Paris to the Past

Paris to the Past:  Traveling Through French History by Train by Ina Caro

Published:  2011 by W.W. Norton

Source:  Borrowed from the library

  Either books about Paris and/or France are more prevalent on my radar because I'm contemplating a trip in the spring, or the publishing gods are releasing more books about them.  I'm drawn to travel narratives anyways, but even so I think this is the third or fourth new book about Paris that I've read this year.

 

  This book details 25 day trips from Paris that take you back into French history -- from The Middle Ages and the era of Louis XIV to the French Revolution and the age of Napoleon.  I admit, I don't have a real affinity for any of these periods and would not necessarily have selected a lot of these sites as a "must-see. Having said that, one of the sites mentioned -- The Place des Vosges in Paris -- was one of my favorite spots when I last visited and I wasn't entirely aware of of its significance.  Another site -- the cathedral at Rouen -- I only know from Monet's paintings (reason itself to visit, in my opinion), but I did not know of its connection to Joan of Arc.  *sigh*  I might need a longer vacation.

  I found the author's tone to be too upscale and a tad snobby for my taste, and the only restaurants/hotels she does mention are certainly not for the budget-minded traveller.  Otherwise, this is a good non-touristy travel guide that is a starting point for anyone planning a Parisian adventure.

  Recommended.

Fabulous Small Jews - Stories

Fabulous Small Jews:  Stories by Joseph Epstein

Published:  2003 by Houghton Mifflin Company

Source:  Purchased

  After reading a few pages of the first story of this collection, I immediately thought of one of my favorite writers of all time:  Mordecai Richler.  Though writing about different eras for the most part, both he and Joseph Epstein have made older, grumpy Jewish men characters with whom we can all identify.

  Epstein's collection, Fabulous Small Jews, is comprised of eighteen stories that to me all had something to do with loneliness.  The main characters in the stories -- those grumpy old men -- have all led fairly successful and prosperous lives, but in their retirement it appears that they truly begin to understand what has been missing.  Not all of them are likeable, but they are relatable -  even though all of the men are Jewish, religion plays only a small part in any of the stories.

  My favorite story of the collection is "Don Juan Zimmerman", a story about rediscovering love at any age.

Recommended

Guest Post -- John Milliken Thompson, author of THE RESERVOIR

   John Milliken Thompson's first novel, The Reservoir, is based on actual events in the late 1800s.  Though drawing on court transcripts and newspaper accounts, he still was required to imagine how certain things took place in order to describe them in detail.  Mr. Thompson graciously offers this post describing his process for recreating some of the more violent scenes in the book:

My new novel, The Reservoir, is based on a real court case that occurred in 1885 in Richmond, after the body of a young woman was found floating in the old city reservoir. At the heart of the story is a lover’s triangle between Lillie (the victim), Tommie (her cousin), and Willie (Tommie’s brother). In order to fully imagine what might have happened—and how—I enlisted my wife to help me act out several scenes from the novel. I may’ve gotten the idea from a TV show we used to watch called “Crossing Jordan.” Every episode featured a scene in which the actors mimed a crime scenario they’d put together from the clues; intercut were the gruesome scenes they were imagining.



It’s a great way to test the possibilities, and if you have a good, willing actor like my wife you can get a real physical handle on what works and what doesn’t. For instance, I had a scene in which Tommie rests his chin on Lillie’s head, and he cups her bottom so he’s nearly lifting her. Turns out that even with a short woman this would be nearly impossible, unless the man’s arms were like a great ape’s. I changed it so that his head was resting on her shoulder.


We also acted out some crucial business at the reservoir—how far one would have to reach to pull a person in from the water, how a man might grab a woman from behind to suppress a scream, what it was like to crawl through a broken board fence, and so on.


I remember reading something about Charles Dickens writing at a desk in the living room, with people constantly coming and going. Every so often he would jump up and run to the mirror, make a peculiar face, then dash back to his writing desk; or he would burst into some strange bit of dialogue. I loved picturing Dickens pantomiming his crazy characters, as oblivious of his family and friends as they were of his antics. He was also known as a performer of his own works—reciting from memory and taking on the voices of his many characters.


Borrowing a leaf from Dickens, I often find myself going to the mirror to try out an expression, and then returning to my desk to see if I can capture it in words. I live in a family of actors, so they all get it. For the most part. What I don’t get, though, is how anybody could write regularly in a busy room, shutting off the noise of the outside world while populating your mind with imaginary characters—that seems like a theatrical act in itself. But I guess that’s what real actors do all the time.

  P.S. Don't forget to check out my review and enter for your chance to win a copy of The Reservoir courtesy of the publisher, Other Press.

The Reservoir -- Review and Giveaway

The Reservoir by John Milliken Thompson

Published:  2011 by Other Press

Source:  Purchased at my local independent bookstore

  Once again I must give credit to the Books on the Nightstand Readers' Retreat (best weekend ever) for bringing a book to my attention that I likely would not have chosen on my own.  

  The Reservoir is a novel based on a true event that happened in Richmond, VA, in the late 1800s (the novel sets the year at 1885).     A young, pregnant woman is found lying dead in the town's reservoir and the investigation immediately begins to, firstly, identify her; and to determine her cause of death.  A "person of interest" is revealed right away -- Tommie Cluverius, who is described as fleeing Richmond to his family's home in rural Virginia almost immediately after the death is discovered.

  Of course it would not be a novel if the story ended there.  Tommie -- a young lawyer on his way up in the world -- is arrested for the murder of Lillie Madison, his cousin and occasional lover; and the novel goes back and forth between the preparation of the trial and the trial itself and the details of Tommie and Lillie's relationship.  Throughout these narratives we meet a host of interesting characters:  Tommie's brother Willie, loyal and willing to do anything to help his brother; the boys' Aunt Jane, Tommie's legal team, and the investigators of the death. 

  What I really enjoyed about this book was that the mystery lingered throughout the entire story.  Just when I decided the outcome, something happened to make me question that and change my mind, only for another twist to get me to return to my original thought.  Most importantly, these twists were not to my mind just devices thrown in to keep the reader interested, rather they were subtly included; and even now after reading the book twice I still cannot be sure I know what truly happened.

 

  This is an ideal book for both mystery lovers and for those interested in Southern fiction.  Highly recommended.

  Be sure to check the blog tomorrow for a guest post from John Milliken Thompson, The Reservoir's author.

  The publisher of The Reservoir, Other Press, has graciously offered a copy for giveaway to a lucky reader in the US or Canada (sorry, international readers).  Please leave your e-mail address in the comments below and the winner will be selected at random on Sunday, July 24.

The Plight of Independent Bookstores

  I buy books everywhere -- in the chains, department stores, online -- but ever since I discovered an independent bookstore in my area a few years ago -- Read Between the Lynes -- I have made a more conscious effort to give them my money, which when it comes to books is not an insignificant amount.  Their prices are more expensive than other retailers (though as a member of their loyalty club one receives a discount) but as I've become a frequent customer I am on a first-name basis with the owner I  feel truly appreciated when I make a purchase (you just don't get that at the Big Stores).

  So it was disheartening to receive a letter in the mail yesterday from the owner of the store describing the difficulties the store is going through and how close they seem to closing their doors.  Along with details of the changes the store will be making  it also includes a request for loyal customers to make a pledge to spend an additional $35 per month at the store over the next 60 days. 
 
  I want to do this -- I mean, I spend a lot at the store already (my last two visits to the store resulted in purchases of over $50 each), and asking me to spend more on books is a bit of a no-brainer.  But I am only one person, and my extra $35 is not going to mean anything if other loyal customers don't step up and if avid readers in the area do not also patronize the store.  I appreciate that times are tight and saving money is important to all of us, but the personal service provided to customers and the service to the community is something at which indies excel, and I believe that is worth the price.

  Wherever you live -- please support your local independent bookstore.

I'm a guest poster!

  I am very honored to have been asked to contribute to Susan Gregg Gilmore's celebration of book clubs on her blog.  I had the pleasure of meeting Susan at the Books on the Nightstand Readers' Retreat (best weekend ever) and she is a lovely person in addition to a great writer.

  Be sure to check out her books Looking for Salvation at the Dairy Queen and The Improper Life of Bezellia Grove.  She is doing some great things with book clubs to tie in with the paperback release of Bezellia -- if you have a book group it is a great opportunity.

  Now off to rest my swollen head....

The Most Beautiful Walk in the World

The Most Beautiful Walk in the World:  A Pedestrian in Paris by John Baxter

Published:  2011 by Harper Perennial

Source:  Received from the publisher for review

Paris belongs to its piétons – the pedestrians



   Regular readers of this blog, tell me:  is there any doubt as to what I think of this book?

   It's about Paris.  About walking in Paris.  About viewing the history of Paris on these walks through the eyes of some of the writers and other cultural luminaries who made their mark in the city:  Hemingway, Picasso, Sylvia Beach, to name just a few.  It's a book written by a Parisian resident who,  I think because he is not a native of the city,  still has a bit of the tourist in him to be able to express his wide-eyed admiration of the city and all that has happened to it.
 
  That's not to say that the book is all sunshine and roses about the city -- Baxter describes a few incidents typical of life probably anywhere, but for me, since they take place in PARIS, they seem so much more bearable. 

  Although not really a travel guide, for those interested in visiting Paris for the first or fortieth time is full of information disguised as narratives that would only enhance the experience;   my copy is covered in Post-It flags and highlighted throughout so that WHEN I can plan my next trip I will have new resources available to me.  Even for the armchair traveller, though, this book is simply a wonderful escape into one of the world's great cities.

  Highly recommended. 

  I also recommend another John Baxter memoir set in Paris:  Immoveable Feast:  A Paris Christmas; an account of his attempt to prepare a traditional French Christmas meal for his French in-laws.  A wonderful holiday read.