Title: Chocoat (Food Trilogy #1; Chocolat Trilogy #1)
Author: Joanne Harris
Publisher: Doubleday1999
Genre: Fiction
Pages: 321
Rating: 5/5 stars
Reading Challenges: Read My Own Damn Books; Book to Movie; Popsugar - Europe
In tiny Lansquenet, where nothing much has changed in a hundred years, beautiful newcomer Vianne Rocher and her exquisite chocolate shop arrive and instantly begin to play havoc with Lenten vows. Each box of luscious bonbons comes with a free gift: Vianne's uncanny perception of its buyer's private discontents and a clever, caring cure for them. Is she a witch? Soon the parish no longer cares, as it abandons itself to temptation, happiness, and a dramatic face-off between Easter solemnity and the pagan gaiety of a chocolate festival.
I loved this book. Between the descriptions of the chocolate making and the great characters, I couldn't put it down. I loved the switch off between Vianne and Reynaurd's narration. The two perspectives was a nice literary device to help the reader dive into the characters. Armande is hands-down the best character, but I also enjoyed Luc and Guillaume and Josephine. I'm intrigued by sequels that I never knew about. Hopefully I can get to those this year.
Movie:
The movie retains the concept of the plot, but so many changes. I really enjoyed the movie, but so many changes! Judi Dench is a treat as Armande and I really liked Alfred Molina as the antagonist. I love how the chocolate is so central to the movie. It was a nice focus that didn't always come through in the book. The scenery is also very lovely. And there's Johnny Depp, back when he wasn't so crazy and definitely gorgeous. I like his Roux more than the Roux from the books. Crazy talk, but it's the truth. A great movie. I'm glad I finally got around to reading the book to compare.
Food Trilogy:
- #1 Chocolat
- #2 Blackberry Wine
- #3 Five Quarters of the Orange
Chocolat Trilogy:
- #1 Chocolat
- #2 The Girl with No Shadow
- #3 Peaches for Father Francis