Monday, February 25, 2008

Lollipop Shoes


Emailing: n208487
Originally uploaded by chronicbooker3

Publishers Weekly
Harris revisits characters from 1999's bestselling Chocolatin 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.

This Book is Titled The Girl With No Shadow on this side of the pond.

Finished this enjoyable read last week. I think that I enjoyed it just as much as Chocolat. I had lent this book to a friend to read before me and her comment was that it felt like it was set in the wrong time period and that she was not sure that she liked the dark tone of this sequel.


I would agree that The Lollipop Shoes definately had a much darker tone then Chocolat, but it pulled me in just a quickly. I enjoyed spending time with Vianne and Anouk again, and even found myself (at times) being charmed by Zozie de l'Alba. Author Joanne Harris has once again taken me from my living room couch to the heavy sweet smell, taste, and atmosphere of a small chocolatier. And of course I found myself enjoying just a little bit of chocolate along with this book.

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