I've read several of Moore's novels. They're always fun romps through various subject matter and usually include elements of the supernatural or other somewhat astonishing events. In SACRE BLEU, Moore takes us into the world of late 19th century art and sets his story in the Paris of 1890 (and other time periods) where artists such as Monet, Manet, Van Gogh, Toulouse-Lautrec, Pissarro, and others are working to hone their craft.
From Kirkus reviews:
"The story surrounds the mysterious suicide of Vincent van Gogh, who famously shot himself in a French wheat field only to walk a mile to a doctor's house. The mystery, which is slowly but cleverly revealed through the course of the book, is blue: specifically the exclusive ultramarine pigment that accents pictures created by the likes of Michelangelo and van Gogh. To find the origin of the hue, Moore brings on Lucien Lessard, a baker, aspiring artist and lover of Juliette, the brunette beauty who breaks his heart. After van Gogh's death, Lucien joins up with the diminutive force of nature Henri Toulouse-Lautrec to track down the inspiration behind the Sacré Bleu. In the shadows, lurking for centuries, is a perverse paint dealer dubbed The Colorman, who tempts the world's great artists with his unique hues and a mysterious female companion who brings revelationâand often syphilis (it is Moore, after all). Into the palette, Moore throws a dizzying array of characters, all expertly portrayed, from the oft-drunk âlittle gentlemanâ to a host of artists including Ãdouard Manet, Paul Gauguin, Georges Seurat, Claude Monet, Camille Pissarro and Pierre-Auguste Renoir."
I really enjoyed this journey into the art world that I really knew little about. As usual, Moore's story was full of humor and very over-the-top situations. He provided a lot of history along the way including various stories about the impressionists of the times as well as information about how various colors were derived through history including the rare and costly Sacré Bleu. The novel also included many reproductions of artists' works which added to the overall story. I'll be looking forward to reading more by Moore!
From Kirkus reviews:
"The story surrounds the mysterious suicide of Vincent van Gogh, who famously shot himself in a French wheat field only to walk a mile to a doctor's house. The mystery, which is slowly but cleverly revealed through the course of the book, is blue: specifically the exclusive ultramarine pigment that accents pictures created by the likes of Michelangelo and van Gogh. To find the origin of the hue, Moore brings on Lucien Lessard, a baker, aspiring artist and lover of Juliette, the brunette beauty who breaks his heart. After van Gogh's death, Lucien joins up with the diminutive force of nature Henri Toulouse-Lautrec to track down the inspiration behind the Sacré Bleu. In the shadows, lurking for centuries, is a perverse paint dealer dubbed The Colorman, who tempts the world's great artists with his unique hues and a mysterious female companion who brings revelationâand often syphilis (it is Moore, after all). Into the palette, Moore throws a dizzying array of characters, all expertly portrayed, from the oft-drunk âlittle gentlemanâ to a host of artists including Ãdouard Manet, Paul Gauguin, Georges Seurat, Claude Monet, Camille Pissarro and Pierre-Auguste Renoir."
I really enjoyed this journey into the art world that I really knew little about. As usual, Moore's story was full of humor and very over-the-top situations. He provided a lot of history along the way including various stories about the impressionists of the times as well as information about how various colors were derived through history including the rare and costly Sacré Bleu. The novel also included many reproductions of artists' works which added to the overall story. I'll be looking forward to reading more by Moore!
Back to all reviews by this member
Back to all reviews of this book
Back to Book Reviews
Back to Book Details
Back to all reviews of this book
Back to Book Reviews
Back to Book Details
