“Con Brio” by Brina Svit (The Harvill Press, London).
The madness of love descends upon a writer one fine day in Paris as he sits watching a young woman transform her restaurant bill into an origami boat. Was it insanity or ultimately some deeper form of sanity which propelled him to propose to her, and her to coolly accept? And what is one to make of this hitherto successful novelist, who himself becomes lost in the throes of uncontrollable emotional chaos sparked by obsession, jealousy and fear? Svit’s masterful prose, both concise and brilliantly evocative, subtly paints a hypnotic and disturbing picture of one of love’s darker “paths.” MH
Paris et ses passages couverts by Guy Lambert (Collection Itinéraires, Monum, Editions du patrimoine)
Filled with sketches, paintings and photos of then and now, this slim guide (in French) outlines a characteristic feature of city life in Paris during the 19th century — its passages couverts or covered passageways. The first section of the book provides a surprisingly in-depth look at the architectural novelty and socio-economic importance of the passage couvert at the height of its popularity. Descriptions by various authors, such as Balzac and Céline, add to the colorful depiction of these picturesque locales — a favorite with flâneurs strolling around the capital.Today, only 17 passages couverts retain their original function and many have benefited from conservation efforts. The"Visite" section contains information on when and where to see such rare gems as the exquisite floor mosaics in the Galerie Vivienne. MW
“Sacred Monsters, Sacred Masters” by John Richardson (Pimlico, London).
“Genius, quirkiness or villainy” pervade this collection of mini bio/profiles by John Richardson, the eminent Picasso biographer and art historian. Portraying major creative figures, critics, collectors or hangers on, Richardson offers a knowledgeable insider’s view of the art world, with the wicked delight of a seasoned raconteur. High Art frequently mingles with High Gossip, and a degree of danger often lurks behind ventures of this sort. But, while the thread of these accounts occasionally winds perilously near the ilk of “Hollywood Babylon”... Richardson manages to save them, through his urbane wit, sympathetic perceptiveness, and deep appreciation of art and artists. MH
“Alphonse Daudet In the Land of Pain” edited and translated by Julian Barnes (Jonathan Cape, London)
In 1857, at the age of 17, Alphonse Daudet contracted syphilis.The disease lay dormant for the next couple of decades, during which he became one of the most popular writers of his day and was befriended by the likes of Turgenev, Flaubert and Zola. But, it finally developed into a neurological form and — during the last twelve years of his life — the author made notes on his condition, detailing the terrifying progression of his symptoms and the horrific, near constant, pain that prevailed upon him. Julian Barnes’ translation of these accounts reveals the tremendous courage and deep humanity of Daudet, who refused to give in — either as a writer or as a man — to self-pity or sentimentalism. MH
by Marc Heberden & Marie Winfield
