began. This series was recommended to me by my aunty; thankfully we gave similar taste in books. I look forward to reading books 2 and 3.
August 31, 2014
I enjoyed reading this book very much. A little bit of magic, good people, bad people, gypsies, little songs in French, an imaginary friend, love, loss, mystery and more chocolate drink than I could have imagined. The names of the candies made my mouth water. The story made me laugh at things a little girl can say it made me cry over an old man and his old dog. It made me think about what it means to hear someone say that they had lived a good life and how they wanted that life to end on their own terms.
I loved the little French town, Lansquenet-sous-Tannes, that Vianne and her daughter Anouk found themselves in after the carnival was over. She was there to open a little candy shop. She called it La Celeste Praline
Chocolaterie Artisanale.
There are two first person narrators of this story. One is Vianne and the other is the priest, Monsieur Renynauld. Vianne tells the story to us, the reader, and the Monsieur tells his to someone called only "mon pere". I liked it. It added a mystery to the story, that slowly unfolded.
It was a good story. A struggle between good and evil in a tiny little villiage that did not take well to outsiders.
This was the first book that I have read by Joanne Harris. I am looking forward to reading many more.
I loved the little French town, Lansquenet-sous-Tannes, that Vianne and her daughter Anouk found themselves in after the carnival was over. She was there to open a little candy shop. She called it La Celeste Praline
Chocolaterie Artisanale.
There are two first person narrators of this story. One is Vianne and the other is the priest, Monsieur Renynauld. Vianne tells the story to us, the reader, and the Monsieur tells his to someone called only "mon pere". I liked it. It added a mystery to the story, that slowly unfolded.
It was a good story. A struggle between good and evil in a tiny little villiage that did not take well to outsiders.
This was the first book that I have read by Joanne Harris. I am looking forward to reading many more.
December 2, 2008
Like so many people I read the book after I saw the movie. I can see why people would be upset with the book after seeing the movie - the book is a different story in many ways. I think the tone of the book threw me off more than anything.
I have to say I really enjoyed both the book and the movie. I think it is rare to read a book and have it be almost verbatim what you experience in the movie (The Princess Bride is the only exception I can think of off the top of my head) so if I like a movie well enough to read the book I almost always have to take a deep breath and hope that the experience I had with the movie is not destroyed by the book. So to be able to walk away from the book and think that I would read more by Joanne Harris is a good thing.
I have to say I really enjoyed both the book and the movie. I think it is rare to read a book and have it be almost verbatim what you experience in the movie (The Princess Bride is the only exception I can think of off the top of my head) so if I like a movie well enough to read the book I almost always have to take a deep breath and hope that the experience I had with the movie is not destroyed by the book. So to be able to walk away from the book and think that I would read more by Joanne Harris is a good thing.
May 20, 2020
Chocolat is a contemporary novel with a few fantasy elements. I really liked the setting, which is one of most beautiful and immersive settings I've read about lately. This is the second time I have read the book. It was worth rereading, but not amazing enough for me to read it a third time, most likely.
The beginning:
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. There is a febrile excitement in the crowds that line the narrow main street, necks craning to catch sight of the crêpe-covered char with its trailing ribbons and paper rosettes. Anouk watches, eyes wide, a yellow ribbon in one hand and a toy trumpet in the other, from between a shopping basket and a sad brown dog. We have seen carnivals before, she and I; a procession of two hundred and fifty of the decorated chars in Paris last Mardi Gras, a hundred and eighty in New York, two dozen marching bands in Vienna, clowns on stilts, the Grosses Tetes with their lolling papier-mâché heads, drum majorettes with batons spinning and sparkling. But at six the world retains a special luster. A wooden cart, hastily decorated with gilt and crêpe and scenes from fairy tales. A dragon's head on a shield, Rapunzel in a woolen wig, a mermaid with a cellophane tail, a gingerbread house all icing and gilded cardboard, a witch in the doorway, waggling extravagant green fingernails at a group of silent children... At six it is possible to perceive subtleties that a year later are already out of reach.
The plot:
Vianne Rocher and her daughter Anouk move to the French village of Lansquenet, where Vianne sets up a chocolaterie called La Céleste Praline. When the book opens, it is Mardi Gras. They arrive in town during the carnival. The shop is on the square opposite the church and clashes with the old-fashioned town's strict observation of Lent.
Vianne is the main point-of-view character, but Pere Reynaud, the local priest, who has a vendetta against Vianne, gets some chapters from his point of view. I also enjoyed the secondary characters.
The magic:
The magic is understated, but it is a bigger deal in the book than the film. The main character knows what each character's favorite chocolates or sweets are as soon as she meets them, because she can read their thoughts. Tarot cards play a role, although they may or may not actually reveal the future.
The antagonist:
Reynaud is great, and I don't think he's a cartoon villain. This is a gray hats vs white hats type of conflict. The film made the mayor the antagonist instead, so if you have only seen the movie you might want to check out the book version.
The ending:
The ending is bittersweet, but not too sad, and it leaves a few loose ends. In contrast, the film comes closer to tying things up in a neat little bow. (Softening the impact of a bittersweet ending is not exactly new in film adaptations, so I really should have expected it. Stardust by Neil Gaiman comes to mind.)
The beginning:
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. There is a febrile excitement in the crowds that line the narrow main street, necks craning to catch sight of the crêpe-covered char with its trailing ribbons and paper rosettes. Anouk watches, eyes wide, a yellow ribbon in one hand and a toy trumpet in the other, from between a shopping basket and a sad brown dog. We have seen carnivals before, she and I; a procession of two hundred and fifty of the decorated chars in Paris last Mardi Gras, a hundred and eighty in New York, two dozen marching bands in Vienna, clowns on stilts, the Grosses Tetes with their lolling papier-mâché heads, drum majorettes with batons spinning and sparkling. But at six the world retains a special luster. A wooden cart, hastily decorated with gilt and crêpe and scenes from fairy tales. A dragon's head on a shield, Rapunzel in a woolen wig, a mermaid with a cellophane tail, a gingerbread house all icing and gilded cardboard, a witch in the doorway, waggling extravagant green fingernails at a group of silent children... At six it is possible to perceive subtleties that a year later are already out of reach.
The plot:
Vianne Rocher and her daughter Anouk move to the French village of Lansquenet, where Vianne sets up a chocolaterie called La Céleste Praline. When the book opens, it is Mardi Gras. They arrive in town during the carnival. The shop is on the square opposite the church and clashes with the old-fashioned town's strict observation of Lent.
Vianne is the main point-of-view character, but Pere Reynaud, the local priest, who has a vendetta against Vianne, gets some chapters from his point of view. I also enjoyed the secondary characters.
The magic:
The magic is understated, but it is a bigger deal in the book than the film. The main character knows what each character's favorite chocolates or sweets are as soon as she meets them, because she can read their thoughts. Tarot cards play a role, although they may or may not actually reveal the future.
The antagonist:
Reynaud is great, and I don't think he's a cartoon villain. This is a gray hats vs white hats type of conflict. The film made the mayor the antagonist instead, so if you have only seen the movie you might want to check out the book version.
The ending:
The ending is bittersweet, but not too sad, and it leaves a few loose ends. In contrast, the film comes closer to tying things up in a neat little bow. (Softening the impact of a bittersweet ending is not exactly new in film adaptations, so I really should have expected it. Stardust by Neil Gaiman comes to mind.)
May 26, 2011
I did not like this book. I didn't think the author developed the characters well enough that I could even tell them apart by half-way through. There was not enough for me to develop emphathy for anyone in the book except the guy with the little, old dog.
I also have a problem with an author being so blatant about the axe they have to grind with any particular group. I thought the book was anti-religious and anti-Catholic, specifically. I am not of the thought or feeling that anyone has to be religious by any means, people can believe what they want. But when those of different belief systems have to put down others to make themselves feel wise or superior (ie, refer to religious people as those who believe in fairy tales), it is counter productive to the message that we should all be accepting of others' differences (as I thought was a main theme of the book), and turns the author and main character into hypocrites.
I also have a problem with an author being so blatant about the axe they have to grind with any particular group. I thought the book was anti-religious and anti-Catholic, specifically. I am not of the thought or feeling that anyone has to be religious by any means, people can believe what they want. But when those of different belief systems have to put down others to make themselves feel wise or superior (ie, refer to religious people as those who believe in fairy tales), it is counter productive to the message that we should all be accepting of others' differences (as I thought was a main theme of the book), and turns the author and main character into hypocrites.
February 20, 2020
“Why can no one here think of anything but chocolates?”
― Joanne Harris, Chocolat
This book will be sure to make you crave some chocolate..or..baked goods at least. So have your appetite ready.
Seriously, we all know the plot so no plot review on this one. I adored the book AND the film. I fell in love with the charming and quaint little village and wanted very much to live there. (And have some of their chocolate.) I think I liked the movie a wee bit more but that is only because this book is so VISUAL. It was delightful to see the village brought to life. (And looking at Johnny Depp did not hurt either!).
If you have not read this, make some cocoa or something, curl up on a snowy day and get lost in this warm and luscious book about Chocolate and the village people who make it!
― Joanne Harris, Chocolat
This book will be sure to make you crave some chocolate..or..baked goods at least. So have your appetite ready.
Seriously, we all know the plot so no plot review on this one. I adored the book AND the film. I fell in love with the charming and quaint little village and wanted very much to live there. (And have some of their chocolate.) I think I liked the movie a wee bit more but that is only because this book is so VISUAL. It was delightful to see the village brought to life. (And looking at Johnny Depp did not hurt either!).
If you have not read this, make some cocoa or something, curl up on a snowy day and get lost in this warm and luscious book about Chocolate and the village people who make it!
May 12, 2024
I loved this book. One of my comments I made as I got into it was that it was a book that I could sink into and that feeling continued throughout my read. It was a story of substance with a touch of magical realism. The "winds" bring Vianne Rocher & her daughter to a tightknit small French community whose lives revolve around the church. Their insulated lives makes them suspicious of others especially those who did not adhere to the teachings of the church or participate in the services. The story eventually pits the priest against Vianne( the two voices in the novel), not quite "good vs evil" but a tense battle of wills of an intolerant man against a non-judgmental woman who seeks to bring happiness and pleasure through her Chocolaterie to the townspeople. The timing of the opening of her shop during Lent, a time of fasting, and reflection, sets the stage for that battle. There are some stock characters but they fit nicely into the plot and move the story forward. I got invested in the peeling back of their lives. And what about the chocolates? Although chocolate abounds and are delicious in the descriptions making one's mouth water, it really is just the backdrop as the layers of the story unfold.
Vianne's philosophy could probably be summed up in the following quote: I believe that being happy is the only important thing. Happiness. Simple as a glass of chocolate or tortuous as the heart. Bitter. Sweet. Alive. Hmm I think the Dalai Lama would approve!
Vianne's philosophy could probably be summed up in the following quote: I believe that being happy is the only important thing. Happiness. Simple as a glass of chocolate or tortuous as the heart. Bitter. Sweet. Alive. Hmm I think the Dalai Lama would approve!
February 20, 2020
Nomadic single mother Vianne Rocher, comes to the small French village of Lansquenet-sous-Tannes and opens up a sumptuously described chocolaterie during Lent, oh... and she might or might not be a witch! Her chocolaterie and presence in the village really upsets priest Francis Reynaud, and his supporters. Harris builds the suspense up to an inevitable confrontation.
Harris writing really captures this French village and the chocolaterie so well at the start of this, so well indeed, that for me the bar was set so high, I found it difficult to get into the rest of the book. Definitely a book I'd love to re-read one day. 6 out of 12
Harris writing really captures this French village and the chocolaterie so well at the start of this, so well indeed, that for me the bar was set so high, I found it difficult to get into the rest of the book. Definitely a book I'd love to re-read one day. 6 out of 12
October 15, 2011
"I believe that being happy is the only important thing. Happiness. Simple as a glass of chocolate or torturous as the heart. Bitter. Sweet. Alive."
If you've watched the movie from a few years back and you've only decided just now to pick up the book where the movie was based on, prepare to be surprised (although in what way exactly, I leave it to you). I can hardly believe that a novel so richly packed with meaning could be so relatively short. Harris' prose here is at its finest, as we follow the narratives of Vianne, the free-spirited chocolate-creating witch, and Reynaud, the guilt-stricken oppressive village priest.
Young widow Vianne Roche's mouthwatering bonbons, steaming mugs of liqueur-laced cocoa and flaky cream-filled patisserie don't earn her a warm welcome from the stern prelate of Lansquenet-sous-Tannes. In Francis Reynaud's zeal to enforce strict Lenten vows of self-denial, he regards his sybaritic neighbor with suspicion and disdain. It is Lent, the priest has decreed abstinence, deprivation. Yet, Vianne's shop is a "red-and-gold confection," her window a proliferation of truffles, pralines, candied fruits, hazelnut clusters, candied rose petals, all there to tempt Reynaud's parishioners. He sees it as a disgrace, a degradation of the faith, and eventually preaches against Vianne from his pulpit.
Undaunted, Vianne garners support from the town's eccentrics, chiefly Armande Voizin, the oldest living resident, a self-professed sorceress who senses in Vianne a kindred spirit. A fun-loving band of river gypsies arrives, and a colorful pageant unfurls.
Each narrative is uniquely told, with personality quirks inherent to each, and each narrative can be subtly imperfect - Reynaud slowly descends into madness, as does his precise narrative; Vianne's fear of weakness and displacement causes her to falsely claim that she never cries, causes her to state a yearning to move on which does not exist, and causes her to doubt her own importance to her lover Roux - creating a tantalizing problem for the reader: do we believe Vianne or do we believe Roux and his actions? The problem is - like Vianne's chocolates - delicate and bitter-sweet, with possibilities abounding on either side.
Beautifully drawn characters become very real. My favorites were Anouk, Vianne's utterly delightful child (not to be without her imaginary rabbit friend, Pantoufle); Guillaume who comes out of his shell after the death of his beloved dog, Charly; and of course Mme. Armande Voizin who was reunited with her grandson even under the close scrutiny of her self-important daughter. I was most touched in a jarring way of the domestic conflict between Josephine Muscat and that of her husband. I cheered for her when she finally found the inner strength to leave him for good and live her own life.
"Places all have their characters, and returning to a city you've lived before is like coming home to an old friend. No, places do not lose their identity, however far one travels. It is the heart that begins to erode after a time."
A surprising yet fitting denouement caps this deftly told tale of lust, greed and love. Francophiles will be drawn to the evocative descriptions of daily village life, while gourmands revel in the mouth-watering descriptions of chocolate preparation. "Chocolat" is a heart warming and enjoyable story. The only downfall: the intense chocolate cravings the whole time you read!
Book Details:
Title Chocolat
Author Joanne Harris
Reviewed By Purplycookie
If you've watched the movie from a few years back and you've only decided just now to pick up the book where the movie was based on, prepare to be surprised (although in what way exactly, I leave it to you). I can hardly believe that a novel so richly packed with meaning could be so relatively short. Harris' prose here is at its finest, as we follow the narratives of Vianne, the free-spirited chocolate-creating witch, and Reynaud, the guilt-stricken oppressive village priest.
Young widow Vianne Roche's mouthwatering bonbons, steaming mugs of liqueur-laced cocoa and flaky cream-filled patisserie don't earn her a warm welcome from the stern prelate of Lansquenet-sous-Tannes. In Francis Reynaud's zeal to enforce strict Lenten vows of self-denial, he regards his sybaritic neighbor with suspicion and disdain. It is Lent, the priest has decreed abstinence, deprivation. Yet, Vianne's shop is a "red-and-gold confection," her window a proliferation of truffles, pralines, candied fruits, hazelnut clusters, candied rose petals, all there to tempt Reynaud's parishioners. He sees it as a disgrace, a degradation of the faith, and eventually preaches against Vianne from his pulpit.
Undaunted, Vianne garners support from the town's eccentrics, chiefly Armande Voizin, the oldest living resident, a self-professed sorceress who senses in Vianne a kindred spirit. A fun-loving band of river gypsies arrives, and a colorful pageant unfurls.
Each narrative is uniquely told, with personality quirks inherent to each, and each narrative can be subtly imperfect - Reynaud slowly descends into madness, as does his precise narrative; Vianne's fear of weakness and displacement causes her to falsely claim that she never cries, causes her to state a yearning to move on which does not exist, and causes her to doubt her own importance to her lover Roux - creating a tantalizing problem for the reader: do we believe Vianne or do we believe Roux and his actions? The problem is - like Vianne's chocolates - delicate and bitter-sweet, with possibilities abounding on either side.
Beautifully drawn characters become very real. My favorites were Anouk, Vianne's utterly delightful child (not to be without her imaginary rabbit friend, Pantoufle); Guillaume who comes out of his shell after the death of his beloved dog, Charly; and of course Mme. Armande Voizin who was reunited with her grandson even under the close scrutiny of her self-important daughter. I was most touched in a jarring way of the domestic conflict between Josephine Muscat and that of her husband. I cheered for her when she finally found the inner strength to leave him for good and live her own life.
"Places all have their characters, and returning to a city you've lived before is like coming home to an old friend. No, places do not lose their identity, however far one travels. It is the heart that begins to erode after a time."
A surprising yet fitting denouement caps this deftly told tale of lust, greed and love. Francophiles will be drawn to the evocative descriptions of daily village life, while gourmands revel in the mouth-watering descriptions of chocolate preparation. "Chocolat" is a heart warming and enjoyable story. The only downfall: the intense chocolate cravings the whole time you read!
Book Details:
Title Chocolat
Author Joanne Harris
Reviewed By Purplycookie
December 5, 2017
Per la mia torta cuore tenero servono :
200 gr di cioccolato fondente, scegliete quello che preferite più dark è meglio è;
120 gr di zucchero;
100 gr di burro;
3 uova;
50 gr di cacao ma io ne metto sempre 75 così faccio fuori il pacco (sempre per il principio di cui sopra, dark è dark!)
100 gr di farina
1 bustina di lievito;
zucchero a velo per guarnire.
Il burro e le uova dovrebbero essere a temperatura ambiente ma visto che mi decido sempre all’ultimo minuto e non mi va di aspettare fa lo stesso, anche per voi eh!
Sciogliete insieme burro e cioccolato a bagnomaria, nel frattempo ( che bello questo vocabolo in cucina, mi sono sempre immaginata come la dea Khalì, peccato che sia un tantino lontana) dicevamo, nel frattempo unite zucchero e tuorli d’uovo girando fino a far diventare una crema spumosa ( se non viene aggiungete un goccio di latte). I bianchi d’uovo vanno montati a neve a parte. Una volta sciolto tutto sul fuoco aggiungete la composta allo zucchero e le uova e girate lentamente. Aggiungete farina, cacao e lievito che sono stati precedentemente setacciati. Ringrazio il setaccio Ikea che fa un lavoro splendido a proposito. Quando tutto è perfettamente amalgamato aggiungete con cura i bianchi d’uovo girando da sotto verso sopra lentamente altrimenti si smontano. Ecco, ci siamo. Avete oliato e imburrato una teglia e nel frattempo riscaldato il forno? Se si proseguite infornando tutto, altrimenti aspettate :- ) . La cottura varia da forno a forno. Imparate a conoscere il vostro. Ma ricordatevi che solo dopo 20 minuti potrete aprire lo sportello per la prima volta altrimenti non lievita più. Saggiate la consistenza che più vi piace con uno stecchino.
Una volta pronta guarnite con zucchero a velo a piacere.
Se la faccio io, e viene buona (tanto!) potete farla anche voi!
Ah si il libro… volete un pezzo di torta?
200 gr di cioccolato fondente, scegliete quello che preferite più dark è meglio è;
120 gr di zucchero;
100 gr di burro;
3 uova;
50 gr di cacao ma io ne metto sempre 75 così faccio fuori il pacco (sempre per il principio di cui sopra, dark è dark!)
100 gr di farina
1 bustina di lievito;
zucchero a velo per guarnire.
Il burro e le uova dovrebbero essere a temperatura ambiente ma visto che mi decido sempre all’ultimo minuto e non mi va di aspettare fa lo stesso, anche per voi eh!
Sciogliete insieme burro e cioccolato a bagnomaria, nel frattempo ( che bello questo vocabolo in cucina, mi sono sempre immaginata come la dea Khalì, peccato che sia un tantino lontana) dicevamo, nel frattempo unite zucchero e tuorli d’uovo girando fino a far diventare una crema spumosa ( se non viene aggiungete un goccio di latte). I bianchi d’uovo vanno montati a neve a parte. Una volta sciolto tutto sul fuoco aggiungete la composta allo zucchero e le uova e girate lentamente. Aggiungete farina, cacao e lievito che sono stati precedentemente setacciati. Ringrazio il setaccio Ikea che fa un lavoro splendido a proposito. Quando tutto è perfettamente amalgamato aggiungete con cura i bianchi d’uovo girando da sotto verso sopra lentamente altrimenti si smontano. Ecco, ci siamo. Avete oliato e imburrato una teglia e nel frattempo riscaldato il forno? Se si proseguite infornando tutto, altrimenti aspettate :- ) . La cottura varia da forno a forno. Imparate a conoscere il vostro. Ma ricordatevi che solo dopo 20 minuti potrete aprire lo sportello per la prima volta altrimenti non lievita più. Saggiate la consistenza che più vi piace con uno stecchino.
Una volta pronta guarnite con zucchero a velo a piacere.
Se la faccio io, e viene buona (tanto!) potete farla anche voi!
Ah si il libro… volete un pezzo di torta?
January 1, 2013
I dare anyone to read this novel and not hunger for something sweet.
This is a wonderful tale of family and magic and hope. It is not your typical romance and well worth the time. You may find yourself wishing for a confection or two...before you've finished reading.
Devlin
This is a wonderful tale of family and magic and hope. It is not your typical romance and well worth the time. You may find yourself wishing for a confection or two...before you've finished reading.
Devlin
January 18, 2024
Читання_2: Це чудова історія, дуже люблю її.
Читання_1: Прекрасна, захоплива, добра книга з яскравими образами. По закінченню лишається глибокий світлий сум.
Читання_1: Прекрасна, захоплива, добра книга з яскравими образами. По закінченню лишається глибокий світлий сум.
October 10, 2018
So much chocolate (in liquid form) was consumed during the reading of this book.
August 27, 2020
5/5
Kas yra šokoladas? Čia jis daugiau nei saldumynas. Daugiau nei greita nuodėmė. Tai vaistas sužeistoms sieloms ir sužeistoms širdims, o svarbiausia – tai būdas matyti praeitį, matyti ateitį. Net matyti dabartį – nes ją mato toli gražu ne visi, kurie žiūri. Šokoladas padeda matyti žmogų – kas tūno giliai, kas slepiama taip stipriai, taip laikantis įsikibus į savas ir svetimas paslaptis – laikomas iš gėdos, iš kaltės, o dažniausiai tiesiog iš meilės. Meilės, kuri čia dažnai pridengiama dievobaimingumu, tačiau įrodanti, kad nėra nieko dieviškesnio nei tiesiog mylėti ne tik tą, kuris šalia, bet ir tai, kuo esi. Ir ko nori.
Šokoladui reikia ne tik tinkamos aplinkos, tinkamos temperatūros ir tinkamo recepto. Jam reikia tiek tinkamo ragautojo, tiek tinkamo šefo. Tokio, kaip Vijana Roše. Šokolado alchemikė, pranašė, bėganti nuo to, ką mato ateityje – kaip bėgo jos mama ir mamos mama. Nes kartais bėgimas irgi yra recepto dalis. Kartais šokoladui reikia net papildomo kartumo. Tokio, kurio prideda kunigas Fransis Reno. Nusidėjėlių kolekcionierius, kantriai laukiantis dar vienos paklydusios sielos, kurią galėtų priimti į mylinčias rankas, krikščioniškai kukliai nuleista galva. Bet rankos, nors ir mylinčios, myli ne besąlygiškai. Tik pritaikant griežtas atrankos ir patikros taisykles – dar griežtesnes nei gaminant patį sudėtingiausią patiekalą. Myli tik po pažadų, priesaikų, visą gyvenimą trunkančių įsipareigojimų ir dviveidiškų maldų Damoklo kardu virš galvos.
Šokoladas čia ir maišto įrankis. Prieš save patį, savo nelaimes, religiją – dažniausiai svetimą, brėžiant ribą tarp savų ir svetimų, mūsų ir jų. Prieš religiją, kuri čia daugiau įprotis ir pareiga, nei kad širdies tiesa. Šokoladas - maištas prieš tėvą, motiną, visuomenę, papročius, smurtaujantį sutuoktinį ar net visą Pasaulį. Kartais net prieš patį save. Nes tai, kas galvoje, nebūtinai atliepia tai, kas širdyje. Ir atvirkščiai. Šokoladas čia padeda sukonfigūruoti moralinį kompasą. Jis skiria gėrį ir blogį, o svarbiausia – parodo pačius skirtingiausius šių dviejų atspalvius ir šešėlius. Šokoladas įgarsina nutylėjimus. Prakalbina tuos, kurie buvo užčiaupti. Sujungia tuos, kurie turėjo būti kartu ir išskiria tuos, kuriems atėjo metas pasukti skirtingais keliais. Nes pokyčių vėjas pučia visiems. Bet ne visi, toli gražu ne visi gali ir nori jį girdėti. Ne visi moka klausytis.
Kas yra šokoladas? Čia jis daugiau nei saldumynas. Daugiau nei greita nuodėmė. Tai vaistas sužeistoms sieloms ir sužeistoms širdims, o svarbiausia – tai būdas matyti praeitį, matyti ateitį. Net matyti dabartį – nes ją mato toli gražu ne visi, kurie žiūri. Šokoladas padeda matyti žmogų – kas tūno giliai, kas slepiama taip stipriai, taip laikantis įsikibus į savas ir svetimas paslaptis – laikomas iš gėdos, iš kaltės, o dažniausiai tiesiog iš meilės. Meilės, kuri čia dažnai pridengiama dievobaimingumu, tačiau įrodanti, kad nėra nieko dieviškesnio nei tiesiog mylėti ne tik tą, kuris šalia, bet ir tai, kuo esi. Ir ko nori.
Šokoladui reikia ne tik tinkamos aplinkos, tinkamos temperatūros ir tinkamo recepto. Jam reikia tiek tinkamo ragautojo, tiek tinkamo šefo. Tokio, kaip Vijana Roše. Šokolado alchemikė, pranašė, bėganti nuo to, ką mato ateityje – kaip bėgo jos mama ir mamos mama. Nes kartais bėgimas irgi yra recepto dalis. Kartais šokoladui reikia net papildomo kartumo. Tokio, kurio prideda kunigas Fransis Reno. Nusidėjėlių kolekcionierius, kantriai laukiantis dar vienos paklydusios sielos, kurią galėtų priimti į mylinčias rankas, krikščioniškai kukliai nuleista galva. Bet rankos, nors ir mylinčios, myli ne besąlygiškai. Tik pritaikant griežtas atrankos ir patikros taisykles – dar griežtesnes nei gaminant patį sudėtingiausią patiekalą. Myli tik po pažadų, priesaikų, visą gyvenimą trunkančių įsipareigojimų ir dviveidiškų maldų Damoklo kardu virš galvos.
Šokoladas čia ir maišto įrankis. Prieš save patį, savo nelaimes, religiją – dažniausiai svetimą, brėžiant ribą tarp savų ir svetimų, mūsų ir jų. Prieš religiją, kuri čia daugiau įprotis ir pareiga, nei kad širdies tiesa. Šokoladas - maištas prieš tėvą, motiną, visuomenę, papročius, smurtaujantį sutuoktinį ar net visą Pasaulį. Kartais net prieš patį save. Nes tai, kas galvoje, nebūtinai atliepia tai, kas širdyje. Ir atvirkščiai. Šokoladas čia padeda sukonfigūruoti moralinį kompasą. Jis skiria gėrį ir blogį, o svarbiausia – parodo pačius skirtingiausius šių dviejų atspalvius ir šešėlius. Šokoladas įgarsina nutylėjimus. Prakalbina tuos, kurie buvo užčiaupti. Sujungia tuos, kurie turėjo būti kartu ir išskiria tuos, kuriems atėjo metas pasukti skirtingais keliais. Nes pokyčių vėjas pučia visiems. Bet ne visi, toli gražu ne visi gali ir nori jį girdėti. Ne visi moka klausytis.
November 9, 2020
I saw the movie years ago before I read the book, which also first happened years ago. This is my first GR-era reading, though, and it was triggered by hearing my husband tell me about seeing the movie playing on a cable channel he gets. He thought it looked interesting so he settled down to watch, but promptly fell asleep. This is nothing new, but without me there to keep nudging him awake he missed the movie.
After I teased him enough about that, I told him how I had the book and its sequel and that our chat made me want to re-read them both. I had to look up the name of the sequel and in doing that, I learned about the third and fourth titles that feature the same characters, so of course I had to order used copies of them and have a surprise binge read!
It took me more time to read this book than I expected, but of course I was dealing with a most unusual and distracting week. Once I got to the point of turning off the live feeds and looking around to see the world was still intact, I did a happy dance and then immersed myself in the story of Vianne Rocher, her daughter Anouk, and the changes they bring to a small town in France.
There are so many layers to this book. It is a story of a strong woman who has a different way of living her life. This fact creates fear in many people, especially those who approach life in a rigid, unforgiving manner. The local priest believes from the beginning that Vianne is an enemy of decency; he creates for himself the task of exposing her as the evil witch he believes her to be.
But some of the people in the town allow themselves to become acquainted with Vianne. Many are afraid, and many others are suspicious merely because she is Not From There. But she is such a gentle, friendly soul.....and don't forget the chocolate! Just reading about the treats Vianne creates will drive a chocolate lover into raptures! And there is a grand dinner late in the book that rivals Babette's feast for luxuriousness.
So we have a theme of The Other, which also includes the 'river people', those travelers who live on boats and don't feel the need for roots in any one spot. They live freely, and Vianne is like them, blowing in on one wind and out again on another. But will she stay in Lansquenet forever? Is it time to ignore the breezes that whisper about the need to move on? I imagine this is a question every rover faces at some point in their lives.
Mother - daughter relationships, respect for the elderly, hypocrisy in organized religion (whether by those who preach it or those who pretend to live by its rules), and secrets that twist people tighter the longer they try to bury them, finding the courage to live your own life. These are a few other layers found in this rich book. I loved it and am more than ready to enjoy the rest of the series so I will quit babbling now and dive back into Vianne's life with The Girl With No Shadow.
And yes, I have plenty of chocolate to savor while I read!
After I teased him enough about that, I told him how I had the book and its sequel and that our chat made me want to re-read them both. I had to look up the name of the sequel and in doing that, I learned about the third and fourth titles that feature the same characters, so of course I had to order used copies of them and have a surprise binge read!
It took me more time to read this book than I expected, but of course I was dealing with a most unusual and distracting week. Once I got to the point of turning off the live feeds and looking around to see the world was still intact, I did a happy dance and then immersed myself in the story of Vianne Rocher, her daughter Anouk, and the changes they bring to a small town in France.
There are so many layers to this book. It is a story of a strong woman who has a different way of living her life. This fact creates fear in many people, especially those who approach life in a rigid, unforgiving manner. The local priest believes from the beginning that Vianne is an enemy of decency; he creates for himself the task of exposing her as the evil witch he believes her to be.
But some of the people in the town allow themselves to become acquainted with Vianne. Many are afraid, and many others are suspicious merely because she is Not From There. But she is such a gentle, friendly soul.....and don't forget the chocolate! Just reading about the treats Vianne creates will drive a chocolate lover into raptures! And there is a grand dinner late in the book that rivals Babette's feast for luxuriousness.
So we have a theme of The Other, which also includes the 'river people', those travelers who live on boats and don't feel the need for roots in any one spot. They live freely, and Vianne is like them, blowing in on one wind and out again on another. But will she stay in Lansquenet forever? Is it time to ignore the breezes that whisper about the need to move on? I imagine this is a question every rover faces at some point in their lives.
Mother - daughter relationships, respect for the elderly, hypocrisy in organized religion (whether by those who preach it or those who pretend to live by its rules), and secrets that twist people tighter the longer they try to bury them, finding the courage to live your own life. These are a few other layers found in this rich book. I loved it and am more than ready to enjoy the rest of the series so I will quit babbling now and dive back into Vianne's life with The Girl With No Shadow.
And yes, I have plenty of chocolate to savor while I read!
October 22, 2020
A small French village is changed from its conservative, anti outsider(particularly Gypsies in houseboats) by the arrival of a woman (Vianne) and her daughter who open a chocolate shop. Themes of acceptance, ageing, death and domestic violence. Told mostly from the point of view of Vianne, some chapters are from the priest Reynaud, who sees Vianne as a threat to the town. So while this book on the surface is a pleasant read (so much chocolate!) it has much darker undercurrents both in the towns history and the present.
September 2, 2017
I remembered that I did read this book a long time ago and cannot remember the actual date. I am not re-reading it.
February 10, 2024
I read this a long time ago, it was a recommendation from my wife. I'd forgotten it until I saw an interview with the author on the television recently, then I recalled it warmly and wondered why I hadn't picked up any of her more recent books. I read another of her books a long time ago too, Blackberry Wine, which I also enjoyed. It happens sometimes, I simply forget an author I once enjoyed - pre Goodreads, so I have no record of the book.
Read
February 11, 2024This is one of the rare occasions I’m giving up on a book but I just don’t enjoy this one at all… From the beginning, I’m confronted with “paranormal”, “supernatural” bullshit.
»My mother was a witch.«
Yes, sure… But that’s not all, superstition abounds…
»The forking of the fingers to divert the path of malchance.«
Then there’s the catholic priest… I despise anything related to so-called “churches” which, to me, are dens of bigotry, hypocrisy and a haven for hostile and misanthropic beliefs and people. And, worst of all, home to any kind of preacher (the child-molesting variety gets extra protection).
So, yes, even in a negative context as in this novel, I don’t want to hear about those male harpies.
Also, a novel that in all seriousness tells me »Scrying with chocolate is a difficult business.« is beyond redemption.
The 25% I’ve read were also very, very clichéd with simplistic characters, a heroine that left me entirely and completely devoid of interest in herself or her “illegitimate” daughter and parts that felt so old-fashioned I was afraid of dying of boredom.
When I realised I was actually binge-watching the worst kind of TV show just to avoid reading this one (despite having ample time to read after a minor (but really annoying!) surgery), I allowed myself to let this one go. Since I don’t feel I read enough to give a star rating, I’ll abstain for once.
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Ceterum censeo Putin esse delendam
»My mother was a witch.«
Yes, sure… But that’s not all, superstition abounds…
»The forking of the fingers to divert the path of malchance.«
Then there’s the catholic priest… I despise anything related to so-called “churches” which, to me, are dens of bigotry, hypocrisy and a haven for hostile and misanthropic beliefs and people. And, worst of all, home to any kind of preacher (the child-molesting variety gets extra protection).
So, yes, even in a negative context as in this novel, I don’t want to hear about those male harpies.
Also, a novel that in all seriousness tells me »Scrying with chocolate is a difficult business.« is beyond redemption.
The 25% I’ve read were also very, very clichéd with simplistic characters, a heroine that left me entirely and completely devoid of interest in herself or her “illegitimate” daughter and parts that felt so old-fashioned I was afraid of dying of boredom.
When I realised I was actually binge-watching the worst kind of TV show just to avoid reading this one (despite having ample time to read after a minor (but really annoying!) surgery), I allowed myself to let this one go. Since I don’t feel I read enough to give a star rating, I’ll abstain for once.
Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Mastodon | Instagram | Pinterest | Medium | Matrix | Tumblr
Ceterum censeo Putin esse delendam
May 16, 2022
I love this book for showing how human compassion, kindness and empathy can save someone's life - sometimes, all it takes is a hot chocolate and allowing yourself to be vulnerable. A beautiful, beautiful story.
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