Chocolat

The novel, Chocolat, by Joanne Harris was first published in 1999 and made an immediate impact as a book and then a film. I read it many years ago but decided to reread it, especially as the fourth book in the series has recently been published.

Vianne Rocher and her six year old daughter, Anouk, arrive in the French village of Lansquenet-sous-Tannes during a carnival and decide that this is the place that they should stay. They move into a shop that was a former bakery and re-establish the premises as a choclolate shop/cafe La Celeste Praline Choclaterie Artisanale. Vianne, Anouk and Pantoufle (Anouk's imaginery friend) settle into rooms at the back of the shop.

The redecorated shop with its display of exquisite delights is set to entice the locals but not everyone in this small village welcomes the strangers.

The shop is located across the square from the church and Monsieur Le Cure, Francis Reynaud the priest, totally dispproves of the new arrivals especially as Vianne opens her shop at the beginning of Lent. However many of the locals, particularly Guillaume with his dog, Narcisse and Armande Voizin welcome Vianne and Anouk. It is when Vianne and her friends prepare for a Chocolate Festival to begin on Easter Sunday that divisions with in the village become threatening. The village's dislike of strangers is further demonstrated by the reaction to the arrival of gypsies who moor their barges along the river bank.

The story is told by Vianne and by Francis Reynaud whose chapters gradually reveal the possible reasons for his behaviour. We also learn that Armande knows many of the priest's secrets.

I really enjoyed reading this book and re-entering the world centering around Vianne's chocolate shop. I suspect, however, that it  may not be possible to read this book without having a cup of good hot chocolate or a selection of scrumptious chocolates to sustain you.