Kristin's review
Chocolat
by Joanne Harris
This book is so different to the movie! I saw the movie first, and loved it, and I really enjoyed the book too, but it's almost like it's a different story there are so many quite major changes.
Like you, I was quite a Francophile through my school years, and I still love French movies and French music (and I know a couple of very charming French men), but apart from the location I didn't find this book particularly "French". As the author puts it, the places are different but when you look at the people they're all the same. Most of the time, apart from the names of the places and people, it could have been set anywhere, although I suppose the rigorously Catholic nature of the priest and the general churched ordering of village life would only occur in a few European countries.
I guess I've just persuaded myself that it had more Frenchness to it than I originally thought!
Kristin's review
Chocolat by Joanne Harris
Kristin's review
rating:
The first is Chocolat by Joanne Harris. This book was given to me by Rebecca at our book club Christmas party book exchange. I was very excited to get it because I have been wanting to read it for a long time. I am a Francophile (I think that's the word) I love all things French. I took French in High School and at BYU. I have always wanted to go to France. I like French food. You get the idea. This book was a great armchair travel book. It takes place in a small village in France. It is filled with quirky, colorful, beret-wearing characters. The main character is a woman named Vianne. She and her small daughter come to a small rural village to start a new life. She opens a chocolate shop, charms the villagers, and ends up setting herself at odds with the local priest of the Catholic Church. He feels that she is decadence personified to say the least. Oh--did I mention that Vianne might have magical powers?? The plot thickens...or should I say the chocolate thickens!! Do not read this ...more
This book is so different to the movie! I saw the movie first, and loved it, and I really enjoyed the book too, but it's almost like it's a different story there are so many quite major changes.Like you, I was quite a Francophile through my school years, and I still love French movies and French music (and I know a couple of very charming French men), but apart from the location I didn't find this book particularly "French". As the author puts it, the places are different but when you look at the people they're all the same. Most of the time, apart from the names of the places and people, it could have been set anywhere, although I suppose the rigorously Catholic nature of the priest and the general churched ordering of village life would only occur in a few European countries.
I guess I've just persuaded myself that it had more Frenchness to it than I originally thought!