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
