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
The Last Banquet is a feast for the senses; dark, sensual and unexpected. I loved it -- JOJO MOYES
The Last Banquet is an astonishing, sensual feast which will appeal to those who enjoyed Patrick Susskind's Perfume . . . a damned fine writer, and with The Last Banquet it feels like Grimwood has cut loose and written the book he was always meant to, with equal parts lush, sumptuous prose, convincing historical seasoning, and a cast of believable, human characters which will leave you sated and satisfied. Tastes like awesome -- David Barnett * * Independent on Sunday * *
Racily picaresque, energetic and clever * * Guardian * *
Jonathan Grimwood's latest novel is intriguing, fanciful, philosophical and told with an admirable lightness of touch * * Daily Mail * *
A true feast for the senses * * Scotsman * *
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 * *
