I really loved The God of Small Things. I read it about twenty years ago and still remember how devastated I felt by it.
Really interested in what you said about Pantin too, and of course I'm thinking about Clichy. You know I love Paris, but in some ways I feel it's a deceptive city, not entirely honest about its workings. I also found Edinburgh to be like that, when I lived there in the noughties: the bits that felt the most real were also the bits that were pushed out of sight. That's what makes both cities aesthetically special of course.
Relatedly, the first time I met Rod, we were wandering through Le Marais and there was a jazz trio busking on a corner. We stopped and I was gazing delightedly at them, listening, feeling very in love with the place, when Rod murmured 'This is not Paris, by the way.' Haha. And I guess he's right – it was about as Paris as the changing of the guard is London. Still great though!
Haha! Well, the romantic scene in the marais IS paris I would argue, but it’s the on-stage bit. I once heard that the huge stage at the Palais garnier opera house is one quarter stage and layers and layers of backstage/ pulleys / backdrops etc. I feel like that’s a good allegory for Paris! I don’t know Edinburgh well, really interesting comparison. Merci for reading and sharing.
- also, would love to hear your fave book you read this year
Ahhh! Sunday is much nicer with your lovely pen pal in it Hannah! Salt and Lineaker!😂😂
France hammered us in the football ,oh dear! I remember the glory days of the 1966 world cup! Oft quoted and sung about in reverential joy... never repeated!
Love your Gen Z boy watercolour, actually, those of the Gen Z generation I have had the pleasure to meet, have been friendly . Open minded and charming. Ive always enjoyed how youngsters view the world. Poles apart from us old timers eh? Hope your teeth are better Hannah x
Thank you, Karen! The boy painted there was so lovely, but he asked me to take a photo of him and his friend and I was sure it was below parr! Thank you for your posi feedback. Teeth is better, merci. Sending you love and Salt and Lineker vibes xx
I really loved The God of Small Things. I read it about twenty years ago and still remember how devastated I felt by it.
Really interested in what you said about Pantin too, and of course I'm thinking about Clichy. You know I love Paris, but in some ways I feel it's a deceptive city, not entirely honest about its workings. I also found Edinburgh to be like that, when I lived there in the noughties: the bits that felt the most real were also the bits that were pushed out of sight. That's what makes both cities aesthetically special of course.
Relatedly, the first time I met Rod, we were wandering through Le Marais and there was a jazz trio busking on a corner. We stopped and I was gazing delightedly at them, listening, feeling very in love with the place, when Rod murmured 'This is not Paris, by the way.' Haha. And I guess he's right – it was about as Paris as the changing of the guard is London. Still great though!
Haha! Well, the romantic scene in the marais IS paris I would argue, but it’s the on-stage bit. I once heard that the huge stage at the Palais garnier opera house is one quarter stage and layers and layers of backstage/ pulleys / backdrops etc. I feel like that’s a good allegory for Paris! I don’t know Edinburgh well, really interesting comparison. Merci for reading and sharing.
- also, would love to hear your fave book you read this year
Yes good analogy! Favourite book I read this year – Small Things Like These by Claire Keegan.
Merci ! Now on the spreadsheet in the 'like to read' column
Ahhh! Sunday is much nicer with your lovely pen pal in it Hannah! Salt and Lineaker!😂😂
France hammered us in the football ,oh dear! I remember the glory days of the 1966 world cup! Oft quoted and sung about in reverential joy... never repeated!
Love your Gen Z boy watercolour, actually, those of the Gen Z generation I have had the pleasure to meet, have been friendly . Open minded and charming. Ive always enjoyed how youngsters view the world. Poles apart from us old timers eh? Hope your teeth are better Hannah x
Thank you, Karen! The boy painted there was so lovely, but he asked me to take a photo of him and his friend and I was sure it was below parr! Thank you for your posi feedback. Teeth is better, merci. Sending you love and Salt and Lineker vibes xx