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erindoublee's review against another edition
5.0
This book was a great read for me, but this type of book is the genre I love. Chocolat was about Vianne’s coming into herself, fighting wit the constant need to run (flee, fly with the wind). She has ran her whole life and yearns to stop running, and in the meantime she inspires those around her with her spirit, love, candor, frankness, and her freeing spirit. She gives the advice she needs herself. I loved this novel.
midwifereading's review against another edition
5.0
From the very first word of the very first line, I was captivated. This book is art. It is poetry disguised as prose. It is beautiful.
And I loved it.
Its cadence was rhythmic and flowing--whatever that means. I have a hard time writing about it, because I can only think of it in adjectives. Lilting. Moody. Exotic. Flavorful. Rich. Decadent. Red. Alive. Romantic. Complex. Melancholy. Joyful. Gritty. Sweet.
That said, I can't say I agree that the only thing worth living for is one's happiness, but the disparity between stiff, legalistic, possessive religion and living, connected, messy and worthwhile relationship is clear and correct. No, not correct. Right.
It's all about love. Without love, we are nothing. We are despairing, jealous, selfish, and we are single-minded in our quest to demand that all others be as we are.
When we know and understand Love, to its core, we come alive. We are patient, kind, rejoicing in the truth and in the delighting in the pleasure of others. We see, we hear, we feel, and we connect.
Chocolat illustrates it vividly.
I could read this over and over again.
And I loved it.
Its cadence was rhythmic and flowing--whatever that means. I have a hard time writing about it, because I can only think of it in adjectives. Lilting. Moody. Exotic. Flavorful. Rich. Decadent. Red. Alive. Romantic. Complex. Melancholy. Joyful. Gritty. Sweet.
That said, I can't say I agree that the only thing worth living for is one's happiness, but the disparity between stiff, legalistic, possessive religion and living, connected, messy and worthwhile relationship is clear and correct. No, not correct. Right.
It's all about love. Without love, we are nothing. We are despairing, jealous, selfish, and we are single-minded in our quest to demand that all others be as we are.
When we know and understand Love, to its core, we come alive. We are patient, kind, rejoicing in the truth and in the delighting in the pleasure of others. We see, we hear, we feel, and we connect.
Chocolat illustrates it vividly.
I could read this over and over again.
annadixon76's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
cinnamon_and_rye's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
book_concierge's review against another edition
4.0
This book reminds me of [b:The Mistress of Spices|94669|The Mistress of Spices|Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1488839181s/94669.jpg|25128285] (which, in turn, reminded me of Laura Esquivel's [b:Like Water for Chocolate|89477|Like Water for Chocolate|Laura Esquivel|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1361177544s/89477.jpg|1172473].
Viane is so calm in the face of other's pettiness, so confident. And yet, haunted by her late mother's fears, and still running from "the Black Man." Reynaud is so damnably, arrogantly righteous. And yet I derive no happiness or satisfaction from his end.
Just a delicious book.
Viane is so calm in the face of other's pettiness, so confident. And yet, haunted by her late mother's fears, and still running from "the Black Man." Reynaud is so damnably, arrogantly righteous. And yet I derive no happiness or satisfaction from his end.
Just a delicious book.
wildes_efeu's review against another edition
3.0
Ich kannte den Film vor dem Buch und bin deswegen mit den Filmerwartung an dieses Buch gegangen. Aber wie so oft ist die Geschichte in einigen Einzelheiten verändert worden, sodass die Geschichte sich als Film verkauft.
Ich habe dieses Buch trotzdem geliebt und die Zeit mit ihm genossen. Ich kann es jedem Träumer ans Herz legen es zu lesen <3
Ich habe dieses Buch trotzdem geliebt und die Zeit mit ihm genossen. Ich kann es jedem Träumer ans Herz legen es zu lesen <3
paperbacklyds's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
wishfulfillment's review
3.0
I feel like this book had a lot of elements I enjoy, but the author didn't seem to execute them to their fullest potential. I felt like I was reading the shallow version of what I actually wanted to read. That being said, I still enjoyed the elements I got to see. I cared about the characters, I thought the antagonist brought significant entertainment and thought-provocation. I especially enjoyed any moments where there were deeper meanings to the narrative. But I did end up feeling disappointed throughout and by the end.
almondcookies's review
1.0
This book was a struggle to get through. The characters were so poorly developed that one morning, after picking this up and reading from where I left off, I realised I had no idea who I was reading about. The more worrying part is, after attempting to reread a couple chapters, I realised I didn't care.
I found the storylines of the various characters repetitive. Moreover, as none of them were properly fleshed out or explored in detail, it was difficult to gain attachment for the characters.
The man who's anxious and afraid of putting his dog down; when he eventually does, he gets a new one, and is far happier.
The woman in an abusive marriage leaves her husband, finds someone new and starts her own business, and is much happier.
The ill, elderly lady, dying and estranged from her grandson, stops taking her medication and starts living life the way she wants... finally dies, but becomes much happier before she goes.
Can you see a reoccurring theme here? Let's just live life the way we want without caring about the consequences, is a fine way of living, if you're a character in a book and the author is willing to bestow a happy ending upon you.
Another thing that irked me is all the unresolved plot points. What of the frail old man? Of our main character's origin backstory (The few throw away paragraphs we were given were far from enough)
Even worse - what happened to the priest or how the townsfolk reacted to him eating all the chocolates the day after Lent ended? Considering he was the 'villain' of this story, I'm disappointed that his story in particular had less of an ending and more of a 'something embarrassing happened to him and he ran back to his house' wrap up. What kind of ending is that?
In addition, considering that the day after Lent was supposed to be the climax of the story, I found it extremely underwhelming. As a plot point, the houseboats being set on fire was far more interesting; it could have turned into something substantial, and at a few points in the book, almost did, but alas, it was not meant to be.
The last complaint I have is the clear 'good' and 'bad' characters in this book. There are two camps of people, the bad, 'Bible Groupies' and the good, 'Chocolate Eaters'. Precisely because there were clear cut 'good' and 'bad' characters in this book, it felt less enjoyable to read - there are no grey areas and those that are 'bad' have no chance of redemption. Such a book cannot be considered character driven, but it certainly isn't story driven either.
After that rant, the real question is, is there really nothing good about this book?
The saving grace was that I really enjoyed how Harris was able to paint the scenes so beautifully. Her descriptions of a religious country village, the delicate chocolate shop or the mouthwatering food was a delight to read.
Overall, there was little I enjoyed about this book, and would not be able to recommend it.
I found the storylines of the various characters repetitive. Moreover, as none of them were properly fleshed out or explored in detail, it was difficult to gain attachment for the characters.
The man who's anxious and afraid of putting his dog down; when he eventually does, he gets a new one, and is far happier.
The woman in an abusive marriage leaves her husband, finds someone new and starts her own business, and is much happier.
The ill, elderly lady, dying and estranged from her grandson, stops taking her medication and starts living life the way she wants... finally dies, but becomes much happier before she goes.
Can you see a reoccurring theme here? Let's just live life the way we want without caring about the consequences, is a fine way of living, if you're a character in a book and the author is willing to bestow a happy ending upon you.
Another thing that irked me is all the unresolved plot points. What of the frail old man? Of our main character's origin backstory (The few throw away paragraphs we were given were far from enough)
Even worse - what happened to the priest or how the townsfolk reacted to him eating all the chocolates the day after Lent ended? Considering he was the 'villain' of this story, I'm disappointed that his story in particular had less of an ending and more of a 'something embarrassing happened to him and he ran back to his house' wrap up. What kind of ending is that?
In addition, considering that the day after Lent was supposed to be the climax of the story, I found it extremely underwhelming. As a plot point, the houseboats being set on fire was far more interesting; it could have turned into something substantial, and at a few points in the book, almost did, but alas, it was not meant to be.
The last complaint I have is the clear 'good' and 'bad' characters in this book. There are two camps of people, the bad, 'Bible Groupies' and the good, 'Chocolate Eaters'. Precisely because there were clear cut 'good' and 'bad' characters in this book, it felt less enjoyable to read - there are no grey areas and those that are 'bad' have no chance of redemption. Such a book cannot be considered character driven, but it certainly isn't story driven either.
After that rant, the real question is, is there really nothing good about this book?
The saving grace was that I really enjoyed how Harris was able to paint the scenes so beautifully. Her descriptions of a religious country village, the delicate chocolate shop or the mouthwatering food was a delight to read.
Overall, there was little I enjoyed about this book, and would not be able to recommend it.