Overdue Podcast Episode 704: "Cursed Bread" by Sophie Mackintosh

Release Date: May 26, 2025

In Episode 704 of the Overdue podcast, hosted by Andrew and Craig from Headgum, the duo delves into Sophie Mackintosh's enigmatic novel, "Cursed Bread." This episode offers a comprehensive exploration of the book's intricate narrative, thematic elements, and the authors' personal reactions, enriched with insights from listener feedback and critical reviews.

1. Introduction to "Cursed Bread" and Sophie Mackintosh

The episode begins with Craig introducing the book, highlighting its publication in 2023 and its longlisting for the Women's Prize for Fiction. Mackintosh, renowned for her debut novel "The Water Cure" (2018), which was longlisted for the Booker Prize, is portrayed as a significant contemporary British author.

Notable Quote:

• "It's an honor just to be listed." – Craig [05:16]

2. Author Background and Influences

Andrew and Craig provide an in-depth look into Sophie Mackintosh's background. Born in 1988 in South Wales and raised bilingual in Welsh and English, Mackintosh's upbringing plays a pivotal role in her storytelling. Her early foray into poetry significantly influences her prose style. Educated at Warwick University, known for its esteemed writing program, Mackintosh has been lauded in publications like Granta, The Stinging Fly, and Stylist.

Craig shares insights from Mackintosh's interviews, revealing her self-description as an "arty goth teenager" who initially considered careers in fashion design or photography before committing to writing as the most flexible medium for her creative expression.

3. Plot Overview of "Cursed Bread"

"Cursed Bread" intertwines a historical event with personal narratives, set against the backdrop of Pont Saint Esprit, a commune on the Rhône River in France. The novel fictionalizes the 1951 bread-related mass poisoning incident, where contaminated bread led to widespread hysteria, illness, and fatalities.

Andrew summarizes the plot, emphasizing the protagonist Elodie's internal struggles juxtaposed with the chaotic events engulfing her town. Elodie, a baker married to the town's breadmaker, grapples with unfulfilled sexual desires, leading her to develop an obsession with Violet, a newcomer married to the Ambassador.

Notable Quote:

• "May your futures be symmetrical, adoring and sponsored as long as you live." – Elodie in her letter to Violet [12:31]

4. Themes and Narrative Structure

The hosts dissect the novel's exploration of desire, obsession, and the impact of patriarchal structures on women's lives. Mackintosh employs an unreliable narrator in Elodie, whose fragmented and obsessive thoughts blur the lines between reality and hallucination, mirroring the mass hysteria caused by the cursed bread.

Craig draws parallels between Mackintosh's atmospheric tension and the surrealism found in David Lynch's works, noting the novel's "gauzy fever dream quality" and its ability to keep readers perpetually on edge.

Notable Quote:

• "Few of us need reminding of all the ways it is terrible to be a woman in the world." – Guardian Review by Joe Hamya [51:05]

5. Critical Reception and Listener Feedback

Andrew and Craig incorporate perspectives from Goodreads reviews and listener comments from their Discord community. While some listeners appreciate the book's stylistic risks and psychological depth, others find the narrative's opaqueness and nonlinear structure challenging.

Listener Quote:

• "Have you ever loved someone so much you fed them broken glass? Yes. Yes, good read." – Bev from Discord [30:48]

The Guardian's review by Joe Hamya is cited, praising Mackintosh's ability to intertwine personal despair with broader societal critiques, though it notes the thin portrayal of male characters.

6. Comparisons to Other Works

The hosts draw comparisons between "Cursed Bread" and films like "Black Swan" and "Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me," highlighting the shared themes of psychological distress and the blurring of reality. These comparisons underscore the novel's capacity to evoke a tense and unsettling atmosphere, keeping readers in a state of suspense.

Notable Quote:

• "It is both foreshadowed in the way that Elodie writes about, like, past events... and there's this one scene and nothing ever comes of it. So again, is it real? Is it not? I don't know." – Andrew [29:12]

7. Final Thoughts and Conclusion

Andrew and Craig reflect on their personal experiences reading "Cursed Bread," acknowledging both their appreciation for its atmospheric intensity and the challenges posed by its complex narrative structure. They encourage listeners to engage with the book's ambiguous storytelling to fully grasp its thematic depths.

Notable Quote:

• "It's trying to be difficult, which makes it more difficult." – Andrew [54:17]

The episode concludes with teasers for upcoming books and invitations for listeners to join their community discussions via Patreon and social media platforms.

8. Additional Resources and Recommendations

• Listener Engagement: Listeners are encouraged to share their bread recipes (sans dangerous additives) and Sophie Mackintosh's takes on social media.
• Future Reads: Upcoming episodes will feature "Gilead" by Marilyn Robinson and "James" by Percival Everett.

Conclusion

Episode 704 of Overdue offers a nuanced and layered discussion of Sophie Mackintosh's "Cursed Bread," blending author insights, thematic analysis, and community feedback. Andrew and Craig provide listeners with a thorough understanding of the novel's complexities, inviting both appreciation and critical reflection.

For more information and to support the show, visit OverduePodcast.com or become a patron at Patreon.com/overduepod. Follow them on Blue Sky and Instagram @OverduePod for updates and discussions.