The Mookse and the Gripes discussion

Cursed Bread by Sophie Mackintosh

Her debut “The Water Cure” used a feminist dystopian treatment of toxic masculinity taken to its literal conclusion, as the starting point for an exposition-light ambiguity-heavy image-filled dark-fairy-tale-inspired meditation – and in my (I think minority) view merited its Booker longlisting.

Her second novel “Blue Ticket” also used a feminist dystopia (a more conventional one relating to societal imposed fertility) which in this case was the commencement of a kind of pregnancy-journal road trip novel, which for me was a little less successful.

Both retained the author’s fragmentary and elliptical way of creating impression, and that signature style carries over to this novel which is in many ways very different - in its ostensibly historic setting (1951 Southern France), its examination of a real-life incident (the titular “Le Pain Maudit” mass poisoning in the small town of Pont-Saint-Esprit) and in its feverish and erotic style.

But while still enjoying the elliptical impressions, her move into a more sexually charged gothic style did not suit me – and with the S&M practices of the ambassador, I felt that book had the

Fictional traits of Fifty Shades meets Ferrero Rocher.

I also liked The Water Cure, but felt Blue Ticket lost its way. I'd like to re-read this one: the first time it felt too elliptical, to the point where I wasn't always sure what was happening. But there's something intriguing going on here and I liked the edgy eroticism that seeps through the atmosphere.

Haha, Ferrero Rocher!

I was not a fan of Water Cure and what I heard about this one doesn't really excite me...

She always has such interesting premises, but I did not find them well executed in The Water Cure or Blue Ticket. I'm again intrigued by Cursed Bread but hesitant.

Hmm I just started "Cursed Bread" and it was one of the ones I was most excited for but I find the actual writing to be different than what the blurb promises.

I had both of her other books on my TBR throughout the years but removed them without ever reading them.

Did you mean Water Cure or Cursed Bread

oops Cursed Bread

How did you find different to the blurb.

Gumble's Yard - Golden Reviewer wrote: "How did you find different to the blurb."

I'm not finished yet but I was under the impression it would be more like a small town's slow descent into madness... a bit unhinged and ethereal but the focus is heavily on Elodie's obsession with Violet and this sort of dark-sexuality theme.

Agreed.

I liked it more than I thought I would, after not being a fan of Water Cure. The first half dragged on quite a bit but I loved the ending.
3.25*

This was a mixed reading experience for me. I loved the haunting quality of Mackintosh's prose but felt the latter half tested the limits of believability (particularly the nonchalant way the characters respond to some of the deaths, such as the church incident).

Your mixed reading experience has made me very curious! Excellent review.

No one does atmosphere like Mackintosh does.

This.

So I’ve heard, but I remember most here were unimpressed with The Water Cure.

WndyJW wrote: "Your mixed reading experience has made me very curious! Excellent review."

Thank you! :)

This one held me for close to half of the novel and then lost me rather abruptly. At first I was pretty engaged in the story and found the writing compelling, but the more obscure things became, the less I enjoyed it. The Water Cure remains by far my favorite of her novels.

Yet again we are cursed to agree Cindy

I prefer it that way GY.

I've just re-read this and it's jumped up to top place on the long-list for me.

It's perhaps a book that works better on re-reading as we can let go of the puzzle of what's happening. I love the prose style.

5 stars is impressive RC.

Interesting and promising.

I felt we know a lot of what is going on (given it’s heavily based on a real episode - even if distorted through an unreliable and hazy retelling) but neither the FS writing or FR character quite worked for me

I am a big fan of the author though - I recall - perhaps wrongly - being one of the few Water Cure defenders at the time so would be happy to see it shortlisted and would revisit then

I also liked Water Cure (Blue Ticket not so much) but yes, given that we know the background story, it's the spin that Mackintosh gives through the layered narratives of Elodie and the writing itself that made it work for me.

A lot of reviews I've seen reflect my initial reading: great writing, wish I knew what was going on! So I'd be a bit surprised if it made the shortlist. But very pleased.

Yes you are right reading the reviews.

Water Cure ended 12th in the forum rankings - which given 13th was Snap means it was last. I think I only had it around 10th. It did lead to a very good debate though here after initial indifference - and I think a feeling that a lot of the criticism of it was to its marketing by the publisher which created false expectations. But I thought was the biggest champion I think.

Gumble's Yard - Golden Reviewer wrote: "But I thought was the biggest champion I think."

The Water Cure is my favourite Mackintosh so far! It wasn't perfect by any means, but it had a lot of metaphorical significance for me, particularly the ways in which women are historically taught to guard the "purity" of their bodies:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

I’ve just started this and I’m already frustrated by the ersatz village setting. After reading the Book of Goose, this marks the second time this year that I’m reading a book that is ostensibly set an a small French village in the postwar period. In both cases, the setting seems more like a vessel for the author’s ideas than like an actual place or time. Maybe this shouldn’t irk me but it does. The Bandit Queens is also another village setting that feels phony to me. It’s not that everything has to be realistic but I feel like I need something to make me believe that village women talk and act like lit majors.

I often have the same reaction, Elaine. One of the fastest ways to lose me as a reader is a character or setting that doesn’t feel authentic. But for me it also depends on whether the author is working in a realist mode. Trespasses might be an example of realism done well, the whole thing feeling very 1975 Belfast. Fire Rush also feels very authentic to time and place. It sounds like other books on the list like Demon Copperhead might good examples as well. If Bandit Queens is meant to be a realist depiction of an Indian village, then I can see how the Americanisms might be distracting. The same for The Book of Goose set in France.

I find my reaction changes when the work moves away from realism. Using the setting as a vehicle to explore language or themes doesn’t bother me. Mauvignier’s prose in The Birthday Party, for example, doesn’t depict the speech or thought of French villagers in a realist way and I have no problem with that. The same could be said for Harwicz, particularly with her more recent book - at least I hope not!

I’m not sure where Cursed Bread falls on this spectrum, whether we’re meant to see the setting as realism or not.

Everything we know in Cursed Bread is filtered through the voice and vision of Elodie, the epitome of instability. Mackintosh isn't a writer with much interest in a realist mode of writing, I'd say. She uses a heightened consciousness with lavish symbolism that can become surreal and visionary.

I adored the language-driven surrealism of the unreliable narrator. Mackintosh's writing is so gorgeous that I only wanted to read this when I could give it my full attention. Top 3 for me.