Summary
Published in 1999, Chocolat serves up an enchanting tale of temptation and transformation in a small French village. The story follows Vianne Rocher, a single mother who opens a chocolate shop during Lent, challenging the conservative views of the local priest and awakening the villagers' senses to life's pleasures. Joanne Harris's vivid descriptions of chocolate and French culture made the book a bestseller. Chocolat was adapted into a critically acclaimed film, starring Juliette Binoche and Johnny Depp, in 2000.
Plot
Chocolat tells the story of Vianne Rocher, a single mother who arrives with her young daughter Anouk in the small French village of Lansquenet-sous-Tannes during Lent. Vianne opens a chocolate shop called La Céleste Praline, which causes controversy in the conservative Catholic community led by Father Francis Reynaud. As Vianne befriends various villagers and helps them with her sympathetic nature and magical chocolate creations, tensions rise between her free-spirited ways and the traditional values espoused by Father Reynaud.
The arrival of a group of river gypsies further divides the village, with Vianne welcoming them while others shun them. Vianne forms a connection with Roux, one of the gypsies. Meanwhile, she helps several villagers overcome personal struggles, including Josephine, who leaves her abusive husband to work in the chocolate shop. As Easter approaches, Vianne plans a chocolate festival that puts her in direct conflict with Father Reynaud and his supporters. The priest's obsession with thwarting Vianne's influence leads him to vandalize her shop, but he is caught in the act.
Despite Father Reynaud's efforts, the chocolate festival is a success, marking a shift in the village's attitudes. By the end of the novel, many of the villagers have embraced a more joyful approach to life, influenced by Vianne's presence and her chocolates. The story concludes with Vianne discovering she is pregnant with Roux's child, though they will not raise the baby together. Featuring irresistible chocolate recipes, Chocolat is ultimately a celebration of kindness, the power of food to bring people together, and everyday magic.
Themes
Temptation and indulgence versus self-restraint
Tradition versus change
Religious faith versus personal freedom
Community acceptance versus prejudice
Magic and enchantment in everyday life
Mother-daughter relationships
The transformative power of food
Setting
Set in the fictional village of Lansquenet-sous-Tannes in southwestern France, Chocolat unfolds in a rural community steeped in tradition and deeply influenced by the Catholic Church. The novel takes place in the late 20th century, during the period of Lent, adding a layer of religious significance to the narrative.
The village itself is described as a small, insular place with a population of only a few hundred, mostly elderly residents. Its location “between Toulouse and Bordeaux” places it in the Gers region, known for its picturesque landscapes and rich culinary traditions. The central setting of the novel is La Céleste Praline, the chocolate shop opened by protagonist Vianne Rocher, which becomes a focal point for the community's conflicts and transformations.
While the specific year is not mentioned, the novel's contemporary setting is evident in its portrayal of modern tensions between tradition and change, religion and secularism. The arrival of Vianne and her daughter, as well as a group of river gypsies, introduces elements of the outside world to this isolated village, challenging its long-held beliefs and customs. This clash between old and new forms the backdrop for the story's exploration of personal freedom, community, and the power of food to bring people together.
Characters
Vianne Rocher: The protagonist, a single mother who opens a chocolate shop in a small French village. She has mystical abilities and a free spirit.
Anouk Rocher: Vianne's young daughter who has an imaginary rabbit friend named Pantoufle.
Francis Reynaud: The village priest who opposes Vianne and sees her as a threat to traditional values and religious observance.
Armande Voizin: An elderly villager who befriends Vianne and enjoys defying social conventions.
Josephine Muscat: An abused wife who finds refuge and empowerment working in Vianne's shop.
Roux: A river gypsy who develops a romantic relationship with Vianne.
Caroline Clairmont: Armande's estranged daughter, who disapproves of Vianne's influence.
Luc Clairmont: Caroline's teenage son, who bonds with his grandmother, Armande.
Guillaume: An elderly villager devoted to his sick dog, Charly.
Paul-Marie Muscat: Josephine's abusive husband, who opposes the changes in the village.
Quick facts
Joanne Harris wrote the first draft of Chocolat in just five weeks.
The character of Vianne Rocher was partly inspired by Harris's strong-willed great-grandmother.
Anouk's imaginary rabbit Pantoufle was based on Harris's own daughter's imaginary friend.
The fictional village of Lansquenet-sous-Tannes is likely based on Nérac, where Harris spent childhood holidays.
Harris has written three sequels to Chocolat: The Lollipop Shoes, Peaches for Monsieur le Curé, and The Strawberry Thief.
The 2000 film adaptation starring Juliette Binoche and Johnny Depp was nominated for five Academy Awards.
Harris included detailed chocolate recipes throughout the book, inspiring readers to try making their own confections.
About the Author
Joanne Harris is an internationally acclaimed author with a body of work spanning multiple genres. Her breakthrough novel Chocolat, published in 1999, became a global sensation and was adapted into an Oscar-nominated film starring Juliette Binoche and Johnny Depp.With more than 20 novels to her name, Harris has explored themes of magic realism, suspense, historical fiction, and fantasy. Her works often feature strong female protagonists challenging societal norms and incorporate elements of folklore and mythology.
Born in 1964 to an English father and French mother, Harris grew up bilingual and developed a love for storytelling from an early age. Beyond novels, she has written cookbooks, short stories, and even a Doctor Who novella. Among notable accolades, Harris has been awarded honorary doctorates, a fellowship of the Royal Society of Literature, and an OBE for services to literature. She is also known for her advocacy work, campaigning for causes such as fair pay for authors and the importance of libraries.
Outside of writing, Harris performs with the #Storytime Band, blending music and storytelling, and works from a shed in her Yorkshire garden. Intriguingly, Harris possesses a form of synaesthesia that allows her to smell colors, adding a unique sensory dimension to her creative process.
