Title: Pure
Author: Miller, Andrew
Published by: Sceptre
Year: 2012
First published: Sceptre, 2011
Date reviewed: 06.12
ISBN: 9781444724288

As my recent experience of prize-winning books has been a bit mixed I’m glad to say that I enjoyed this 2011 Costa Book of the Year. Set in late 18th century Paris it tells the story of a young engineer hired to clear away an ancient burial ground and its neighbouring church. A small cast of principal characters is drawn well and the story kept me intrigued throughout. How accurate the picture of mostly working-class life in Paris at the time may be I’m not qualified to judge but it certainly convinced me!

Conclusion: Worth the effort.