Chocolat by Joanne Harris

I'm re-reading Chocolat, one of my all-time favorites.  I found it by chance when I was changing planes in Minneapolis or Houston or Detroit on my way to somewhere else.  I finished another book on the first leg of the flight and didn't want to make the next connection without something new to read.  I grabbed Chocolat at the airport bookstore as I was rushing to the next gate.  What a find!  Often these quickly snagged books are just distracting, and occasionally entertaining.  But, I was delighted with my choice. 

Harris' writing style drew me in immediately.  The mystical nature of Vianne's chocolate creations -- her way of interacting with people, juxtaposed against the unyielding, hard-hearted priest.  I wanted to re-read it, not only because I enjoyed it so much the first time, but because I wanted to look closer at how Harris developed her characters in the first-person narrative.  She uses lots of flash-backs to round out the characters, as well as other interesting writing devices to tell the story.  It's magical.

P.S.  The movie is a wonderful adaptation.  It keeps the magic and lightness while telling the story.  Plus Juliette Binoche makes a beautiful Vianne and Johnny Depp is handsome as ever as the rogue Roux.