Tuesday Book Club: Z and Historical Fiction

This weekend I spent a lazy Sunday morning in bed with a cup of coffee and Z, determined to finish the book. As I neared the final chapters I felt my brain twitching and a disturbing knee-jerk reaction to wholly and fully despise F. Scott Fitzgerald. What a monster! What a jerk! Selfish bastard! And, of course, Poor Zelda. 

But that’s not really fair, right? It’s historical fiction, and in this book, it’s heavy emphasis on the fiction. Author Therese Fowler explains in her acknowledgments that Z is simply her rendition of what happened between two of literature’s most notorious characters; it’s her version of the Fitzgeralds, told after condensing countless letters, biographies, and interviews, and filling in the gaps left by those preserving documents. So, it’s not decent or fair or true to call Fitzgerald a monster based on Fowler’s at times poor characterization of him.

That’s the trouble with historical fiction, isn’t it? I don’t read the genre often, but every once in a while I’m completely blown away by the strength of the novel and its ability to immerse me in past’s grandeur. The Known World is one such novel. But often I run the trouble of mistaking fictionalized minutiae for hard facts and mounting evidence for one’s failings and I end up hating F. Scott Fitzgerald with all my might, just like I did with Hemingway in The Paris Wife. A good question here might be is it historical fiction in general that I get too involved in or just the Jazz Age folks?

I liked Z because it lent an interesting voice to a tragic woman, who, according to those letters and biographies Fowler utilized, lived a tumultuous life with little consistency or support. But, that voice often felt flat and I missed some of the conviction a woman as passionate as Zelda surely possessed. Her revelations on her flailing marriage lacked emotion and her ruminations on her own potential and inability to fully tap into and capitalize on it often left me confused and not fully convinced.

I was eager for this novel but my final impression is that Fowler was playing it safe and refusing to ruffle feathers for the right reasons. Instead, she got a lot of people talking about the inadequacy of the novel and its failure to personify such a significant and vibrant woman. Though, perhaps that was bound to happen given what a palatial legacy Zelda left behind.

It was a fun and easy read, something I would have been perfectly happy with on the beach, or as it were, inside on rainy days. I wouldn’t run after it, however. Although, I’m now jonesing for another viewing of Midnight in Paris.

What are your thoughts on historical fiction? Are there any time periods that you’re drawn to in particular? Have you read Z? What are your thoughts? Better yet, have you read anything by Zelda Fitzgerald? I haven’t, but now I fully intend to given that writing, along with dancing and painting, was a true passion of hers.

 

 

Sunday Showers

On Sunday “the devil was beating his wife”; or, there was a “funfair going on in Hell”; or, it was “a monkey’s birthday” ; or, it was a “one-eyed jackal’s wedding.” The Southern United States, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, and Pakistan, respectively, all have unique names for this phenomenon. I’ve always referred to it as a sunshower, but why not get creative for such a gorgeous spectacle?

I know I’ve whined incessantly about the rain we’ve been having (and will continue to have if this week’s forecast holds true), but yesterday, for a brief moment, the rain was really beautiful. This was taken through our guest room window at 7:20 pm when the sun was at the perfect pitch, casting a rich golden hue and creating strong, bold shadows. Adam had had a long day smoking pork shoulder (about which more later), dodging rain as he ran outside to adjust the coals or add liquid. To see the sun come out just as we were pulling the meat was a pleasant surprise.

And, of course, what happens when the devil is beating his wife? You get a beautiful rainbow:

 

And, if you’ve been really, really good, putting up with more rain than you can stand, then you just might be rewarded with an extra-special treat:

“Full-on double rainbow, all the way across the sky!” We loved it, but there was a lot less crying and yelling from us.

How was your weekend? Did you have a chance to relax? Visit with family? I hope it was wonderful. This morning, over coffee and toast, Adam and I agreed that we had a top-notch weekend. We loved the thermal bath in Leukerbad on Saturday and felt so rejuvenated and peaceful afterward. It was a pretty dated spa and kinda cheesy, but the view from the outdoor pools simply couldn’t be beat:

Yesterday Adam worked on smoking meat, but otherwise we took it very easy. Lots of reading and music, a little yoga for me (not to mention freshly painted finger- and toenails), a Skype session with my folks, and a shoulder rub for Mr. Adam. A fine Sunday, indeed.

For now it’s back to Monday: cleaning, laundry, grocery shopping, and tutoring. It sure is nice to have the weekend though.

Happy Mother’s Day, Mom!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thank you, Mom, for your extra-fluffy, curly hair. Thank you for teaching me manners and proper grammar. Thank you being an honest example of selfless generosity, compassion, and kindness. Thank you for encouraging me to follow my dreams and passions, and then being helpful and supportive even when those plans send me thousands of miles away from you. Thank you for laughing so hard at my jokes and for thinking me funny; it’s an ego boost that is, I’m sure, making me hard to live with. Thank you for listening to me for countless hours while I talk incessantly about anything and everything, topics both important and mundane. Thank you for loving me unconditionally and giving me the tools to love others wholly and heartily in return. Thank you for being my mom, best friend, and confidant. You’re my best girl.

And, thank you, Susan, for being such an amazing mother-in-law.  Thank you for raising a son who is so generous and kind and loving toward me. Thank you for being supportive and caring and for buying me Mama Lupe’s Salsa when I needed it most. I feel so blessed to have you in my life.

 

What are you guys up to this weekend? Spending some quality time with the moms in your life? Aren’t they just the best? My friend Alexandra always jokes (in a serious way) that she’s obsessed with her mom and I’m inclined to feel the same way. Moms are such heros and I love that we take some time to celebrate them and their special place in our life. I wish I could be at home to get a hug from my mom, but I’ll be sending some very grateful vibes her way.

This weekend we are going to a thermal bath a little bit south of here for some relaxation and peace. This particular bath is supposed to have a stunning view of the mountains, so I am really looking forward to it. Adam just bought a smoker and it arrived this morning. Hopefully he’ll get a chance to take it for a test drive on Sunday. I hope you have a super weekend, and below you’ll find a few fun links if you’re in the mood to cruise the webs.

Visual representations of the weirdest laws in America

Do hotel star ratings even mean anything anymore?

Beautiful prints if you’re in the market for affordable art

WANT.

Okay, someone please buy this. It totally rules!

What are your thoughts on crop tops?

Photos of abandoned malls. Creepy…

Amazing news for all you (J.) Crew-heads out there!

A little late on the report, but Hurricane Ashley Expected to Strike Several Bars on Cinco de Mayo

Mindy Kaling interviews Billy Crystal 

Four-year-olds review fancy restaurants. Real audible laughing with this one

The best blueberry scones

What do you do when you’re home alone? When Adam’s out of town I eat pasta on the couch and watch movies he won’t watch with me (last time it was The Five-Year Engagement)

Lastly, I know this video has been circulating the webs for a while but it’s too genius to not share today:

 

More Balcony Progress

Back to the balcony, folks. It just feels so good to get out there and be primitive with the dirt (even if I madly sweep up after I’m finished and put all refuse in the compost–very, very Swiss). Unfortunately my Heavenly Blue plants contracted (or maybe started out with) a fiercely aggressive virus that turned them a depressing shade of black, made all the more so by the contrast between its surly shade and the gorgeous vibrant blue of the buds. Into the compost it went.

Similarly, the pansies on either side of the balcony were so pretty right after planting, but soon they just depressed me. I could never see the flowers because the stiff leaves grew at an alarmingly faster pace and each bud died so quickly! They, too, needed to surrender to the depths of the compost heap.

Here we were the last week of March:

(I have to pause to mourn the loss of the big tree with the all the white flowers in the background of this photo. One day it was completely demolished and shredded into wood chips. It’s saddening because it was such a big tree, but mostly because it provided a nice barrier between us and the apartment across the grassy knoll and now we have basically no privacy.)

Now enter, the humble geranium.

(check out the replacement tree in the background–what a shrimp!)

Geraniums are insanely hardy and come in the most vibrant, saturated shades. The clouds outside are basically one giant diffuser, but you can really see the depth of color we are working with here. I think they’re gorgeous.

This genus, Pelargonium, is very low maintenance and simply wants regularly watering and full sun. And, they are a prototypical Swiss flower, to boot! Every chalet has window boxes stuffed to the max with these sturdy guys, and even in the cities you will find them everywhere. It feels good to fit in sometimes.

I picked up these flowers at the farmers market when I should have been buying herbs, but I couldn’t just pass these beauties by. I mean, what am I, some kind of monster?! (note: who am I, really? I never would have found myself saying that only a couple years ago) I brought home six plants and they’ve sat on the floor of the balcony for a couple weeks waiting for their time to shine. If properly cared for (ahem) they should last in the planters through the late summer.

Be your brilliant selves!

 

 

 

For those concerned, the rosemary is doing very well. I was afraid that the container was too big, but my dad assured me that this dude would take off. So far, it has. Just look at it a few weeks ago:

It sits on the corner (obviously) so it gets tons of sun and was drinking like crazy last week when it rained nonstop. I think all that nourishment really helped.

The lavender plant is likewise loving it here. But, no buds to speak of… With hindsight I realize I should have bought a more mature plant, but the delicious heady scent is still there if you dig your nose down deep enough. For comparison’s sake, here she is right after planting:

 

Finally, more herbs! So happy to have these friends around because I know they will be so useful. Nothing helps transform a dish like fresh herbs and cheese, and the basil, thyme, and parsley plants can help me with at least one of those tricks. I love how clean they look in the planter.

Basil grows like a weed so perhaps it could use its own container, but for now I like it grouped with its buddies.

Olive tree is still kickin’ it. Livin’ life and lovin’ the sun. Hopefully we’ll get to do some harvesting in the next three to five years…

I really did have a good time in the “garden” on Tuesday. A little CHVRCHES and warmer temperatures made for an ideal early afternoon.

What’s growing in your garden? Any fresh flowers to speak of?

 

 

 

Our New Show

 

 

Have you seen “True Detective” on HBO? It is so eerie! We aren’t big binge-TV people, but it’s always fun to get caught up in a new show and on Sunday night we watched two episodes in a row, which is pretty major for us. I always want to keep watching, but Adam knows how to keep the suspense alive : )

The show is about two detectives who work together in a small town in Louisiana. Or, I should say worked together, as the story is told in flashbacks. Based on the first couple episodes it appears that one of the detectives is being investigated rather than innocently interviewed, but we shall see! We are really in to it already. Here’s the trailer:

Have you seen it? What else are you watching? We are still watching season two of “House of Cards” (see the prolonging note above) and watched the pilot episode of “Orange is the New Black,” but haven’t decided if we’re committed.

Also, on a bit of a related note, we watched Sleepwalk With Me the other night and it was a funny, quirky movie that I would recommend if you’re looking for something light-hearted.

(Image 1 // Image 2 // Image 3)

Tuesday Book Club: Z

Well, I didn’t take my own advice last week and I positively punished the last half of The Luminaries. As slow to start as the first half may be, the second part simply can’t be put down. It gets so juicy, and I was eager to discover each twist in the plot and revelation of sorts. In essence, it was crushed. And it was great! So good, really. If you’re looking for a wild, fantastical mystery, then I would highly recommend it.

Next up is a book for book club, Z: A Novel of Zelda Fitzgerald by Therese Anne Fowler. It’s a welcome change from our last book, which ended up being an interesting, if dry, read. Have you read Z? If you were a fan of the elusive avant-garde writers and grandeur of the twenties (a prominent hand up over here), then I think you’ll like it. It’s an illuminating portrait of an oft-misunderstood woman and one of the first celebrity couples in American history. I’m only a few chapters in, but it’s a quick and easy read so far. Again, it’s welcome after my most recent novel.

Did you ever read The Paris Wife? It was a healthy sensation when it first came out and made the wives of some our greatest writers visible and important in a way they never were in their lifetime. For as daft as she is initially portrayed in the novel, Hadley has a lot of grit and composure to stay with a man like Hemingway, and I think Paula McLain offers a racy and controversial opinion of what their marriage was like.

In keeping with the Roaring Twenties theme, last summer I read Rules of Civility by Amor Towles and was actually stunned by how much I liked it. I honestly wasn’t expecting much (maybe it was the cover, which looked cheesy, or the main character’s name–it’s Katey Kontent!), but I was so impressed with the zippy prose and the scandalous plot development. It’s peppered with generous foreshadowing and full-on giveaways, but still, you keep hoping things will change. Rules of Civility, like The Paris Wife and Z, is booze-soaked and melodramatic, but it’s a very fine read and absolutely perfect for summer.

What are you reading right now? Do you find that your tastes and expectations change with the seasons? I always want something lighter and a little less taxing in the summer, knowing I’ll be reading outside and possibly falling asleep mid-sentence if we’re in a park or lounging by the river.

(image via)

 

Spring Cleaning

so many neutrals!

 

 

gap shorts (old) // J. Crew shorts // J. Crew shorts // Zara shorts

 

hat from Globus (similar)

 

DV by Dolce Vita sandals // Splendid sandals

How was your weekend? We relaxed and slept in, grilled burgers (still no summer, or spring for that matter…), went to the art museum, and cleaned our closets! What a task, right? Especially if you have small closets like we do. In fact, we really only have a shared wardrobe and a closet for shoes, so space is a hot commodity in our place.

We brought up our warm weather gear from the cellar in the basement and I proceeded to try on pretty much everything I have in order to decide what should stay and what should be donated. It was exhausting! And, really, what I learned is that I have a lot of stuff. Although this is not new knowledge, I suppose, more like a reinforcement of previously held beliefs. Nonetheless, it was helpful to take stock of what I have and the very few things I would like to get. I have about 20 of the same top (as Adam so kindly pointed out) but only a handful of dresses. I have a bunch of shorts but only one skirt. I have 1.5 swimming suits. It’s nice to find those holes in the closet.

We took that momentum and channeled it toward the rest of the apartment and tidied up the office area, entry closet and pretty much every drawer we have. Maybe it was the sunlight streaming in through the windows or the stir-craziness finally getting the best of us, but we were full of energy to clean up and clear out. We brought our winter gear downstairs, which really helps keep our space organized and makes getting ready faster and easier.

Are you spring cleaning? How else are you getting ready for spring? In some ways our apartment feels lighter because of it. I really love the beginning of a new season.

 

 

You’re Pretty, Friday

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

When I was interning at a food magazine a couple years ago we used to have weekly editorial meetings that I really looked forward to. We’d discuss upcoming and current projects, talk about content and layout, and brainstorm ideas. During one such meeting the then-editor-in-chief was talking about a photo shoot that was happening later in the day and she was giving some art direction to the project coordinator: “It needs to be quick. Just get in there, get some beautiful, sexy shots of the pasta, really make it look gorgeous, and get out. I want them to be really sexy and sultry.”

Mmmkay.

It was hard to imagine getting sexy shots of pasta, but I have neither a culinary degree nor a position as editor-in-chief, like she had, so really, what do I know? Pickles? Bananas? Melons? Sure, I get it, but pasta??

Consider these my sexy flower shots. This week’s bouquet was too beautiful (and kinda sultry) to keep to myself. Could these ranunculuses be any more divine? They are one of my favorite flowers and their plush texture create such warmth, but it’s their surprisingly intricate detail that make me swoon. All those pedals! I’m in love.

What are you up to this weekend besides buying ranunculuses? We’re facing even more rain (le SIGH already) and a maybe, maybe a ray of sunshine on Sunday. Tonight we are grilling burgers as a sort of quasi-séance to beckon summer, and at some point we have plans to visit the local art museum. Oh, and I’m getting a haircut this afternoon, which is feels a little like a treat.

Here are my treats to you, friends. Weekend links:

Speaking of burgers, why not throw a sliders party?

The many faces of Prince George. I like #11 best.

True Graphs of Everyday Life. The McDonald’s one made us laugh out loud.

Five tips for caring for your leather bag. I have the tote in question and I LOVE it.

30 crazy sleep facts.

Do you ever participate in Meatless Monday? Meat is crazy-expensive here so we’ve tried to cut back and have found that eating vegetarian meals is very satisfying. That link will send you to some pretty yummy recipes.

This week’s soup: perfect potato.

I secretly love all bath and spa products. This whole line looks insane, especially this oil.

Beautiful handmade terrariums. I spy a spring project!

I bought this trench coat the other night and it sold out in 24 hours! They made a few more so if you’re in the market for a really super transition piece, get to steppin.

p.s. If you’re feeling a little down, or know someone who is, this manifesto of encouragement can be a bit cheesy, but I think it’s helpful for re-prioritizing concerns and finding peace.

 

 

As of Right Now

I’m feeling a little creatively blocked this morning, so let’s just get down to basics:

Wearing: comfortable white shirt, gray sweatpants, gray slippers

Drinking: water

Last thing I ate: cottage cheese (with salt and pepper) and bread with peanut butter and jam for breakfast

Reading: The Luminaries by Eleanor Catton–it just got super juicy so I’m back to speed reading!

Listening to: Lord Huron Lonesome Dreams album (so good)

Watching: “House of Cards”

On the nightstand: my book, two kinds of chapstick and two dishes of jewelry

Frustrated by: this cold weather

Excited about: a new writing job

Last time I cried: on the plane last Monday finishing The Fault in Our Stars #noshame

Last time I laughed, hard: mime-spilling soup with Adam last night after dinner

 

OK, your turn : )

 

(image via)