Anna grew up reading Jane Austen novels, dreaming of balls versus her own reality as a kid on food stamps. After college, Anna gets to London but it's hard work living paycheck to paycheck. As a tutor for a teenage daughter, she meets the Wilders. Suddenly, she's in Saint Tropez on a work holiday. Parties, excess, handsome rich young men. It's a whirlwind. One fellow wants to whisk her into his world, another sees her trying to "fake it to make it". How will she reconcile her reality and her dreams?
This is not a new tale, but Everett imbues Anna's story with humor, grace, and plenty of humble pie. It's easy to like Anna and also be inwardly shouting,"noooooo",as she makes mistakes. The book is a page turner with some interesting twists and turns and a satisfying conclusion.
I give it five stars for fun and descriptions of great scenery.
Whew!
The Last Green Valley by Mark Sullivan follows Emil and Adeline Martel. It's late March 1944. Stalin's pushed into Ukraine. Do they wait for this intrusion and the chance of being sent to Siberia. Or do they follow the wolves - murderous Nazi officers who have pledged to protect "pure blood Germans?
This book is well researched and keeps the pages turning. It's a tough, brutal, complex tale. How to survive? How to keep hopes of immigrating west alive? It's hard work to find freedom.
This story starts in 1944. I found it very sad in one regard - are we going backward from progress made after WWII? Lots to think about.
This is a preservation of liturgical treasures - given by kings. The finest goldsmiths and embroiders from France, Spain, Portugal, the Holy Roman Empire, and the Italian states, used gold, silver, precious stones, and textiles to honor the holy.
(brochure blurb)
The Kimbell is a wonderful museum with lovely exhibition space. The spacing, the lighting, the magnificent art - awe inspiring history.
Of course there's some apprehension. Will it be silly? Will it be lousy? What story line and how have they handled aging characters?
No worries. We launch back into the world of fashion, journalism, and the hustle bustle of NYC with aplomb. The story handles the onslaught of mergers, artificial intelligence, aging, and the money/power combo. I'm not going into the minutiae, just trust me it all works.
Our stars, Anne Hathaway, Emily Blunt, Meryl Streep, and Stanley Tucci, plus a bonus appearance by Lucy Liu, are all fabulous. They look great, and are so good in their various roles - working together or scheming. Special shout outs to Meryl and Stanley - it's a master class. Just a smirk, an eye role, a pause. Their timing is impeccable.
And another character itself is New York City - the glam, the money side, the hustle bustle, and the "little apartments" (HA!) I love it and soak it in.
So - big thumbs up from me. If you liked the original, you'll be very happy.
As Miranda (Meryl) says...."That's all."
"Go"
The above are just two examples of the over 250 photographs featured at the Amon Carter Museum (Fort Worth, TX) in a special exhibition on Black Photojournalism. This shines a light on the groundbreaking work of more that sixty photographers working in the USA from 1945 to the mid-1980s. The photojournalists documented pivotal historical events as well as the richness of everyday life. (exhibit brochure)
A friend and I enjoyed our time spent looking at all of the photos and discussing some of the history involved. I grew up in PA, she grew up in Louisiana. Different perspectives of stories told, stories remembered. This is a very worthwhile exhibit and very well presented. Lots to think about from the black perspective/ human perspective and the importance of recording moments for posterity.
Kudos to the Amon Carter for getting this exhibit as organized by the Carnegie Museum of Art.
Toibin writes with ease - complex dynamics, haunting pull of the past, and the quiet revelations that define our lives. Whether navigating the aftermath of war, forbidden love, the longings of a Catalan girl in Argentina, or the quiet struggles of mundane life, all are rendered with illuminating empathy and insight. (cover blurb)
I enjoyed dipping in and out of this book and peering into others' lives. Very well written and rich tales told.
