Description

Jean-Marie Charles d’Aumout is many things.
Orphan, soldier, diplomat, spy, lover.
And chef.

This is his story.

We meet Jean-Marie d’Aumout as a penniless orphan eating beetles by the side of a road. His fate is changed after an unlikely encounter finds him patronage and he is sent to military academy. Despite his lowly roots, and thanks to wit and courage in great measure, he grows up to become a diplomat and spy.

Passion, political intrigue and international adventure abound in Jean-Marie’s life, yet his drive stems from a single obsession: the pursuit of the perfect taste. Three-Snake Bouillabaisse, Pickled Wolf’s Heart and Flamingo Tongue are just some of the delicacies he devours on his journey toward the ultimate feast.

Rising through the ranks of eighteenth-century French society, he feasts with lords, ladies and eventually kings, at the Palace of Versailles itself.

But beyond the palace walls, revolution is in the air and the country is clamouring with hunger of a different kind.

Publisher Review

Racily picaresque, energetic and clever * Guardian * An astonishing, sensual feast which will appeal to those who enjoyed Patrick Susskind’s Perfume — David Barnett * Independent on Sunday * A true feast for the senses * Scotsman * Intriguing, fanciful, philosophical and told with an admirable lightness of touch * Daily Mail * The Last Banquet is a feast for the senses; dark, sensual and unexpected. I loved it — JOJO MOYES Wonderfully enjoyable. Grimwood captures the colour, the decadence and tawdry glamour of Versailles beautifully. I loved the complexity of the relationships, and sensual quality reminded me at times of Angela Carter. Masterful — CAROL BIRCH author of JAMRACH’S MENAGERIE A delicious sensory overload — Marina O’Loughlin Jonathan Grimwood’s intelligent story of lost innocence… follows convincingly in the traditions established by Patrick Suskind’s Perfume and Andrew Miller’s Pure * Times Literary Supplement * As a piece of historical fiction, there is not an ounce of fat on it – a compliment, even for a work so concerned with the food of France * The Times * A tantalising tale, be prepared for some dark mystery and decadent recipes. A must for lovers of Suskind’s Perfume and Miller’s Pure * The Bookseller * Grimwood takes us on a journey that is both fantastic and fascinating … A delightful read * Curious Book Fans * Mr. Grimwood has written a truly exceptional book. This will come as no surprise to those who have been reading him for years, and I’m delighted to say that one of the books I was most anticipating not only met my inflated expectations, but exceeded them. The Last Banquet is like a cake, an onion, a feast, a clock, a … it is your metaphor of choice: something both simple and complex, instantly comprehensible and infinitely layered. Filthy and beautiful, provocative and sensitive, this is one for the ages * Pornokitsch * By the end of the book you can’t help but feel that if France had been peopled by a few more eccentrics like D’Aumont it may have never torn itself apart * We Love This Book * A piece of fiction with a superb central premise * Daily Telegraph * Vibrantly original, filled with vividly descriptive passages and with a brilliantly playful cover, The Last Banquet rivals The President’s Hat as my best read of 2013 so far * A Life in Books * From A Tale of Two Cities to Les Miserables, the French Revolution has it all in terms of sweeping adventure stories – and The Last Banquet is a worthy addition — Tinna Jackson * Metro * As delicious and as full of surprises as one of the young Jean-Marie’s rabbit stews * Sunday Express * I will never look at tigers, or candles, or cheese in the same way. A sensuous ride through eighteenth century France — JESSIE BURTON, author of The Miniaturist