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The girl with no shadow / Joanne Harris.
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Reviews
Booklist Reviews 2008 January #1
Harris, a Brit whose childhood was filled with folklore and food, brought her background to vibrant life in her luminous 1999 best-seller, Chocolat. This engaging sequel signals the return of Vianne Rocher, her daughter, Anouk, and charismatic river traveler Roux, while adding a cadre of colorful characters led by witchy and mysterious Zozie de l'Alba. As the novel opens, five years have passed since Vianne and Anouk fled the pious French village of Lansquenet-sous-Tannes, where they introduced sorcery and scandal along with their sinful sweets. With her name changed to Yanne and Anouk's to Annie, the former Vianne now leads a staid, decidedly nonmagical life in the Montmartre district of Paris (though she's still working in a chocolate shop, bien sur). She has a new daughter, Rosette, a curiously mute four-year-old with a consummate ability to cast spells. And a suitor: wealthy, predictable Thierry, who promises financial security. Enter magnetic Zozie, whose personality is upstaged only by her dazzling red shoes. Turns out, Zozie is an identity thief, determined to do much more than make chocolates—and new friends. Readers will savor every page of Harris' sensuous tale about the dark arts, dark chocolate, and lives both bitter and sweet. Copyright 2008 Booklist Reviews.
LJ Reviews 2007 December #1
Vianne Rocher returns, but she's no longer into Chocolat; she's in denial in Paris, living under a different name. Copyright 2007 Reed Business Information.
LJ Reviews 2008 February #2
Seeking stability for her two children, Vianne Rocher has suppressed her magical powers since last seen in the much-acclaimed Chocolat . With Anouk now a preteen and Rosette a special-needs preschooler, she has her hands full as she manages—What else?—a chocolaterie in the Montmartre neighborhood of Paris. But the Halloween winds blow in Zozie, an identity-robbing witch disguised as a charismatic helpmate. Zozie ingratiates herself into this little family, stealthily planning her next diabolical theft, scheduled for Christmas Eve. As autumn flows by, the two women transform the drab shop's confections into something so delectable the pages practically ooze chocolate. Then Roux shows up—after four years—troubled by the changes in his former lover's lifestyle and by this newcomer. His appearance revitalizes Vianne and forces her to address what is happening in her household and to reclaim her own unique magic touch. The race against time gives the story intensity, and the three female characters come alive with Harris's trademark shifting narrations. Although it's a bit darker than Chocolat , readers will drink up this pleasurable tale of love. Highly recommended for all popular fiction collections. Expect high demand. [See Prepub Alert, LJ 12/07.]—Teresa L. Jacobsen, Solano Cty. Lib., Fairfield, CA
[Page 92]. Copyright 2008 Reed Business Information.PW Reviews 2008 January #3
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. (Apr.)
[Page 148]. Copyright 2008 Reed Business Information.