Cursed Bread (Hardcover) (ISBN-13: 9780385548304)

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.

Author: Sophie Mackintosh
ISBN-10: 0385548303
ISBN-13: 9780385548304
Publisher: Doubleday Books
Language: English
Published: 04/04/2023
Pages: 208
Format: Hardcover
Weight: 0.82lbs
Size: 8.53h x 5.81w x 0.96d

Review Citation(s):
Library Journal Prepub Alert 11/01/2022 pg. 9
Publishers Weekly 02/13/2023
Booklist 03/01/2023 pg. 32
Kirkus Reviews 03/01/2023