Cursed Bread: A Novel
WOMEN'S PRIZE FOR FICTION NOMINEE - Best Book of the Month: The Washington Post, Los Angeles Times, The Philadelphia Inquirer, Book Riot, CrimeReads - An elegant and hypnotic new novel of obsession that centers on the real unsolved mystery of the 1951 mass poisoning of a French village, by the Booker Prize-nominated author of The Water Cure "Intoxicating, sumptuous, and savage."--Alexandra Kleeman, acclaimed author of Something New Under the Sun Still reeling in the aftermath of the deadliest war the world had ever seen, the small town of Pont-Saint-Esprit collectively lost its mind. Some historians believe the mysterious illness and violent hallucinations were caused by spoiled bread; others claim it was the result of covert government testing on the local population. In that town lived a woman named Elodie. She was the baker's wife: a plain, unremarkable person who yearned to transcend her dull existence. So when a charismatic new couple arrived in town, the forceful ambassador and his sharp-toothed wife, Violet, Elodie was quickly drawn into their orbit. Thus began a dangerous game of cat and mouse--but who was the predator and on whom did they prey? Audacious and mesmerizing, Cursed Bread is a fevered confession, an entry into memory's hall of mirrors, and an erotic fable of transformation. Sophie Mackintosh spins a darkly gleaming tale of a town gripped by hysteria, envy like poison in the blood, and desire that burns and consumes.
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Community Reviews
"Cursed Bread" by Sophie Mackintosh receives a three-star rating from me. The book presents an intriguing narrative structure, with the main character's story unfolding through a series of letters written to her lover. However, in the audiobook format, this storytelling approach can become confusing at times. The absence of visual cues or clear distinctions between the letters makes it challenging to follow the progression of events, leading to some confusion.
The core of the story revolves around the town of Pont-Saint-Esprit during a period of collective madness and hallucinations. Mackintosh explores the historical context of a mysterious illness that swept through the town, with some attributing it to spoiled bread while others suspect covert government experiments. The blurring of reality and hallucinations adds a sense of heightened tension and paranoia to the narrative. Although the book is well-written, it is likely more suited for reading in its physical form, where the reader can better navigate the shifting perspectives and keep track of the timeline.
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