wanderaven's review against another edition
4.0
It's a great book but I'm not sure much can fully live up to [b:Chocolat|47401|Chocolat (Chocolat, #1)|Joanne Harris|http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1309284161s/47401.jpg|2930558] (which is okay), and so towards the end of the book, I was wondering whether I'd be giving it three or four stars. I was reluctant to do three, it felt stronger than that, but wasn't affecting me as much as Chocolat. But then Pantouf (not sure of spelling, as I listened to it on audiobook), a flitting presence throughout the narrative (and ties in with the title) makes his presence most strongly felt towards the end and, I suppose because I do feel like I have my own little Pantouf as well, he made it feel more like a four.
Some readers might not appreciate the layers, the realizations of the meaning of shadow (as in, they may think it too transparent?), but I loved it, and Anouk, and Roux, though it was difficult to make the transition to his role here, when it clearly didn't exist in Chocolat, the book at least. But I liked the movie even though it didn't mirror the book, so I'm okay with it. I've marked this book under categories of both magical realism and supernatural/fantasy because although some of the elements could remain as magical realism, far too many of them are too strongly magical to simply be magical realism.
Enjoyable and magical (perhaps just a bit too much towards the end for my tastes), and always love Harris' food and its role in the story.
Some readers might not appreciate the layers, the realizations of the meaning of shadow (as in, they may think it too transparent?), but I loved it, and Anouk, and Roux, though it was difficult to make the transition to his role here, when it clearly didn't exist in Chocolat, the book at least. But I liked the movie even though it didn't mirror the book, so I'm okay with it. I've marked this book under categories of both magical realism and supernatural/fantasy because although some of the elements could remain as magical realism, far too many of them are too strongly magical to simply be magical realism.
Enjoyable and magical (perhaps just a bit too much towards the end for my tastes), and always love Harris' food and its role in the story.
whatvictoriaread's review
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
kellyldriver's review against another edition
3.0
Last year for book club I read Chocolat by Joanne Harris. I loved the movie so I figured I would love the book too. It was fabulous! The movie and the book however are two completely different stories, both fantastic in their own right.
When my MOMS friends told me that the selection for March was The Girl With No Shadow, the sequel to Chocolat, I knew I had to read it.
Publisher’s Weekly describes it...”Harris revisits characters from 1999's bestselling Chocolat in this equally delectable modern fairy tale. More than four years have passed since Vianne Rocher pitted her enchanted chocolate confections against the local clergy's interpretation of Lent in smalltown France; since then, Vianne has renounced magic, changed her name to Yanne Charbonneau and moved with her two daughters to Paris's Montmartre district. There, Yanne embraces conformity and safety, much to the dismay of her increasingly troubled older daughter, Anouk. When Anouk becomes entranced with Zozie de l'Alba, an exotic itinerant who happens upon a job at the new shop, and the relationship grows increasingly sinister, Yanne must call up all of Vianne's powers, culinary and mystical, to save her family. Harris again structures the narrative (told in alternate chapters by Zozie, Yanne and Anouk) around a liturgical season (in this case Advent). Harris gives fans much to savor in this multilayered novel, from the descriptions (including Yanne's mouthwatering chocolate confections, Zozie's whimsical footwear and Anouk's artistic efforts) to the novel's classic, enduring theme of good vs. evil—and the difficulty of telling the difference.”
I was completely taken in by this new story of Vianne, Anouk, Roux and the newest characters Zozie and the rest of the town.
The way Harris describes the village, the people and the chocolate you feel as if you are right there in the Chocolaterie. You can feel, taste and smell the delectable treats that Vianne/Yanne creates in her kitchen.
She tends to focus a little bit more on the “magic” that Vianne and Anouk possess and keeps you on edge trying to figure out if Vianne has met her match in the charmingly evil Zozie.
The Girl With No Shadow was definitely a deserving follow up to Chocolat and I can’t wait to see if we will get yet a third chance to indulge in the lives of Vianne, Anouk and Roux
When my MOMS friends told me that the selection for March was The Girl With No Shadow, the sequel to Chocolat, I knew I had to read it.
Publisher’s Weekly describes it...”Harris revisits characters from 1999's bestselling Chocolat in this equally delectable modern fairy tale. More than four years have passed since Vianne Rocher pitted her enchanted chocolate confections against the local clergy's interpretation of Lent in smalltown France; since then, Vianne has renounced magic, changed her name to Yanne Charbonneau and moved with her two daughters to Paris's Montmartre district. There, Yanne embraces conformity and safety, much to the dismay of her increasingly troubled older daughter, Anouk. When Anouk becomes entranced with Zozie de l'Alba, an exotic itinerant who happens upon a job at the new shop, and the relationship grows increasingly sinister, Yanne must call up all of Vianne's powers, culinary and mystical, to save her family. Harris again structures the narrative (told in alternate chapters by Zozie, Yanne and Anouk) around a liturgical season (in this case Advent). Harris gives fans much to savor in this multilayered novel, from the descriptions (including Yanne's mouthwatering chocolate confections, Zozie's whimsical footwear and Anouk's artistic efforts) to the novel's classic, enduring theme of good vs. evil—and the difficulty of telling the difference.”
I was completely taken in by this new story of Vianne, Anouk, Roux and the newest characters Zozie and the rest of the town.
The way Harris describes the village, the people and the chocolate you feel as if you are right there in the Chocolaterie. You can feel, taste and smell the delectable treats that Vianne/Yanne creates in her kitchen.
She tends to focus a little bit more on the “magic” that Vianne and Anouk possess and keeps you on edge trying to figure out if Vianne has met her match in the charmingly evil Zozie.
The Girl With No Shadow was definitely a deserving follow up to Chocolat and I can’t wait to see if we will get yet a third chance to indulge in the lives of Vianne, Anouk and Roux
vehii's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
This is the second book in the Chocolat series, and this one I've also read before (although I couldn't remember most of it)
Four years have past since Vianne (now Yanne) left Lansquenet. She has left her colourful, outgoing persona who dabbles in magic behind, and is now desperately trying to blend in. Until the manipulative Zozie comes along who very quickly weaved herself into the lives of Vianne and Anouk.
This time we read the book through 3 perspectives: Vianne, Anouk, and Zozie. I liked reading through the eyes of 3 completely different people with their own characteristics, but I would've liked it to be mostly Vianne throughout the whole book, who's (mainly in the beginning) being overshadowed by Zozie. But then again, that could've been done on purpose. Overall, I think the 3 main characters were well written.
I have a love/hate relationship with the telenovella ending during Christmas Eve. I was on the edge of my seat and flew through the last, very short, chapters. But, it's a lot of drama haircut all at once.
Four years have past since Vianne (now Yanne) left Lansquenet. She has left her colourful, outgoing persona who dabbles in magic behind, and is now desperately trying to blend in. Until the manipulative Zozie comes along who very quickly weaved herself into the lives of Vianne and Anouk.
This time we read the book through 3 perspectives: Vianne, Anouk, and Zozie. I liked reading through the eyes of 3 completely different people with their own characteristics, but I would've liked it to be mostly Vianne throughout the whole book, who's (mainly in the beginning) being overshadowed by Zozie. But then again, that could've been done on purpose. Overall, I think the 3 main characters were well written.
I have a love/hate relationship with the telenovella ending during Christmas Eve. I was on the edge of my seat and flew through the last, very short, chapters. But, it's a lot of drama haircut all at once.
lilyanisha05's review against another edition
mysterious
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
chicagojess312's review
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
nonabgo's review
4.0
Oh wow, this book is amazing. If possible, even more so than [b:Chocolat|47401|Chocolat (Chocolat, #1)|Joanne Harris|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1388674628s/47401.jpg|2930558], the first novel in the Vianne Rocher series. I keep being amazed by [a:Joanne Harris|9432|Joanne Harris|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1411031584p2/9432.jpg], this amazing storyteller that I have just discovered, but whom I've already placed high up there, on the shelf of my favorite authors.
[b:The Lollipop Shoes|1022699|The Lollipop Shoes|Joanne Harris|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1342810333s/1022699.jpg|1008826] picks up four years after the events in [b:Chocolat|47401|Chocolat (Chocolat, #1)|Joanne Harris|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1388674628s/47401.jpg|2930558], with a different Vianne, one who thinks to live a simple and "normal" life is what it's best for her and her children - Anouk and Rosette. But it's never the way you wish, especially when you have to face your worst fears and the past comes back to haunt you.
The story is told from the point of view of three characters - Vianne, now a single mother of two, trying to make a living in Paris and to give Anouk what she had never had as a child; Anouk herself, now on the verge of adolescence, rebelling against normalcy and in search of adventure, unhappy of what her mother has become; and Zozie, a new character, a flamboyant young woman with red "lollipop" shoes, whose specialty is to stir up trouble.
It seems that the story is unfolding slowly and I got a bit impatient for it to actually begin, but [a:Joanne Harris|9432|Joanne Harris|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1411031584p2/9432.jpg] is such a great writer that I enjoyed the first chapters, which allowed me to get to know a whole different Vianne, not to mention Anouk as a slightly rebellious preteen that so reminded me of me at that age (without all the magic, of course).
But as the story progresses and the rhythm increases, the book becomes impossible to be put down. It's a thrill to see everything from three different points of view, to get to know the characters so well, to find out all of their desires, secrets, and passions. And as we move towards the end, the rhythm increases more and more, live a rollercoaster, towards an ending that is both a little bit predictable (in a good way) and full of surprises.
This is one of those books that leave you completely satisfied, on all planes - exquisite writing, great story, well-built characters that don't fail to surprise and never disappoint, and magic - so much magic! I can't wait to start the next book in the series!
[b:The Lollipop Shoes|1022699|The Lollipop Shoes|Joanne Harris|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1342810333s/1022699.jpg|1008826] picks up four years after the events in [b:Chocolat|47401|Chocolat (Chocolat, #1)|Joanne Harris|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1388674628s/47401.jpg|2930558], with a different Vianne, one who thinks to live a simple and "normal" life is what it's best for her and her children - Anouk and Rosette. But it's never the way you wish, especially when you have to face your worst fears and the past comes back to haunt you.
The story is told from the point of view of three characters - Vianne, now a single mother of two, trying to make a living in Paris and to give Anouk what she had never had as a child; Anouk herself, now on the verge of adolescence, rebelling against normalcy and in search of adventure, unhappy of what her mother has become; and Zozie, a new character, a flamboyant young woman with red "lollipop" shoes, whose specialty is to stir up trouble.
It seems that the story is unfolding slowly and I got a bit impatient for it to actually begin, but [a:Joanne Harris|9432|Joanne Harris|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1411031584p2/9432.jpg] is such a great writer that I enjoyed the first chapters, which allowed me to get to know a whole different Vianne, not to mention Anouk as a slightly rebellious preteen that so reminded me of me at that age (without all the magic, of course).
But as the story progresses and the rhythm increases, the book becomes impossible to be put down. It's a thrill to see everything from three different points of view, to get to know the characters so well, to find out all of their desires, secrets, and passions. And as we move towards the end, the rhythm increases more and more, live a rollercoaster, towards an ending that is both a little bit predictable (in a good way) and full of surprises.
This is one of those books that leave you completely satisfied, on all planes - exquisite writing, great story, well-built characters that don't fail to surprise and never disappoint, and magic - so much magic! I can't wait to start the next book in the series!
rants_n_reads's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0