Memories of Childhood
This is a lovely memoir about growing up outside of London during World War I. The author, Phyllis Yvonne Betts, born in 1909, was five years old when the great war broke out, and this is the period she writes about. Seen through the eyes of a child, life in a middle-class family is told with humor, a child’s honest observation, and filled with the homely details that make a story come to life. It was a dangerous time before the discovery of antibiotics and children were often sent away when a family member came down with illnesses we don’t have to worry about these days. The dreaded Dr. Biggs would arrive at the house with his scruffy black bag, take a temperature, listen to the heart, and usually prescribe the same un-salacious tonic for all illnesses, with instructions to keep the “bow’els” (as he pronounced it) open.
Phyllis’s mother was from a rich and snobbish family, full of pretensions, a home a child dreaded having to visit, a home filled with confusing social rules and customs. Her father’s family in contrast were warm and down-to-earth people where comfort food was always on offer. Her descriptions of these households and occupants are wonderful.
Betts’ understanding of war was limited, but she knew people who say goodbye often never returned home unless in the funeral parades given for fallen soldiers. I loved her description of the several schools she attended, where little was taught, yet she managed a complete education. Most of all I enjoyed reading of all the bits and pieces of everyday life, often mystifying to a child, during a difficult period of history. I highly recommend this book to readers who enjoy social history filled with sharp insights and humor.
Thursday, October 26, 2017
Monday, October 23, 2017
PURE by Andrew Miller (fiction)
“Pure” is one of the best written and most interesting books I have read this year. Once again, Miller seems to have a thorough grasp of the subject he is writing about, in this case, an invented story of a real incident that is so realistic the reader loses him/herself in the era leading up to the French Revolution. The setting is Paris in 1785. An idealistic young man, Jean Baptiste Barrate, arrives from his home in northwestern France. He is an ambitious engineer, a builder of bridges with a background in mining, and he is determined to make a name for himself. He arrives full of the energy of youth and modern ideas of philosophy, a follower of Voltaire who has no connection with traditional religion. Baratte has been given a government commission, and he is as innocent of the difficulty of the task he is assigned as the name of the church and its cemetery, Les Innocents, that he is to raze to the ground as well as remove all the bones to another area of the city. Many ended up in Pere-Lachaise and Montmartre.
Les Innocents is an ancient church with a huge sprawling graveyard which has grown and taken over the area we know as Les Halles. There were thousands and thousands of people buried on top of one another, burrowing deep into the ground. It is said that from the bubonic plague alone 50,000 have been interred. Arriving at his workplace, Jean is appalled and horrified at the overpowering stench of death which has permeated the city for miles around. The church itself is abandoned except for an ancient cleric and an organist, Armand, who becomes a close friend of Baratte. Living close by is a sexton and his granddaughter who will play a part in the unfolding events.
Once he gets over the shock of the enormity of his assignment, Baratte sets to work to the best of his abilities. He enlists the aid of an old colleague and friend, Lecoeur, who helps him hire a ragtag group of miners who may be the only ones capable of completing such a horrific task. At the same time, Jean finds accommodation with a couple named Monnard, who have a daughter who is possibly deranged. As the work moves forward, the lives of all these people are deeply affected. Jean, himself, loses his illusions and enthusiasm. His clothes which bordered on the foppish change to sober black. He spends too many sleepless nights. His wanderings through the city introduces the reader to ordinary people trying to survive under the weight of a government and king who are divorced from everyday life. Versailles where Jean goes to report his progress seems almost as empty and cavernous as the church he is destroying.
Despite all the darkness, there is love and caring among the people helping Jean. In the end when his task is complete and revolution is imminent, Baratte is a very different man than the naive youth who arrived in Paris so full of promise.
Miller has a way of weaving history into the lives of ordinary people and at the same time turning the story into an allegory of the destruction of France as revolution looms. I enjoyed this book for its history, story and excellent writing. I highly recommend it to all readers. It is a good choice for a reading group with much to discuss.
Les Innocents is an ancient church with a huge sprawling graveyard which has grown and taken over the area we know as Les Halles. There were thousands and thousands of people buried on top of one another, burrowing deep into the ground. It is said that from the bubonic plague alone 50,000 have been interred. Arriving at his workplace, Jean is appalled and horrified at the overpowering stench of death which has permeated the city for miles around. The church itself is abandoned except for an ancient cleric and an organist, Armand, who becomes a close friend of Baratte. Living close by is a sexton and his granddaughter who will play a part in the unfolding events.
Once he gets over the shock of the enormity of his assignment, Baratte sets to work to the best of his abilities. He enlists the aid of an old colleague and friend, Lecoeur, who helps him hire a ragtag group of miners who may be the only ones capable of completing such a horrific task. At the same time, Jean finds accommodation with a couple named Monnard, who have a daughter who is possibly deranged. As the work moves forward, the lives of all these people are deeply affected. Jean, himself, loses his illusions and enthusiasm. His clothes which bordered on the foppish change to sober black. He spends too many sleepless nights. His wanderings through the city introduces the reader to ordinary people trying to survive under the weight of a government and king who are divorced from everyday life. Versailles where Jean goes to report his progress seems almost as empty and cavernous as the church he is destroying.
Despite all the darkness, there is love and caring among the people helping Jean. In the end when his task is complete and revolution is imminent, Baratte is a very different man than the naive youth who arrived in Paris so full of promise.
Miller has a way of weaving history into the lives of ordinary people and at the same time turning the story into an allegory of the destruction of France as revolution looms. I enjoyed this book for its history, story and excellent writing. I highly recommend it to all readers. It is a good choice for a reading group with much to discuss.
Thursday, October 19, 2017
THE RIVAL QUEENS by Nancy Goldstone (non-fic)
Nancy Goldstone has written an excellent book, a duel biography, about a most dangerous and dramatic time in French history. Her chronicle of the end of the Valois rule is a reliable picture of the state of Europe at a time when strong women ruled in England and France. “The Rival Queens” is both well-written and readable. With Queen Elizabeth secure in her throne in England, the rival queens of the title are Catherine de’Medici (1519-1589), widow of Henry II, and her daughter Marguerite de Valois (1553-1615). It is a fascinating and exciting time in history, despite the upheavals and rivalries all over Europe, the late Renaissance arts are flourishing. It was a time when Machiavellian principles rendered ruling families manipulative and dysfunctional and alliances changed precipitously
Catherine de’Medici ruled in all but name as regent over her weak sons. But, her position was vulnerable, and she masterfully and nefariously played off the powerful Catholic League against the Huguenot Party led by the House of Navarre, switching sides as it suited her.
The beautiful Marguerite was also a strong-minded woman, but without the power of her mother, and was often the pawn of intrigue and family jealousies. Against her will and inclination (she was in love with a cousin) she was married off in great pomp and ceremony in 1572 to Henry of Navarre, who by a quirk of fate, later became Henri IV of France. The history of the time is filled with Henry's and Henri’s and keeping them straight as they float in and out of importance is a challenge. Five days after the ill-fated marriage of Marguerite and Henry, the bloody St. Bartholomew’s Day Massacre began. The royal wedding spectacle, on which massive amounts of money was spent, was part of a plot by Catherine to lure the Huguenots into the narrow streets of Paris to assassinate their leaders. After this, Marguerite’s life became one of extreme danger, as she never knew whether she would be in favor or out of favor with whatever brother was currently ruling under the thumb of Catherine.
Despite all, the royal brothers fell, one by one, until the last, Henri III, Catherine’s favored son, is assassinated. Before dying, he names Henry of Navarre his successor. But, by this time, Marguerite and Henry had been separated for many years and Marguerite had been living in exile. Eventually a deal was brokered between them, and the marriage was dissolved and annulled in 1599. After this, Marguerite was allowed to return to her beloved Paris, and she reconciled with Henry who was now Henri IV. She drifted into a position of a favorite family aunt, becoming especially close to the children of Henri and his second wife.
Goldstone is an excellent writer and the history related in the book is as gripping as a novel with twists and turns as different factions move in and out of alliances and power. There was always a power struggle whether at home or abroad, and adding to the intrigue were the many love affairs carried on by the royals. The author provides an extensive bibliography and reference notes. There is also a helpful map and family chart. This is an excellent well-written read, especially for anyone interested in French history.
Catherine de’Medici ruled in all but name as regent over her weak sons. But, her position was vulnerable, and she masterfully and nefariously played off the powerful Catholic League against the Huguenot Party led by the House of Navarre, switching sides as it suited her.
The beautiful Marguerite was also a strong-minded woman, but without the power of her mother, and was often the pawn of intrigue and family jealousies. Against her will and inclination (she was in love with a cousin) she was married off in great pomp and ceremony in 1572 to Henry of Navarre, who by a quirk of fate, later became Henri IV of France. The history of the time is filled with Henry's and Henri’s and keeping them straight as they float in and out of importance is a challenge. Five days after the ill-fated marriage of Marguerite and Henry, the bloody St. Bartholomew’s Day Massacre began. The royal wedding spectacle, on which massive amounts of money was spent, was part of a plot by Catherine to lure the Huguenots into the narrow streets of Paris to assassinate their leaders. After this, Marguerite’s life became one of extreme danger, as she never knew whether she would be in favor or out of favor with whatever brother was currently ruling under the thumb of Catherine.
Despite all, the royal brothers fell, one by one, until the last, Henri III, Catherine’s favored son, is assassinated. Before dying, he names Henry of Navarre his successor. But, by this time, Marguerite and Henry had been separated for many years and Marguerite had been living in exile. Eventually a deal was brokered between them, and the marriage was dissolved and annulled in 1599. After this, Marguerite was allowed to return to her beloved Paris, and she reconciled with Henry who was now Henri IV. She drifted into a position of a favorite family aunt, becoming especially close to the children of Henri and his second wife.
Goldstone is an excellent writer and the history related in the book is as gripping as a novel with twists and turns as different factions move in and out of alliances and power. There was always a power struggle whether at home or abroad, and adding to the intrigue were the many love affairs carried on by the royals. The author provides an extensive bibliography and reference notes. There is also a helpful map and family chart. This is an excellent well-written read, especially for anyone interested in French history.
Thursday, October 12, 2017
THE TRUTH ABOUT THE HARRY QUEBERT AFFAIR by Joel Dicker (fiction)
If you are looking for a 700 page tongue-in-cheek thriller with more twists and turns than a David Lynch noir movie, then this is the book for you. You definitely will not slog your way through this book. You may, however, find yourself in a labyrinth along with many choice suspects. The chapters are short, fast paced, and with enough action to keep the reader turning pages reluctant to put the book down.
Joel Dicker is a young Swiss writer who has written an international blockbuster, translated into 37 languages. The book has won three prestigious literary prizes, the National Book Critics Circle Award and the National Book Award, pretty heady stuff for such a 28 year old.
The story takes place in the small seaside New Hampshire town of Somerset. Dicker spent his summers in Maine and is comfortable depicting small town Americans. The story is told in the first person, narrated by Marcus Goldman who is a 28 year old novelist who after a highly successful first novel, is suffering from writers’ block. As his publishing deadline draws near, he goes to visit his old college mentor, Harry Quebert (who is also a famous writer, but a one book sensation) with the hope that he will be able to help him. The year is 2008 and staying at Harry’s cottage, Marcus one day discovers an old box filled with memorabilia and photos of a summer 33 years before, when Harry was 34 years old and fell madly in love. This was no ordinary love, however. A la Lolita, the object of Harry’s obsession, is a 15 year old girl named Nola Kellergan. Now the story moves rapidly as we are taken back to the summer of 1975, a summer when Nola mysteriously disappears.
Just as mysteriously in 2008, a body is discovered on Harry’s property and not surprisingly, it turns out to be that of Nola. Found in the grave with her is an original copy of Harry’s famous book, “Origin of Evil.” As the prime suspect, Harry is jailed. As Marcus witnesses these events, his writers’ block disappears and he decides to write a novel based of the murder. In doing so he becomes involved with the investigation of the case and is determined to prove his old mentor’s innocence.
Dicker’s genius lies in his intricate plot development. Just when you begin to think you know the murderer, another development happens which leads to a completely different suspect. When I first began reading, I thought the writing style was like reading a graphic novel. The wording is simple and devoid of deep description. The characters reveal themselves through their speech. Soon I realized that author had presented us with a satire. The characters are comic archetypes of a small town types. The publishing world is presented as rapacious and money driven. Marcus’s mother is desperate to find him a wife. There is a rich recluse, with a strange chauffeur, which adds another layer of mystery. Harry’s involvement with Nola is creepy and he appears a pedophile, yet I kept reading.
Stylistically, the book is unusual, but the story is intricate and a page-turning thriller. If you enjoy dark mysteries, noir movies, and a satirical twist, then you will enjoy this book.
Joel Dicker is a young Swiss writer who has written an international blockbuster, translated into 37 languages. The book has won three prestigious literary prizes, the National Book Critics Circle Award and the National Book Award, pretty heady stuff for such a 28 year old.
The story takes place in the small seaside New Hampshire town of Somerset. Dicker spent his summers in Maine and is comfortable depicting small town Americans. The story is told in the first person, narrated by Marcus Goldman who is a 28 year old novelist who after a highly successful first novel, is suffering from writers’ block. As his publishing deadline draws near, he goes to visit his old college mentor, Harry Quebert (who is also a famous writer, but a one book sensation) with the hope that he will be able to help him. The year is 2008 and staying at Harry’s cottage, Marcus one day discovers an old box filled with memorabilia and photos of a summer 33 years before, when Harry was 34 years old and fell madly in love. This was no ordinary love, however. A la Lolita, the object of Harry’s obsession, is a 15 year old girl named Nola Kellergan. Now the story moves rapidly as we are taken back to the summer of 1975, a summer when Nola mysteriously disappears.
Just as mysteriously in 2008, a body is discovered on Harry’s property and not surprisingly, it turns out to be that of Nola. Found in the grave with her is an original copy of Harry’s famous book, “Origin of Evil.” As the prime suspect, Harry is jailed. As Marcus witnesses these events, his writers’ block disappears and he decides to write a novel based of the murder. In doing so he becomes involved with the investigation of the case and is determined to prove his old mentor’s innocence.
Dicker’s genius lies in his intricate plot development. Just when you begin to think you know the murderer, another development happens which leads to a completely different suspect. When I first began reading, I thought the writing style was like reading a graphic novel. The wording is simple and devoid of deep description. The characters reveal themselves through their speech. Soon I realized that author had presented us with a satire. The characters are comic archetypes of a small town types. The publishing world is presented as rapacious and money driven. Marcus’s mother is desperate to find him a wife. There is a rich recluse, with a strange chauffeur, which adds another layer of mystery. Harry’s involvement with Nola is creepy and he appears a pedophile, yet I kept reading.
Stylistically, the book is unusual, but the story is intricate and a page-turning thriller. If you enjoy dark mysteries, noir movies, and a satirical twist, then you will enjoy this book.
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