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.
"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.
BUY THE BOOK
Community Reviews
This is fine. I would like an actual book about the mass poisoning though, not this sado masochistic daydream
“Cursed Bread” is a hypnotic and spellbinding romp through female sexuality and repression. Told in various stages of a lonely woman’s isolated life, we get to see her world shatter and be built by a singular figure entering into her life. Throughout the novel, flirtation and desire ooze out of nearly every paragraph; lust is dusted around the novel like pheromones, allowing readers to experience this world through Elodie’s eyes.
It’s a complicated read at times, offering jarring events that lack a follow-up, as if it were a mere blip within the lives of these characters. There is much left to interpretation, which makes for a unique read, but one that not all may find highly satisfying. From the beginning, Mackintosh’s prose sunk its hooks into me and took me on one of the most wild rides I’ve experienced in a long, long time.
I am honestly so glad that I stumbled upon this novel in a book store, since it has made for the most interesting read of our book club yet. Seeing the push and pull of a repressed woman wanting to be free doesn’t seem like it would be an invigorating read, but this novel is anything but boring. It’s a unique perspective to be writing from, and Mackintosh truly crafted a world that feels borderline nightmare-esque, but feels so grounded in reality. It’s a truly remarkable read, one that I am eager to give another go to, just so I can be part of this spellbinding world again.
It’s a complicated read at times, offering jarring events that lack a follow-up, as if it were a mere blip within the lives of these characters. There is much left to interpretation, which makes for a unique read, but one that not all may find highly satisfying. From the beginning, Mackintosh’s prose sunk its hooks into me and took me on one of the most wild rides I’ve experienced in a long, long time.
I am honestly so glad that I stumbled upon this novel in a book store, since it has made for the most interesting read of our book club yet. Seeing the push and pull of a repressed woman wanting to be free doesn’t seem like it would be an invigorating read, but this novel is anything but boring. It’s a unique perspective to be writing from, and Mackintosh truly crafted a world that feels borderline nightmare-esque, but feels so grounded in reality. It’s a truly remarkable read, one that I am eager to give another go to, just so I can be part of this spellbinding world again.
See why thousands of readers are using Bookclubs to stay connected.