Try me...Test me...Taste me. When an exotic stranger, Vianne Rocher, arrives in the French village of Lansquenet and opens a chocolate boutique directly opposite the church, Father Reynaud identifies her as a serious danger to his flock - especially as it is the beginning of Lent, the traditional season of self-denial. War is declared as the priest denounces the newcomer's wares as instruments of murder. Suddenly Vianne's shop-cum-cafe means that there is somewhere for secrets to be whispered, grievances to be aired, dreams to be tested. But Vianne's plans for an Easter Chocolate Festival divide the whole community in a conflict that escalates into a 'Church not Chocolate' battle. As mouths water in anticipation, can the solemnity of the Church compare with the pagan passion of a chocolate eclair? For the first time here is a novel in which chocolate enjoys its true importance, emerging as a moral issue, as an agent of transformation - as well as a pleasure bordering on obsession. Rich, clever and mischievous, this is a triumphant read.
I probably liked Chocolat more than I would have otherwise, since I watched the movie first, and that lent some familiarity. The two are quite different, mostly in their tone and some of themes presented. Vianne and her daughter Anouk have just arrived in the small village of Lansquenet, where Vianne decides to open up her chocolate shop. They're not exactly welcome to the area, since there's a small, tight-knit population under the thumb of the local priest. However, with patience and a bit of magic, Vianne gets to know her neighbors and improve their lives, while also finally making a home for her and her daughter.
One of my favorite things about Chocolat was that it was told in alternating POV. One of which, of course, was Vianne, and the second was the priest, but told in letters to some unknown recipient (at least in the beginning it's unknown). I just really love letter, diary, and other types of epistolary narratives. However, this format also made the religious themes quite obvious and I usually don't have a problem with them, but it was a bit overbearing. Vianne does not attend church nor believe in God, and Pere Reynaud is completely convinced that she's there to tempt everyone and lead them into sin with her chocolates. It's too much of a stretch, since she's nothing but polite in the beginning, and he's nothing but rude. He's also the ultimate hypocrite, saying he can't get involved in ruining her, and yet he uses other people to do his dirty work.
I really don't have much I want to say about Chocolat. I enjoyed it, but mostly because I liked seeing familiar scenes from the movie, rather than enjoying the book itself. It was a nice, relaxing read and I liked most of the characters (Armande being my favorite). I'm also just a fan of small towns being shaken up by eccentric new comers, and the subtle magic definitely added a little something extra. But, overall, it just wasn't my thing. I much prefer the film adaptation.
