All is "Lost"

So I think I may have made a really big mistake, or rather, Nien may have accidentally started something. I have successfully avoided the show "Lost" for the last three years, but last week we caught the end of an episode and it didn't seem to be on an island, which we thought it was, so we were intrigued. Last night we watched the two episodes that aired. Today I am on the show website. I really don't want to be sucked into another show, but I am feeling the itch. I hope I don't do something rash like buying all the DVDs and watching them in one weekend.

I went to a screening of "Volver" yesterday and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I had really liked Almodovar's film, "Talk to Her." The characters really stayed with me, and I am experiencing the same thing with "Volver." Both films take dark subjects and find a way to twist the stories so that you leave with a sense of well-being and forgiveness. I'm kind of surprised it only got a best actress nomination, and nothing more. I definitely recommend it.

I'm realizing that I never finished my thoughts on "Suite Francaise." Like I said, I recommend the book (along with everyone else at this point - it is pretty popular on the book club scene and was sold out when I tried to buy it at Barnes & Noble) and though it has flaws, it is a great record of the time and an interesting perspective. What was published were two sections of a planned 5-part novel along with two appendices.

One appendix had the author's notes regarding character development, her plans for the rest of the book and the general themes she was trying to bring forward. The two completed sections are enhanced by this appendix. The first section has so many characters and points-of-view that I feel pretty certain that if she had had the chance to edit it, Nemirovsky would have done so extensively so as to make her vision clearer. This first appendix suggests that the story going forward would focus more on the characters highlighted in the second section, a much more cohesive narrative. I don't want to suggest I didn't like the first part though. The writing was strong and the picture painted of the exodus from Paris is fascinating. I just had trouble keeping up with the characters and also felt that the author scorned the upper classes and only found goodness in the poorest characters. I would have liked a little more variation. Also, given Nemirovsky's situation, which I'll get to in a bit, I would have liked to hear about the experiences of the Jews in France.

The second appendix is a record of all the correspondence exchanged between Nemirovsky's circle (her husband, publishers, friends, government officials, etc.) as they attempted to free her after she was arrested and eventually sent to a concentration camp. These letters were heartbreaking; we learn that Nemirovsky and her husband both are killed in Auschwitz, but her daughters are kept hidden for years and it is the girls who eventually ensure the future of the book.

The very last section of the book is Nemirovsky's biography. Throughout her short life, Irene experienced persecution from all corners, and her writing, which she started at a young age, seems like it was a kind of escape. What an amazing woman - I'm so glad I was introduced to her.

Did the groundhog see his shadow?

I know I keep harping on the weather, but Mom and I leave for our southern road trip in almost a week now and I want it to get a little warmer so we touristas are more comfortable wandering around. In my deluded brain I thought our trip might present the opportunity of dipping my feet into a pool, but I think I am jumping the gun just a bit. Sad, but we will have an awesome time nonetheless.

All flights, transportation and hotels are booked. Spots of interest are researched - there are a lot to choose from, but as long as I get a few good meals, see some ocean, experience a little Mardi Gras (don't expect me or Mom to come back with any beads, we are ladies) and have at least one mint julep, all will be well. Things I could probably live without but would really be super fun include the F. Scott Fitgerald house in Alabama (I'm a fan), Coca-Cola Headquarters (oh the kitch) and the Margaret Mitchell House (love me some Scarlett and Rhett). I think Mom found a place where we can ride horses on Hilton Head too!

I forgot that the Oscar's are on the 25th, the day I am getting back, so I've got to decide whether we should have people over or not. I had so much fun watching with my friends last year and definitely kicked some butt in the pool (if we do it again you guys are going down) so I hope we can work it out. DVR may have to come into play.

I don't think I've mentioned it previously, but I've been wanting to join a book club, and as luck would have it, I just joined 2! The first one meets this Sunday, and we've been reading a book called "Suite Francaise" by Irene Nemirovsky, and I highly recommend it. Though it was one of the first books written about World War II (particularly about the German occupation of France), it wasn't published until recently because it's author was arrested during the war and died in a concentration camp. Her children safeguarded the novel for many years. Nemirovsky had planned it to be a 5-part epic, but only 2 sections were completed, though there are notes on the other parts. I still have about 30 pages to go so I'll hold my comments until I finish.

The other book club already had it's first meeting so I'm joining in on the second book "Heat" by Bill Buford. I am psyched about that one (about his time in the kitchen of Mario Batali's Babbo) because I had been wanting to read it for a while. I love food, and though I am a little over the whole "celebrity chef" worship, I've had a few memorable meals at Batali restaurants (Babbo, Otto Enoteca, Esca).