Hmmmm....so the movie version of this book was nominated and won several Academy Awards....interesting.  I'm not saying it didn't deserve such recognition; I haven't seen the movie yet.  I'm only saying that based on Joanne Harris' book, I'm not sure why a movie would receive such accolades.  I'm certainly going to watch the movie as soon as I can get my hands on a copy--it has Johnny Depp in it, for heaven's sake!!!  :)

The book CHOCOLAT by Joanne Harris is quite good.  It held my attention enough that I kept reading and read it in just a few short days, in spite of the fact that I've been really busy finishing my semester.  I especially love how this book demonstrates how one person CAN make a difference in the lives of others.....and that influence can be positive or negative, depending on the type of person we CHOOSE to be.  That part makes this book super-great and well worth the read.

It is a story like IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE, but without the main character contemplating suicide in order to realize her impact on those around her. 

I spent a lot of time wondering about my impact on others....am I someone who demonstrates true JOY as I want?  My life's goal is to live a life of JOY--showing the Joy of the Lord.  I know that I have trouble when I get frustrated showing that joy--or when I get angry--or stressed.  But do the people around me see Joy shining through me more than anything else?  

I think we all wonder, at least to a degree, about our impact on those around us.  The few people I've known in my life who don't wonder also don't care.  And their lives are the saddest--and the ones I try to avoid simply because they don't care at all about the negative ripples they're creating in the world around them.  I sure don't' need THAT in my life!!!  The priest in this story radiates negativity.  Where we should be seeing love and acceptance, he oozes ugliness.  It's really a sad state that the priest represents of so many people in this world today.  And not all negative people are men/women of the cloth; he simply is one representation of intolerance and lack of empathy towards his parishioners.

I guess that's what makes this story one so well worth reading--and I'm sure watching....the fact that it says so much about life--about how we should be around others and that we should be aware of the influence we have on those around us, even if we don't realize it.

I'm enough of a romantic, though, to be disappointed that the romance isn't as hot and steamy as the previews for the movie make it out to be.  I spent the whole book on the edge of my seat as I waited for Roux and Vianne to demonstrate evidence of electricity between them.  The only time that happens is when they fool around.  There isn't any indication prior to or after that incident to demonstrate chemistry between the two.  It sounds as if the movie takes that relationship to a higher level than the book does.  Well, at least when I watch the movie, I guess I'll get to see more of that and not be so disappointed!  :)