Try me...Test me...Taste me!!!. Review on Chocolat - Joanne Harris

''CHOCOLAT'' as tempting as the name of the book is, I always thought this would be one of those mushy love stories that I dislike reading & for this reason I have also avoided watching the movie based on this novel [even though I adore Johnny Depp] but while on a break I had decided to read all the books looking at me, waiting to be read & it was Chocolat that I picked up first.

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Try me...Test me...Taste me!...The Chocolaty Story

Vianne Rocher alongwith her six year old daughter, Anouk, moves into a small conservative town Lansquenet-sous-Tannes, with the Mardi Gras carnival. Life in the village is quiet, predictable & dominated by the church. Taking an instant liking for the village, Vianne then decides to stay & sets up a exuberant chocolate shop-cum-cafe 'La Celeste Praline', right across from the town's Catholic church!

As it is the beginning of Lent [a 40 weekdays before Easter, observed as a period of penitence], at first most town people are reluctant to visit Vianne's choc shop but when one of the locals succumbs to the delicious choc concoctions, word gets around & instantly her shop draws all the villagers. This chocolaterie, which is also open on Sundays, attracts people as they attend church for their morning prayers, most cannot resist the tempting confections & mouth-watering variety of hot chocolate drinks. Soon it becomes the place where people air their grievances, their motivations, reveal their dreams to Vianne. This is the place where they delight at surrendering to innocent temptations & enjoying the small pleasures of life. With her exotic chocolates & her charm Vianne becomes popular, much to the annoyance of the village priest Pere Francis Reynaud, a strict shallow man who suspects Vianne to be a witch!

A church or chocolate war is inevitable when Vianne announces a Grand Festival of Chocolate commencing Easter Sunday, prompting Reynaud to declare her chocolates as the ultimate sin - Church, not Chocolate is the True Message of Easter! He also plots to put a stop to her choco festival because he sees this as the plan of the devil, to break their Lenten fasting.

However, deep down Reynaud is the one who has certain insecurities about his own faith & in this contest of wills.... he faces a temptation that finally brings his downfall.....

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The Book/Author

This scrumptious & almost magical novel is written by Joanne Harris who has produced a most unusual story with some autobiographical elements: Harris's grandparents' had a candy shop & her great-grandmother was a witch healer. Blending these ingredients Harris has created a novel that is as exotic & delightful as chocolate itself. Harris is a master at knowing what would appeal to the reader, her prose is simple yet luxurious especially when we read about the making of those magical confectionaries that also seem to problem solving.

The story weaved is as good as a fairy tale with various good & evil characters, with conflict & drama that play with the reader's thoughts & emotions. The story is told alternately from two viewpoints-Vianne's & Reynaud's, giving the reader a back to back information on what is happening on both sides. This is the most unique aspect of the book. Reynaud's character is rather pigeonholed as the unredeemably evil adversary but it suits the need of the story and its interesting to read the story from his viewpoint too.

Harris has done a wonderful job with the character development of the villagers, there are many characters who make the novel more richer, understandable & more interesting as we see them grow & change as they come in touch with Vianne & appreciate/give in to her chocolate treats.

My favourite character in the book is Vianne; a very intriguing woman who always talks about her relationship with her dead mother & the reader often wonders about Vianne's past life or her paranoia for her daughter or why is it that she is unable to settle herself in one place? By the end of the story all these questions are answered presenting Vianne as a strong minded woman who is not only capable to facing up her fears & challenges but also a woman who has helped some villagers to solve their problems. As the story ends the reader falls in love not only with the deliciously tempting chocolates she make but also with Vianne for her pride, dedication & her concept of friendship.

The novel has its share of romance & also takes a look at some serious truths like immigration, old age, religion & traditional beliefs. The story is at time richer & more exquisite than the most enticing chocolates. The conclusion is comic, ironic, deliciously witty..... and leaves us wanting more of Chocolat Delight!

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My Word:

The story of Chocolat is set in the month of March, which is also my birth month, it’s a time to be in special moods, time to make new resolutions [which I would forget the very next day], a time to enjoy birthday treat & look forward to gifts! This is also the time when Lent is observed and certain people cannot indulge in the simple pleasures of life. This book makes one question their beliefs on fasting & also certain traditions, one wonders whether it is apt to follow them or pursue our own happiness? The fact that everything works out in favour of Vianne is encouraging & yet another Good'' triumphs over ''evil''. It shows that to follow one belief we need not starve or deprive ourselves from something that gives us pleasure. There is place for everything in ones life; be it praying or just freaking out on our personal happiness. [Wish my mom could read this novel… I wouldn’t have to keep all those forceful fasts! lolz]

Having read this novel, I now look forward to watching the movie just to watch Vianne & my favourite gypsy hero Johnny Depp & of course, the book descriptions of the chocolates was so enchanting, it would be a treat to watch Vianne making those mouthwatering chocolates !! So whether you are a chocoholic or not, a read of this novel is guaranteed to make you reach out for your share of chocolates. ENJOY!!