“I sell dreams, small comforts, sweet harmless temptations to bring down a multitude of saints crash-crash-crashing among the hazels & nougatines…”
Genre: Fiction
Pages: 306
Published: March 4, 199
Rate: 3.5 ⭐⭐⭐
Goodreads Synopsis
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.
“Everyone needs a little luxury, a little self-indulgence from time to time.”
My Take
Chocolat is such a fun, easy read that I absolutely enjoyed reading. Joanne Harris introduces us to Lansquenet, a quaint little charming town with all sorts of characters. From the judgy priest to the grumpy Town folks all through to the Gypsies by the river.
Chocolat is well written with such beautiful prose that I couldn’t help but be drawn in to the book. Vianne Rocher moves to Lansquenet bringing with her chocolate delights with a side of witchcraft. She sets up a chocolate shop and not everyone is happy. This brings out a couple of protesters and an underlying conflict, Catholic vs Pagans.
“Weeds & wheat cannot grow peacefully together.”
Chocolat focuses a lot on the characters, besides the chocolates, and I love how Joanne manages to bring out their personalities and I found myself falling in love with some while hating others. I was properly invested!
My favourite, Anouk, Vianne’s daughter, who has wild imagination coupled with a child innocence that was truly lovely to read.
A touch of magic, lots of chocolate and a charming French town. A quick read if you want something to lift you up.
Have you read it? What were your thoughts?
If not, would you read it? Let me know in the comments!
23/04/2020 at 9:43 pm
This sounds like the perfect book for right now! And Anouk sounds lovely!!
Character focused stories are my absolute favs and it sounds like Joanne Harris did a perfect job with them ☺️ Great review!!
28/04/2020 at 8:07 pm
Thank you! I truly enjoyed the book.