Sacre Bleu: A Comedy d’Art. Book Review.

Sacre Bleu Book Review

Sacre Bleu: A Comedy d’Art by Christopher Moore is a delightful escape into this author’s imagination. Moore mixes historical fiction with an element of magical fantasy to create a unique world that is specifically his own invention.

The story follows  Lucien Lessard, a French baker in the late 19th century, and all his friends, who happen to be famous impressionist painters. The book begins with the murder of Vincent VanGough and follows Lessard as he and his colorful friends track down the killer and the mystery of Sacre Bleu.

The plot is well thought out, and full of surprises and small twists that keep the reader engaged throughout the storytelling, but the prose is what locked in this reader. Moore channels a clever crassness that paints the world that he’s creating in a beautiful and dirty way. He sees every detail, and no one and nothing escapes a bit of criticism. And yet, his phrasing and word choice is precise and charming (if not on-point).

This reviewer listened to the audiobook version, which was well read and easy to follow, even when traveling 600 miles in the middle of the downpouring rain and with fast-passing semis.

There are many adult scenes in this book, so probably not a good fit for the kiddos, but overall a fun jaunt through history (if history was, in fact, influenced so heavily by the Sacre Bleu).