Notebooks to inspire

I love stationery - all things paper based are beautiful to look at, smell and touch. I often think that the reason I don't write more is that I just don't have to right notebook to write it in. Its a great excuse and has served me well for many years!

So I have convinced my better half that all the paper books in the world don't seem to be working - I need a MacBook and my life will be complete.

The new baby should arrive next week (or so) and I'm very excited at the thought of being able to write, read or email anywhere in the house or out of the house. Sad I know, but its the little things that make us happy....

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Consolation

Aah those tricky French authors sent to test our educations...


Consolation started much the same for me as 'The Elegance of the Hedgehog' - I struggled and felt ridiciously under educated and lacking in vocabulary, architectural, musical and linguistic knowledge. However... half way through the book - once Charles discovers Kate, I could not put it down. It was brilliant and am so glad I perservered. The second half was really magical and I wish I could visit the farm and let my children live the idyllic non-conventional life too (being afraid of critters and loving routines this is unlikely to ever eventuate!).

Consolation was the bestselling French novel in 2008, with sales of over half a million copies and translations into thirty-two languages. Its apparently darker and more complex than 'Hunting and Gathering' Anna Gavalda's previous book, but is just as brilliant and tells a heartbreaking, unusual story about one man, two remarkable women and an unforgettable transvestite.

A 47-year-old successful architect (I've read a few books with architects in them lately eg: Loving Frank, but I guess this is not surprising considering my husband is also an architect) hears about the death of a woman, whom he once loved Anouk, the tragically big-hearted mother of a childhood friend - and his life starts to unravel. Charles seems to have everything, but turns his back on the present to go in search of her past and his childhood, falling a long way down. One day he finds himself on a Paris pavement covered in his own blood. But, as the title suggests, fate holds out a final chance of consolation when, far from his Parisian life, he meets Kate, an enchanting young woman, herself damaged but fearless and in love with life.

Once I got into the book I loved the brilliant characters and wonderful writing. I would recommend this book to any of serious reading friends but would probably suggest it is too involved for book clubs (but I have been wrong before!).

(*La Consolante - The French title is what players of boules call the consolation play-off match between the losers.)

Writer's week

It's beautiful, inspiring, enlightening and free. Adelaide Writer's Festival is currently on in Adelaide and I've decided that next year (or the year after if they keep it as a bi-annual event) I am going to be super organised and go EVERY day. Went yesterday and felt amazed at the wit and brilliance of the authors I heard plus revitalised by the inspirations they provided.

If you've never been - go - it was wonderful and in such a beautiful setting that it shouldn't be missed. Rave, rave, rave.....

Revolutionary Road

Revolutionary road is set in the 1950s (with all the associated now seemingly strange practices - eg: whisky after work, drink driving and a lot of cigarette smoking!) but the themes it covers are depressingly similar to ones many people encounter today (careers that never took off, dreams not realised, infidelity etc etc).  April and Frank Wheeler had hoped to live an exciting life, full of meaning and adventure. However 'real life' gets in the way and they discover they are living the boring suburban life they theoretically detest. As a solution to their ailing marriage and the dull society they reluctantly belong to, April proposes that they pack up the kids and move to Paris. That way, Frank can “find himself” while April earns their living, giving them both a second chance at happiness in life. Despite early hesitation that the plan is “a bit unrealistic,” Frank soon agrees. Circumstances intervene and the plan becomes unstuck.


I found the book both confronting, amazingly written (its obvious why its a cult classic) and terribly, terribly depressing (thanks KateB)...


Once again, it is a book that I probably won't rush to see the movie of. I normally don't like Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet together (Titanic was torture for me), but I think Leonardo would make an excellent insipid, self promoting Frank and Kate Winslet would make a wonderful strong, disturbed April - but I'm still not keen to see the movie - too depressing, and frankly, who needs that.


(PS: The cover of the book KateB lent me did not have this lovely 1950s car image (my husband would know what kind of car this is!), but hers had Kate and Leo on it which was a bit cheesier - I like this classic cover)

'Trouble' working out what to do with your life....

Inspiration

The Elegance of the Hedgehog

Sorry - not the best photo - but the title of this book instantly appealed to me, so I bought it without knowing anything (other than the back page blurb) about it!

The book describes a number of residents of a grand Parisian apartment building and how their lives interact. The main character is Renee, the concierge who is leading a double life - dutiful concierge without any life of her own whilst in reality she is passionate and knowledgeable about culture and the arts. Apparently the book has 'taken France by storm with sales of over a million copies'!

I found the book hard to get into and definitely not an easy read - it made me realise (much to my mother's horror, no doubt) that I didn't absorb much of what was taught at school in relation to english grammar, art history or literature. (Both my mother and father loved this book - which does not surprise me.)

There are some moments in the book that really gave me pause for thought, for example pg. 140 where the twelve year old Paloma (who plans to commit suicide on her thirteenth birthday) states "So here is my profound thought for the day: this is the first time I have met someone who seeks out people and sees beyond.....We never look beyond our assumptions and, what's worse, we have given up trying to meet others; we just meet ourselves. We don't recognise each other because other people have become our permanent mirrors." But most of the book was way too philosophical and intense for me. The second half of the book was a great improvement - once the Japanese tenant moved in but overall I was happy to finish the book. I would recommend this book to friends that love the english language, philosophy and a quirky story.

A Quick Read

Just a quick post to say I finally read Ghost Child by Caroline Overington.
A small boy is killed in a Melbourne housing estate and the book follows the investigating case and the impact the death has on the remaining children in the family.

It was a very quick read and is responsible for the fact that I now have eyes resembling panda eyes! Each chapter is written from the perspective of different characters and although the ending is not surprising I couldn't put it down - written simply and engagingly, I think it would be another good choice for a book club list if you need one.