I've only tried a few recipes from this book so far, but they are phenomenal. I've only tried a few recipes from this book so far, but they are phenomenal. ...more
Full disclosure: I've met this author before; I think she's cool and a great journalist who also happens to write for the Economist. In the past I hadFull disclosure: I've met this author before; I think she's cool and a great journalist who also happens to write for the Economist. In the past I had read snippets of this book, but it was satisfying to finally read this through to the finish.
I've covered the art world for the past 10 years or so and I think Sarah does a great job of explaining how a lot of the pieces of the art market fit together. I also like that she's not afraid to show some of the not-so-pretty sides of the art world. It's a strange planet, but it's also an interesting economic system that manages to blend old world traditions with new markets, sometimes to great success, other times in ways that as mysterious to me as I'm sure they are to people unfamiliar with this ecosystem.
A very odd book. I enjoyed the miserable portrayal of studying to be a ballet dancer in Paris and then actually being one in Naples. The writing ramblA very odd book. I enjoyed the miserable portrayal of studying to be a ballet dancer in Paris and then actually being one in Naples. The writing rambles and Fitzgerald applies a liberal hand to vocabulary and clarity, but it's still an interesting read. ...more
I haven't read Forester in a while and I had forgotten how great he is with dialogue. The conversations in this book whiz by. I think it was his firstI haven't read Forester in a while and I had forgotten how great he is with dialogue. The conversations in this book whiz by. I think it was his first novel and you can definitely sense that in terms of structure and plot. It's not as tightly written as A Room With a View, but I enjoyed it. ...more
Very good book. I thought the first couple of chapters were a bit rough in the sense that they were gritty and visceral--which might put off some moreVery good book. I thought the first couple of chapters were a bit rough in the sense that they were gritty and visceral--which might put off some more squeamish readers--but even though I'm no contemporary music connoisseur, I enjoyed the setting and the cast of characters.
For me, the chapters in Africa and Los Angeles were particularly strong, and I thought that the chapter in Central Park was on the weaker side. It's a story about derailment in a way, trailing the strings of people's lives as then spin out of control and wind up where they least expect, a web of broken ambition and futile desires. It's a little edgy and certainly hip, and the writing is very, very effective. (More later). ...more
This is another one of those books that arrived at the office and somehow ended up on my nightstand, vaulting past other, more difficult, reads. It's This is another one of those books that arrived at the office and somehow ended up on my nightstand, vaulting past other, more difficult, reads. It's a lightweight jaunt through the lives of eight royal brides, some of which I found irritating--Marie Antoinette--and many I thought sounded long-suffering--such as Alexandra of Denmark, and Leopoldina, Empress of Brazil.
Like most non-fiction works, I learned a few things. I was mostly interested to read about the challenges of living in Brazil in the early 1800s and Prussia in the mid to late 1800s. Both places sounded, well, kind of miserable. All in all, I liked Maria Carolina, Queen of Naples, the best, mostly because I think Naples is one of the most fascinating contemporary cities I've ever visited and I'm sure that it must have been bewitching in the late 1700s: filled with Neapolitan horses, visitors such as Cassanova, Sarah Goudar, Emma Hart, the Hamiltons, and of course, Italian comic opera. I'd be interested in reading more about Naples during this era....more
As a biography, this was some project. I think the author spent 10 years working on it and you can really tell by the intense level of detail--sometimAs a biography, this was some project. I think the author spent 10 years working on it and you can really tell by the intense level of detail--sometimes too much detail. I enjoyed filling in quite a few gaps in my knowledge about the history of 20th century dance. In particular, it was interesting to learn that Nureyev discovered and nurtured Sylvie Guillem, who is dancer with almost inhuman capabilities. I was also interested to hear about his relationship with Baryshnikov and Makarova.
After reading this book, things I respect about Nureyev: 1. His incredible, insatiable, attitude toward the acquisition of knowledge. The man was tireless. 2. His work ethic. I had heard stories from former teachers about how no one had ever seen someone who worked harder than Nureyev in class, and the book confirmed that impression. 3. His conviction that he had to create his own luck and create his own opportunities.
If you are a balletomane, you'll probably enjoy this book, but I don't recommend it for a light study of the art form. It's more historical than narrative. But very well done and thorough....more
Classic fashion book about a family with an extensive impact on fashion, global economics, architecture and eco-tourism, all stemming from their excelClassic fashion book about a family with an extensive impact on fashion, global economics, architecture and eco-tourism, all stemming from their excellent textiles. ...more
I was surprised by the level of vitriol in some reviews of Paulina's book. Certainly, it was no Tale of Two Cities, but I thought the first half of thI was surprised by the level of vitriol in some reviews of Paulina's book. Certainly, it was no Tale of Two Cities, but I thought the first half of the book displayed intelligent writing and a few lovely metaphors. I also thought that the mechanics of the industry were laid out in a comprehensible way.
The second half of the book, however, is as if a different author took over. The main character transitions from an innocent, to a cold-blooded, jaded, drinking, drugged out, caricature of a model. I just didn't buy it.
For my purposes: I'm researching the "Industry" for a project, this book was supremely helpful....more
This is one of those well-written journalistic travel books by an author with expertise in a specific field, this time a wine critic rambling through This is one of those well-written journalistic travel books by an author with expertise in a specific field, this time a wine critic rambling through California, Italy, and France. Osborne is a fabulous writer, entertaining and self-deprecating. Some of his turns of phrase are a little exuberant, others require a dictionary, but all in all I enjoyed this book.
One thing that was interesting: Osborne rails on Napa. The town is "Disneyfied," the sunlight "shrill," everything is a copy without sense of history. As a native Californian, I was a little taken aback, but as a Californian traveling through Bordeaux as I read it, I have to admit I can see where he's coming from.
I do think that in a very sly way, Osborne teaches the reader lot about wine in this book. It's probably a little more than I ever wanted to know, but now I'm curious to taste all those Nebbiolos, Lafites, and Opus 1s. It may take me 80 years to earn enough to pay for a bottle, but who cares. Osborne does a great job of showing how deeply individual wine taste can be; and that much of great wine is simply being in a magical place or drinking with people who you care about. ...more
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