I really don't know how I got to the end of this book as I found it a dreadful read, especially the first half of the book. There was just something in the style of writing and the storyline that left me absolutely cold.

It could be that I couldn't relate to the chocolate products that I think we were meant to be drooling over. I also couldn't really understand why the religious community felt so much against Vianne and her shop from so early on.

A new arrival in such a setting as a sort of confidante and as a vehicle for opening up old wounds was not a bad idea as I can see how that can work. The boat people I could appreciate would be a problem.

I only really started to appreciate the book in the last 50 - 75 pages and because I found it such a struggle, this book took me a long time to read as I could only face a chapter or so at a time on some days.

Duncan Williamson
20^th September 2007