Sacre Bleu

A Comedy d'Art

By: Christopher Moore

Narrated by: Euan Morton

Length: 11 hrs and 40 mins

Publisher's summary

It is the color of the Virgin Mary's cloak, a dazzling pigment desired by artists, an exquisite hue infused with danger, adventure, and perhaps even the supernatural. It is... SacrÉ Bleu.

In July 1890, Vincent van Gogh went into a cornfield and shot himself. Or did he? Why would an artist at the height of his creative powers attempt to take his life... and then walk a mile to a doctor's house for help? Who was the crooked little "color man" Vincent had claimed was stalking him across France? And why had the painter recently become deathly afraid of a certain shade of blue?

These are just a few of the questions confronting Vincent's friends - baker-turned-painter Lucien Lessard and bon vivant Henri Toulouse-Lautrec - who vow to discover the truth of van Gogh's untimely death. Their quest will lead them on a surreal odyssey and brothel-crawl deep into the art world of late 19th century Paris.

Oh la la, quelle surprise, and zut alors! A delectable confection of intrigue, passion, and art history - with cancan girls, baguettes, and fine French cognac thrown in for good measure - Sacre Bleu is another masterpiece of wit and wonder from the one, the only, Christopher Moore.

Download the accompanying reference guide.

©2012 Christopher Moore (P)2012 HarperCollinsPublishers

A True Treasure

If you could sum up Sacre Bleu in three words, what would they be?

Unique, Fascinating, Gripping

What did you like best about this story?

This book was different than what I expected it to be; but I absolutely fell in love with it. Moore created a wonderfully unique story that managed to tie so many different painter's stories together into one really wacky adventure. I found myself regularly pausing the story to look up the various painters mentioned; and thoroughly intrigued by Moore's creativity in creating the story. Moore has written all the painters very true to their reputations, and makes them very real.

Which character – as performed by Euan Morton – was your favorite?

I love all of them; but found Bleu particularly hilarious.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

This book is hilarious in a very clever way; I didn't find myself laughing out loud at anything but I often found my self grinning whenever a character, particularly Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, does or says something.

Any additional comments?

The first chapter or two I personally found to be not as attention getting as the rest of the book, so if you find yourself doubting if you would really like this book I strongly urge you to get about four or five chapters in to really let the story begin to unfold before you judge the story too much. I found that this book really grew on me as I went on, so I liked it more at the end than I thought I would at the beginning.

A story about blue

I loved this book when I read it but the narration brought it alive. The artists came alive for me, rounding out images of their paintings. The humor was often a bittersweet touch.

This one was not for me.

Being a huge Christopher Moore fan, I could hardly wait when I learned Sacre Bleu would soon be released . After reading all the positive reviews I was even more excited.

I finally downloaded it and started listening right away and then, UhOh...I just didnt get it. After listening to a portion of it and feeling disappointed I actually started over again to see if I just wasnt listening hard enough. It didnt help. I couldnt stay focused on the story line or tune into the characters or become interested enough to learn a few new things as I dont have alot of knowledge of Art or artists but was willing to pick up a few tidbits that may have been offered here. Other than a giggle at the naughty dialogue in a few places there was just nothing in this one to keep me going.

Mostly, I have just always been entertained reading Christopher Moore's work and wanted that here, too. Oh well, it didnt happen so Ill just wait for the next, I havent given up, I still love Moore's books.

Absolute genius

If you could sum up Sacre Bleu in three words, what would they be?

Inspired poetic masterful

What was one of the most memorable moments of Sacre Bleu?

Revelation upon revelation

What does Euan Morton bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Depth of character, clear delineation of characters, epic timing that does justice to Moore.

Any additional comments?

The intimate knowledge of art, painting, the Artists depicted, their works, their temperaments, historical details of the time and place, the weaving of fact and historical fiction, as well as Moore's conceit and representation of Inspiration is absolute genius! This book is nothing short of a literary coup for historical fiction, humor and Moore himself. As usual, his humor is superbly crafted, supremely intelligent, often subtle and never fails. As a screenwriter, painter and former Fine Art instructor, I am in awe of what Moore has achieved with Sacre Bleu. Euan Morton is nothing short of perfection! This is far and away the single best Audiobook experience I have had (over the course of several hundred titles...) I cannot recommend this book more strongly, doubly so if you are a painter or art aficionado.

Moore at his best: a Fun Read

I have been a fan of Moore for years. In the past, I have thoroughly enjoyed his strange and wacky humor. More recently, he has been turning out more serious literature with good plot and character development while still retaining his sense of humor. Sacre Blue is in this mold. If you are an art history fan, this will be a great book to listen to as Moore playfully and inventively includes a host of French impressionists in this who dunnit that puts forth the theory that Van Gogh didn't kill himself but was killed by the "color man." Fun, easy to listen to, interesting.

The narration was outstanding. Morton does a good job setting the overall tone - but his voices are also very engaging - both male and female.

A French Impressionist Painters Mystery!

Where does Sacre Bleu rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

the story is very unique, featuring some humor as well as a murder mystery and the question of how does an artist find inspiration, and what part does a muse play in the creation of the art. well-read, lots of twists ad turns in the story. the story holds your interest.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Sacre Bleu?

When the model and muse reveals her beginnings and purpose.

Which scene was your favorite?

Any of the scenes featuring Toulouse Lautrec, what a character!

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

When Van Gogh dies, it is so sad and such a loss to the creative art world.

Any additional comments?

If you are a fan of French Impressionism, you will enjoy the characters of the book, who are the famous artists of the time; Renoir, Cezanne, Van Gogh and Gauguin, to name a few.

Fantastically odd

Im not sure how Moore's ideas emerge but all of them are so strangely unique. I really liked the story because it included so many factual parts about the painter's lives and yet tells such a bizarre tale of where their inspiration came from. Oddly, for Moore, it is more drama than comedy and even if you read Moore for humor this is an intriguing listen.

Ingeniously conceived trip into the past

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Highly recommend. A lighthearted, hysterically funny romp through art history that was well-researched. The plot is multi-faceted and complex. The narrator Euan Morton delivers this thoroughly enjoyable jaunt with panache.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Sacre Bleu?

There were so many it's hard to say. I especially loved the meeting between The Color Man and one artist where he's probed for his name: "What's your name?" "The Color Man." "What's your surname?""Color Man."What's your first name?" "The."

What does Euan Morton bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

I don't think a better narrator for Moore's wit and whimsy could be found. I am curious to discover if the book on reading in print is as delightful as it was to listen to in Morton's voice.

Any additional comments?

Without a doubt the most delightful Audible book I've listened to so far.

Laughed alot. Especially Henri de Talouse Lautrec!

Would you listen to Sacre Bleu again? Why?

Sure! Don't we all need a laugh? Enjoyed the adult humor with artist I've always loved coming to life....along with a little whimsey.

What other book might you compare Sacre Bleu to and why?

Thought this was pretty unique. Reminded me a bit of Woody Allen's movie, Midnight in Paris.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

No. Enjoyed savoring it off and on through the days, though it was difficult to stop.

Dissapointing

Is there anything you would change about this book?

I was really hoping for something funnier

If you???ve listened to books by Christopher Moore before, how does this one compare?

This is one of the weakest books he has published

What does Euan Morton bring to the story that you wouldn???t experience if you just read the book?

Euan Morton is an extremely talented narrator. He makes you feel like you are sitting around a campfire listening to someone tell a story.

Did Sacre Bleu inspire you to do anything?

No

Any additional comments?

I really expected something funny from Christopher Moore, and I was sadly disappointed. I have either read or listened to almost all of his books and this is the first one of his that really felt like a let down. The story is very interesting and well written, it is just that I always expect something funny or witty from Moore, and this was not really either of those things. More of a detective novel with a little bit of silliness in it.