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Vianne Rochet returns to the French village of Lansquenet with her daughters, Anouk and Rosette, before allying herself with a desperate Father Frances Reynaud to reverse disturbing local changes.Tags
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Peaches may be in the title of this novel and are a major motif throughout, but what else was I going to indulge in when we’re about as far away from fresh peach season as possible? Chocolate of course! After the tumultuous events of the previous novel, where Vianne and Anouk almost lost it all to trickster Zosie, and a well timed letter from their dearly departed friend Armandé it is time for their little family to return to Lansquenet. Alongside them follows their familiar winds, but what they don’t realize (even with Armandé’s warning that their help will be desperately needed) is how much things have changed in the sleepy little village that they stired up with their chocolaterie. The winds have already blown in a new group show more of people, immigrants from the Middle East and North Africa, whose customs are even farther removed than Vianne’s in the eyes of some of the villagers. Some are just fine and make friends with the newcomers at first, but their stubborn curate Reynaud has a hard time acclimatizing to the new realities in France (and in the practises of his own church) and runs afoul of the group by apparent accident. The story is rife with small town sensibilities (and their inescapable micro dramas), and in a surprising twist we find ourselves spending much of the story inside the character of the obdurate priest as he struggles with his faith, his community, and ultimately his heart. Reynaud may be a bit of an unlikeable character from the outside, as his cold demeanour does not win him friends or even passive allies, but seeing the town from his perspective is a gratifying structural element that keeps the story from becoming a politicized retelling of the first novel in the series. Harris also steps away from what we might expect from a triumphant return to Lansquenet with the highly modernized story that relies on current events to drive everything - we may be back in small town France, but the themes about female empowerment, immigration, and changing times are fraught with an all to realistic tension. There were definitely parts of the story that felt distinctly uncomfortable in comparison to the cozier tendencies of Vianne’s usual stories, and a few characters and events felt particularly fraught, but by the finale Harris revealed a surprising depth of knowledge about the Muslim community and the impacts and changes that its women are going through. Vianne, Anouk, and Rosette (and their chocolate) are far smaller characters it seems in this story, but in doing so they make room for new and unique stories to be told: those of Reynaud, the Woman in Black Inès Bencharki, and of the new community that calls Lansequenet home. show less
Scrying with chocolate is an uncertain business, closer to dreams than to truth, more likely to throw up fantasies than anything that I can use. It flutters like dark confetti, each piece an ephemeral fragment, gleaming for a second and then going out like a blown spark. For a moment I think I see Roux; then I recognize Reynaud, walking, head lowered, by the Tannes. Reynaud as a vagrant, unshaven and pale, carrying a rucksack with a broken leather strap. What does it mean? Why Reynaud?
If you were paying attention, you might have gathered that Peaches is a sequel to Chocolat - it's the third in the series. Actually, I think it fits nicely as a direct sequel, as if The Girl with the Lollipop Shoes had never been put to paper. And show more although Lollipop is okay, I believe Peaches is a superior work.
It is so nice to be back in Lansquenet again, with all the familiar faces and plenty of new ones too. And Vianne, wading in and stirring the pot in her own magical way. I always love Harris' knack for small villages - how everyone changes and doesn't at the same time. If Chocolat was Vianne's book, Peaches is Reynaud's. I never thought I would feel such affection for him, but he's grown on me. show less
If you were paying attention, you might have gathered that Peaches is a sequel to Chocolat - it's the third in the series. Actually, I think it fits nicely as a direct sequel, as if The Girl with the Lollipop Shoes had never been put to paper. And show more although Lollipop is okay, I believe Peaches is a superior work.
It is so nice to be back in Lansquenet again, with all the familiar faces and plenty of new ones too. And Vianne, wading in and stirring the pot in her own magical way. I always love Harris' knack for small villages - how everyone changes and doesn't at the same time. If Chocolat was Vianne's book, Peaches is Reynaud's. I never thought I would feel such affection for him, but he's grown on me. show less
Vianne Rocher, living in Paris on a riverboat with her two daughters, receives a letter from a friend from the rural village of Lansquenet, where she left eight years ago when she opened a chocolate shop described in the author's novel, Chocolat. The letter requests her return because Lansquenet could use her special abilities, including the ability to see the truth lying below the surface of appearances.
"You see, everywhere I look, there are things that connect me to Lansquenet. Stories; people; memories; insubstantial as heat haze, and yet they have a resonance, as if those strings of light could play a tune that might finally lead me home."
She can't resist her friend's invitation especially since the author of the letter has died show more since it was written.
When she returns to Lansquenet with her two daughters, she discovers that the town has changed. A community of Muslims from North Africa has immigrated to the town settling in a downtrodden part of the village on the river Tannes. Many of the women she encounters are veiled in black. She also discovers dissension in the town: French Catholic natives and Muslim immigrants, young and the old, traditional ways and more contemporary ways. Her former chocolate shop, now a Muslim school for girls, has recently been burned. Father Francis, Vianne's former adversary but now friend has been blamed even though he claims innocence. The Bishop has removed him from his parish for an unknown interim period replacing him with a younger priest who has been instituting contemporary worship practices, which many of his former flock has delightfully accepted.
Shortly after Vianne returns, Father Francis disappears. Has he left town? Has he been the victim of foul play? Is the "Woman in Black" behind the tension? These are the questions that Vianne is attempting to answer. And, can she uses her particular skills to heal the schisms which exist between religions and the old and the new.
The fictional French town and its residents of Lansquenet come so alive through Harris' writing that you find yourself moving in. show less
"You see, everywhere I look, there are things that connect me to Lansquenet. Stories; people; memories; insubstantial as heat haze, and yet they have a resonance, as if those strings of light could play a tune that might finally lead me home."
She can't resist her friend's invitation especially since the author of the letter has died show more since it was written.
When she returns to Lansquenet with her two daughters, she discovers that the town has changed. A community of Muslims from North Africa has immigrated to the town settling in a downtrodden part of the village on the river Tannes. Many of the women she encounters are veiled in black. She also discovers dissension in the town: French Catholic natives and Muslim immigrants, young and the old, traditional ways and more contemporary ways. Her former chocolate shop, now a Muslim school for girls, has recently been burned. Father Francis, Vianne's former adversary but now friend has been blamed even though he claims innocence. The Bishop has removed him from his parish for an unknown interim period replacing him with a younger priest who has been instituting contemporary worship practices, which many of his former flock has delightfully accepted.
Shortly after Vianne returns, Father Francis disappears. Has he left town? Has he been the victim of foul play? Is the "Woman in Black" behind the tension? These are the questions that Vianne is attempting to answer. And, can she uses her particular skills to heal the schisms which exist between religions and the old and the new.
The fictional French town and its residents of Lansquenet come so alive through Harris' writing that you find yourself moving in. show less
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 show more 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 novel. show less
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 show more 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 novel. show less
It isn't often you receive a letter from the dead. When Vianne Rocher receives a letter from beyond the grave, she has no choice but to follow the wind that blows her back to Lansquenet, the village in south-west France where, eight years ago, she opened up a chocolate shop. But Vianne is completely unprepared for what she finds there. Women veiled in black, the scent of spices and peppermint tea, and there, on the bank of the river Tannes, facing the square little tower of the church of Saint-Jerome like a piece on a chessboard - slender, bone-white and crowned with a silver crescent moon - a minaret. Nor is it only the incomers from North Africa that have brought big changes to the community. Father Reynaud, Vianne's erstwhile show more adversary, is now disgraced and under threat. Could it be that Vianne is the only one who can save him?
Vianne Rocher, the woman who set up shop in Lansquenet in Chocolat returns to the town at the request of one of her friends - now long dead - via a letter left for her to be handed over on her grandson's 21st birthday.
She brings her two daughters Anouk and Rosette (and their not-quite-invisible friends) with her, but her partner Roux remains in Paris on their house boat. His anger at how the boat people were treated the last time has not disappaited enough for him to return. Vianne returns to find things have changed significantly - Father Renaud is no longer saying mass in the church, and is in some kind of disgrace and the old tanneries outside of town is now packed with Muslims from North Africa. The influx of these second and third generation immigrants - barely keeping inside the law with respect to their mosque and schools - is causing tension within the community and Vianne has returned into this tension between the two communities.
Vianne uses her charm and special skills in an attempt to bring some form of calm to the community. She comes across some of her old adversaries, many of whom are in various levels of success or disappointment. The young Muslim women, who previously had enjoyed a level of western freedom of dress, are taking to the veil and removing themselves from community, and it is seen to be the effect of another recent arrival in town, who remains under the veil since the day she arrived.
Finally things come to a head, where people have gone missing, the river-rats (including Roux) have arrived back in town, and it seems there have a lot of accusations, misunderstandings, and secrets are exposed on both sides that mean the story reaches a crises point, and it is only a meeting of both groups around the river (that metaphorically and physically runs between the two sets of people) that brings things to a head and allows it to be resolved.
There is the usual magical realism in this, where Vianne uses her skills (Chocolate, Tarot cards, reading colours/auras) to try and work out what's happening. Vianne's lack of self confidence kicks in when she sees the son of a friend, who was born after Chocolat, and whose father just might be Roux. The story is told from a French atheist (pagan?) woman and the local Catholic priest, rather than that of any Muslim, so this can only be told from their point of view. Each woman is portrayed as a human first, rather than a stereotype, and the story goes some way as to show how things are handled according to the strict rules of each person’s community…
This is/was a well timed book, having been published in 2012, when there were still questions over whether the Niqab was to be banned in France. I have seen some reviewers complain that perhaps Muslim women should be allowed to tell their own stories their own way, but until Western readers and publishers are open enough to publish (buy, read, promote) books by Muslim women, then we will have to make use of those who can handle the story adequately. show less
Vianne Rocher, the woman who set up shop in Lansquenet in Chocolat returns to the town at the request of one of her friends - now long dead - via a letter left for her to be handed over on her grandson's 21st birthday.
She brings her two daughters Anouk and Rosette (and their not-quite-invisible friends) with her, but her partner Roux remains in Paris on their house boat. His anger at how the boat people were treated the last time has not disappaited enough for him to return. Vianne returns to find things have changed significantly - Father Renaud is no longer saying mass in the church, and is in some kind of disgrace and the old tanneries outside of town is now packed with Muslims from North Africa. The influx of these second and third generation immigrants - barely keeping inside the law with respect to their mosque and schools - is causing tension within the community and Vianne has returned into this tension between the two communities.
Vianne uses her charm and special skills in an attempt to bring some form of calm to the community. She comes across some of her old adversaries, many of whom are in various levels of success or disappointment. The young Muslim women, who previously had enjoyed a level of western freedom of dress, are taking to the veil and removing themselves from community, and it is seen to be the effect of another recent arrival in town, who remains under the veil since the day she arrived.
Finally things come to a head, where people have gone missing, the river-rats (including Roux) have arrived back in town, and it seems there have a lot of accusations, misunderstandings, and secrets are exposed on both sides that mean the story reaches a crises point, and it is only a meeting of both groups around the river (that metaphorically and physically runs between the two sets of people) that brings things to a head and allows it to be resolved.
There is the usual magical realism in this, where Vianne uses her skills (Chocolate, Tarot cards, reading colours/auras) to try and work out what's happening. Vianne's lack of self confidence kicks in when she sees the son of a friend, who was born after Chocolat, and whose father just might be Roux. The story is told from a French atheist (pagan?) woman and the local Catholic priest, rather than that of any Muslim, so this can only be told from their point of view. Each woman is portrayed as a human first, rather than a stereotype, and the story goes some way as to show how things are handled according to the strict rules of each person’s community…
This is/was a well timed book, having been published in 2012, when there were still questions over whether the Niqab was to be banned in France. I have seen some reviewers complain that perhaps Muslim women should be allowed to tell their own stories their own way, but until Western readers and publishers are open enough to publish (buy, read, promote) books by Muslim women, then we will have to make use of those who can handle the story adequately. show less
Joanne Harris attempts something rather different with [b:Peaches for Monsieur le Curé|13153972|Peaches for Monsieur le Curé (Chocolat, #3)|Joanne Harris|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1333578274l/13153972._SY75_.jpg|18332182] to [b:Chocolat|47401|Chocolat (Chocolat, #1)|Joanne Harris|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1388674628l/47401._SY75_.jpg|2930558] and [b:The Lollipop Shoes|1022699|The Lollipop Shoes (Chocolat, #2)|Joanne Harris|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1342810333l/1022699._SY75_.jpg|1008826]. The first two novels in the series touch on social issues, but focus on personal relationships, small community bonds, show more and cosy conjuring. Here she examines social and religious integration in modern France, which doesn't always combine well with Vianne making magical jam. I respect the attempt and the theme of questioning short-term outsider intervention as a solution to complex problems. Nonetheless, I do not think it entirely works to give the points of view to Vianne and Father Reynaud, as this leaves the Muslim community as mysterious outsiders. For me, this slightly undermined the point that the village can live together as one awkward community of different people. Vianne's magic doesn't help the situation, so the narrative seems a bit disjointed. I think it would have been a stronger book if Ines had been a third protagonist, rather than a shadowy threatening presence. I also wasn't keen on the ending. It seemed far too convenient to have Ines and her evil son fall into the river and die. Had that not happened, how would the village have reckoned with his crimes and her tragic past?
That said, I found Reynaud's narration interesting and the plot compelling enough to read the whole novel in an evening. There are some lovely character moments and the vivid sensual details continue to be pleasing. Although there isn't much chocolate-making, some of the meals sound pretty amazing. I certainly found it a fun break from reading theory, despite not enjoying it as much as [b:Chocolat|47401|Chocolat (Chocolat, #1)|Joanne Harris|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1388674628l/47401._SY75_.jpg|2930558] or [b:The Lollipop Shoes|1022699|The Lollipop Shoes (Chocolat, #2)|Joanne Harris|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1342810333l/1022699._SY75_.jpg|1008826] show less
That said, I found Reynaud's narration interesting and the plot compelling enough to read the whole novel in an evening. There are some lovely character moments and the vivid sensual details continue to be pleasing. Although there isn't much chocolate-making, some of the meals sound pretty amazing. I certainly found it a fun break from reading theory, despite not enjoying it as much as [b:Chocolat|47401|Chocolat (Chocolat, #1)|Joanne Harris|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1388674628l/47401._SY75_.jpg|2930558] or [b:The Lollipop Shoes|1022699|The Lollipop Shoes (Chocolat, #2)|Joanne Harris|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1342810333l/1022699._SY75_.jpg|1008826] show less
i liked this far less than the first two in the series. i still like the character of vianne, but all the annoyances in the first two books really come to life in this one. i'm glad it's the last.
i was glad to return to lansquenet, and i was glad to see that cure francis had grown after his humiliation that ended chocolat, but was surprised to find him still as prideful and distrusting of "foreigners' as he had been before (or nearly so).
i have read only a handful of books published since 9/11/01, and have been expecting that, when i get around to it, i'll encounter a lot of books that exploit the new focus (and fear) we have in america on islam and muslims. i know that harris' point here is that muslims aren't scary, aren't evil, show more aren't a danger to "christian america," but i feel like she did it in a way that sometimes contradicted that message.
i wasn't really interested in the "mystery" that was, i think, supposed to capture our attention throughout. i felt like vianne stuck her nose in everyone's business, that she was entirely too nosy and entitled than i cared for, that she had no call to get involved the way she did. also, that what felt like her drive to empower people in chocolat felt like a power trip here. (this quote, from later in the book: "What happened to ______[character name], who had such big, brave dreams? I thought I had freed her from _______." really? *you* freed her? you didn't empower her to make her own decisions, which may or may not agree with what you thought she would do? this was all about you then? bugged the crap out of me, sorry.)
bottom line is that this book was just ok for me, although i did like the ending, and it's still well written. show less
i was glad to return to lansquenet, and i was glad to see that cure francis had grown after his humiliation that ended chocolat, but was surprised to find him still as prideful and distrusting of "foreigners' as he had been before (or nearly so).
i have read only a handful of books published since 9/11/01, and have been expecting that, when i get around to it, i'll encounter a lot of books that exploit the new focus (and fear) we have in america on islam and muslims. i know that harris' point here is that muslims aren't scary, aren't evil, show more aren't a danger to "christian america," but i feel like she did it in a way that sometimes contradicted that message.
i wasn't really interested in the "mystery" that was, i think, supposed to capture our attention throughout. i felt like vianne stuck her nose in everyone's business, that she was entirely too nosy and entitled than i cared for, that she had no call to get involved the way she did. also, that what felt like her drive to empower people in chocolat felt like a power trip here. (this quote, from later in the book: "What happened to ______[character name], who had such big, brave dreams? I thought I had freed her from _______." really? *you* freed her? you didn't empower her to make her own decisions, which may or may not agree with what you thought she would do? this was all about you then? bugged the crap out of me, sorry.)
bottom line is that this book was just ok for me, although i did like the ending, and it's still well written. show less
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Author Information
52+ Works 32,138 Members
Joanne Harris was born in Barnsley, Yorkshire, England on July 3, 1964. She studied Modern and Mediaeval Languages at St Catharine's College, Cambridge. While working as a teacher for fifteen years, she published three novels: The Evil Seed (1989), Sleep, Pale Sister (1993) and Chocolat (1999), which was made into a film starring Juliette Binoche show more and Johnny Depp. Her other works include Blackberry Wine, Five Quarters of the Orange, Coastliners, Holy Fools, The Lollipop Shoes and Runemarks. She also co-wrote two cookbooks with cookery writer Fran Warde: The French Kitchen and The French Market. (Bowker Author Biography) show less
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Gallimard, Folio (5806)
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Common Knowledge
- Canonical title
- Peaches for Monsieur le Curé
- Original title
- Peaches for Monsieur le Curé
- Alternate titles
- Peaches for Father Francis
- Original publication date
- 2012
- People/Characters
- Vianne Rocher; Roux; Anouk Rocher; Rosette Rocher; Father Reynaud
- Important places
- Lansquenet-sous-Tannes, France
- Dedication
- To my father, Bob Short, who would never let good fruit go to waste.
- First words
- Someone once told me that, in France alone, a quarter of a million letters are delivered every year to the dead.
- Quotations
- Scrying with chocolate is an uncertain business, closer to dreams than to truth, more likely to throw up fantasies than anything that I can use. It flutters like dark confetti, each piece an ephemeral fragment, gleaming for a... (show all) second and then going out like a blown spark.
- Last words
- (Click to show. Warning: May contain spoilers.)We have a party to go to.
- Disambiguation notice
- British title: Peaches for Monsieur le Curé (May 2012); US title: Peaches For Father Francis (October 2012);
from Wikipedia.
Classifications
Statistics
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- Reviews
- 40
- Rating
- (3.90)
- Languages
- 13 — Danish, Dutch, Dzongkha, English, Finnish, French, German, Hungarian, Italian, Polish, Portuguese, Serbian, Spanish
- Media
- Paper, Audiobook, Ebook
- ISBNs
- 51
- ASINs
- 9
