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July 2007

Whimsies and fairytales.

Sunday, July 29, 2007



“When the Princess Melisande was born, her mother the Queen wanted to have a christening party, but the King put his foot down and said he would not have it. “I’ve seen too much trouble come of christening parties,” said he. ‘However carefully you keep your visiting book, some fairy or other is sure to be left out, and you know what that means.’”—Edith Nesbit, “Melisande.”.


Lost families

Sunday, July 22, 2007

“In a village like this, people always wait. Somebody comes, somebody leaves, a child is born, somebody dies. The sleepy village always waits for something to happen. Then, it comes to life.--Kader Abdolah, “Eagles” .
Children and parents in difficult moments frame these tales from Russia and Iran.


Glimpses in Time

Sunday, July 15, 2007

“Milford. It’s like a magical storybook place, just waiting to be filled up. To be, for one wildly happy moment, though it cannot last of course, nothing lasts really—inhabited –Robert Coover, “Milford Junction, 1939: A Brief Encounter.”
Moments in time, from two different worlds: Japanese picture brides and the village of Brief Encounter.


Women at Bay

Sunday, July 08, 2007

“Mrs. Leverett told her sister afterward that she had known at a glance what was to come. She saw that Osric Dane was not going to meet them halfway... As Mrs. Leverett said... ’She had a way of looking at you that made you feel as if there was something wrong with your hat.’” –Edith Wharton, “Xingu.”
One tale of almost perfect love, and a satirical look at book club politics from an American master.


Strange Families.

Sunday, July 01, 2007



“’The lad, having been rejected by the school of his parents’ choice, was forced to—to—to—“what?’ Tell me…Simonoff!’ ‘Let’s just say that when he turned five, he was forced to attend—public school.’”–Woody Allen, “The Rejection.” .”
A surreal quartet: eccentric relatives; mock Russian melodrama; futuristic infidelity; transgender high jinks.