The reviews this week, one fiction, and the other non-fiction, are books to which I gave five stars in my reviews for NetGalley and Good Reads. I thoroughly enjoyed both. The first is Lisa Jewell’s Invisible Girl; the non-fiction is Changing Roles Women After the Great War by Dr Vivien Newman. Both books were sent to me by NetGalley as uncorrected proofs for review.
Lisa Jewell, Invisible Girl Random House UK, Cornerstone Century, 2021.
Once Lisa Jewell again presents us with social commentary, a host of characters who ring true, a story line that is feasible, and an engaging style which develops what initially appear to be everyday domestic vignettes into devastating forces with elements of a thriller. Books: Reviews
Dr Vivien Newman Changing Roles Women After the Great War Pen & Sword History, 2021.
How I loved this book.
Dr Vivien Newman incorporates the familiar accessible nature of the Pen & Sword publications with academic thoroughness; where appropriate, a deftly comic touch; and a range of interesting, arresting women whose post WW1 activities make a wonderful read.
The introduction sets the post WW1 scene – a time of claims about the wonders women had performed during the war, and the bitter reality they faced as they were expected to return to their former pursuits. Some of the women who refused to do so changed roles.
Articles and commentary after the Covid Canberra update – the Obama portraits; Conference in Bagni Di Lucca; Pisa photos at night; hotels in Bagni Di Lucca and Pisa; hotels Bagni Di lucca and Pisa; Winchester Cathedral – Queen Elizabeth Service and flowers.
Canberra Covid Update
Update on September 8th 2022 brought good news. New cases number only 137, with hospital numbers down to 85, and one person in ICU. No lives were lost on this period. The total lives lost since March 2020 number 125.
The Obama Portraits
At Heathrow preparing to travel to Pisa in the morning I saw the unveiling of the Michelle and Barack Obama portraits, and listened to the excellent speeches. CNN rather rudely cut into the ceremony as Dr Jill Biden was about to make hers, so I was unable to hear it at this time. Michelle Obama’s speech was wonderfully political. Presidents Biden and Obama gave speeches well worth listening to – their ability easily overriding the four years of former President Trump.
Conference in Bagni Di Lucca
This week I flew to Bagni Di Lucca in Italy. The flight to Pisa was uneventful, luggage appearing as expected at the end of the journey. Heathrow was rather chaotic, I think partly because there is not enough signage about what is expected at each point. For example, it was not until I was dispensing bags into the trays that I was informed that my laptop had to be put in separately, and out of its cover. The emphasis was on liquids, with signs everywhere. Even with this a family was hastily finishing yoghurts and drinks in line! On the other side, all was relatively peaceful, and the flight boarded with no more fuss. Entry to Italy was easy and efficient. A train trip to Lucca, and a winding and attractive bus route brought me to where I was to stay and attend a conference for two days.
Please note that these excerpts from the poster and program were photographed under poor conditions, and as I am not at home, cannot be improved.
The speakers used Italian in many cases. However, there were several English speakers, and many of the Italian speakers addressed questions from English speakers in English. In addition, some quotes and comments were in English where power point was used, and the program information was in both Italian and English.
Jocelynne Scutt, Buckingham University, was a speaker on the topic, “When The Novel or the Play’s The Thing – Fin de siècle Artistry and Rebellion. Sex, Class, and Literary Ambition”, using The Forsyte Saga, Howards End and A Doll’s House as references.
We have been mulling over The Forsyte Saga ever since, although the question I asked was about the point Jocelynne made about the pivotal role played in the lives of three daughters of academics of men of indeterminant class in each of the examples. Philip Bossiney the architect in The Forsyte Saga; Leonard Bast, whose umbrella begins the relationship between him and the sisters, Margaret and Helen; and the lawyer, Krogstad, whose actions precipitate Nora’s departure from The Doll’s House.
This paper was the source of much discussion, with class dominating as an issue. I cannot draw upon any of the papers at length as papers from the conference are to be published. However, some of the main points appear below, together with Jocelynne’s appearance at the conference.
Another English speaking contributor was Neil Sammells from Bath University. Having recently reviewed Hermione Lee – Tom Stoppard A Life, Books: Reviews, March 2, 2022, I was particularly interested in his having written about Stoppard (1988).
His topic was “Oscar Wilde: Be Cool”, drawing upon ‘the dandy’ as a motif running from Baudelaire, Wilde, and Dali to modern artists and celebrities such as David Bowie and Miles Davis. His reference to ‘Wilde’s cultivation of dandyism [being] analogous with black “cool” ‘ links to some of the themes in Robert S. McElvaine The Times They Were a-Changin’ 1964, the Year the Sixties Arrived and the Battle Lines of Today Were Drawn, Books: Reviews, August 3, 2022.
Neil’s presentation left a great deal of room for further discussion, and raised some well-informed questions.
Paolo Bugliani, University of Pisa, was a great speaker – making me determined to learn more Italian. A Reluctant Decadent? Henry James on “The Yellow Book” was his title. However, his quote in English, associated with David Lodge’s book, Author, Author, encouraged me to ask about the topic in the quote, the role of biographers. According to the quote the role of biographers could be seen as worthy of criticism as trenchant as that aimed at journalists and their ilk. I wondered if Lodge thought the same about autobiographers, who also adapt their material, leave out some, embellish other aspects etc. We had also discussed the pleasure of eating pomodoro versus the crusty bread on which they were served at lunch the day before. All of which makes me interested in reading David Lodge’s book, a favorite of Paolo’s.
The conference was held at the Bagni Di Lucca Library. Exhibited were examples of The Yellow Book, The Savoy, and Aubrey Beardsley’s work.
Overnight in Pisa
Hotels in Bagni Di Lucca and Pisa
I have stayed at both of these hotels on previous occasions and found them pleasant places to stay at a reasonable price.
The Hotel Regina in Bagni Di Lucca is located on the main road and if you have a front room noise can be an issue. In the summer when the shutters need to be open, this presents a problem for visitors who are disturbed by noise. On the other hand, it could be exciting for others – vicarious singing and happy laughter, and rather wild rides.
On the positive side, the beds are comfortable, the shower works, there are numerous towels, and the rooms are spacious. There is a lift to all floors, and the staircase is wide and well designed for a comfortable walk up and down.
Breakfast is provided as part of the package, and is served in a dining area inside, or on the terrace near the pool. Pomodoro with basil is served with two choices of bread, boiled eggs, meat and cheese complete the savoury offerings. The cake and tart range is generous, and delicious. There is fruit salad and the beverages include fruit juices, and coffee. This is served – no awful machine coffee.
Roberto the proprietor, is friendly and helpful. He speaks English, and tolerates my bad Italian attempts. The prices are very reasonable.
The bus stop is nearby if you take the bus from Lucca to Bagni Di Lucca. The railway station is a taxi drive away. A supermarket is close, and the restaurant next door serves a wide range of pastas, risottos, pizzas and salads. Coffee shops, clothing shops and cafes are nearby, and there is a fruit and vegetable market held weekly in the vicinity
I have enjoyed my several stays here, and intend to return.
Hotel Bologna in Pisa was a find several years ago. The star of the hotel was its magnificent breakfast. However, this has been replaced with something a little more ordinary with a change of ownership. Nevertheless, this remains a very attractive place to stay in Pisa. It is a short and simple walk from the station, the staff are friendly, there is a shuttle bus to the airport for 2 euros and there is an abundance of shops and eating venues in close proximity.
The rooms are large with firm but comfortable beds, with extra pillows and blankets – something missing from many of the hotels I have stayed in recently. The bathroom is decent enough, with good towels and a shower that works well.
There is a lift in part of the building, but be warned that the additional accommodation apart from the main building has no lift and there are rooms several flights up. We struggled up the stairs to one of these on our most recent visit.
Although I was disappointed in the change to what was a very grand breakfast, I would stay here the next time I go to Pisa.
Queen Elizabeth and Winchester Cathedral *
Flowers had been placed around the fences of Winchester Cathedral, and inside, a service for Queen Elizabeth 11 was advertised. This was a quiet and peaceful recognition, unlike the crowds, helicopter and large police presence last night as we walked through the rainy streets of Paddington.
The news coverage in Bagni Di Lucca and Pisa was muted – BBC stories about Queen Elizabeth, the ceremonial processes, the family, and memories, taking their place with other world news. On returning to London, and reading about the coverage in Australia, it appears that this was a kindly aberration. On the other hand, one can always read a book if the television is boring, an experience that has confronted everyone before this event, I imagine.
As we left the Cathedral flowers were being gathered ignominiously into a black garbage bag. A rather sad reflection on a determination to be tidy.
*There will be more coverage of Winchester Cathedral next week.
Robin's Room 