A joyous return of Vianne Rocher and the world of Chocolat

5 stars

How indulgent it felt to be immersed in Joanne Harris's charming world of Chocolat, in this, Vianne Rocher's origin story. For me it was like crossing the blissful feeling of sinking into a steamy hot bath after a cold, wet day crossed with encountering a friend you adored but lost touch with years ago. Warm, immediately cosy and all embracing, at ease. A joy of the most unexpected variety that transports the reader back into Vianne's orbit hot on the heels of her mother's death in New York and her return to France. She arrives in France with little money, early in pregnancy and looking to settle into a job and find a place to stay. She is offered a room at a cafe and takes on the challenge of cooking for her keep. 

As with all books in this series, Vianne makes the reader quite peckish with all the beautifully succulent descriptions of food and food preparation. When the reader finally has control of their hunger we pivot with Vianne into her introduction to chocolate. The transition from savoury to the richness of chocolate does make one feel as if we are following a lovely French meal with a chocolate pud. Sinful but utterly delicious. Wholly necessary and right.

As with all the books in this series, I was charmed and delighted by this novel. All the people Vianne meets and are able to help, in a fashion, whilst she is in Marseilles is perfectly crafted and spot on, as if we have not parted from Vianne in years. Her voice and desire to help others with her special gifts is completely captivating as are the people who surround her in this yarn. A real joy. 

So if you read Chocolat years ago, or even enjoyed the film, this is just the book for you.