Amazon.co.uk Review
I hear our M'sieur le Curé already has it in for you ... Does he know you're a witch? Lansquenet-sous-Tannes--"a blip on the fast road between Toulouse and Bourdeaux"--and new home to Vianne Rocher, her six-year-old daughter Anouk, and Anouk's "imaginary" rabbit, Pantoufle. They arrive "on the wind of the carnival", and, a couple of days later, Vianne opens a luxuriant chocolate shop. "La Céleste Praline" bubbles over with the most tempting of confections, topped with an irresistible selection of rich, smooth chocolate drinks. It's Lent, the shop is opposite the church (which Vianne and Anouk don't attend) it's open on Sundays and Francis Reynaud, the austere parish priest with the "measuring, feline look" is not exactly happy.

As one by one the villagers sidle into the shop to sample Vianne's concoctions, we learn of their characters and secrets, their loves and desires, their troubles and hopes. Sad, polite Guillame and his dying dog. Shoplifting, beaten Joséphine Muscat. And Armande Voizin, still vigorous and perceptive in her 80s, who can see Pantoufle, and recognises Vianne for who she really is.

But Reynaud has his power base. And when Vianne advertises a Grand Festival of Chocolate to start on Easter Sunday, it's all-out war. War between church and chocolate.

What a lovely book. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this. It reminded me of The Mistress of Spices by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni- a stunning story about food and magic. This had been on my shelf a while, now I wish I had read it before! I enjoyed it so much I went straight on to reading Blackberry Wine, which was equally as enjoyable.

I'm going to offer this as a Ring as I would like to read it again sometime.

The 'rules':

1. When you receive the book please journal it to let everyone else know how far it has got.
2. PM the next person on the list for their address, ready for when you finish the book.
3. After you've read it please journal again with your comments and let us know that you've posted it on.

Gooner
ermintrude75
MarianFrench
ChinaSourcer

Released on Saturday, August 28, 2004 at Controlled Release- Norwich MeetUp in Controlled release, England United Kingdom.

Given to Gooner today.

When ChinaSourcer heard that I was hoping to start Blackberry Wine soon, she suggested I read Chocolat first, and offered to lend me her copy. Thanks, ChinaSourcer, for the book and for your company today in Norwich. I really enjoyed myself.

I enjoyed reading this, but can't comment at length because with only a quarter of the book left to read, I had to stop reading, for reasons of house-move.

So although I finished it last night - first book finished in my new home - I sort of lost the plot and had to pick up again.

Like ChinaSourcer, I too would like to read it again sometime. Thanks very much for making it available. I could smell the chocolate and more: the very essence of a small town in France leapt out of the pages at me.

I saw the film again not long ago so am looking forward to reading the book (also again!). Thanks for passing it on, Gooner :)

Oh, how could I resist? A rainy weekend with nothing pressing to do, and Chocolat sitting on Mt TBR. This book is as warm and indulgent, comforting and satisfying as (I imagine) one of Vianne's own chocolats chauds. Although it's impossible to form your own images of the characters once you've seen the film, they slot into place really well, even in the parts the film ignored or changed. The book has deeper and perhaps darker undercurrents, but is all the more enjoyable for that. Thanks ChinaSourcer for the chance to re-read it.

This will be off to MarianFrench as soon as I know where to send it!

Book arrived safe and sound - thank you

Thank you sending this one out. I saw the film on the television at Christmas but the book adds so much more to the background and really helps you understand the feekings of the various characters. As it's now Easter I'm off to go and sample some humble British chocolate!! Thanks again, Marian

Received in the post today, many thanks.

I managed to watch the film on TV over Christmas and really enjoyed it.

Taken from the BookRelay by geishabird and posted today.

Received today; thank you! As other journallers have noted, I've seen and enjoyed the film and am very interested in reading this...the book is always better than the movie, right?

I believe that being happy is the only important thing. - Vianne Rocher

What a delightful book. I enjoyed it immensely. Charming, haunting, thoughtful, mysterious...and delicious. I was surprised to see how many changes had been made between book and movie, but I realize that this would be a difficult tale to bring to the screen as-is. And of course, the book is so much richer and more intricate and complex and...hmm, sounds like I'm describing chocolate, doesn't it? I'm definitely going to read Joanne Harris' other books now, and hope that lightning strikes again. Wonderful read.

Happiness. Simple as a glass of chocolate or tortuous as the heart. Bitter. Sweet. Alive.

RELEASE NOTES:

I will leave this on the windowsill just outside the front door.

We found the book outside of our store. I have seen the movie. I am looking forward to the book, because the book is always better than the movie. (If anyone can site me a movie that is better than the book please let me know.) Anyway, we are headed south after Christmas, so we will leave the book in Panama. I have traveled around the world, and I know other travelers like to read books as they travel. Let's see what happens.