Paulita Kincer is a blog friend and author, and fellow participant in Paris in July this year. She runs the lovely Dreaming of France meme each Monday. My reading dance card is usually quite full, and I don't often have time to sneak in lengthy books, so I haven't got to reading either of her two novels. Paulita made a very generous offer of a free ebook to anyone who wanted to review her books for Paris in July. I definitely thought about taking up her offer, but I'm about to launch into 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, and I fear it's going to take all my time for the next fortnight or so. Then I remembered I had her short story, French Masquerade, already loaded on my kindle. Parfait!
French Masquerade is a story about marriage, about friendship and about Paris. Joanna has been married to Simon for 20 years, it's all become a bit staid, and a bit boring. Their marriage stalls after a bout of flu strikes the family. Joanna's friend Sylvia presses her to go to Paris for a bit of R&R. Joanna has been there before, and is a bit reluctant, but it is Sylvia's first trip.
Sylvia could have tried to convert her to a new religion or to become a vegan.
Naturally I loved it when they take trips to many places I've been. Joanna and Sylvia visit some of my very favourite places in Paris. Sainte Chapelle. The Arc de Triomphe. Opera Garnier. Musee and d'Orsay plays a bit part in the story. I have visited there, but somehow it didn't capture my soul as it seems to do for most other people.
Two paintings at the Musee d'Orsay feature in the story, I wasn't familiar with either of them, but was naturally curious.
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| Les Raboteurs de Parquet by Gustave Caillebotte |
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| Fete Champetre by Titian |
Joanna and Sylvia go in October, my next trip will be in October!
The light felt different in October than it had when she spent the summer, and the crowds were different too, more older tourists.
I can't wait to see that October light, and be one of those older tourists!
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| Dreaming of France is a wonderful Monday meme from Paulita at An Accidental Blog |
5 comments:
I'm going to France this October too but to Nice instead of Paris.
Paris in ANY month sounds good to me right now (day one of Kanga Cup in Canberra - sunny but only 9 degrees C.)
I love the painting Les Raboteurs de Parquet !
Louise, Thanks so much for taking the time to read my short story and for featuring the lovely art work. Those darn naked women while the men are dressed, huh. Thanks for playing along with Dreaming of France today too. Here’s my Dreaming of France meme
Hope you are getting a stipend from Paris, Louise!
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