In the novel 'Pure' by Andrew Miller, the story follows Jean Baptiste Barratte, a young engineer from Normandy, who is tasked with the challenging job of demolishing and deconsecrating the l'Eglise des Innocents in Paris in 1785. The book vividly describes the squalor of daily life as Barratte, along with a group of miners, works to clear the cemetery grounds, surrounded by walls of bones and mummified corpses. The narrative transports the reader to pre-revolutionary Paris, depicting the civil unrest and chaos that taint the air, set against the backdrop of the overflowing burial ground.
The writing style in 'Pure' is described as beautifully written, evocative, and poetic. The author, Andrew Miller, effectively captures the atmosphere of late 18th-century Paris, from the stench of rotting corpses to the vibrant descriptions of the city and its inhabitants. The plot revolves around the monumental task of clearing the cemetery of Les Innocents, showcasing themes of friendship, love, and the impact of historical events on individuals' lives.
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Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings
Content warnings for Pure include depictions of death, corpses, decay, and themes of violence and mental distress related to the dismantling of a cemetery.
Has Romance?
There are romantic elements present in the story, particularly involving Jean Baptiste and the character Heloise, though they are intertwined with darker themes.
From The Publisher:
Andrew Miller's new novel is vividly realized fiction played out against the rich cacophony of Paris on the cusp of the French Revolution.
Jean-Baptiste Baratte- an ambitious young engineer of modest origin- arrives in the capital in 1785, charged by the King's minister with emptying the overflowing cemetery of Les Innocents, an ancient site whose stench is poisoning the neighborhood's air and water.
At first Baratte sees his work as a chance to clear the burden of history, a fitting task for a modern man of reason. But before long he begins to suspect that the destruction of the cemetery might be a prelude to his own fate and to the demise of the social order.
Baratte cannot foresee the dramas and calamities his task will trigger, or the incident that will transform his life. As unrest against the court of Louis XVI mounts, the engineer realizes that the future he had planned may no longer be the one he wants. His assignment becomes a year of relentless effort, a year of assault and sudden death. A year of friendship, too, and of desire and love. A year unlike any other he has lived.
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1 comment(s)
The blurb sounded like a story that would stand out story wise but unfortunately the audiobook just went by without much impact. Perhaps the story goes better if read physical but for now it's a disappointed read
What can you read after
Pure?
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