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Peace by Chocolate

Peace by Chocolate

Tareq Hadhad was worried about his father: Isam did not know what to do with his life. Before the war began in Syria, Isam had run a chocolate company for over twenty years. But that life was gone now. The factory was destroyed, and he and his family had spent three years in limbo as refugees before coming to Canada. So, in an unfamiliar kitchen in a small town, Isam began to make chocolate again.

This remarkable book tells the extraordinary story of the Hadhad family — Isam, his wife Shahnaz, and their sons and daughters — and the founding of the chocolatier, Peace by Chocolate. From the devastation of the Syrian civil war, through their life as refugees in Lebanon, to their arrival in a small town in Atlantic Canada, Peace by Chocolate is the story of one family. It is also the story of the people of Antigonish, Nova Scotia, and so many towns across Canada, who welcomed strangers and helped them face the challenges of settling in an unfamiliar land.

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Ellie Wilson

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New Brunswick

average rating is 5 out of 5

Time Published

Peace by Chocolate

This book is indescribably amazing! I can’t find the words to describe the warmth I feel in my heart. This story is equally incredible and inspiring! It perfectly captures the essence of Canada, friendship, and most of all, peace. I can’t believe it’s over already! I’m very much looking forward to reading it again!

I absolutely loved the prologue! It was so informative, but it read so smoothly! It was depicting the history of chocolate, going all the back past the Mayans! It was so factual, yet it had such a magical feel to it. Overall it was an incredible start to what I knew was going to be an incredible book!

At the beginning of part two, the book begins to describe Antigonish, a town in northeastern Nova Scotia. I feel such a connection to this because I grew up travelling to the town a few times a year to visit family. It talks about the brick buildings lining Main Street, and the Highland games that happen every summer, and it immediately takes me back to my childhood! It’s incredible to imagine the same town where I hold so many memories is home to such incredible and inspiring people! I loved when it mentioned Tareq having his first cup of Tims, and watching his first episode of This Hour Has 22 Minutes, how Canadian!

Even though the book dealt with such heavy subjects, it also had so much humour! I particularly loved these quotes: “Tareq learned the etiquette of an east coast phone call: you spend 15 minutes saying hello, one minute on the purpose of the call, and 15 minutes saying goodbye. Even if it’s the wrong number.” And ““Canada is too cold, it’s the coldest country on Earth!”

I hope that you all go and read this incredibly powerful and unique book! It’s a rarity in the sense that we’re able to see our culture through someone else’s eyes. This book is 100% a 10/10 and a must read for everyone!!

I recommend this book.

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