Recommendations, please

Apr 01, 2009 09:13

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books; recs

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starsnsammiches November 2 2008, 08:22:23 UTC
Hello! I friended you. :)

I'd already clocked your interests - and liked what I read. (Hey, if we don't "click", we move on right? I like the attitude you expressed in your profile page - no strings - no drama! A very healthy way to look at LJ!)

I've never seen The Pillow Book... but I just googled it and it looks wonderful. I was half way down the Wikipedia synopsis when I realised I should stop reading right then, or I'd completely spoil the film! It sounds absolutely enchanting.

And Deutsche Grammophon is a bit of a family tradition, in a way. My father, who's German, only ever bought his classical recordings on Deutshe Grammophon. I remember the records so well, with their grandiose yellow labels...
Now I've grown up I've found that I feel a traitor if I even consider buying another company's recording. Even when I know the other orchestra's rendition might be a little better... it defies logic - but I just can't turn my back on those lovely yellow labels, and my father's staunch loyalty to the BPO! Silly... I know. :D

And as for book recommendations? Well, staying with the far east theme - have you ever read Wild Swans? About three generations of women from the same family, and their vastly different experiences of China's move from ancient empire to Communist state? It's written by the youngest of the three women after her "escape" to the west. I found it fascinating.

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maxisweden November 2 2008, 09:22:56 UTC
I second the Wild Swans suggestion. Many years since I read it, but I know I loved it. Very interesting and well-written.

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lotusmoppet November 9 2008, 16:47:31 UTC
Well-written is a good thing. ;)

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lotusmoppet November 9 2008, 16:47:11 UTC
I never formally welcomed you but glad to have you here (and congratulations, again! *beams*).

As for The Pillow Book...I don't want to give any spoilers but "enchanting" isn't a term I would use for it (don't know how familiar you are with Peter Greenaway films - I don't normally like them but I'm passionate about this one). It's deeply engrossing and intriguing, but Greenaway's films have an edge to them, and this one is sharp. But the writing - oh! Can't wait to read your feedback.

My mother's of Dutch/German descent and has a spectacular classical music record collection. When my twin brother and I were little we could always tell what mood she was in by what she played; rainy weekend nights were the best because it was generally something Baroque, that was amplified by the sound of the rain on the tin roof (Hawaii). She swore by Deutsche Grammophon recordings and so do I, to this day. :)

Thanks for the Wild Swans recommendation - I'll absolutely check it out.

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