Les · Chemins · de · L'Amour

Finally catching a free moment from the tempest that is working for a large college during orientation week, I spent my evening with this film. Although when I first saw it I couldn't quite decide upon an opinionated, suitable reaction, upon watching it another time or two I've come to really appreciate and admire this piece of filmmaking. 

This film by Philip Kaufman is based upon the book of the same title by Anais Nin. The novel documents the affair Nin had with fellow author Henry Miller in the 1931 in France. As such, the film is an exquisite period piece and truly captures the sights, sounds and atmosphere of France during this time. Every image Kaufman gives us radiates the Franco-bohemian lifestyle, not to mention the astonishing likeness of Maria de Medeiros to Anais Nin and Fred Ward to Henry Miller. Both of these actors really craft interesting portrayals of both writers, as well as Uma Thurman in her role as June Miller: a performance that is truly haunting.

Henry and June was nominated for an oscar the year of its release for Best Cinematography and it certainly is worthy of it. All of the outdoor scenes of Paris, the indoor shots of the cafes and bistros, the intimate love scenes, each one of them unique and appealing to the eyes. The film soundtrack is also wonderful, full of a nice assortment of classical and jazz works from the period. My only complaint on that account is the fact that the film makes use of a Poulenc song that hadn't been composed until 1940, 9 years after the film takes place. But, since the song is one of his best, in my opinion, I'll let it slide. :-)

I think the best way to summarize the overall impression of this film would be to call it hauntingly beautiful. It is enticing and unforgettable, luring the viewer in much in the way Henry, Anais and June were drawn to each other.

I spent my Sunday morning cuddled up on the couch with this lovely book and it certainly made the day worthwhile. I will freely admit that I am a bit biased, seeing as it deals with two things that I am greatly interested in: France and fashion, but it truly was a treat to read. Oberbeck's style is easy to read, insightful, and delectable. The way she sets the scenes both in Paris and in Senlis are delightful and her descriptions of all of the clothing and couture are stunning. Her ability to write so well about something that is completely a visual medium is a testament to her knowledge of the field and her ability as a writer. 

The novel is about a small town tailleur/couturier, Claude Reynaud, who is sought out by Parisian high society women for the designing of dresses and suits for numerous occasions, but most notably for the his ability to craft magnificent wedding gowns. When Valentine de Verlay arrives in his shop ready to be measured for her wedding gown, Claude finds himself beginning to fall head over heels. This is just the beginning of Claude and Valentine's tale and only a slice of the pie that is this book. Claude eventually faces the crafting of a spring line of haute couture, which Oberbeck unfolds to the reader wonderfully, and Claude continues his close knit relationship with his four nephews, teaching each of them the tricks of the family trade. All of these story lines fuse together to provide an entertaining tale, tailored with French style and charm. 

After having finished this book I'm looking forward to future publications by Oberbeck (this was her first novel). Hopefully the next novel will be as chic and stylish as this one was!

I’ve only recently become acquainted with the British author and playwright, but have quickly been brought under her spell. I find her novels singularly charming and completely delightful. I also feel a strong sense of pity that she is such an unknown and uncelebrated author when she is responsible for crafting such wonderful novels! Not to mention the fact that her most widely known achievement, is not, at least in modern day America, attributed to her, but to Disney! Dodie Smith was the author of the novel The 101 Dalmatians. The only other novel that is currently being published and circulated throughout book stores in the US is her first novel, one for which she garnered wide acclaim, I Capture the Castle, a book that I HIGHLY recommend. Although I’ve been doing my best to research, so little information concerning this author is available. It was hard enough trying to track down copies of her novels, let alone trying to find copies outside of the UK.

Out of the roughly 20 novels and plays she had crafted in her lifetime, the one which currently has the highest value is called The Girl from the Candle-lit Bath. Its value ranges anywhere from 150 dollars to 3,000 dollars. I borrowed it from a library in Milwaukee this summer and have strongly debated not returning it (no one has checked it out in over 3 years and before that it was another 5 years since its pages had last been touched). I was pleasantly delighted with the brief story. As with most Dodie Smith novels I've encountered, she always finds new and interesting ways to hook you into the action. Its also interesting that this novel is clearly a thriller when quite a few of her other novels are much more Jane Austen-like, focusing on the lifestyles of English women from the 1940's to the 1970's. 

The novel begins with the narrator, Nan Mansfield, recording herself on a tape recorder in her appartment after having a rather unexpected and quite suspicious encounter. After following her husband out of the appartment one night, she tracks him down to Regents park and sees him pass a suspicious package to a man she's never seen before, who departs quickly without speaking to her husband further. Perplexed by this encounter, Nan's adventure begins as she begins to dig deeper into the hidden past of her husband and his closest friends, the Slepes. While, like most of her works, the novel is not ground breakingly profound, the story is constantly engaging, interesting, charming, and in this case, suspenseful.

I've always had a strong respect and reverence for books, so being able to finally read this book was terribly exciting for me. I didn't know if I was worthy or not to handle such a rare object, but I was sufficiently pleased with the story and would certainly read it again. I would like to say I'd purchase the book, but as a poor college student with credit card debit, that just isn't in the cards for me. It was, however, a rewarding experience nonetheless.