Peaches for Monsieur Le Cure

Joanne Harris’ latest novel is the third instalment in the “Chocolat” series, and like the first two books, it does not disappoint. Like Vianne Rocher, I was looking forward to coming back to Lansquenet, which had become very real to me after reading Chocolat several times (I never tire of it). Re-visiting its people was like meeting old friends, and the changes Vianne found in the village realistically reflected the experience of someone returning back to a place of the past and finding that nothing has remained quite the same.

Harris has a wonderfully insightful way of describing her characters and what makes them tick. Weaving her magic, this tale of a clash of cultures comes alive in the many colours Vianne sees in people – there never is a black-and-white. The complexities of human nature explored in this novel open the reader’s eyes and mind to the human element in every conflict and remind us that nothing is ever as it seems – and that we need to stay open-minded and accepting of people’s differences. Harris does so without ever sounding preaching or lecturing – which makes it such a lovely read. With her magical ways and her food (oh, how I would love to be able to taste the feasts cooked up in this novel!), Vianne soon overcomes the obstacles of narrow minded thinking and bridges the gaps between the two very different cultures living in the village. I love Vianne’s spirit and her ability to remain non-judgmental, even in the face of such adversity. And yet she, too, always stays human, with all her many flaws, which makes her likeable and lets the reader relate to her. By giving Reynaud (Monsieur le Curé) a voice again, Harris lets us see his human side and how he, too, has grown as a human being. Because this Reynaud is very different from his younger version in Chocolat – and I found myself liking him.

All in all, Harris’ latest novel is a wonderful, pleasurable read, with a rich cast that will tug on your heartstrings and make you feel as if you are there amongst them. I was sad to turn the last page – I could have stayed in Lansquenet a little longer yet.

When Peaches for Monsieur le Curé landed on my doorstep for review I wasn't particularly enthusiastic. I remembered seeing the movie Chocolat quite some years ago (purely because Johnny Depp starred) and not being overly impressed, however with a few pages of this novel I was hooked and hated having to put it down, even briefly.

Peaches for Monsieur le Curé is the third book in the Chocolat series, following on from Chocolat and The Girl with No Shadow. Vianne, Roux, Anouk and Rosette are living in Paris when a letter arrives from Luc Clairmont within which is a letter from Armande, despite her death more than 8 years before. In it, Armande pleads for Vianne to return to Lansquenet with the conviction that that the townspeople need her once again. With some trepidation, Vianne and her daughters do as Armande asks, only to discover a village divided and her old rival, Monsieur Reynaud le Curé in trouble. The wind is restless as are the people and this time, Vianne's magic may not be enough to unite the people of Lansquenet.

Joanne Harris conjures the town of Lansquenet and its people so wonderfully, I was immediately entranced by the novel. I enjoyed being introduced to the author's versions of the characters, admiring Vianne's spirit and desire to create peace between the French and growing community of les Maghrébins (Muslims) who have established themselves at the fringes of the town. I even came to like Monsieur le Curé, despite his stiff necked ways.

Peaches for Monsieur le Curé sensitively explores themes such as religious difference, tolerance, change and the meaning of home. The 'war' between the (Catholic)French and Muslims is portrayed without disrespecting either religion, as Vianne tries to determine what is at the heart of the conflict.

For Vianne the changes in Lansquent are disorientating at first, not only the development of Les Marauds, but also the changes in the people she once knew so well, like Josephine and Reynaud. Vianne's experiences in Lansquanet forces her to consider if in always seeking change, Vianne has simply been running away.

It is food in general, rather than Vianne's chocolates, that unites the people of this story, from the peaches growing in the garden of Armande's house where Vianne and her daughters are living, to the feasts served at sundown in Les Marauds. Harris's descriptions of the food, the sight, smell and taste is wonderfully evocative.

I was surprised at the rather fundamental differences between Harris characters and those in the movie of Chocolat, for example Reynaud is the town mayor in the movie, but a priest in the book. Co-incidentally, Chocolat was shown on television the night after I finished Peaches for Monsieur le Cure so I watched and was disappointed with the lack of whimsy and nuance in the film (though, Johnny Depp *sigh*).

Peaches for Monsieur le Curé (titled Peaches for Father Frances in the US) is a delicious read. I adored the subtle touch of magical realism, the lyricism of the writing, the fascinating characters and engrossing story and plan to read the first two books as soon as I can. Charming, delightful, magical, Peaches for Monsieur le Curé is a wonderful read.