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It's not every afternoon that an enigmatic, comely blonde named Stilton (like the cheese) walks into the scruffy gin joint where Sammy "Two Toes" Tiffin tends bar. It's love at first sight, but before Sammy can make his move, an air force general named Remy arrives with some urgent business. 'Cause when you need something done, Sammy is the guy to go to; he's got the connections on the street.
With New York Times best-sellers like Bloodsucking Fiends to his credit, Christopher Moore has developed a devoted cult following. Coyote Blue introduces Samuel Hunter, a young man who's running from his past while being tormented by an ancient Crow God with a talent for mischief.
Take a wonderfully crazed excursion into the demented heart of a tropical paradise - a world of cargo cults, cannibals, mad scientists, ninjas, and talking fruit bats. Our bumbling hero is Tucker Case, a hopeless geek trapped in a cool guy's body, who makes a living as a pilot for the Mary Jean Cosmetics Corporation.
Just why do humpback whales sing? That's the question that has marine behavioral biologist Nate Quinn and his crew poking, charting, recording, and photographing very big, wet, gray marine mammals - until the extraordinary day when a whale lifts its tail into the air to display a cryptic message spelled out in foot-high letters: Bite Me.
A striking red-head, 20-something Jody is attacked and transformed into a vampire while walking home one night in downtown San Francisco. Befriending 19-year-old Tommy, Jody tries to understand her new undead life, but trouble finds her when the cops start suspecting Tommy of being a local bloodsucking serial killer.
In Christopher Moore's ingenious debut novel, we meet one of the most memorably mismatched pairs in the annals of literature. The good-looking one is one-hundred-year-old ex-seminarian and "roads" scholar Travis O'Hearn. The green one is Catch, a demon with a nasty habit of eating most of the people he meets.
It's not every afternoon that an enigmatic, comely blonde named Stilton (like the cheese) walks into the scruffy gin joint where Sammy "Two Toes" Tiffin tends bar. It's love at first sight, but before Sammy can make his move, an air force general named Remy arrives with some urgent business. 'Cause when you need something done, Sammy is the guy to go to; he's got the connections on the street.
With New York Times best-sellers like Bloodsucking Fiends to his credit, Christopher Moore has developed a devoted cult following. Coyote Blue introduces Samuel Hunter, a young man who's running from his past while being tormented by an ancient Crow God with a talent for mischief.
Take a wonderfully crazed excursion into the demented heart of a tropical paradise - a world of cargo cults, cannibals, mad scientists, ninjas, and talking fruit bats. Our bumbling hero is Tucker Case, a hopeless geek trapped in a cool guy's body, who makes a living as a pilot for the Mary Jean Cosmetics Corporation.
Just why do humpback whales sing? That's the question that has marine behavioral biologist Nate Quinn and his crew poking, charting, recording, and photographing very big, wet, gray marine mammals - until the extraordinary day when a whale lifts its tail into the air to display a cryptic message spelled out in foot-high letters: Bite Me.
A striking red-head, 20-something Jody is attacked and transformed into a vampire while walking home one night in downtown San Francisco. Befriending 19-year-old Tommy, Jody tries to understand her new undead life, but trouble finds her when the cops start suspecting Tommy of being a local bloodsucking serial killer.
In Christopher Moore's ingenious debut novel, we meet one of the most memorably mismatched pairs in the annals of literature. The good-looking one is one-hundred-year-old ex-seminarian and "roads" scholar Travis O'Hearn. The green one is Catch, a demon with a nasty habit of eating most of the people he meets.
People start dropping dead around Charlie, giant ravens perch on his building, and it seems that everywhere he goes, a dark presence whispers to him from under the streets. Strange names start appearing on his nightstand notepad, and before he knows it, those people end up dead, too. Yup, it seems that Charlie Asher has been recruited for a new job, an unpleasant but utterly necessary one: Death.
Verily, the story Biff has to tell is a miraculous one, filled with remarkable journeys, magic, healings, kung fu, corpse reanimations, demons, and hot babes. Even the considerable wiles and devotion of the Savior's pal may not be enough to divert Joshua from his tragic destiny. But there's no one who loves Josh more (except maybe "Maggie," Mary of Magdalan) and Biff isn't about to let his extraordinary pal suffer and ascend without a fight.
Steve is hell's super, its handyman. Being Mr. Fixit to the underworld keeps him and his assistant, Orson Welles (yes, that Orson Welles), pretty busy, since things go on the blink all the time down there. No malfunction has ever created so much inconvenience, though, as the malfunction of hell's escalator, which leads from the pearly gates to the depths of Hades. What's worse: The breakdown appears to be sabotage.
A farang is dead and the Bangkok police have a confession the next morning from a young paint-thinner addict. He claims he killed Ben Hoadly, an expat Brit, but Calvino has his doubts when he sees heavy bruises on the kid's face. In no time, Calvino is working both sides, out to find the killer for Hoadly's wealthy father, and eager to clear the addict's name for a beautiful friend who runs a charity in the slums.
A happy workforce is a productive workforce. At the moment, the Wizard's employees are neither. The goblins are upset with their working conditions, the dragonslayer has thrown a hissy fit over his medical insurance (or lack thereof) and everyone is upset about the terrible canteen coffee. Yet the Wizard hasn't got time to worry about revolution in the workplace - he's about to see his brilliant business plan (based on entrepreneurial flair and involving one or two parallel worlds) disrupted by a clueless young man.
New Evil. Same as the Old Evil, but with better PR. Mordak isn't bad as far as goblin kings go, but when someone or something starts pumping gold into the human kingdoms, it puts his rule into serious jeopardy. Suddenly he's locked in an arms race with a species whose arms he once considered merely part of a healthy breakfast.
Things have been going pretty badly for Theo Bernstein. An unfortunate accident at work has lost him his job (and his work involved a Very Very Large Hadron Collider, so he's unlikely to get it back). His wife has left him. And he doesn't have any money. Before Theo has time to fully appreciate the pointlessness of his own miserable existence, news arrives that his good friend, a renowned physicist and Nobel laureate, has died. By leaving the apparently worthless contents of his safety deposit box to Theo, however, the professor has set him on a quest of epic proportions.
A century ago, the Sentience Wars tore the galaxy apart and nearly ended the entire concept of intelligent space-faring life. In the aftermath, a curious tradition was invented - something to cheer up everyone who was left and bring the shattered worlds together in the spirit of peace, unity, and understanding. Once every cycle, the civilizations gather for the Metagalactic Grand Prix - part gladiatorial contest, part beauty pageant, part concert extravaganza, and part continuation of the wars of the past.
In an alien city torn apart by crooked cops and ruthless criminals, private detective Dan Deadman specializes in cases unusual and bizarre. Sure, he doesn't smell great, and he's technically been dead for quite some time, but if you've got a rampaging Hell-beast tearing up your street, or a portal to another dimension appearing in your bathroom, Dan's your man. After saving a mysterious young woman named Ollie from the clutches of something big, slimy, and unpleasant, Dan gets entangled in a missing child case.
Interstellar con man Rex Nihilo has a price tag on his head. Railroaded into smuggling a shipment of contraband corn to a planet short on food, Rex finds himself on the run from an insidious corporation named Ubiqorp, which reaps obscene profits by keeping the planet dependent on shipments of synthetic rations. When Rex and his long-suffering robot companion Sasha are sentenced to work as slave labor on a massive Ubiqorp plantation, they learn the terrible secret behind the corporation's products.
Maurice has just killed a dragon with a bread knife. And had his destiny foretold…and had his true love spirited away. That's precisely the sort of stuff that'd bring out the latent heroism in anyone. Unfortunately, Maurice is pretty sure he hasn't got any latent heroism. Meanwhile, a man wakes up in a jar in a different kind of pickle (figuratively speaking). He can't get out, of course, but neither can he remember his name, or what gravity is, or what those things on the ends of his legs are called…and every time he starts working it all out, someone makes him forget again.
The world will end on Saturday. Next Saturday. Just before dinner, according to The Nice and Accurate Prophecies of Agnes Nutter, Witch, the world's only completely accurate book of prophecies, written in 1655. The armies of Good and Evil are amassing and everything appears to be going according to Divine Plan. Except that a somewhat fussy angel and a fast-living demon are not actually looking forward to the coming Rapture. And someone seems to have misplaced the Antichrist.
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.
I'm new to Christopher Moore. I'd seen those signature covers, with the bold chunky letters "M-O-O-R-E" across the front, and was curious..."What new genre is this: vampires named Abby Normal, murderous Santas, the spectre Death in a baby carriage, King Lear as a comedy, Jesus and his boyhood pal Biff...holy merde!...is nothing sacre'?!" I was tempted, but my impression was the subject matter was too surreal, too bawdy, too irreverant, for my tastes. But a novel about wonderful art, Paris, Van Gogh, even if it was fictional comedy....oh! I could not resist. I didn't stop smiling or laughing for 11 hrs. and 40 min.
Sacre' Bleu is a brilliantly crafted mish-mash of genres, part historical fiction, part mystery, part fantasy, part mythology, loaded with satire and comedic genius, but also some accurate and interesting history. I get why the fans are zealous, why the reviews are glowing--this is entertaining smart comedy; energetic and colorful, with a cast of who's-who in the world of 19th century artists (even a "cameo" by Descartes and Hemingway) and a story that spans history. The character Toulouse-Lautrec was especially funny, brought to life by the wonderful narration of Euan Morton.The first hour is a little slow, but the pace picks up quickly, and if the plot doesn't draw you in, the amusing banter will.
If you are considering Moore for the first time, I can say I enjoyed this listen immensely, but don't think it is for everyone, it's more an acquired taste. It is irreverant, and there is some bawdy humor--if you can't laugh at a dirty joke, and bits of sophmoric humor, you might not appreciate Moore's style. As for me, I want more of anything that can hold my interest AND keep a smile on my face. I'll be reading the Audible members' reviews of other Moore books and choosing another.
58 of 61 people found this review helpful
If you're looking for the comedy so readily had in Fool, Dirty Job, and all of the Pine Cove books it isnt here, this is more the kind of deeply drawn absurd comedy that you found in Fluke. This is the side of Chistopher Moore rarely glimpsed in his writing, the meloncholy sarcasm and broad comedy that is based not on the situation but on the very weirdness and craziness of a (semi)-normal life and love and the horror that is being a creative person.
So if you're looking for a delightful romp with another Pocket of Dog Snogging or another journey with Levi bar Alphaeus who is called Biff, or even a drag along the absurd with Theopolis Crowe, skip this one, you wont find the same humor.
If however you are looking for a very well thought out very well researched and deeply colourful book, then Christopher Moore is your colour man giving you the blue you need (whether you eat it or not) to make your day a little less blue and a little moore hued.
42 of 45 people found this review helpful
At last, that year I spent studying art history pays off!
Not that you need to know anything about art history to enjoy this book. The chapter guide is very helpful. Well, I discovered it just after I'd finished the book, but it LOOKS helpful. Have it handy while you listen.
So, here is Moore doing what he does best, crafting a story that is intelligent and moving, but also bawdy and goofy. There's that mystery I mentioned, and some romance, lots of sex and other "vices", and thoughtful ruminations on the nature of inspiration and the sacrifices that must be made for art.
The main character, baker/painter Lucien Lessard, is great, but it's Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec who steals the show as Lucien's drunken horndog sidekick. We need another book about him!
The narration is superb. I loved what Euan Morton did with Fool, and his performance here is just as lively.
I can't give Sacr?? Bleu a full five stars for the story. I want to, but it doesn't quite equal Moore's masterpieces Lamb and Fool. There are some aspects of the story that don't quite gel, and maybe it gets a bit too complicated for its own good. But it's really, really close. I've already started listening to it for a second time.
16 of 17 people found this review helpful
You don't have to have an art background to enjoy this book. It is written with humor, mystery, history and art. If you do have an art background, there are so many things that you will "get." All the great Impressionists are mentioned and some take part in the story. You will be amazed at the "source" for ultramarine blue pigment. A very imaginative book. And, I really liked the reader. He was perfect for the time and place. I can't imagine it would be as much fun to read the book myself. Hearing it was a delight.
11 of 12 people found this review helpful
I really enjoyed the story Christopher Moore dreamed up. Bohemian Paris is one of the places i would love to time travel to. Can you imagine it? Painters and writers and can-can dancers drinking to the green fairy. What i love about Christopher Moore, is that he is extremely thorough with his research, look at Lamb.
The actual storyline was just okay, its entertaining and keeps you interested, but it paled in comparison to the amazing world that Moore paints for the reader. You are transported to Paris at a time where some of the most renown painters are friends and you get to peek into their process. What makes them who they are as well as the women who act as muses for them.
I would recommend this story for anyone who has even a small interest in art. Also, the summary makes this sounds like a detective story about the death of Van Gough. Yes, it is, but Van Gough's part is really short. His death is not really a motivating factor, but it is entertaining and has an interesting take on why he cut off his own earlobe.
The narration:
Euan Morton does a great job with the different characters. He was able to distinguish all the men and made the women's voices believable. I like it when the narrator doesn't outshine or hinder the story. Morton did a great job.
11 of 12 people found this review helpful
Ok, so it isn't my favorite from Christopher Moore, but it still holds its own as a funny and entertaining listen. The whole French art history theme wore on me after awhile - I started wishing for it to hurry up and end already - like a couple of hours before it finally did. I also had a difficult time solidifying the characters in my head - I felt like they were being reintroduced multiple times and they all kind of ran together into three or four historic artists and some really witty whores. Does it sound like I didn't enjoy it? I really did - it had the signature Moore saucy humor and fun sub-plots that he is known for and he remains one of my favorite authors. If you like Moore you need to add this to your collection, and if you've never experienced Moore then definitely try it because everyone needs some Moore :)
8 of 9 people found this review helpful
If you liked Christopher Moore's remake of McBeth then you'll likely enjoy this story. If his other books are more your flavor then you might struggle with Sacre Bleu. The story is well written and well performed but it was like listening to a story that you understand is meant to be amusing but you don't have enough knowledge of the subject matter to enjoy its humorus intent.
57 of 70 people found this review helpful
Any additional comments?
I dislike the way Audible wants me to review books. I don't want to answer questions, I simply want to tell you what I think of a book - in this case Sacre Bleu.
This is a good book with excellent narration. It is strange and mysterious and has wonderful characters. There are moments when I laughed out loud and moments when I merely savored the weirdness. I would recommend this book to anyone.
So why only five stars for the story? Because this is Christopher Moore and I am afraid he has spoiled me with "The Stupidest Angel" and "Lamb". "The Stupidest Angel" is my very favorite Audible book and I want all of Christopher Moore's books to make me laugh like "The Stupidest Angel" does!
I suspect that most fans of Mr. Moore do not think "The Stupidest Angel" is his best - it is not as rich as some of his books, but there's me liking silly much more than meaningful, so take that into consideration when you decide to buy this book - which you really should decide to do.
3 of 3 people found this review helpful
Well written, art and fantasy. It made me buy more from this author. Is there any better praise. I loved his other book also.
3 of 3 people found this review helpful
I can understand that not everyone will like this book because it has some very specific art history references. I have a completely useless degree in art history, so this book for me was like hearing stories about old friends. At first I was skeptical about downloading this book because I was afraid he may have messed around too much with history. I was pleasantly surprised at how well he wound his story around actual events without making any serious changes in history. The narration is also well done.
6 of 7 people found this review helpful