Pure is a 2011 novel by English author Andrew Miller. The book is the sixth novel by Miller and was released on 9 June 2011 in the United Kingdom through Sceptre, an imprint of Hodder & Stoughton. The novel is set in pre-revolutionary France and the upcoming turmoil is a consistent theme throughout. It follows an engineer named Jean-Baptiste Baratte and chronicles his efforts in clearing an overfilled graveyard that is polluting the surrounding area. Baratte makes friends and enemies as the cemetery is both loved and hated by the people of the district.
Miller was inspired to write about the Les Innocents Cemetery after reading historian Philippe Ariès's brief description of its clearing and imagining the theatrics that must have been involved. The novel received positive reviews, particularly noting the quality of the writing. The novel was awarded the Costa Book Award 2011 for "Best Novel" and "Book of the Year", and was nominated for the Walter Scott Prize and South Bank award.
Plot
A 28-year-old engineer named Jean-Baptiste Baratte is tasked with the removal of the Les Innocents cemetery from Les Halles, Paris in 1786 (the Place Joachim-du-Bellay now occupies the area) and the removal of its church. Baratte is an engineer with a single decorative bridge, built in his small hometown, comprising his entire career, and, as such, is somewhat surprised by his appointment; he does, however, endeavour to complete his task.
The cemetery has been in use for many years but, given the number of people buried in such a small area, the bodies have begun to overflow and fall into the neighbouring houses as greater excavations take place and basement walls are weakened. The entire area is also permeated with a foul smell, turning fresh produce rotten in far shorter times than natural and tainting the breath of those who live there.
While scouting the cemetery before his work begins Baratte goes to stay with the Monnards, a middle-class family with a beautiful young daughter, Ziguette. In the cemetery Baratte makes the acquaintance of Armand, the church organist who continues to play, but for no one as the church has long since closed, the reclusive Père Colbert, the mad church priest, and 14-year-old Jeanne, the granddaughter of the sexton, who has grown up in the cemetery and is instrumental to Baratte's research.
Baratte initially keeps his work secret from his acquaintances but they eventually come to know of his work and most accept it reluctantly though Ziguette, in particular, seems upset about the destruction of the cemetery.
For the work, Baratte hires men from a mine that he formerly worked in and also hires his former friend, Lacoeur to come as a foreman. The work goes well until suddenly one-night Baratte is attacked by Ziguette who wounds him in his head. Ziguette is sent away and Baratte is left with permanent injuries including severe migraines, difficulty reading, and the loss of a sense of taste. After the injury, Baratte decides to move Heloïse, a known prostitute in the area, into the Monnard's home as his companion.
Though all goes well for Baratte after the injury he is called to the cemetery one night where he learns that Jeanne was attacked and raped by Lacoeur who commits suicide in penance. Baratte is ordered to cover up the suicide by his superiors and a rumour develops that he killed Lacoeur defending Heloïse.
Characters
Jean-Baptiste Baratte – the protagonist of the novel; engineering graduate of the École des Ponts et Chaussées and overseer of the project; originally from Normandy. The name is a reference to the biblical John the Baptist. Barattes nickname is "Bêche", which is French for "Spade", a reference to his career. Armand – the church's flamboyant and alcoholic organist; and close friend to Baratte; with links to "the party of the future". Héloïse Goddard – a prostitute, also known as "The Austrian" because of her resemblance to Queen Marie Antoinette, who specialises in indulging the peculiar perversions of her clients; also Baratte's love interest. Lecoeur – Baratte's old friend brought in as the foreman to the miners undertaking the excavation. English translation of the name is "The Heart". Ziguette Monnard – Barrate's landlord's daughter who attacks Baratte in the middle of the night, in opposition to his work. Marie – maid to the Monnards who spies on Baratte sleeping during the night. Jeanne – 14-year-old granddaughter to the church's sexton. Dr.Guillotin – a doctor who is observing the progress of the excavation for research purposes. Père Colbert – the church's mad priest.