The bestselling author of Chocolat and The Girl with No Shadow returns to Lansquenet in this enchanting new novel When Vianne Rocher receives a letter from beyond the grave, she has no choice but to follow the wind that blows her back to Lansquenet, the beautiful French village in which eight years ago she opened a chocolate shop and first learned the meaning of home. But returning to one’s past can be a dangerous pursuit. Vianne, with her daughters, Anouk and Rosette, finds Lansquenet changed in unexpected ways: women veiled in black, the scent of spices and peppermint tea—and there, on the bank of the river Tannes, facing the church, a minaret. Most surprising of all, her old nemesis, Father Francis Reynaud, desperately needs her help. Can Vianne work her magic once again?
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"Loved this book. Life was so hectic this last month that I couldn't find time to just sit down and enjoy it until today. I loved "Chocolat" but missed the book in between it and this one. I have ordered it to read and I plan to reread "Chocolat." The characters are fascinating and I love the twists in the plot. It's pretty clear early on who the villian is and I couldn't believe no one figured out who "Foxy" was....with a name like Reynaud! Those are my only quibbles and they were just minor points. I'm not usually into books with any kind of magic but I find ESP and color-reading interesting. I've enjoyed everything I've read by Joanne Harris and am eagerly awaiting more!" — Lela (5 out of 5 stars)
"Loved this book. Life was so hectic this last month that I couldn't find time to just sit down and enjoy it until today. I loved "Chocolat" but missed the book in between it and this one. I have ordered it to read and I plan to reread "Chocolat." The characters are fascinating and I love the twists in the plot. It's pretty clear early on who the villian is and I couldn't believe no one figured out who "Foxy" was....with a name like Reynaud! Those are my only quibbles and they were just minor points. I'm not usually into books with any kind of magic but I find ESP and color-reading interesting. I've enjoyed everything I've read by Joanne Harris and am eagerly awaiting more!"
“It is worth immersing yourself in the sights, sounds and smells of Lansquenet’s narrow two-hundred-year-old streets as they open to newcomers. In Peaches for Father Francis, Harris effectively updates the Chocolat recipe, using the metaphor of food to make the weighty issues of immigration and religious tolerance more palatable.”
“Harris returns to the setting and heroine that will be familiar to readers of her bestselling Chocolat series…[A] sensitively told tale.”
“Rula Lenska and Gareth Armstrong both give powerful performances...Each demonstrates vocal range with their portrayals of the other characters...A most enjoyable listen from two masters of the art.”
“Harris’ skill at vibrantly depicting the charm and eccentricity of rural French life is at the heart of this delightful novel. Harris has used this story as a plea for tolerance and understanding, but her message is not the least pedantic. Fans of the first two books will delight in becoming reacquainted with Vianne, her dashing man, Roux, and her clever daughters.”
“Harris achieves what many lesser talents have found impossible: mesmerizing readers with a socially relevant plot, without ever becoming cliché, maudlin, or forgetting that in the end, she is not a lecturer, but a storyteller.”
“Harris’ loving attention to the details of cuisine, French and Moroccan, and the daily lives of the eccentric village characters conveys a certain charm…A breathtaking finish.”
" Although magical realism isnt usually my 'thing' like (almost) everyone else I loved Chocolat. I was however a little disappointed by the sequel Lollipop Shoes. This is a return to form and I devoured it-pun intended, don't even think of reading this book if you're at all hungry! Just beautiful. "
" Excellent addition to the Vianne Rocher series mixing the requisite touch of magic with a great story featuring surprisingly contemporary subject matter. "
" good story. I like this author and her Chocolat group of characters are so interesting. "
" Sometimes an author's books that follow a first big splash such as Chocolat are disappointing. This has never been true for Joanne Harris. This is another enjoyable book that explores and accepts the reality of human nature in all shapes and sizes. "
" The author of Chocolat and The Girl with No Shadow returns to Lansquenet in this third book in the Chocolat trilogy. Harris takes on contemporary themes of religious intolerance when community relations are torn apart by dissent and mistrust. I wish that I had re-read Chocolat (or at least seen the movie, but this story can stand on its own strength. It is an engaging read but lacked the sparkle and originality of Chocolat. I listened to the audio. One of the two readers did not appeal to me and that had a negative impact on my enjoyment of the book. Probably better to read than listen to this novel. "
" If you enjoyed Chocolat you will love the third book about Vianne Rocher and her return to Lansquenet. You are never sure what is a fairy tale or true along with her messages of morality throughout the book. "
" Love Chocolate. This one was fun for me, but not as deep and rich as the first two. "
" It was great! I couldn't stop. "
" I love Joanne Harris "
" Another glorious addition to a beloved series. "
" Magic but very socially topical. Kudos to Joanne Harris for tackling a plethora of difficult subjects with grace and skill. A well crafted, beautifully written book. "
" Brave, yet well done, I think.. "
" Nice addition to the Chocolat story. Skip the second novel and move to this one. You won't be missing much. "
" Love, love loved it!! "
" I enjoy Joanne Harris' writing, and this book did not disappoint, bringing back many of the old characters of Chocolat, and written with the same strong sensory quality. "
" Enjoyed the book in the begining, but became boring. Never finished. "
" It was great to have a return to the original setting for Chocolat. Some questions answered but still not sure at the final word that this is that the end of the story... "
Joanne Harris is the internationally renowned and award-winning author of eighteen novels, plus novellas, scripts, short stories, libretti, lyrics, and articles. Her novel Chocolat was adapted to the screen, starring Juliette Binoche and Johnny Depp. She is an honorary Fellow of St. Catharine's College, Cambridge, and is chair of the Society of Authors. Follow her on Twitter @joannechocolat.
Rula Lenska, the daughter of a Polish count, has undertaken many national tours, including The Vagina Monologues, An Inspector Calls, and Dangerous to Know. Other stage appearances include Masterpieces, 84 Charing Cross Road, and Pericles. She also played Krystal in EastEnders and has made many guest appearances on television.
Gareth Armstrong is a professional actor and stage performer with a number of appearances in cult-classic television favorites to his credit, including Doctor Who: The Masque of Mandragora, Witchcraft, Star One, and Hammer House of Horror, in which he played Dr. Melburg.
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