Paris is wherever you are

even in small town Australia. Especially in the last few days before you go to Paris.

When browsing the bookshelves upstairs at
The Dragonfly Lounge

Passing the local optometrists

On the shelf at Taking Shape

At a random shop I've never noticed before

The Swiss Family Robinson

I was intrigued to read The Swiss Family Robinson recently after many years, decades even. I remember that The Swiss Family Robinson was one of my favourite stories as a kid, but I did't remember all that much of the actual story. Sadly, my childhood copy is lost to the vagaries of time, and so I read an undated version from the local op shop. I suspect that my childhood copy quite a different book to the one which I read recently- I must have read an abridged version, I know that my childhood self could never have got through these 300 pages.

The Swiss Family Robinson was published in German in 1812, the year before Pride and Prejudice was published in England, and became an immediate sensation. It was first published in English in 1814. There are now several hundred English editions. The introduction to the Project Gutenberg version tells us that

No unabridged edition of Swiss Family Robinson exists in English. Indeed, the book has been rewritten so many times, by so many editors, that it can legitimately be said that no complete edition of the book exists in any language. 

Which is astonishing, and rather sad. Swiss Family Robinson recounts the troubles of a young Swiss family travelling by ship to the new colony of Port Jackson (Sydney). Like every good Robinsonade there is a ship wreck in the very first few pages. The family are stranded alone in their broken ship just off a rather amazing tropical island. This island is indeed rather special- there are flamingoes and penguins, kangaroos, buffalo and jackals, but I guess that was possible in 1812 (the much later The Coral Island also suffered from similar errors), and I don't remember it bothering my childhood self. Indeed I suspect that I was thrilled that they domesticated most species of animals that they came across- which kid doesn't want a pet monkey or parrot, or to go on buffalo and donkey rides?

I found the story somewhat slow really, even though the basic premise is exciting enough. A big storm, a stranded family (I remembered the names Fritz and Ernest after all these years, but Jack and Francis didn't leave as much of a mark), working together for survival, and keeping wild animals as pets. It’s an adventure story, but still safe enough- the parents are still there. I just wanted them to get on with it and build the giant treehouse of my memories. They did do that eventually, but not before stumbling on pretty much every useful plant known to man- sugar cane, potatoes, coconuts of course, and even cinnamon. And they shot and killed everything. I get that it's a survivalist tale, and of it's time, but there was a bit more butchery than my somewhat squeamish constitution enjoys. The language was quaint, and somewhat antiquated.

I sat down in this verdant elysium with my three sons. 

Johann David Wyss was a Swiss pastor with 4 boys, just like the father of the Robinson clan. It is said that one of his sons found his unfinished manuscript and persuaded his father to let him rewrite it, edit it and submit it for publication. This son, Johann Rudolf Wyss was a busy fellow as he was a professor of philosophy, and in 1811 he wrote the former Swiss National Anthem. Living proof I guess of Johann David Wyss's desire to educate and teach via The Swiss Family Robinson. Despite my reservations, I did finish the whole book, which is more than can be said for Robinson Crusoe, which still sits about, half read, and no progress made for several years.

69/1001

Parisian Cats

I found this delightful gem of a book sitting on the shelf at my local bookstore (in the animals section, it does pay to browse). I'd never heard of it before, but I snatched it off the shelf without even peeking inside, and it was mine. I knew that I'd love it. There's something about books about cats. My first blog post was about a cat. Eventually I read the book version, Making the Rounds with Oscar. And we've thought about The French Cat before.

Olivia Snaije is a Paris based journalist who normally focuses on the more important issues regarding the Middle East. But clearly she is a cat lover who began noticing the many privileged cats living in the shops, restaurants and cafes of Paris.

These cats have not only become the mascots of their establishments, they live in the city's loveliest or most historical and culturally rich neighbourhoods, spending their days roaming seventeenth-century gardens or cavorting in the nineteenth-century Grand Palais. 

Parisian Cats showcases 18 cats living the life of Riley at their various abodes. Many of the cats arrived on their own to their residence but a few were brought to Paris from the French countryside, and one was from an animal shelter. The cats serve as mousers, as companions to the staff of the establishments and friends to the customers. The swanky Bristol Hotel on Rue du Faubourg- Saint-Honoré has a pedigreed Birman called Fa-Raon (indeed they now have a second cat called Kléopatre). Happily I have been to one of the cat owning cafes, Le Rostand, opposite the Luxembourg Gardens, where I had a delicious onion soup, and have vague memories of glimpsing a cat moving amongst the chairs, who I now suspect was Roxane.

But it's more than just a cat book, Olivia talks about the history of the restaurants and institutions themselves, as well as of the surrounding area, and Paris itself. It's fascinating to learn that the carousel in the Luxembourg Gardens was designed by Charles Garnier, who more famously served as the architect for the Opera Garnier, one of my very favourite Paris buildings.

Rucquette at Cafe Ruc

Parisian Cats was published simultaneously in English and French (as Chats Parisiens). The cats and their habitats are all beautifully photographed by Nadia Benchallal, who also usually documents more important issues than the comfort of cats.

Beaujolais enjoying La Rotisserie

I think it's just fantastic that cats are allowed, and actually encouraged in places where people shop, meet, mingle and eat. I don't remember seeing that many cats in Paris, although there was one in a bakery where we learnt how to make baguettes and croissants in 2010. You know I'll be keeping an eye out for some more Parisian cats very soon. Perhaps I'll get to meet Kitty when I finally walk in the doors of Shakespeare and Company?

Kitty

Dreaming of France is a wonderful Monday meme
from Paulita at An Accidental Blog 

Books on France, a great 2014 challenge
 from Emma at Words and Peace

Lèche Vitrine #5

I'm going to Paris soon for the fourth time. It's starting to really preoccupy my thoughts. I love knowing that even though Paris is starting to get quite familiar for me, you still never know what really awaits. Where I will go. What I will see. What I will eat and drink.

Some activities are already planned and anticipated of course. Others will be happenstance. One thing I know though, I will peer into many, many windows, and possibly lick some of them. I've done it before. More than once. I do love browsing the windows of Paris. You never know what you'll find. They have everything from Hello Kitty and Kiss, to Tintin.

And there are always so many astounding shoes. Even if you have no desire whatsoever to buy any of them. They are fascinating. 

Poodle shoes on the Champs Elysee

Yes I think that says 1895

Dior at Le Bon Marche

Coral snakes on the Rue de Rivoli

Sadly Mr Wicker did not come home with these
1000 euro Mocassins Plume from Roberto Cavalli

or this snazzy suit
also by Roberto Cavalli

And if you ever need a mask for a masquerade ball, then Paris is the place to go.

Or if you want to pimp it up a bit. 

I can't wait. 

Dreaming of France is a wonderful Monday meme
from Paulita at An Accidental Blog 

Saturday Snapshot is a wonderful weekly meme
 now hosted by WestMetroMommy

Gone Girl

I didn't read the book, even though everyone else in the world seemed to. And so I didn't know all that much about the film, but I was still very keen to head along to see Gone Girl at the movies on the weekend. All I really knew was that it was about a wife that disappeared. I'm glad that I didn't know more than that really, and I will avoid any major spoilers here.

Amy (Rosamund Pike) and Nick Dunn (Ben Affleck) have been married for 5 years, until Amy goes missing on the morning of their 5th wedding anniversary. Naturally, the people closest to her come under suspicion and scrutiny, most of which falls on Nick. An exploration of love, marriage, personality and trial by media- Gone Girl is not one for the kiddies.

There are many clever plot twists, lots of interesting, if possibly objectionable, characters and for most of Gone Girl I was quite enjoying the ride. But then something happens near the end, that just spoilt it for me. I thought it was handled particularly badly in the movie- way OTT, and it never got me back after that. Indeed it got more silly and preposterous. Which is a shame. 80-90% of the movie was great.

Gone Girl has provoked a lot of online discussion about the portrayal of women, and whether indeed it is feminist or misognyist. It's an interesting discussion, but I'm not sure that I see it as either. The behaviours portrayed in the film are rather specific at times, and certainly not generisable. But don't take my word for it go see it yourself. You'll have an opinion, that's for sure.

Books to Read Before a Trip to Paris

There are so many Paris books to read, everyone has their favourite. Here's another list to read before (or probably after in my case) a trip to Paris.

A Moveable Feast - Ernest Hemingway

Les Miserables - Victor Hugo

My Life in France - Julia Child

A Year in the Merde - Stephen Clarke

Paris to the Moon - Adam Gopnik

That Summer in Paris - Morley Callaghan

Madeline - Ludwig Bemelmans

The Autobiography of Alice B. Toklas - Gertude Stein

The Razor's Edge - W. Somerset Maughan

A Tale of Two Cities - Charles Dickens

This is Paris - Miroslav Sasek

Interview with the Vampire - Anne Rice

Hunchback of Notre Dame - Victor Hugo

The Belly of Paris - Emile Zola

Petite Anglaise - Catherine Sanderson

Tropic of Cancer - Henry Miller

Almost French: Love and a New Life in Paris - Sarah Turnbull

Queen of France: A Biography of Marie Antoinette - Andre Castelot

Me Talk Pretty One Day - David Sedaris (see my review)

Suite Francaise - Irene Nemirovsky

Weekend in Paris - Robyn Sisman

Seven Ages of Paris - Alaistair Horne

Americans in Paris: A Literary Anthology - Adam Gopnik

Hmmm, 3/23. Two of which are picture books. I bought Me Talk Pretty One Day years ago. I should read it. And Dickens, I really need to read Dickens.

Update 2016 now 4/23. Abysmal. 

Books on France, a great 2014 challenge
 from Emma at Words and Peace

Dreaming of France is a wonderful Monday meme
from Paulita at An Accidental Blog

Wild France

This 2 part BBC documentary has been on our screens before I think, but I'd missed it. Thankfully it was repeated last month.

Beautifully shot, Wild France is stunning to watch.

Although some of the cinematography is a bit annoying. But there are some very cool shots.

It seem French birds don't like being sniffed
by somewhat crazed French men
can't say I blame them

I haven't seen a lot of wild France, unless you count Paris during the Sales. I've tried to find the birds of Paris, but have never  seen bears or deer or other incredible wild sights in France. There's just so much to look forward to with every visit.

Dreaming of France is a wonderful Monday meme
from Paulita at An Accidental Blog