Original Review @ Lit Lovers Lane

How I ended up between its sheets: My friend loaned me a book that turned out to be not just the 2nd, but the 3rd in author Joanne Harris’ Chocolat series. That was too much for me to take, so I bought the first two.


What stimulated me:

- The continuation of Vianne’s story.
- The themes: fear which leads to half lives, conformity which leads to half selves, family which is by choice not blood.
- The book is not simply a Chocolat rehash, but has a completely different, darker feel. I really appreciate the risk author Joanne Harris took.
- More about Vianne’s past is revealed.
- Like Chocolat, the story is told in alternating voices. This time it’s Vianne, Anouk, and Zozie. I like these different perspectives.
- The magic is more out there and explicit in this book rather than merely alluded to.


What turned me off (but only the teeniest bit):

- Vianne’s complete and prolonged loss of vitality, colors, and sunny personality. I kept mentally slapping her upside the head and yelling, “Snap out of it!”
- The locals were not as full-bodied, quirky, and likable as inChocolat’s Lansquenet.
- Would have liked Zozie’s evil to have unfolded naturally rather than knowing from book blurb her true nature.
- Alternating story voices were sometimes confusing as to who was narrating.
- The middle of the book dragged a bit.