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The Discovery of Chocolate: A Novel
A wonderfully inventive and entertaining journey through time and the history of chocolate!
The Discovery of Chocolate is a fabulous tale, as rich and exotic as the gorgeous creation that Diego de Godoy first discovers when he arrives in Mexico with Cortes and his conquistadors.
Diego is seeking his fortune in the New World. What he finds is love, and chocolate, and an elixir of life. Separated from his lover, he must wander the world, and the centuries, in search of the fulfilment that he first knew in Mexico.
In a series of dramatic episodes that are evocative, witty and thought-provoking, from revolutionary Paris to Freud’s Vienna, Fry’s Bristol and Hershey’s Pittsburgh, Diego and his ever-faithful greyhound, Pedro, seek the perfection of chocolate and the meaning of life.
256 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 23, 2001
24 people are currently reading
608 people want to read
About the author
James Runcie
41 books590 followersJames Runcie is a British novelist, documentary film-maker, television producer, theatre director, and Artistic Director of the Bath Literature Festival.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 122 reviews
June 20, 2015
I really loved this satisfying novel that is a bit of a fantasy/fairy tale.
There were several passages that gave me pause for contemplation.
Pg. 133 is on having children.
Pg. 137 a character knows when a cake is ready to come out of the oven
by it's smell. In real life I have observed my friend Ann do
this when she bakes pies. She never uses a timer!
Pg. 211 ". . .this life which seems so long is, in fact, lived in an
instant, and that we must one day be judged: not so much by
a divine figure as by the far more frightening prospect of our
own, elderly selves."
I think my book club would enjoy this one.
There were several passages that gave me pause for contemplation.
Pg. 133 is on having children.
Pg. 137 a character knows when a cake is ready to come out of the oven
by it's smell. In real life I have observed my friend Ann do
this when she bakes pies. She never uses a timer!
Pg. 211 ". . .this life which seems so long is, in fact, lived in an
instant, and that we must one day be judged: not so much by
a divine figure as by the far more frightening prospect of our
own, elderly selves."
I think my book club would enjoy this one.
April 30, 2012
Mr. Runcie captures all the enchantment and excitement of discovery. In his capable hands, love, passion and the very scent of chocolate seem to peel from the page. This is a sublime book, entwining the history of the Conquistadors and a magical journey to reclaim lost love…all wound up with the magic that is chocolate. A New World delicacy found by Old World travelers, chocolate has never seemed more seductive, more delicious, more transforming than it does here in this lyrical tale of Diego de Godoy’s dangerous voyage to bring back a treasure for a spoiled, aristocratic beauty and the native woman who captures his heart instead.
March 30, 2018
Read for Cook the Books virtual foodie book club.
It took me a while to get into the book. I wasn't particularly fond of Diego from the start as he is young, selfish, and not that appealing. In fact, my favorite character turned out to be Pedro, his loyal greyhound. (I will never look at Hershey's kisses without thinking of Pedro). I do like time travel and I adore chocolate and learning about food history, so eventually the story kicked in more for me as Pedro finds himself living a very long life and wandering with Pedro from Mexico to Paris and then on to Vienna, England and America. While on his travels, Diego has brushes with many diverse historical figures such as Montezuma, the Marquis de Sade, Sigmund Freud, Gertrude Stein and Alice B. Toklas, and Milton Hershey--which was entertaining and fun--although at times maybe a bit too much. Diego does grow some during his journey, but he never quite won me over completely. Besides Pedro, ;-) the food descriptions were my favorite part and the book is filled with them (see my Food Inspiration notes below). Overall, although I didn't love this book, I think if you are a foodie and a chocolate fan and don't mind a lot of fantasy in your historical fiction, it is an interesting and enjoyable read that will have you reaching for the nearest chocolate bar.
You can see my review and a recipe inspired by the book here: http://kahakaikitchen.blogspot.com/20...
It took me a while to get into the book. I wasn't particularly fond of Diego from the start as he is young, selfish, and not that appealing. In fact, my favorite character turned out to be Pedro, his loyal greyhound. (I will never look at Hershey's kisses without thinking of Pedro). I do like time travel and I adore chocolate and learning about food history, so eventually the story kicked in more for me as Pedro finds himself living a very long life and wandering with Pedro from Mexico to Paris and then on to Vienna, England and America. While on his travels, Diego has brushes with many diverse historical figures such as Montezuma, the Marquis de Sade, Sigmund Freud, Gertrude Stein and Alice B. Toklas, and Milton Hershey--which was entertaining and fun--although at times maybe a bit too much. Diego does grow some during his journey, but he never quite won me over completely. Besides Pedro, ;-) the food descriptions were my favorite part and the book is filled with them (see my Food Inspiration notes below). Overall, although I didn't love this book, I think if you are a foodie and a chocolate fan and don't mind a lot of fantasy in your historical fiction, it is an interesting and enjoyable read that will have you reaching for the nearest chocolate bar.
You can see my review and a recipe inspired by the book here: http://kahakaikitchen.blogspot.com/20...
July 22, 2014
I liked this one. I didn't OMG LOVE it, but it was an engaging read. Sometimes a little frustrating. I mean, I get it, he's kind of at sixes and sevens with this whole slow-to-age-and-die thing, but he's so selfish and woe-is-me for so long. I get why .
But overall, a fun read. Warning: might make you hungry.
But overall, a fun read. Warning: might make you hungry.
January 9, 2008
A bit silly - the plot had a lot of potential but it seemed like it was written for an audience with a very simply reading comprehension level.
May 30, 2017
I can't abide books where the dog dies!!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 7, 2024
3.5 stars
April 16, 2022
Een bijzonder liefdesverhaal. Met, voor mij, een einde wat ik niet had voorzien.
July 27, 2010
This book had an interesting premise but sadly never quite delivered in the writing. A Spanish conquistador falls in love with a Mexican girl, but circumstances drive them apart. When he leaves, she gives him a drink of enchanted chocolate which extends his life and slows his aging to allow him to return to her at a time when they can be together. Consequently, he wanders through time with Pedro, his greyhound companion, in search of chocolate and love. However, far more time and attention is given to the chocolate in this book. The descriptions of chocolate making, baking, experimenting and eating are rich and sensuous and instantly made me hungry. In fact, the food writing is what makes this book interesting to read.
The remainder of the plot does not fare so well. The time travel element, surely an essential part of the plot, was made to seem almost incidental and there was no attempt to make it either logical or consistent. That the main character did not react with any surprise or disorientation to the completely unpredictable passage of time, and so it comes across as a lack of development on the part of the author rather than a deliberate device. The characters were mostly undeveloped, but this bothered me less than I expected as their appearances in the narrative were so fleeting. I did enjoy Diego's brushes with real historical figures, painfully contrived as they were, but they seemed an incidental rather than integral part of the story. Not enough was made of them, often they were unrelated to either love or chocolate, and so they did not really fit into the rest of the narrative. Ultimately, I suppose it's difficult to write an interesting account of a man who very rapidly finds his own life uninteresting and repetitive.
The remainder of the plot does not fare so well. The time travel element, surely an essential part of the plot, was made to seem almost incidental and there was no attempt to make it either logical or consistent. That the main character did not react with any surprise or disorientation to the completely unpredictable passage of time, and so it comes across as a lack of development on the part of the author rather than a deliberate device. The characters were mostly undeveloped, but this bothered me less than I expected as their appearances in the narrative were so fleeting. I did enjoy Diego's brushes with real historical figures, painfully contrived as they were, but they seemed an incidental rather than integral part of the story. Not enough was made of them, often they were unrelated to either love or chocolate, and so they did not really fit into the rest of the narrative. Ultimately, I suppose it's difficult to write an interesting account of a man who very rapidly finds his own life uninteresting and repetitive.
July 3, 2011
I found this a rich and intriguing book covering continents and centuries. Love, passion, and best of all, chocolate!
''In 1518 the 20-year-old Diego leaves Seville bound for Mexico where he joins Cortes's conquistadors and falls in love with the beautiful Ignacia. When Diego is ordered back to Spain, Ignacia gives him a parting gift: a chocolate drink, the elixir of life, and the promise that "If you are alive, then I am alive. Never cease in your search for me." But, returning to Mexico, he finds only her grave and so begins his wanderings, sometimes dictated by the forces of history, sometimes by his own whims. Through "an eternity of travel", he and Pedro reach Chiapas, the city of Ignacia's birth, where he discovers that time has slipped by a century.
Full of incident made more piquant by the introduction of significant figures along the way, Diego soon finds himself locked in the Bastille. It's 1788 and he swaps chocolate recipes with the Marquis de Sade. Then on to Vienna to create sachertorte. Fervent with questions, yet filled with despair about life's meaning, he begins his weekly visits to Freud. And all the while, his droll scrapes punctuate his slightly overdone gloom. On board ship to America, Gertrude Stein and Alice B Toklas solace him with talk of love and food. The early 1900s find him once more in Mexico, a man old in wisdom, but still virile in his ways.''
''In 1518 the 20-year-old Diego leaves Seville bound for Mexico where he joins Cortes's conquistadors and falls in love with the beautiful Ignacia. When Diego is ordered back to Spain, Ignacia gives him a parting gift: a chocolate drink, the elixir of life, and the promise that "If you are alive, then I am alive. Never cease in your search for me." But, returning to Mexico, he finds only her grave and so begins his wanderings, sometimes dictated by the forces of history, sometimes by his own whims. Through "an eternity of travel", he and Pedro reach Chiapas, the city of Ignacia's birth, where he discovers that time has slipped by a century.
Full of incident made more piquant by the introduction of significant figures along the way, Diego soon finds himself locked in the Bastille. It's 1788 and he swaps chocolate recipes with the Marquis de Sade. Then on to Vienna to create sachertorte. Fervent with questions, yet filled with despair about life's meaning, he begins his weekly visits to Freud. And all the while, his droll scrapes punctuate his slightly overdone gloom. On board ship to America, Gertrude Stein and Alice B Toklas solace him with talk of love and food. The early 1900s find him once more in Mexico, a man old in wisdom, but still virile in his ways.''
April 18, 2012
A compelling read. I started off really enjoying it. Then I thought it ought to be written at a slower pace rather than racing through the centuries. Then I began to think there should be less sex and more chocolate. I enjoyed the section with Freud and their philosophizing on life, death and happiness. Overall, I did enjoy the book, some parts were beautifully written and it is very qotable. "The principal advantage of chocolate is that it cannot be taken at speed. It asks you to take time, to consider, to pause." "I agree," I replied. "It is best enjoyed in silence..."
September 8, 2009
The premise of this book and the synopsis of the plot was a good idea. The book itself however flew through history and in my opinion, went too fast. I wish the author was more descriptive about things other than Chocolate: what Diego was thinking, feeling, seeing, rather than just being descriptive about how many different ways he prepared chocolate.
June 14, 2007
Unexpectedly great read - Lovely undemanding, time-travelling tale of lost love, chocolate and a dog called Pedro. A really delicious read.
February 17, 2018
Although it is true that I have been considered lunatic on many occasions in the last five hundred years, it must be stated, that the very beginning of this sad and extraordinary tale, that I have been most grievously misunderstood. The elixir of life was drunk in all innocence and my dog had nothing to do with it.
---The Discovery of Chocolate by James Runcie
Such begins The Discovery of Chocolate by James Runcie, a historical fiction piece that also includes a bit of sci-fi time travel, true undying love, and of course, chocolate.
The Discovery of Chocolate is the February/March selection for Cook the Books Cook the Books.
The author weaves his inventive tale around Diego de Godoy, a young Spaniard that finds himself attached as the notary to Cortés as he begins his exploration and plunder of the New World. Diego has embarked on this journey to impress a young Spanish woman who is waiting for him to return with something new and worthy of her beauty and love, some treasure from the New World.
Of course, Diego's discovered treasure is chocolate but he also finds true love with Ignacia, a native woman. This meeting leads him on his five hundred year journey.
Runcie's premise is clever and I started out loving the book. The author began losing me a bit after the "invention of Sachertorte." Then there was the tragic and ludicrous invention of the Hershey Kiss.
Really?
And the people he encounters along the way? Besides Cortés, he meets the following (some a who's who of the chocolate industry):
Marquis de Sade
Monsieur Debauve (of Debauve and Gallais, the French Royally Appointed Chocolatier)
Franz Sacher, an Austrian confectionner
Sigmund Freud
Gustav Klimt
Anton Bruckner (I think. I couldn't pin point who the composer was that he and Claudia heard at the concert at St. Stephen's.)
Mr. Fry of J. S. Fry & Sons, Ltd. (a British chocolate company)
Milton S. Hershey
Gertrude Stein and Alice B. Toklas
I was anticipating that Pablo Escobar might make an appearance at the end of the book when he finds himself in a Mexican opium operation.
I loved the first part of the book, was mildly amused during his time in France, became annoyed with the insipid conversations in Vienna (in fact, the dialogue reminded me of a boring French film), didn't really see the point of his time in England, and thought the Hershey Kiss wrap up was beyond absurd. But, then Runcie throws in Stein and Toklas and I had to wonder if he was actually writing a farce.
"A mousse is a mousse is a mousse."
February 11, 2019
The idea is great. I love books like Forrest Gump and The Hundred-Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out of the Window and Disappeared, and there is that "man meets all kinds of celebrities during his life". But - the timeline is all wrong, and that irritates me. Also, this guy had his fingers in everything that has to do with chocolate, like the Sacher cake and Hershey's kisses.
But - the author is unfortunately an idiot. He just can't handle the story.
He is trying to write South American magical realism, and doesn't do a bad job. He almost fooled me. So much so that I was surprised to find out that this isn't the first novel of some young South American author. But also, finding out that this is a book by a middle-aged white guy, explained a lot.
There's some of Henri Rousseau over it, or Karl May. He is just writing and ignoring facts, adjusting things for his own purposes.
The facts are important to me. If you use real historical people in your book, get the facts right. Joseph Fry died before Sigmund Freud and Gustav Klimt were even born. Franz Sacher was born two years after Marquis de Sade died, and he was about 16 when Sacher torte was first baked. Alice B. Toklas and Gerdrude Stein met the year Hershey kisses were introduced. They would not have been on some boat to USA 1906. Gustav Klimt painted pale, red-haired women 1907.
There is no snow and it's not cold in Vienna at Palm Sunday. Europe is not "wintry and frozen" in March, and Palm Sunday never falls before that.
The descriptions of food and spices is... uh. Painful.
I find his discussions about God and death stupid and self-aggrandizing. I don't believe in God because I'm afraid of death. I believe in God because I SENSE God. I can FEEL God. I can HEAR God. My senses tell me there is God. Might be that this I sense is not God, that there are no Gods, but the descriptions of God from different cultures is the closest to what I sense, so I call that something God. Also, I am not afraid of death. Death is a normal part of life. In my mind, a person who has lived 400 years, should be more wise and understanding than this... immortal 20-something.
Frankly, a 40-years old man (as the author was when he wrote this) should be wiser.
And then the end. *sigh* You are not Gabriel Garcia Marquez, mr. Runcie. You are not.
But - the author is unfortunately an idiot. He just can't handle the story.
He is trying to write South American magical realism, and doesn't do a bad job. He almost fooled me. So much so that I was surprised to find out that this isn't the first novel of some young South American author. But also, finding out that this is a book by a middle-aged white guy, explained a lot.
There's some of Henri Rousseau over it, or Karl May. He is just writing and ignoring facts, adjusting things for his own purposes.
The facts are important to me. If you use real historical people in your book, get the facts right. Joseph Fry died before Sigmund Freud and Gustav Klimt were even born. Franz Sacher was born two years after Marquis de Sade died, and he was about 16 when Sacher torte was first baked. Alice B. Toklas and Gerdrude Stein met the year Hershey kisses were introduced. They would not have been on some boat to USA 1906. Gustav Klimt painted pale, red-haired women 1907.
"My departure fell on Palm Sunday, and the city was covered in snow. The railway station was crowded with people, the tracks were cleared, and there was nothing to stop Pedro and me travelling through a wintry and frozen Europe to seek a new life in England. The Doctor busied himself finding porters for our luggage, securing a crate for Pedro in which he was obliged to journey. In a particularly kindly gesture, he had brought us both a travel rug as a leaving present.
Claudia was dressed in her fur hat and coat, and stood uneasily on the platform, stamping her feet against the cold. I can still see the wisps of breath emerging from her mouth as she spoke, the fierceness in her green eyes, the crisp red lines of her lips.´
‘Well then,’ she said at last, ‘this is goodbye.’ "
There is no snow and it's not cold in Vienna at Palm Sunday. Europe is not "wintry and frozen" in March, and Palm Sunday never falls before that.
The descriptions of food and spices is... uh. Painful.
I find his discussions about God and death stupid and self-aggrandizing. I don't believe in God because I'm afraid of death. I believe in God because I SENSE God. I can FEEL God. I can HEAR God. My senses tell me there is God. Might be that this I sense is not God, that there are no Gods, but the descriptions of God from different cultures is the closest to what I sense, so I call that something God. Also, I am not afraid of death. Death is a normal part of life. In my mind, a person who has lived 400 years, should be more wise and understanding than this... immortal 20-something.
Frankly, a 40-years old man (as the author was when he wrote this) should be wiser.
And then the end. *sigh* You are not Gabriel Garcia Marquez, mr. Runcie. You are not.
February 11, 2021
Let me bare my soul, I'm a chocoholic but a cheap one. Maybe a little Puritan voice inside me halts my progress towards the status of afficianado. Did this book loosen my chains? I think I wanted it to!
I'm not usually drawn towards the "magic realism" school and I think that when literature goes to South America that seems to be the genre of choice or at least , an important influence. I seem to remember reading a book called something like "Like water for chocolate" - does this rings bells with anyone else?
I suspect my little Puritan voice doesn't encourage revelling in time-travel either. ( I really don't do sci-fi) Basically, this was an adventure for me. I was outside of my comfort zone. Not a bad thing to do sometimes.
After that little personal preamble - what do I think of the book?
On a shelf, I might place it alongside Moll Flanders and Vanity Fair, those fairground rides of life, driven by ever-changing fates. I think it was James Runcie's first novel, which leads me to say that it was a brave choice of genre, a good idea and well-researched. He has gone on to achieve popular success in more domestic settings so perhaps he too felt that it didn't quite hit the mark. Or maybe he realised that this sort of literature doesn't pay the mortgage!
I quite liked Degoy and Pedro. Wow, no wonder he fell for the amazing Ignacia! Loved the sensual scenes, the sex and the chocolate-making.
I missed the Gertrude Bell reference but got Freud and Herschey. Actually, what a interesting way to write history! I think I might read it again, now that I've understood what the author was about.
To conclude - lush, filmic, whimsical, sensous, David Copperfield on heat!
I'm not usually drawn towards the "magic realism" school and I think that when literature goes to South America that seems to be the genre of choice or at least , an important influence. I seem to remember reading a book called something like "Like water for chocolate" - does this rings bells with anyone else?
I suspect my little Puritan voice doesn't encourage revelling in time-travel either. ( I really don't do sci-fi) Basically, this was an adventure for me. I was outside of my comfort zone. Not a bad thing to do sometimes.
After that little personal preamble - what do I think of the book?
On a shelf, I might place it alongside Moll Flanders and Vanity Fair, those fairground rides of life, driven by ever-changing fates. I think it was James Runcie's first novel, which leads me to say that it was a brave choice of genre, a good idea and well-researched. He has gone on to achieve popular success in more domestic settings so perhaps he too felt that it didn't quite hit the mark. Or maybe he realised that this sort of literature doesn't pay the mortgage!
I quite liked Degoy and Pedro. Wow, no wonder he fell for the amazing Ignacia! Loved the sensual scenes, the sex and the chocolate-making.
I missed the Gertrude Bell reference but got Freud and Herschey. Actually, what a interesting way to write history! I think I might read it again, now that I've understood what the author was about.
To conclude - lush, filmic, whimsical, sensous, David Copperfield on heat!
January 8, 2018
This book would have been much better off as a novella featuring the love story between Diego and Ignacia. The first quarter and the last tenth of the book were the only parts that were worth reading. The part inbetween were mind numbingly boring and nonsensical.
The main problem was this: the author wanted an immortal character and therefore introduced time travel, immortality and extremely slow aging (his pulse beats at 1/10 the speed of a normal person so he ages super slowly or something). I'm a huge science fiction fan, so I have no problem with any of these theories except that the cannot co-exist in the same story. Either he's immortal or he ages slowly. Either he lives long because of slow aging or he jumps through time of space. It can't be all of them! This is especially problematic since the time travel element was introduced early in the story, but the reason for the apparent time travel was never addressed (was it a time turner like Harry Potter? Stones like Outlander? A wardrobe like Narnia? A black hole like every sci-fi movie ever? WHAT WAS IT?!?) Then time travel is abandoned and slow aging is introduced (and that's fine too - all the vampire/werewolf/fearie stories prepare the reader for immortality)- it simply doesn't make sense to switch from one to the other and it irked me for the rest of the story.
Plus the characters were rather boring and the bedroom scenes were just icky - I felt like I needed a shower afterward. Just gross.
I feel like I'm being generous giving this book two stars. Since the story was intriguing again in the end, it partially redeemed itself enough to give two stars.
The main problem was this: the author wanted an immortal character and therefore introduced time travel, immortality and extremely slow aging (his pulse beats at 1/10 the speed of a normal person so he ages super slowly or something). I'm a huge science fiction fan, so I have no problem with any of these theories except that the cannot co-exist in the same story. Either he's immortal or he ages slowly. Either he lives long because of slow aging or he jumps through time of space. It can't be all of them! This is especially problematic since the time travel element was introduced early in the story, but the reason for the apparent time travel was never addressed (was it a time turner like Harry Potter? Stones like Outlander? A wardrobe like Narnia? A black hole like every sci-fi movie ever? WHAT WAS IT?!?) Then time travel is abandoned and slow aging is introduced (and that's fine too - all the vampire/werewolf/fearie stories prepare the reader for immortality)- it simply doesn't make sense to switch from one to the other and it irked me for the rest of the story.
Plus the characters were rather boring and the bedroom scenes were just icky - I felt like I needed a shower afterward. Just gross.
I feel like I'm being generous giving this book two stars. Since the story was intriguing again in the end, it partially redeemed itself enough to give two stars.
January 10, 2023
“ Although it is true that I have been considered lunatic on many occasions in the last five hundred years,it must be stated,at the very beginning of this sad and extraordinary tale , that I have been most grievously misunderstood. The elixir of life was drunk in all innocence and my dog had nothing to do with it!”
How can you not feel compelled to read on? Runchie’s debut novel is a captivating fable about the mystery and history of chocolate. The story is told through the eyes of Diego de Godoy and begins in 1518! With his quest for a unique gift for his lady love , Isabella. This mission takes him to Mexico with cortes,where despite his pure motives,he falls in love with Ignacia.
From whom Diego receives the gift of chocolate. This beverage also imparts the gift of very,very long life.
Through chocolate,Diego finds love , and through love , Diego discovers life.
This dear story is told in rich, sensual language and I was entranced throughout. The novel exercised my heartstrings continually,it and left me tearful and emotionally spent - but ever so pleased.
It is a wonder journey garnished with a tale of romance.
How can you not feel compelled to read on? Runchie’s debut novel is a captivating fable about the mystery and history of chocolate. The story is told through the eyes of Diego de Godoy and begins in 1518! With his quest for a unique gift for his lady love , Isabella. This mission takes him to Mexico with cortes,where despite his pure motives,he falls in love with Ignacia.
From whom Diego receives the gift of chocolate. This beverage also imparts the gift of very,very long life.
Through chocolate,Diego finds love , and through love , Diego discovers life.
This dear story is told in rich, sensual language and I was entranced throughout. The novel exercised my heartstrings continually,it and left me tearful and emotionally spent - but ever so pleased.
It is a wonder journey garnished with a tale of romance.
August 1, 2025
“ ‘A princess was left to guard a secret treasure while her husband was away. Enemy soldiers came. They attacked and tortured her, but she did not say where the treasure lay.’
‘That will not happen to you...’
‘Then the soldiers killed her...’
‘No.’
‘Our people say the cacao plant grew from her blood in the earth.’”
Diego de Godoy travels with Cortés to Mexico and while his men are sacking Montezuma’s city, he meets Ignacia and she teaches him the secrets of chocolate. Together, they drink a chocolate potion which grants them long life and love: “Quien bien amo tarde olvidia.” When he returns to her hut it is in ashes and he finds a grave. Distraught, he returns to Spain and for the next several hundred years travels the world deriving recipes for chocolate. But can he find happiness?
Diego does not love himself and neither do I. But it’s an interesting journey through the centuries and the story of chocolate.
‘That will not happen to you...’
‘Then the soldiers killed her...’
‘No.’
‘Our people say the cacao plant grew from her blood in the earth.’”
Diego de Godoy travels with Cortés to Mexico and while his men are sacking Montezuma’s city, he meets Ignacia and she teaches him the secrets of chocolate. Together, they drink a chocolate potion which grants them long life and love: “Quien bien amo tarde olvidia.” When he returns to her hut it is in ashes and he finds a grave. Distraught, he returns to Spain and for the next several hundred years travels the world deriving recipes for chocolate. But can he find happiness?
Diego does not love himself and neither do I. But it’s an interesting journey through the centuries and the story of chocolate.
August 1, 2021
An interesting passage through the history of chocolate from the perspective of one person so deeply involved in the process. The story ties together so many famed chocolatiers or generally well-known characters that sometimes it feels like "oops here's another one" and perhaps some of these stories Diego didn't need to be part of. I loved reading it though, and enioyed seeing the progression of chocolate through the ages and the emotional roller-coaster of a man so out of sorts with the live he continued to reluctantly lead. The last few chapters of the book definitely caught me the most and I may have even let a tear escape. Whether this was due to Diego's desolation or redemption I'll let you find out. :)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 23, 2018
I would actually give this 2.5 stars. It was a little more than okay, but I can't say I'm wholly in the 'like it' camp either. I like a good story with time travel and fantastical elements, but this was not a satisfying read. It started off well, then descended into silliness as Diego encounters the Marquis de Sade, the inventors of the Sacher Torte, works for Hershey's, and comes full circle with Ignacia. It's a fanciful narrative about one man's history with chocolate wrapped around a contrived love story with some bizarre twists of fate. I didn't hate it, but I wouldn't read it again. And I would only recommend it with massive caveats.
February 11, 2021
Picked up this book completely blind. No joke! Our library set out books with brown wrapping and a little tag with a description of what the book involved: Historical Fiction, For chocolate lovers, Dog sidekick. Based on this I picked up the book and brought it home to read. I removed the brown wrapping and plunged into the book and I can only say THANK YOU to our library staff for picking out such a wonderful book. I could not put the book down. Such adventures our little Spaniard friend goes through all for LOVE.
February 15, 2023
The premise of the book is excellent however once the plot gets going it felt all over the place. The time travel isn't explained in any real way and makes no sense. The chocolate theme throughout the book is very sensual but is not strong enough to hold together the story. It felt like there were several books being sewn together like Frankenstein.
My favorite part was the beginning when the main character starts off in Mesoamerica. Everything about that section of the book was beautiful.
The book was interesting journey but not one that I would make again.
My favorite part was the beginning when the main character starts off in Mesoamerica. Everything about that section of the book was beautiful.
The book was interesting journey but not one that I would make again.
October 8, 2023
My friend gave Discovery of Chocolate a 5 star rating a few years back, and why wouldn’t I read a book about chocolate? But the negative reviews gave me pause. When I finally engaged with the Kindle version, I was pleasantly surprised. The plot reflects old Spanish literature, with a long quest by the hero who experiences many odd things. Yet the language is modern, and some of the experiences ironic or amusing. The hero (or anti hero perhaps) is also Spanish.
Beginning in Spain, the young hero begins his journey as Cortez’ scribe, recording Spanish experiences in the New World. He is on a personal quest to become worthy of marrying the woman to whom he is engaged, by bringing her a unique and significant gift. She in turn gives him her greyhound.
But, as in modern romances, he instead finds his soul mate, who asks nothing of him but love, and the chocolate that she serves him. Alas, because she is Aztec, the star-crossed lovers are torn apart and he returns to Spain. But he is restless. The path back to true love is complex and long. On the way, he manages to be in the right place at the right time to help invent many a famous chocolate treat. The author puts him up to many an unlikely circumstance, which made this reader chuckle. The long journey is filled with triumph and failure.
But, like the old Spanish heroes, his quest is ultimately fulfilling. Worthwhile reading for lighthearted history buffs and chocolate lovers.
Beginning in Spain, the young hero begins his journey as Cortez’ scribe, recording Spanish experiences in the New World. He is on a personal quest to become worthy of marrying the woman to whom he is engaged, by bringing her a unique and significant gift. She in turn gives him her greyhound.
But, as in modern romances, he instead finds his soul mate, who asks nothing of him but love, and the chocolate that she serves him. Alas, because she is Aztec, the star-crossed lovers are torn apart and he returns to Spain. But he is restless. The path back to true love is complex and long. On the way, he manages to be in the right place at the right time to help invent many a famous chocolate treat. The author puts him up to many an unlikely circumstance, which made this reader chuckle. The long journey is filled with triumph and failure.
But, like the old Spanish heroes, his quest is ultimately fulfilling. Worthwhile reading for lighthearted history buffs and chocolate lovers.
March 17, 2018
After reading The Monk of Mokha I suddenly remembered having read this. It is already a long time ago and before I even knew about Goodreads but still this is one fo these books that I loved to it core. Ever since reading it even love chocolate intenser. Great to take along while travelling especially when you are heading for Southern America. But a must read for every chocolate lover! If I ever find the time then this is surely worth a reread.
November 14, 2020
Magical realism, coated with chocolate.... Diego, the main character, moves through history, learning about the possibilities of chocolate and seeking his lost love. Amusing at times, but tedious at others -- this shows that it is a first novel in a number of ways. I have enjoyed a number of Runcie's subsequent Grantchester novels, which are better. How bad could a book about chocolate be, though. I liked it.
March 29, 2022
This was James Runcie's first novel - what a gifted storyteller he has always been! He infuses his tales with multisensory imagery- the sights, sounds, smells and tastes of life! This is a delightful short read similar to Candide, Don Quixote (well, this one is not short), the Little Prince...a fun romp through the history of chocolate, the main character meets up with many of history's most illustrious and notorious characters...a lovely meditation on life, love, death ....and chocolate!!!
October 24, 2017
I enjoyed this book which is both sad & humorous. Pedro seems doomed to roam the world looking for his true love while somehow managing to become involved in creating some of the worlds most famous chocolate recipes. A delightful story with a poignant but fitting ending & one that would surely be great as a film.
May 13, 2023
Really - 3.5 but we can't give half stars. It was hard to connect with Diego, as he was too self-absorbed to do anything but feel sorry for himself as he went through life bemoaning his long-lost love, which even interfered with finding her early on. That said, his adventures with different chocolate empressarios through the years were interesting.
July 4, 2023
I picked this book up many years ago and it;s been sitting in the to be read bookcase ever since. Well I picked it up a week or so ago the computer was broken so I was reading more and this was a real pleasant surprise. A tour through history with chocolate as the timeline and meeting many famous people alomg the way. Worth the read
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