Joanne Harris wraps you up in the world of Vianne Rochas, with the warmth and smells and tastes of Marseille and other places in this long awaited prequel to Chocolat. I say long-awaited, but having not read the first I was merely fascinated by the ‘how did it start’ aspect of the story, since I’m mired in a prequel of my own at present.

What strikes me most is the descriptive style. Instead of sound and shape there is colour and smell. Vianne seems to navigate her world by smell. I soon found this book impossible to read without a morsel of chocolate melting in my mouth—which is exactly what chocolatier Guy encourages tasters to do. Let it melt. Experience the spices, the heat, the atmosphere of the exotic places where it grew, of the history it holds.

To balance things out, Vianne has fallen on her feet, working in the kitchen of a local lunchtime eaterie. More than a diner, less than a restaurant, a place where locals come for the plat du jour, and are allowed to criticise her efforts at producing the deceased wife’s genius cuisine. Soups, stews, pastries and breads of southern France…and the markets too. I’m now dying for a Marmande tomato for my pasta sauce.

I loved this book. It is warm and frosty at the same time, chilling is too strong. The frost gives it tension, the characters give it humanity in all its warped glory. It is a book worth taking time over, savouring it even though you are desperate for the next mouthful. If you are any sort of diet, furnish yourself with a large pot of healthy soul food, and lock the chocolates away. Don’t say I didn’t warn you!

" We don't just travel on roads and seas.. We travel in stories and in dreams."

"There is no gift without a loss. The world demands its balance. Be careful what you dream of, Vianne"

Twenty five years ago Joanne Harris introduced us to the world of Vianne Rocher in the village of Lasquenet with her magical skills at creating chocolates and weaving herself into the lives of others by trying to bring harmony into their lives. Subsequently, three other books followed following Vianne's life and her preternatural talents.

Now in 2025 we have a "prequel" - the life of Vianne before Lasquenet. This is again is a hypnotically magical and a moving story about love, tragedy, friendship and the desire to live freely unencumbered by relationships that trap. A book about the stories of people but also hopes and dreams - but are they all that we wish for?

Vianne is now twenty and pregnant and finds herself in the city of Marseilles after scattering her mother's ashes on the Hudson Bay in New York. She finds work in a small cafe where she is taken in by Louis - a man haunted by grief. She is taught to cook following the recipes from his late wife's cookbook which exudes an enchantment and soon Vianne is putting the pieces together of Louis's life. She befriends the locals in the cafe and meets Guy and Mahmed- two chocolatiers - who recognising a lost soul take her under their wing teaching her their skills. But amidst these new environment, she feels haunted by her mother's voice and the mysterious Khamaseen.

But Vianne feels trapped .. her life has been one of movement and with a baby due in a few months , should she make a home with this community or leave- forever on the move and wary The Man in Black. and follow the wind.

Joanne Harris' prose is pitch perfect- its does feel like being transported back twenty five years- the writing is hypnotic. Vianne is a truly unique creation- her synaesthesia of seeing the moods of people through colours around them and knowing what foods and spices could enhance their lives is as enchanting as ever. The voice of Vianne is distinct and is instantly captured from the first page for those familiar with the other books.

This is a wonderful read- escapism and bewitching. The smells and tastes exude off the page. A brilliant prequel- but there are more stories to tell- especially about Vianne's mother and her choices to take Vianne on this never ending journey through her childhood.

Dive in to the world of chocolate and food and rediscover Vianne.

Joanne Harris has such a distinctive voice for Vianne Rocher, protagonist of Chocolat and its sequels.

Here we get to meet Vianne before she even had her name: a young woman who finds herself in France following the loss of her mother.

The story woven here makes complete sense for fans of the Chocolat series and brings depth to the character who brings her magic to life through chocolate. Surrounded by a cast of characters, who each make their mark on young, pregnant, but very knowing Vianne, we become immersed in plotlines that navigate loss, identity and survival. 'Vianne' is a book which centres around what makes us who we are, the complexity of humans and ultimately, the strength of adaptability. Is it better to follow the changing wind, or your listen to your heart?

It was a pleasure to read this novel and to walk through the places of Vianne's formative experiences. Harris has a way of bringing a vivacity to her settings- they feel entirely believable and every day, yet full of backstory. Reading this feels like sitting alongside Vianne in the kitchens of Marseille, or the streets of her childhood. The writing style feels inimitable and this story works well as a stand alone, or read after the original series. It could be read as an introduction into the original timeline, for those who are unfamiliar.

As with most of the series, things sometimes fall in a way that may not feel completely realistic. That can be the magic of the writing though and ultimately the plotlines pull together and we feel the realism in the real depth of character that is built. In Harris' tales, there doesn't feel a tribe of 'good' and 'bad' people, but humans, who each have their own pasts and act in understandable ways according to this. Redemption is often a theme here and we see growth in the people surrounding Vianne, as well as within her.

I really enjoyed meeting the younger version of this familiar character and am giving this 5 stars due to the excellent writing style and the fact it feels exactly what could be imagined as Vianne's past. It was clearly well thought through and executed and I was hooked into it.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC, in exchange for my honest review.

4+ ⭐


This really brought home what a distinctive voice Vianne has, I think from the opening chapter I'd have recognised it even without an author name.
It's great to fill in some back story of who she is, and how she came to be the person we know.
There is as always that little touch of magic to her.
The writing is so vivid I swear I could smell the chocolate at times.
Some genuinely great characters that I could happily read further books on.
It was an absolute delight.

The prequel to Chocolat

Sylviane (Viane) Rochas scatters her mother’s ashes in New York and decides to head to France travelling with few possessions, including Maman’s Tarot cards. She lands in Marseille three days later. Where will the wind take her? Bordeaux or Montpelier, perhaps? She studies a map whose pages reveal part of the river Baise with its bastides*. There, to her surprise is one called Vianne. It’s a sign. Perhaps she’ll head there and maybe find herself along the way? There are omens and signs everywhere but first, food and a bowl of bouillabaisse hits the spot. She chats to the bistrot owner, Louis Martin, who is concerned she has nowhere to sleep and he offers a reasonably priced room for a night or two. In need of a job as funds are low, she persuades Louis to give her a go in his kitchen and he agrees. She needs some security as it’s not just herself she now needs to consider…

Joanne Harris is a sublime writer who creates magic with her words and in her stories. This is a prequel I never knew I needed but realise I/we so did. I love the character of Vianne, her strength, resilience, her magic and sometimes her vulnerability. She’s quick to learn and very resourceful as here she not only learns to cook but this is where the story of chocolat begins and I love how that plays out and can almost smell the aroma in the air. There are other terrific characters too, Louis, gruff, grieving, sometimes angry but he and his late wife (I’ll say no more) teach her a lot. There’s a very good story there, which Vianne follows with her heart. Then there’s Guy and Mahmed who introduce her to the historic world of cacao and finally there’s Stéphane who she meets when down on her luck. Perhaps I should mention Emile? Maybe not!

This is a novel about transformations and there are numerous examples of that. It’s also about identity, control and destiny, which way will the wind blow Vianne? It’s rich in atmosphere with the sights and sounds of Marseille springing vividly to life, the markets, the bistrot and the backstreets. It’s mouthwatering too at times with magical recipes learned and created. I love too how everyday objects have tales to tell. Sylviane gains control of her life and becomes Vianne and glimpses her future by assigns, colours, omens, rituals, stories especially of chocolate and of course, the other present wind. At times it’s emotional and moving, the sadness and grief but also joy and hopeful optimism.

It’s safe to say, I love every word of it. Fantastique, merveilleuse Vianne et chocolat - who can resist?

With thanks to NetGalley and particularly to Orion Publishing Group for the much appreciated early copy of the book.

•bastides are medieval fortified towns particularly found in SW France.

It’s here – a prequel to Chocolat! To anyone who devoured Joanne’s book as easily as a Twix, you’ll be delighted with the return of Vianne, based six years before she opens her chocolaterie. In it, we learn how life brought her from New York to Marseille, to a group of people who change her life in myriad ways (and of course, she changes theirs too). Pregnant with her daughter – she’s convinced she’s having a girl – Vianne knows that she must leave the bistrot in which she works, and where she’s found comfort, but that doesn’t stop her bewitching locals with her cooking – in part thanks to chocolate spices that add a zing to every dish and drink. There’s magic to be found, if only her new friends will be open… I read this in one sitting and was so comforted to be back in her world, understanding a little more why she later opened the chocolaterie in Joanne’s much-acclaimed novel. For those who believe in stardust and magic, like I do, this will feel like coming home.

Vianne by Joanne Harris takes us through a journey filled with magic, emotion and transformation, all set in the picturesque coastal city of Marseille.

Our main character, Sylviane Rochas, adopts the name Vianne as she tries to make a fresh start after her mother’s death. Pregnant and discovering her passion for cooking, she finds herself at a local bistrot where bittersweet chocolate spices become her trademark. She begins to build relationships and uncover secrets, yet struggles with her past and newfound independence.

She is torn between the past and the future. Let her follow the wind or settle somewhere forever.

Vianne is a strong yet vulnerable protagonist, mirroring her internal struggle of reconciling motherhood and her magical abilities. Characters like Louis, the bistrot owner, and Margot, who shares her emotional recipes, bring their own struggles with grief and longing, weaving depth into Vianne’s story.

The story explores important themes of autonomy, identity, self-determination, creativity and trust. Harris’s descriptive writing transports us to the sights and smells of Marseille—chocolate blending with the sea breeze, the bustling activity in the winding alleyways. This blend of captivating storytelling and evocative language keeps us invested in Vianne’s journey of self-discovery.

Reading Vianne was a moving experience for me. The book delivers its messages about resilience and change genuinely, prompting me to think about the impact of our choices and how small actions can make a big difference.

What sets Vianne apart from other works by Joanne Harris is its focus on the main character's journey while still incorporating the magical elements in her other books. Compared to Chocolat, this novel feels more introspective and may appeal to those who enjoy delving into characters' inner worlds.

Secondary characters could have been explored more, and certain plot points could have been resolved better.

Despite these minor issues, Vianne is a memorable read that leaves a lasting impression. It offers both an engaging story and valuable insights, making it a great addition to Harris's collection of works.