Week beginning 14th July 2021

This week’s nonfiction review is Rebecca, an analysis of the film.

Patricia White, Rebecca, BFI Bloomsbury Publishing Plc London and New York, 2021.

I was thrilled to receive this thorough interpretation of Rebecca from NetGalley. Rebecca is a film with which I have grappled. I became reacquainted with the novel and its author during a tour of Cornwall visiting locations with which Daphne Du Maurier was associated. A visit the Daphne Du Maurier Literary Centre in Fowey dedicated to her and her writing provided me with a wealth of information to which I shall gladly add this book. I have also read Sally Beauman’s afterword to the Virago Modern Classics with great interest. Rebecca, the novel, and Rebecca, the film, have been interpreted in Patricia White’s book. However, I must be honest and acknowledge that I feel more sympathetic to Sally Beauman’s commentary on the novel than I do with the glimpses White provides of her interpretation of the Du Maurier original. At the same time, I feel that it is possible to consider the film and the novel separately, and in doing so, find White’s understanding of Alfred Hitchcock’s portrayal of Du Maurier’s work, persuasive. See the full review at Books: Reviews

Ash Barty (2021) and Evonne Goolagong (1971) hold up their Wimbledon trophies.

Anthony Albanese, Leader Australian Labor Party: ‘You’ve got to love this imagery – Ash Barty has lifted the whole country up, not just the Wimbledon trophy.’

Juneteenth: A new federal holiday in America

A rather late comment on in celebrating this change in attitude towards Juneteenth implemented under the Biden Administration. Further information is available on a Heather Cox Richardson podcast. Details below.

Creating Federal Holidays, July 4th to Juneteenth: Podcast by Heather Cox Richardson and Joanne Freeman

Now & Then

History

Listen on Apple Podcasts

On this episode of Now & Then, “Creating Federal Holidays, July 4th to Juneteenth,” Heather Cox Richardson and Joanne Freeman discuss the recent debate over making Juneteenth a Federal holiday. Then, Heather and Joanne look at the earlier debates that accompanied the creations of July 4th, Columbus Day, and Election Day, with a focus on the economic, moral, and political considerations that went into the formations of these iconic American celebrations.

Voting legislation in America- is it possible that there will be a federal move?

Rachel Maddow talks with Jim Clyeburn on TRMS on MSNBC 14 July 2021

Cindy Lou reviews restaurants and cafes around Canberra and close by.

Courgette Restaurant, Canberra

Courgette is a delightful restaurant, with white tablecloths, linen napkins, attractive silverware, and a lovely ambience. The tables are at a pleasant distance, even before Covid regulations, and conversation is easy. Staff are well informed, pleasant, and attentive.

The hand sanitser is available at the front entrance, and on the table (placed behind the lovely lamp usually), tables are also at a safe distance.

I chose the four-course menu. This is served over a period that allows for conversation and unhurried dining, without one looking around to see when the food is coming. The hot rolls to start are served with smoked butter. On this occasion I was not as impressed by the butter as in the past. Not enough ash or smoke, so not what I expected. I did comment to the waiter but thought that the response although polite could have been improved.

The food, as always, was delicious. Although the servings appear small, they are judiciously devised with flavour, textures and creativity combining to ensure that each course is entrancingly satisfying.

Although the dessert photos show that these were demolished before they could be photographed this was not the result of hunger. They looked so appetising; it was far too difficult to wait!

The menu changes periodically, and although I have always found a well-designed choice in each of the four courses, people with particular favourites might find it worthwhile looking at the menu online. Courgette has always been extremely accommodating with diet requirements. For example, there has never been a problem with finding a gluten free option, or being offered an alternative.

Lazy Su Restaurant, Canberra

Firstly, this is a noisy restaurant. However, with its comfortable seating and delectable food perhaps the need for conversation is at a minimum!

I went at the behest of a friend who eats only vegan food and was happy to adapt to this dietary requirement for most of the courses. The chicken course we nonvegans added was as delicious as the vegan courses. However, although I was pleased to try yet another recipe, would have been happy with an entirely vegan menu. By chance, the dessert I chose, matcha tiramisu, was also vegan. The restaurant offers banquets, one vegan and one with meat. However, we chose from the menu, enjoying dishes such as the Korean Pancake, charred broccolini, salt and pepper tofu bites, a spicy noodle dish and a persimmon dish. The pumpkin and walnut dumplings were a little disappointing – but not too much.

I thoroughly enjoyed this meal and look forward to trying some different dishes as well as what I am sure will become ‘old favourites’.

The Greengrocer, Goulburn

This is a pleasant, spacious café, with large windows letting in the sunshine on the day on which I chose to lunch there.

The meals are both generous and flavoursome. The dishes we ordered were the keto frittata, grilled chicken, pastitsio (lasagna) and a pie of the day. These meals were served with a salad of choice and chips. My pumpkin salad was delicious, the chips crisp, and the rotisserie chicken, although not as succulent as I would have liked, a good meal from the rotisserie.

Many of the customers seemed to be ordering the pizzas so we felt that perhaps these were a specialty. Certainly, the range of toppings is wide, and once again, generosity was key to the meals that passed us.

Water is available to serve oneself, and there is also a good coffee, tea, milk shake, fruit juice and soft drink menu.