Wulf Krueger's Reviews > Chocolat

Chocolat by Joanne Harris
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bookshelves: 0_wk_read_2024, dnf
Read 2 times. Last read February 4, 2024 to February 11, 2024.

This 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
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Reading Progress

Finished Reading
July 8, 2019 – Shelved
July 8, 2019 – Shelved as: maybe
January 31, 2024 – Shelved as: to-read
February 4, 2024 – Started Reading
February 11, 2024 – Shelved as: 0_wk_read_2024
February 11, 2024 – Shelved as: dnf
February 11, 2024 – Finished Reading

Comments Showing 1-2 of 2 (2 new)

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message 1: by Berengaria (new)

Berengaria Nice! I felt the same way about this one, although as a Neo-Pagan, the witchery and paranormal stuff...or "bullshit" as you term it 😂... is what I absolutely adore. I just don't think it's done very well here. Too pretentious foodie! Like 'gourmet' taken to ridiculous ends. Scrying in chocolate? Gimme a break. It's too dark and not reflective enough.

Also the novel was too typically French with the style and the characters for me -- the village priest always has to be in feel-good small town French stories, you won't escape him. (in Italian ones,too, so I've seen).

But that was probs what Harris was going for: very French and very foodie. It was a bestseller and the movie huge, so I suppose she was successful with the formula! (Most of her novels seem to be based on the same one. )


message 2: by Wulf (new) - added it

Wulf Krueger Let's agree to disagree on the validity of anything beyond the scientifically provable. :-) (I saw your like, and admired your generosity, considering we're on opposite "pages" on this one. Thanks!)

Totally agreed about the rest: It was so cliché-French to boot. And a Martin Walker can (mostly) pull off the food stuff but not Harris. I think I'm going to avoid any further novels of hers.


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