Everyone’s nibbling Chocolat these days... so LUCY WALTERS and TIM WOODCOCK look at Chocolat the book and Chocolat the movie chocolate Chocolat by Joanne Harris (Black Swan), £6.99 Reviewed by Lucy Walters conversation to Mon Pere. As each day passes, the villagers visit the shop-cum-cafe, not only to eat and drink the chocolate delights but also to share their joys, problems and secrets with Vianne, who dispenses advice along with the confectionary.
The battle lines between chocolate and church are drawn; Reynaud becomes increasingly enraged as his role as spiritual, social, and emotional adviser to the community is challenged. Vianne’s beliefs having ranged through “magic carpet rides, rune magic, Buddha, the Resurrection and the Life” now believes that “being happy is the only important thing”.
The power of the church becomes weakened as Vianne demonstrates kindness, RR Sr a eB SS) : : understanding and tolerance, in It isn’t hard to imagine the effect a newcomer has on this community, especially one who dares to threaten not only the local traders’ income, but also the authority of the church.
Vianne Rocher moves to the village, living alone with her six-year-old daughter Anouk, which is in itself cause for comment. But even more startling, she opens a chocolate boutique, opposite the church, and at the beginning of Lent. It is all too much for the mayor Francis Reynaud to bear.
The chapters of the book are arranged as a day-byday diary from Shrove Tuesday to Easter Monday, alternating between Vianne’s thoughts and Reynaud’s SOF 47 / May 2001 contrast to Reynaud’s harsh and unsympathetic treatment of his flock - in particular, women, strangers, and anyone who might disturb the order and control he has established over the years.
The ending is deliciously dramatic. It would be simplistic to draw comparisons between Reynaud and his reliance on the divine, and Vianne’s belief in the powers of God in everyday life as examples of realism and nonrealism, but (forgive the pun), Chocolat offers food for thought.