Chocolat by Joanne Harris – subject: modern classics
This book has long been a massive bestseller and given rise to a very successful film; it is a book loved by millions – if not within our book group.
If anyone would like to write a sentence or two about the book, please email janet.bayliss@esneft.nhs.uk
Published in 1996 and produced as a film in 2000, the highly successful Chocolat by Joanne Harris is often badged as a romance, but we did not find it very romantic. There is a very positive message at the heart of the novel; as the very transient Vianne and her daughter Anouk bring change and principles of tolerance and kindness to the village of Lansquenet-sous-Tannes. This is mediated through Vianne’s voice for half the book and via her talent for producing chocolate confections – all making for an engaging opener. Unfortunately the other half of the text is given over to the thoughts and machinations of the nasty, intolerant priest Pere Reynaud, who sees the chocolate as sinful and Vianne and her daughter as a threat. Add in some unpleasant minor characters such as the sanctimonious Caroline, daughter of the strong widow Armande; and the abusive husband Paul-Marie Muscat and a bit of a witch’s brew results. The twists and turns of the plot can be gripping and keep you reading; it also gets to grips with some important issues with the introduction of the river gypsies; who are much hated by certain members of the Lansquenet community.
This is a book of light and darkness in terms of human emotions and most of the characters seem to be carrying a secret of some description: some of them very dark indeed. We had a problem with establishing the setting of the book’s time frame before deciding that it was meant to be contemporary with the 1990s. The film sets the events depicted further back: sometime early post-World War Two: we thought this would work better as Lansquenet has a very old fashioned feel – which is important to the plot. There is a strong sub-text of magic in the novel: Vianne herself has some sort of sixth sense as indeed does her daughter; but in Vianne’s case it is largely channelled into the making of chocolate.
Chocolat was Joanne Harris’s third novel; she has written much fiction since and some non-fiction (often around cooking and food) and has won a number of prizes. She was born in Yorkshire, but of English and French parentage and has long been drawn to her French heritage, which is reflected in her books. Her writing often focuses on the experience of sensing things; and her descriptions are of high quality; but the books are often much darker than media coverage would have you believe.
Chocolate suggestions included the famous Leonidas and Tony’s Chocolonely – a brand which aims to make chocolate 100% “slave free”. We also liked Bournevita for drinking chocolate.
In terms of books, a short suggestion included Aches and pains by Maeve Binchy – which offers sound advice for anyone needing treatment by the NHS, based on the author’s own experience. Another recommendation was the nature book Silence by Raynor Winn – a follow up to The salt path and about what happened after the author and her husband took up the offer of rewilding a farm in the West Country – with similar themes to the previous book.
A children’s book suggestion was Zagazoo, by the delightful Quentin Blake who has long been a children’s favourite author.
Several of the above may be on Libby, check them out at the Libby app. Head over to our Libby page to find out more.