Monsieur Pamplemousse: A Gastronomic Mystery by Bond, Michael
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
Like Reading a TV Skit,
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This review is from: Monsieur Pamplemousse (Mass Market Paperback)
From the point near the beginning where the master asks his dog to confirm that the sauce has too much salt, to the point where the lady of the house is successfully tricked into thinking that the puppet she just made love to was a real man, the reader is constantly challenged to find anything in the plot of this book that does not strain credulity. If you can treat it like a TV skit and simply accept it, you may have fun with this book. My wife certainly did, and toward the end I too found a smile on my face as I bought increasingly into the book's absurdities, like a mathematician smiling at a student's interesting but ultimately flawed computations. So I give it a "5" for the good times.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Masterfully Understated Humour,
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This review is from: Monsieur Pamplemousse (Mass Market Paperback)
Bond suggests. He is not explicit. His books can be hard to follow. He points the reader in a direction, applies a subtle push via plot or dialog, and relies upon the reader's perception for the rest. The results are hilarious--for a close and clever reader.
His style is echoed by his main character's actions. For example--Pamplemousse is trying to gain the confidence of a young handicapped man. Towards that end, he points out that the young man is not the only person in the world with a handicap. Then Pamplemousse arches a brow and taps his leg meaningfully with his wooden walking stick, hitting the hidden pocket wherein he keeps his notebook, producing a hollow clopping sound. "You mean?" says the young man. Pamplemousse merely nods. He never actually says he has a wooden leg, just implies it. And from that one event a series of incidents occur--an amorous woman bringing sandpaper with her when she hopes to bed Pamplemousse, bark jokes.... The humour is omnipresent. If you look for it, it is there. The intimations early on as to why Pamplemousse had to leave the French national Police force (the Surete, similar to the FBI) "It was only 12 women" snaps Pamplemousse. The world according to Pamplemouse's dog. The put downs of rival restaurant critics.... Contrasting the humour are serious and mouth-watering descriptions of gastronomic experiences--food, wine, more food, more wine! and serious mystery in both plot and action. Enough straight plot-line to make the crooked forks really stand out. This is a fantastically well made novel, with highs and lows, good and bad people, well realised scenes and scenery, and amazing description of both environment and action. I hope you can tell I loved this book! Give it a chance and you will too!
5.0 out of 5 stars
A French Farce That is Delightful!,
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This review is from: Monsieur Pamplemousse (Mass Market Paperback)
This book is for adults and that is a treat. I ended reading the entire book aloud to my hubby as tears of laughter flowed down our faces. It had such a rapid pace going that I even forgot there was a crime.
The book was written from the perspective of Monsieur Pamplemousse, and Pommes Frittes, his beloved fellow foodie reviewer, whom happens to be a Blood Hound. It is amazingly ribald, and witty. The food descriptions delectable, and the crimes abound! Inflatable dolls with a twist and policemen that are struggling... I could go on but I do remind you it is an adult novel but not tasteless. I shall find the others in the series. I feel I must in honor of my French Husband! It is terrific oh, by the way, Michael Bond also pens "Paddington Bear" series.
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