Even before it was adapted into the Oscar-nominated film starring Juliette Binoche and Johnny Depp, Joanne Harris’ New York Times bestselling novel Chocolat entranced readers with its mix of hedonism, whimsy, and, of course, chocolate.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 … 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.
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“Chocolat” is one of my favorite books! Once you start reading it, the various characters and their interactions, make it very difficult to put down. I used it for one of my themed books for older students. We shared reading, writing, listening, and speaking skills in the varied activities. In the extra activities I always added enrichment; …
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Charming story of a peripatetic woman’s effect on the inhabitants of a French village. I saw the movie shortly after reading the book and much preferred the book.
I love the wonderful characters in this book and the story of acceptance. Having grown up in a judgmental religious community such as the one in this book, I understand what the weight of a community’s expectations can do and the joy that can be found in being true to oneself. This book is a great read.
Silly book
Enjoyed discovering these characters as presented in original narrative, not as portrayed on film. I enjoyed the film immensely, but these characters are marvelously drawn and worth re-discovering as written.
This was a marvelous story — atmospheric and delightful! I recommend it highly.
I read Chocolat years ago and it is still one of my favorite stories! In fact, I saw the movie before I read the book which rarely ever happens! I loved the movie, but oh the book was so engaging! JoAnne Harris made the characters come to life. It is a lovely tale of love, friendship and accepting those who are a bit different from what you …
I love the gentle witch craft of all her books
Loved the premise of the story – slight fantasy, plausible, nice characterization – it has a little of everything – love story, family conflict, religious conflict, the temptation of chocolate, acceptance. The movie was well done also!
Absolutely delightful! Mfy
Great characters
This book makes the reader want to move to Europe, open a chocolate shop, and fall in love with the people, the culture, the chocolate, and a special partner. It is romantic in an appealing way.
Harris can really create atmosphere! And her characters reach right into the heart.
A fun read.
Loved, loved, loved the book and the movie. The characters really are characters, ones I’d like to know. The story was romantically whimsical. This is on my shelf of books that will be read over and over.
Good read
I loved it!
One of the rare times that the movie is better.