Brimming with passion for life

books:


	• Chocolat Joanne Harris Black Swan, 2000 - 320 pages average customer review:based on 9 reviews view larger image
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highly recommended

Perhaps overhyped.

I'd always heard how wonderful the movie is, though I haven't seen it myself. But if the movie is wonderful, it must be one of those rare instances where a film has outdone the book that inspired it. I didn't dislike Chocolat per say, but it was very paint-by-numbers. Characters for the most part were bland and incredibly undeveloped. The best is Armande, the old woman, and Guillaume the dog lover. No one else is likable or hatable, not even the narrator (whom is certainly not a witch at all, I have no idea what people who think so have been reading) and her daughter. The plot seems to be very superficial and it makes the book seem like an abridged version. Things happen but they happen fast and quick and usually with very little sense if doing anything more than skimming.

As said, I did like this book, it was fun, quirky, maybe even a bit 'magical'. But it was also very flawed and shouldn't carry expectations of anything more than a quick, light read.

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Brimming with passion for life

Joanna Harris creates a rich and vibrant description of a rural French village with all its petty rivalries and traditional, narrow-minded boundaries on thought and behavior. Each of the main characters is hemmed in by these restrictions and must keep certain devils from their past or present lives secreted away so as not to become more of an outsider than they already are and in particular so as not to incite the condemnation of the local parish Priest. Into this scenario comes Mademoiselle Rocher who, despite having her own devils to deal with, brings the promise of freedom embodied in the delights of the chocolate she sells. The characters are inspiring, the descriptions full of life and vigour and the narrative sparkling. The way each of the characters deals with their respective devils makes this a total feel-good novel, but one which is not only enthralling, but also thought-provoking from start to finish.

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Magically Delicious!

Years after seeing Chocolat the movie, I have finally read Chocolat the book. As usual, the book was way better than the movie. While Chocolat the movie implies that Vianne is a witch, the book makes it abundantly clear that Vianne has magical powers. She turns the small French town on its head when she opens a chocolate shop. The book focuses much more on the issue of Lent and giving up chocolate. Another key difference is that the book features two or three short chapters told from Vianne's point of view and then one short chapter told from the priest's point of view. I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys good women's fiction, especially those featuring a bit of magic.

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Delightful, moody reading

I thoroughly enjoyed this book - the added detail and mood created a story far superior to the movie, which just skimmed the surface of the concepts here. I love the contrast of the restrictive, hatefulness of the minister and church-goers with the pagan protagonist's generous love and unconditional giving - it spoke volumes to me about the hypocracy of the church and its so often hateful, exclusory ways. Love and generosity know no religion; they are choices we each make in how we treat one another. The ending in particular packed a whallop for me. Powerful, great read.

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