The Perfectionist

An advance copy proved to be one of my top three reads of the Christmas Holidays (for the record the other two were ‘Waterland’, Graham Swift’s tragic, atmospheric novel and Bob Dylan’s marvellous ‘Chronicles’). Chelminski, veteran foreign correspondent and bestselling author, is a perceptive writer well able to get to grips with the facts and supposition surrounding the well-publicised death of superstar chef Bernard Loiseau. Chelminski skilfully delineates the parallel tracks of Loiseau and the Michelin organisation out of the provincial town of Clermont-Ferrand from which both sprang. There’s strong insight into the life of an aspiring commis – Bernard gets a hard time at the reverered Troigros. Attractive wife, three beautiful children, critical acclaim but, like a Russian play, it all goes wrong. The essential rivalries are noted: the excessively-hyped hypermodern Michel Veyrat on whom Gault-Millaut bestows a 20/20 while demoting Loiseau; Michel Troisgros who clinches Chef of the Year, capping his despair. The change of pace is wondrous. “Icarus complex, rejected love or simple burn out?” we wonder as the book rolls, Le Carré-like, to an untidy conclusion – or not. Utterly absorbing, recommended, what more can I say?

The Perfectionist by Rudolph Chelminski
Michael Joseph, hardback GB£17.99