Around the World in 80 Books discussion

Start discussion here for Chocolat by Joanne Harris.

Summary


When the exotic stranger Vianne Rocher arrives in the old French village of Lansquenet and opens a chocolate boutique called "La Celeste Praline" directly across the square from the church, Father Reynaud identifies her as a serious danger to his flock. It is the beginning of Lent: the traditional season of self-denial. The priest says she'll be out of business by Easter.

To make matters worse, Vianne does not go to church and has a penchant for superstition. Like her mother, she can read Tarot cards. But she begins to win over customers with her smiles, her intuition for everyone's favourites, and her delightful confections. Her shop provides a place, too, for secrets to be whispered, grievances aired. She begins to shake up the rigid morality of the community. Vianne's plans for an Easter Chocolate Festival divide the whole community. Can the solemnity of the Church compare with the pagan passion of a chocolate éclair?

For the first time, here is a novel in which chocolate enjoys its true importance, emerging as an agent of transformation. Rich, clever, and mischievous, reminiscent of a folk tale or fable, this is a triumphant read with a memorable character at its heart.

Says Harris: "You might see [Vianne] as an archetype or a mythical figure. I prefer to see her as the lone gunslinger who blows into the town, has a showdown with the man in the black hat, then moves on relentless. But on another level she is a perfectly real person with real insecurities and a very human desire for love and acceptance. Her qualities too—kindness, love, tolerance—are very human." Vianne and her young daughter Anouk, come into town on Shrove Tuesday. "Carnivals make us uneasy," says Harris, "because of what they represent: the residual memory of blood sacrifice (it is after all from the word "carne" that the term arises), of pagan celebration. And they represent a loss of inhibition; carnival time is a time at which almost anything is possible."

The book became an international best-seller, and was optioned to film quickly. The Oscar-nominated movie, with its star-studded cast including Juliette Binoche (The English Patient) and Judi Dench (Shakespeare in Love), was directed by Lasse Hallstrom, whose previous film The Cider House Rules (based on a John Irving novel) also looks at issues of community and moral standards, though in a less lighthearted vein. (From the publisher and Lit Lovers.)

About the Author

Joanne Harris, part French and part English, found the inspiration for her novel Chocolat in her own family history and folklore—herself having lived in a sweet-shop and being the great-granddaughter of a Frenchwoman known locally as a witch and a healer who once disguised herself as an apparition of the Virgin Mary to shock the local priest. Harris, who studied at St. Catharine's College in Cambridge where she received a BA and an MA in French and German, teaches French in an English school and lives in Yorkshire, England, with her husband and daughter. (From the publisher and Lit Lovers.)

Discussion Questions


1. To what extent is Reynaud the villain of the piece? Is it possible to understand or sympathize with the motivations and feelings behind his actions?

2. Reynaud and Vianne seem to be natural enemies from the start, and yet they both have significant elements in common: a haunted past, a desire for acceptance. How do you think this affects their relationship?

3. The preparation and eating of food is decribed in detail in many parts of the book. What is the significance of this, and what do the attitudes of the main characters towards food show about their personalities?

4. The author uses the first-person narrative voice for both of her principal characters. Why do you feel she does this, and how effective is each in showing the character's attitudes and motivations?

5. Vianne appears to other people as a strong and confident woman but is secretly filled with fears and insecurities. To what extent do you think she has been strengthened or damaged by her relationship with her bohemian mother?

6. The themes of moving on and settling down recur frequently in the book. Why do you think Vianne wants so badly to remain in the village? Do you think she eventually decides to stay?
(Questions issued by publisher and copied from Lit Lovers.)

I just finished this book, so I am excited to participate.

1. To what extent is Reynaud the villain of the piece? Is it possible to understand or sympathize with the motivations and feelings behind his actions?

Reynaud is just a person, not really a villain and that is what makes him a good character. He is someone who was raised in faith and I think struggles with it, just as almost everyone does. Furthermore, I think he is a little attracted to Vianne which confuses him and maybe makes him more desperate than he would be.

2. Reynaud and Vianne seem to be natural enemies from the start, and yet they both have significant elements in common: a haunted past, a desire for acceptance. How do you think this affects their relationship?

I think Reynaud and Vianne are two sides of the same coin. Vianne chooses a life without a defined faith but treats people well because she knows what it means to be treated poorly. Reynaud comes from a respected background and feels that he is better because of that, holding his religion as the thing that gives him the right to do that. I think if you put Reynaud in the same situation as Vianne growing up, there is a good chance he would have grown up to be more like she is now, and likewise Vianne in Reynaud's would probably be much more intolerant.

I think this similarity is what draws Reynaud to Vianne despite his protestations of hate. I believe that if Reynaud was honest with himself, it is not the chocolate that bothers him, but his attraction to Vianne, someone who supposedly represents everything he is supposed to abhor. Similarly, it is why Vianne is affected by Reynaud.

3. The preparation and eating of food is decribed in detail in many parts of the book. What is the significance of this, and what do the attitudes of the main characters towards food show about their personalities?

I think food represents a full life in this book. Armande, even though she is (view spoiler)[dying (hide spoiler)] accepts as much good food as she can because she wants to live a fulfilled life. Vianne likes to prepare food because she likes to help people. Josephine steals candy because she desperately wants a fuller life without torment. Reynaud abstains from food because he believes that anything good in life must be sacrificed for and therefore he is incredibly unhappy.

4. The author uses the first-person narrative voice for both of her principal characters. Why do you feel she does this, and how effective is each in showing the character's attitudes and motivations?

The first person narrative voice is effective in helping the reader identify with the characters quickly. Because Vianne and Reynaud are much the same even as they are different, it helps you to see neither as the absolute villain or hero. Both are flawed, both are good in their own ways. Reynaud's intentions are actually good, even if his actions don't always reflect that. Vianne doesn't always have the best intentions, but she likes to help people so she comes across better.

5. Vianne appears to other people as a strong and confident woman but is secretly filled with fears and insecurities. To what extent do you think she has been strengthened or damaged by her relationship with her bohemian mother?

She is both strengthened and damaged by her relationship with her mother. She never knew what is was like to be stable, yet at the same time she was loved fiercely. By staying in one place, Vianne is confronting both a longing and a fear given to her by her mother. Change is scary for anyone and it is no different for Vianne.

6. The themes of moving on and settling down recur frequently in the book. Why do you think Vianne wants so badly to remain in the village? Do you think she eventually decides to stay?

I think it will come down to what Anouk wants. In the end, Vianne's mother chose herself over Vianne. Her mother wanted to leave, so they left. I think Vianne is less selfish than that and will stay for Anouk. Vianne talks a lot to the villagers about staying and how important that is because it means you face down your demons. She wants to face her own demons but is afraid to. Staying for Anouk will mean facing her own demons, but I think she is selfless enough to be willing to do it.

I am 3/4 of the way through the book and enjoying it very much. I saw the movie years ago and enjoyed it as well. One thing I did notice is that the book is not set in Pays de Loire but in Midi-Pyrenees, based upon the geographical landmarks mentioned in the book,