The Last Banquet
Format:Paperback
Publisher:Canongate Books
Published:3rd Jul '14
Should be back in stock very soon
A STORY OF REVOLUTION, OBSESSION AND ONE MAN'S HUNGER
Jean-Marie Charles d'Aumout is many things.
Orphan, soldier, diplomat, spy, lover.
And chef.
This is his story.
We meet Jean-Marie d'Aumout as a penniless orphan eating beetles by the side of a road. His fate is changed after an unlikely encounter finds him patronage and he is sent to military academy. Despite his lowly roots, and thanks to wit and courage in great measure, he grows up to become a diplomat and spy.
Passion, political intrigue and international adventure abound in Jean-Marie's life, yet his drive stems from a single obsession: the pursuit of the perfect taste. Three-Snake Bouillabaisse, Pickled Wolf's Heart and Flamingo Tongue are just some of the delicacies he devours on his journey toward the ultimate feast.
Rising through the ranks of eighteenth-century French society, he feasts with lords, ladies and eventually kings, at the Palace of Versailles itself.
But beyond the palace walls, revolution is in the air and the country is clamouring with hunger of a different kind.
Racily picaresque, energetic and clever * * Guardian * *
An astonishing, sensual feast which will appeal to those who enjoyed Patrick Susskind's Perfume -- David Barnett * * Independent on Sunday * *
A true feast for the senses * * Scotsman * *
Intriguing, fanciful, philosophical and told with an admirable lightness of touch * * Daily Mail * *
The Last Banquet is a feast for the senses; dark, sensual and unexpected. I loved it -- JOJO MOYES
Wonderfully enjoyable. Grimwood captures the colour, the decadence and tawdry glamour of Versailles beautifully. I loved the complexity of the relationships, and sensual quality reminded me at times of Angela Carter. Masterful -- CAROL BIRCH author of JAMRACH’S MENAGERIE
A delicious sensory overload -- Marina O'Loughlin
Jonathan Grimwood's intelligent story of lost innocence... follows convincingly in the traditions established by Patrick Suskind's Perfume and Andrew Miller's Pure * * Times Literary Supplement * *
As a piece of historical fiction, there is not an ounce of fat on it - a compliment, even for a work so concerned with the food of France * * The Times * *
A tantalising tale, be prepared for some dark mystery and decadent recipes. A must for lovers of Suskind's Perfume and Miller's Pure * * The Bookseller * *
- Winner of Le prix Montesquieu 2015 (France)
ISBN: 9780857868817
Dimensions: 198mm x 130mm x 23mm
Weight: 260g
368 pages
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