A review by agameofbooksblog
Cursed Bread by Sophie Mackintosh

dark emotional mysterious sad slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

"Cursed Bread" by Sophie Mackintosh receives a three-star rating from me. The book presents an intriguing narrative structure, with the main character's story unfolding through a series of letters written to her lover. However, in the audiobook format, this storytelling approach can become confusing at times. The absence of visual cues or clear distinctions between the letters makes it challenging to follow the progression of events, leading to some confusion.

The core of the story revolves around the town of Pont-Saint-Esprit during a period of collective madness and hallucinations. Mackintosh explores the historical context of a mysterious illness that swept through the town, with some attributing it to spoiled bread while others suspect covert government experiments. The blurring of reality and hallucinations adds a sense of heightened tension and paranoia to the narrative. Although the book is well-written, it is likely more suited for reading in its physical form, where the reader can better navigate the shifting perspectives and keep track of the timeline.

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