Chocolat (Chocolat, #1) in The Dusty Bookshelf

Jul 22, 2017 Anne (Booklady) Molinarolo rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: favorites, reading-women, summer-2017, read-around-world, anne-booklady-2017, literary-fiction, permanent-library

"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."

"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."

And so is Lansquenet-sous-Tannes ' greeting to Vianne Roucher and her daughter, Anouk. She dares to open her Chocolat boutique right across from Père Reyaund's Church. And he tells his captive audience, his long-time mentor, "We were right, père. This vindicates us completely. By striking at the three areas closest to us—the community, the church’s festivals, and now one of its holiest sacraments—she reveals herself at last. Her influence is pernicious and fast growing, seeding already into a dozen, two dozen, fertile minds."

But Vianne only wants to help people and spread a little magic and happiness upon the residents of the French village. "Happiness. Simple as a glass of chocolate or tortuous as the heart. Bitter. Sweet. Alive." Soon her shop becomes a safe haven for people to gather. Secrets are shared as well as some dreams and a few grievances. But all leave with their favorite treats.

But when Vianne announces an Easter Chocolat Festival, war is declared from Père Reyaund's point of view though they have been engaged in a quiet rivalry since she first came to the village. And Reyaund is the "Black Man." Who will win?

Reading many of the reviews here on Goodreads, many believe the novel is anti-Catholic. I do not. I see the struggle between Vianne and Reyaund as a conflict between those in Power and those the Powerful govern. Reyaund has imprinted HIS values and morals upon those dwelling in Lansquenet. And like the Powerful elite, he shows disdain for his flock. He doesn't know them, but yet HE knows what's best for them. Catholicism and his position as country priest just gives him the cover to do so.

I loved the magic and magical transformations of the many characters that Vianne touched with her sweet confections. And Joanne Harris is a marvelous writer. I couldn't turn the pages fast enough. Each time I nibble on my favorite chocolate treat, I'll think of all of these wonderful characters, especially Vianne and Anouk. ...more

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May 05, 2011 Alex tizzard rated it it was amazing

I really enjoyed this book. I thought the characters were very developed and sympathetic. The talk of chocolate was so delicious too. What a great find!

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