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

My least favorite Christopher Moore book.

What did you like best about Sacre Bleu? What did you like least?

It was amusing, but every character seemed to have the same sarcastic sense of humor.

Would you be willing to try another book from Christopher Moore? Why or why not?

For sure. I've read or listened to every other book he's released and enjoyed them all. This one just happens to be my least favorite. I wouldn't listen to it again.

Have you listened to any of Euan Morton’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I've listened to Fool and one of the Dune books he's performed. He's not my favorite voice actor, but he does a good job with all the characters. I really have no complaints about his reading this book.

Did Sacre Bleu inspire you to do anything?

I was inspired to write this review.

Any additional comments?

To anyone that this review turned off from buying this title, I'd encourage you to listen to Lamb, The Stupidest Angel, or A Dirty Job, all from Christopher Moore. I'd consider those his 3 best.

Maybe his best since Lamb.

I've been worried that Moore's quality has been fading with his late works, but I was sorely mistaken. For that, I am truly sorry. This was great fun with an amazing performance. Glad to see I was wrong.

Great book!

That was a fun book to read. And interesting. I was taught about art and entertained. I will never look at a painting in the same way again. I highly recommend this book as a fun and entertaining novel!

Better than I imagined

Would you listen to Sacre Bleu again? Why?

I discovered the author has a blog that augments the book chapter by chapter. I might have to listen to it again.

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

Some of the off-color humor

Which scene was your favorite?

Any scene with Toulouse-Latrec in it

If you could rename Sacre Bleu, what would you call it?

leave it. it's perfect.

AWESOME Book! Highly reccomended!

I love when an author takes the time to incorporate some historical figures in his book. This was an untapped period of history the author used as a setting. His story plot was interesting and he played it very well.

This was another book where I felt so comfortable in the environment with the characters, that I mourned the end of the book.

Sacré Bleu

Christopher Moore's books are always wonderfully absurd. A rich story that is well researched and entertaining. The perfect books to balance my audiobook collection.

as an artist. ...

being an artist, this was fascinating! i found the authors chapter guide online after looking up each painting in the story. he puts up pictures of all the locations and describes his insperarion. great book!!

Smart and funny

There is sex and romance but it is the back drop to a fanciful mystery. If you are an exclusive harlequin reader don't listen. If you like rom coms pick this up. If you want a light mystery go for it

Loved it

LOVED. Looking forward to reading more Thomas Moore. Laugh out loud funny and a great story.

Excellent Listen/Read

You can never go wrong with a Christoper Moore Book! Full of laughs, surprises, naughtiness, great characters. My go to, The Arthur Guy.