Good Reads / Community Library Notes
Chocolate
Joanne Harris
Review by Priscilla Comen
Chocolate
Joanne Harris
Review by Priscilla Comen
Chocolat, by Joanne Harris, is the delightful story of a young woman, Vianne, who goes with her daughter, Yanouk, to a small town in France to open a chocolate shop. With her delicious cakes and candies, Vianne transforms the townspeople from rigid, hating individuals to happy, tolerant beings.
Luc, a young boy, is able to see his grandma at last and to draw her portrait as they drink hot chocolate together. Because it is the time of Lent, the local priest warns against temptation and against Vianne’s confections. Josephine is beaten by her husband, moves closer to Vianne, and learns how to make the sweets. But her husband vows to get rid of the chocolate shop.
When a group of nomads moves into town with their caravans, terrible things happen. The leader, Roux, and Vianne put on a party for Grandma’s seventieth birthday and that night a fire destroys the caravan. Is it arson? Who set it? Is the priest responsible for putting strong ideas into weak minds?
Does Vianne stay in the small town or does she decide to leave after Roux leaves? Does Josephine recover her confidence and work at the chocolate shop encouraging other women to do so?
This story is also available in the DVD section of your local library with a stellar cast of Juliette Binoche, Judi Dench, and Johnny Depp. Enjoy it.
Luc, a young boy, is able to see his grandma at last and to draw her portrait as they drink hot chocolate together. Because it is the time of Lent, the local priest warns against temptation and against Vianne’s confections. Josephine is beaten by her husband, moves closer to Vianne, and learns how to make the sweets. But her husband vows to get rid of the chocolate shop.
When a group of nomads moves into town with their caravans, terrible things happen. The leader, Roux, and Vianne put on a party for Grandma’s seventieth birthday and that night a fire destroys the caravan. Is it arson? Who set it? Is the priest responsible for putting strong ideas into weak minds?
Does Vianne stay in the small town or does she decide to leave after Roux leaves? Does Josephine recover her confidence and work at the chocolate shop encouraging other women to do so?
This story is also available in the DVD section of your local library with a stellar cast of Juliette Binoche, Judi Dench, and Johnny Depp. Enjoy it.