Sacre Bleu

Sacre Bleu by Christopher Moore             AudioBook: 11hrs, 30 mins     Paperback Book:  432 pages                   

Christopher Moore shows his chops as a historical author with this tour de force detailing how things “could’ have happened in the Café Society of artists, poets, satirists (but predominantly artists) in this really well written book on the likes of Van Gogh, Toulouse La Trec, Monet, and various greater and lesser known in the art world all captivated by the same woman in different guises and who produce a prolific amount of art with no recollection as to when nor how so much could have been achieved in so little time.    The connection is the aqua marine of a special blend of sacre bleu or sacred  blue paint known as such because of the strong association with it being the color most often used when depicting the robes of Mary, the mother of Jesus.     There is a freaky little man with a humongeous body part, a mysterious woman who mesmerizes artistic painters loving them and leaving them syphilitic.     There is such a commaraderie between the artistic community (as in all parts of life  there are jealousies) but for the most part there is such a richness to the friendships and comedic goings on that the story though longer than Moore’s other works, keeps the reader amused to the end.     Props where props are due, Christopher Moore really shines in his writing ability, attention to detail and development of his characters and the storyline.         More serious than comedic though certainly it has its humorous moments, this book was a surprise to me in its seriousness and really well developed and appealingly told tale.    Well done, Christopher Moore.   I would recommend this and all of Moore’s titles, especially, Noir and Fool.   A little in depth in the sexual exploits of the artists but all is described with a tongue in cheek satirical delivery.    Kudos once again to Christopher Moore, who is a far more serious writer than he leads his fans to believe.  

 - Shirley J.