Chocolat: A Novel (A Vianne Rocher Novel)

A few of the previous reviews complain about phantom problems. This is not about church bashing: the good Father could have been a Mayor. And several of the good people so to speak, are men.This is an extraordinary book that will remain with most readers for a very long time.

This sweet tale reminds us of the damage that prejudice and preconceived notions can cause in the lives of innocent people. Good intentions can be the most hurtful actions a person participates in. A wonderful story of the magic of life and the healing power of a caring, listening ear.

When I read the descriptions of the food and confections I could almost smell and taste them. I can not adequately articulate how the use of metaphors and imagery added to my enjoyment of the stories within the larger plot.
I definitely recommend reading this and discussing with others

This gentle story follows one Vianne Rocher, a wandering woman who comes with her six-year-old daughter, Anouk, into the tiny French hamlet of Lansquenet-sous-Tannes. She falls in love with the place and decides to put down roots there for the first time in her life, and accordingly she opens a chocolate shop right across from the town church. The priest of the church is Pere Reynaud, a dour man with ugly secrets who takes an immediate dislike to Vianne and Anouk, and the battle is joined between the hippie and the priest. Caught in the crossfire between these two enemies are a number of the townspeople, some of who side with the priest and some of whom side with Viannne. Things never get too out of control, though, as this book is essentially about people's basic decency, and the ending is a surprise for the priest and a funny one at that. Along the way we meet about a dozen interesting characters who pull for this side or that one and add their unforgettable voices to the struggle.

The book is not all sweetness and light, however. The priest harbors dark secrets from his own past, there is a wife-beater and his downtrodden lady, and one of Vianne's best friends is slowly going blind and is fighting it all the way. But the overall tone of the book is one of uplift, and having faith in people. It is a good message, and an enjoyable book, and a fun read.

Such wonderful verbage... took me back to the villages of France in a second. Don't miss this book, especially if you love France and all it has to offer to the senses. Much better than the movie as well - don't miss this book!

I really liked this book. The characters were fully realized and their actions, motivations and reactions were very believable. A couple of warnings, though. First, do not read this book if you're dieting or live a long way away from an immediate chocolate fix. Second, if you enjoy this book at all, stay far away from the sequel. It does not do this book or the author justice.

Really liked the movie version, but the book is just as good and includes a bit more background on the main characters. Since I saw the movie first, I pictured the actors from the movie as I was reading.

Well written, able to be better than the movie.
It captures you in a kind of magic atmosphere.
I was skeptical as soon I started reading it I've loved that book. It opens the doors on incredible writing abilties of Joanne Harris, and you want to read more of her works.

A beautiful story. Great characters, excellent locations. Transported me right to that small town in France. One word of caution--don't keep a box of chocolates within reach. You'll be eating them all the way through the book!

A wonderful, enchanting story about a mothers quest to put down roots for her daughter, and then realize that family love is as important as roots. The characters were rich and delightful to the imagination.