Tuesday, 6 April 2021
Books I read in 2021: Part 1
Today I will be sharing the titles of the books I read between January and March of this year. By the end of March I'd finished 11 books. Since I don't want these types of posts to get too long, they will be taking a different format to the ones I wrote last year. My full reviews are on Goodreads and I will link each book to that site so you can read the book blurb from there, but I will include a few short sentences about the plot of each book and what I liked or disliked about it . If you are a Goodreads member you can find me under my real name (Lorna Dykstra) and read my reviews directly on the site.
The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath
Esther Greenwood spends one summer in New York working for a popular woman's magazine. The future looks bright. Or does it?
3.2⭐
Like Water for Chocolate by Laura Esquivel
Tita loves Pedro and Pedro loves Tita. But they cannot get married because the tradition in the De La Garza family is for the youngest daughter to take care of her mother until she dies. In desperation, Tita pours all her emotions into the food she cooks, which sometimes has hilarious, disastrous or unexpected consequences.
This novel abounds in magical surrealism - so I would only recommend it to those who don't mind a hefty dose of fantasy in their novels. It is also peppered with an earthy humour that some may find offensive. Like Water for Chocolate is divided into 12 chapters and each chapter starts with a recipe that sets the tone for what comes next. This book is probably best described as a folk-tale centred around the cuisine of Mexico.
3.5 ⭐
The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller
At the age of ten, Patroclus is banished from his father's kingdom and sent to the court of King Peleus. There, he and Achilles form a strong bond of friendship that finally turns into love. Eventually, the two join the rest of the Greek heroes in the war against Troy - and the rest is the myth that is famous all over the world.
Growing up, I was a Greek mythology geek and had even created a 'family tree' for the pantheon of Greek gods, goddesses and their numerous offspring. Miller does not stray far from Homer's Iliad so, for those like me who are familiar with the story, the outcome is a foregone conclusion. However, the final poignant chapter really takes this book to another level. I also loved Miller's portrayal of Thetis, Achilles' sea nymph mother, as a strong-willed, formidable, unflinching and, frequently cruel, woman who finally has the opportunity to redeem herself.
3.8 ⭐
The Dressmaker's Gift by Fiona Valpy
In Paris in 1940, three seamstresses: Claire, Mireille and Vivienne go about their work - all of them hiding a secret. Two generations later, Claire's grand-daughter Harriet moves Paris determined to learn the truth about her grandmother.
This is another World War II story with a dual timeline. Unfortunately, the modern storyline does nothing for the book and I felt that the story would have been stronger if it had focussed on the wartime narrative. The Dressmaker's Gift is an enjoyable read but not a remarkable one.
2.9 ⭐
Where The Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens
Kya Clarke is abandoned by her family and left to live by herself in the coastal marshes of North Carolina. Labelled the "Marsh Girl" she becomes an outcast, unfit for polite society. When popular hearth-throb Chase Andrews is found dead, locals immediately start to suspect her.
Prior to reading this book, I'd seen nothing but rave reviews. Most people considered it to be a 5-star read and I was really looking forward to reading it and was prepared to be blown away by the story. Unfortunately, I was rather disappointed with it and what marred my enjoyment most of all is the ending. Although many readers felt like it 'made' the book, I felt cheated; but I won't say anything else just in case some of you want to read it.
3.2 ⭐
The Winter Soldier by Daniel Mason
| Lucius, a twenty-two-year-old medical student who has very little experience of the world is sent to a remote medical outpost in the Carpathian Mountains. It is ravaged by typhus and his only companion is the intriguing Sister Margarete. One day, an unconscious soldier is brought in who will change their lives forever. I found it really hard to rate this book. in some places it was brilliant, in others a little too slow for my taste. I enjoyed learning a bit about the Eastern front during WW!, a subject I knew nothing about and which I mean to correct. Some readers may find the medical descriptions rather gruesome but I think what I most wanted was for it to have a happy ending. Alhtough I do understand why Mason ended it as he did. 3.4⭐ The Weight of Ink by Rachel Kadish |
The dual storyline in this book takes us from 17th century London to the early 2000s. The central characters are Ester Velasquez, a scribe to a blind rabbi and Helen Watts, an ailing scholar with a special interest in Jewish history. Although a distance of 350 years separates these two women, there is much that they have in common, especially their formidable strength of character.
This book is heavy in the philosophy of the early Enlightenment and modern Biblical criticism and, because of this, there were times when I found it slow and hard-going but I found the overall story of the two women fascinating . The Weight of Ink also make me realise that anti-Semitism did not start with the Nazis and that the history of the Jews is fascinating and something I need to learn more about.
3.7 ⭐
Katherine Howard: The Tragic Story of Henry VIII's Fifth Queen by Josephine Wilkinson
This biography of Katherine Howard sheds interesting light on Henry VIII's fifth wife. Like her cousin Anne Boleyn before her, Katherine was beheaded after being found guilty of adultery (and hence treason) against the king. She was just 19. Wilkinson believes that the charges brought against Katherine were false and the 'confessions' were given under torture. According to this biography, Katherine Howard, was a victim of sexual abuse by men older than she was who ultimately paid with her life for circumstances over which she had little to no control.
Was Katherine as innocent as Wilkinson portrays her? I suppose I will have to read a few other biographies to make up my mind.
This book will only be of interest to those who have a morbid fascination (like yours truly) with the Tudors.
3.8 ⭐
Lea by Pascal Mercier
Two strangers, both from Bern, meet in Provence and, on a whim, decide to drive home together. During the journey Martijn van Vliet, a former research scientist, talks about his daughter Lea, a celebrated violinist, whose ruthless ambition drives a wedge between them that slowly starts to tear them apart. To keep her close, he performs a desperate act that ultimately destroys them both.
Lea is not an action-packed book. Essentially, it is a monologue with van Vliet recounting his story to the book's narrator. It is an example of the extent to which some parents may go to make sure their children are content. The story is slow and depressing in places and the only glimpses we get of Lea are through her father's narrative.
2.9 ⭐
The Girl on the Train by Paul Hawkins
Rachel, a young woman who catches the same commuter train every morning, builds an ideal world around a couple she glimpses when the train stops at a signal overlooking a row of back gardens. They seem so happy. And she wants to feel happy too. But, one day, she sees something shocking that makes her realise their world may not be so perfect after all.
If you can put up with an unpredictable narrator, a few swear words and marital infidelity, I can guarantee that you will not want to put this suspense-filled thriller down. I could have read it in one sitting but managed to prolong my agony to three days.
3.9 ⭐
Tell It To The Skies by Erica James
Lydia and her sister Valerie are orphaned at a young age and sent to live with their cruel grandparents whom they've never met before. Lydia grows up quickly, learns to keep secrets and trust sparingly. When Noah, a boy with a limp, starts to attend her school, the two form a tentative friendship that eventually turns into an inseparable bond. Then the unthinkable happens and Lydia flees, leaving everything she had worked so hard for behind.
Tell It To The Skies is a fast and easy read that's a perfect book to take along with you on vacation. It's entertaining enough but not a story that will leave you with deep thoughts. Throughout the book I felt like I was constantly inside the main character's head. The narrative was constantly interrupted by the rhetorical questions that Lydia keep asking and there were too many coincidences thrown in to the story to make it entirely believable.
2.9 ⭐
I hope I didn't ramble on for too long. And I hope you don't mind my weird rating system. Each time I rate a fictional book I use the same five criteria and give 'points' for plot, characters etc. What I try not to do is compare one book with another. Instead I try to rate it, as much as possible, on its own merits. Naturally, we are all drawn to different things and will not necessarily enjoy the same types of books. But I hope I have helped you find a few books you may add to your library or your future reading list.
Tuesday, 30 March 2021
Life Lately: Déjà vu
I cannot remember the last time that I did a 'Life lately' post. Each day merges into the other and there's not much to share. Here in Malta we are exactly in the same place we were one year ago, with all but the most essential businesses and services closed. I am not complaining - just stating facts. Easter is in a few days and, once again, it will be a muted celebration, although, unlike last year, up to two families at a time can gather together. It seems like the more things change the more they remain the same. A part of my mind still can't quite accept the fact that we're in 2021. It's like a whole year has been erased, probably because most of us made no new memories or experiences in 2020. But I think I can see the light at the end of the tunnel.
Highlights
The highlights of the past three months have been, as you may imagine, quite mundane. I turned fifty in January but we haven't even gone out to celebrate yet. I laugh when I remember how I thought I'd celebrate my fiftieth: with a trip to Venice and a stay at one of the nicer hotels. Incidentally, it was Venice's 1600th birthday on March 25th but even the Queen of the Adriatic had to celebrate this significant milestone in a very subdued manner.
My husband and I have been out on a number of 'photo walks' during these past three months to help me practise my photography skills. I've since found out that my camera has some innate technical limitations that will not allow me to use the exact settings that I would like. So I am trying to work my way around that. Anyway, my photography course has been a good excuse to get us out of the house. We've visited Isla, the cart ruts at Clapham Junction, Selmun and the dilapidated Fort Campbell, Fort Bingemma, Blata tal-Melh - an area of wild and rugged beauty that we hope to revisit soon - and the lower environs of Valletta (more about that in a future post).
In February I managed to visit to The Splendid to see the Darkness At Noon exhibition. But just as I had lined up a few other exhibitions to go to, and hopefully share with you all, everything was shut down again.
Location: Blata tal-Melh
Gardening
Now that the weather is warming up it's a good time to take a look at our garden. Actually, it's more of a large tiled yard with a strip of soil along two of its boundary walls. The tiled area doubles up as a patio where we sometimes eat our meals in summer. We use plants in pots to supplement and extend the greenery. Last Sunday I spent almost 3 hours out in the fresh air, removing weeds and planting seeds. Since spring came so early this year, our freesias and irises have already bloomed.
Hopefully, it will be the roses next. Then the hibiscus and hydrangeas. As you can see, we've got a lot of plants that are not exactly drought-resistant and that is why I am trying to read articles on Mediterranean gardens. We do have plants that thrive in warm weather, like lavender, rosemary and a few other herbs. But, apart from succulents, I would like to find more plants that do well in our hot climate.
My search is still on and I plan to visit a garden centre in the coming days (they're open because pet food is, of course, essential for pets) to try and find some hardy varieties that are easy to take care of. I hope that, as usual, I won't be drawn to colourful flowering plants that are more accustomed to cooler, northerly climes.
Reading
As you may imagine, I am still doing a lot of reading and have just finished my 11th book. I will share a list of the books I've read soon. Unfortunately, I haven't yet read a book that merits 5 stars but I've read a couple of 4s. Two of my favourites were Like Water For Chocolate by Laura Esquivel, which I was going to review but, since it was first published in 1989 and has been made into a movie, I figured you're all familiar with it by now, and The Song Of Achilles by Madeline Miller, which will only be interesting to anyone who is a Greek mythology geek (I have to confess, I'm one of those people). Another good read, for anyone that enjoys thrillers, is The Girl On The Train by Paula Hawkins.
Easy recipes
I just love an easy recipe, don't you? Especially if it's something that cooks in the oven and which you can forget about while you get on with other things. These 2 recipes are not only easy but very tasty and are great for those cooler nights (yes, I know summer is round the corner but you can save them for when autumn comes along).
These Simple Beef Pasties by Fluster Buster are made from ground beef and vegetables cooked in pastry. I just add 1-2 teaspoons of dried thyme for extra flavour and have found that the perfect amount of salt is 3/4 teaspoon.
Another simple recipe is this one for Chicken and Corn Savoury Rolls by Bake Play Smile. In this case, I add 1-2 teaspoons of dried rosemary and 1 teaspoon of salt for more flavour, especially since chicken can be rather bland.
Since it's lemon season here, I've been on the hunt for some easy lemon desserts and I've already made this Lightened Up Lemon Yogurt Cake twice. Incidentally, this is supposed to be a lighter version of Ina Garten's Lemon Yogurt Cake, although I don't see a big difference between the two recipes, if you ask me.
Easter Dessert
I've come across three recipes that would make a wonderful Easter dessert and I am still trying to decide between a French Almond Cake with Lavender Lemon Glaze by The Daring Gourmet, a Strawberry Lemonade Cake by Two Cups Flour or a Fluffy White Mini Egg Cake by The Farmer's Daughter. I've got a few more days to decide but will probably go with the first one as I love including lavender in desserts.
It will be another quiet Easter for us but I suppose it's all the better as we can focus on our blessings. Starting tomorrow I have six days off and I'm looking forward to having some extra time to do the things I enjoy and spend some time stockpiling photos before it gets too hot to venture out of doors during the day - I exaggerate a bit but all those that have been reading my blog for a while know that summer is my least favourite season. In the meantime, I'll make the most of spring. I wish all those that celebrate a blessed and peaceful Easter.
Tuesday, 16 March 2021
A Walk Around Isla
On a bright but breezy Saturday at the end of January, my husband and I drove to Isla to take some photos of this town that we rarely visit. Isla (also known as Senglea) is a maritime town that is Malta's smallest locality and the second most densely populated area on the island. It is located on a long and narrow strip of land that juts out into Grand Harbour and points, like an accusing finger, at Valletta. Entrance to Isla is through Senglea Gate. The town has around 4 streets along its length that are criss-crossed by a number of smaller roads. Located at the tip of Isla is a small garden that has magnificent views of Grand Harbour, Valletta and neighbouring Birgu. Isla came under heavy bombardment during the Second World War due to its proximity to the docks. On 16th January 1941, a blitz by the Luftwaffe on HMS Illustrious left around twenty people dead and devastated many of the town's buildings. As a result, Isla is made up of pre-war era buildings, some of then dating back to the late 1500s, and a large proportion, including the parish church, that were rebuilt after the war.
So, after that short introduction, let's take a walk around Isla.
The Basilica of Our Lady of the Nativity, that was re-inaugurated in 1957, is just a few paces away from Senglea Gate.
To the right of the small square, side streets overlook the Vittoriosa Yacht Marina and Birgu.
The Church of St Philip, dating to 1690, is located at the end of the main thoroughfare, Victory Street.
A road to the right of this small church leads to the Gardjola Gardens.
The main attraction of Gardjola Gardens is the breath-taking view of the natural harbour that made Malta such a sought-after location from antiquity.
To the left of the garden exti is a short light of steps leading to two small tunnels . This is probably the most iconic area in all of Isla.
I mean, who wouldn't want to wake up to this view?
It was pretty amazing on this sunlit day in January but can you imagine how much more spectacular it would look when a storm blows in and lightning zigzags across the sky? I could sit and stare at it for hours - which is probably what the people living in these houses do (if they're anything like me).
I hope you enjoyed this little tour but, before ending, I wanted to share Isla's most quirky and colourful street.
Tuesday, 2 March 2021
Darkness at The Splendid
Darkness At Noon was the name of a collective exhibition held at The Splendid in Valletta between February 6th and 24th. I was able to attend on the very last day. Crossing the threshold of The Splendid had been on my bucket list for years and, last Wednesday, I was finally able to do so.
The Splendid
My first encounter with The Splendid came around ten years ago when I was roaming around Valletta with my camera. I came across the word 'Splendid' etched in red paint on the doorstep of a dilapidated house on Strait Street. I was immediately curious and tried to hunt down as much information about this building as I could. The Splendid does not have very salubrious origins. In its heyday as an important harbour town for the Royal Navy, Valletta had a sizzling and often-sleazy nightlife. The Splendid was just one of many brothels that lined The Gut, as Strait Street was affectionately known. But the murder of a prostitute by her client in the 1960s has ensured that The Splendid's notoriety is a cut above the rest.
So what, you may ask, were my first impressions when I finally crossed over those bold red letters on the doorstep and found myself inside? It's difficult to explain without letting the history of the place affect me. But I couldn't shake away the feeling that the air felt heavy, as if it was suffused with too many memories and too much pain. The arched hallway that I was standing in was bare, except for an upright piano to my left. Hanging from the ceiling was one solitary lightbulb encased in pink glass that cast a rosy hue on its faded surroundings. In contrast, the colours of the patterned Maltese tiles were bold, garish even and they kept drawing my eyes towards them and away from the walls with their layers upon layers of peeling paint. Opposite the door, at the other end of the hallway, a short flight of steps led to a small landing. To the left of this, the main staircase went up to the first floor where the exhibition was being held.
Darkness At Noon Collective Exhibition
The title of this exhibition immediately suggests that something is strange, uncanny, and that the normal course of nature has been altered. Darkness At Noon showcased the works of three artists: painter Gabriel Buttigieg, ceramist Paul Scerri and photographer Charles Balzan. It was curated by Joe-Phillipe Abela and Gabriel Zammit. In an interview with Ramona Depares both curators expressed the wish that the viewer is challenged by the exhibits. They also acknowledged that for their vision to be effective a certain degree of unease on the part of those attending was to be expected. I did not listen to the interview or read up about the exhibition before visiting but I will share my impressions as best I can (even though I find it hard to express the feelings that any type of art gives me in words).
Buttigieg's paintings were bold, colourful and instantly eye-catching. His depictions of creatures from myths and literature that were interspersed with the human form reminded me of the surreal dreams we sometimes have and of the fairy-tales and legends we all grew up with - those stories that disturb us a little but, because they are part of our culture or folklore, which we suppress into our subconscious until they erupt in fantastic dreams or nightmares.
Scerri's ceramics were more muted in colour. Each figure appeared to be fragmented, as if each androgynous image was made up of multiple parts. There was a vulnerability about these ceramic figures that I found quite touching. Each one seemed to highlight the fragility of the human spirit in a different way.
I found Balzan's photos to be the most thought-provoking part of the exhibit. Each photo was raw and intimate, forcing the models to lay bare aspects of their humanity that are usually hidden under the veneer and layers that are necessary to survive in modern society and exposing their most primeval side.
The Splendid As A Performance Art Theatre
After its turbulent history, it seems that The Splendid has found a new lease of life as a centre for creative industries managed by FTZ (a non-profit organisation based at the University of Malta). As I walked through the few rooms in which the exhibition was taking place, it was clear to me that, apart from a good clean-up, the building has been left intact. The paint on the walls, the doors, windows and shutters are still the same ones that were there when the place was closed down in the late 1960s. The rawness and bareness of The Splendid is not contrived and it forces the visitor to focus on the artist. In this space nothing else matters.
Or does it? Visiting The Splendid felt like an experience in itself. I came away feeling moved and rather subdued. I was not sure whether the uncanny feeling I had was due to the exhibits I had just viewed or because I couldn't forget the building's violent past. It is easy to conjure up ghosts here and perhaps I was guilty of doing just that.
For upcoming events at The Splendid, visit their Facebook page here.
You can read more about the exhibition in this article by Lara Zammit for The Times of Malta.
Tuesday, 23 February 2021
Selmun Palace & Fort Campbell
Last Saturday, my husband and I went for a walk in Selmun. The name Selmun is derived from the Salomone family, who owned large tracts of land in this part of Malta in past centuries. This mostly-rural area is located on a hill with unobstructed views of the north-eastern part of Malta and stretching all the way to Mdina in the west. Selmun Palace and Fort Campbell are built on this promontory and they provide a brief glimpse into two very different eras of Malta's history.
Selmun Palace
Selmun Palace (it's actually more of a country villa) was probably built around 1783 and is typical of the Baroque style. Its shape is similar to Verdala Palace in Buskett and Wignacourt Tower in Saint Paul's Bay. It was rented for use as a hunting lodge by the Knights of Saint John. There's not much to hunt in Malta but it seems there were sufficient wild rabbits in this area to warrant a day's journey from Valletta to indulge in this 'sport'.
The villa has a square plan with a pseudo-bastion at each side. The purpose of these pseudo-bastions is for the building to look imposing and to serve as a deterrent to corsairs looking for a potential landing spot. Selmun Palace was never intended or used for military purposes.
A cluster of farmhouses is situated close-by. Selmun Palace is not currently open to the public.
Fort Campbell
Fort Campbell, which was built by the British between 1937 and 1938, is about a kilometre away from Selmun Palace. It is different from all the other forts built previously. Due to the threat of aerial warfare, the fort was surrounded by a long, thin wall and the buildings were constructed at a distance from each other.
When viewed from the air, this layout resembled the the field walls and farm buildings of the surrounding countryside. Unlike earlier forts, it is unadorned and its gateway is just a breach in the perimeter wall, unlike the ornate gates of Victorian or Baroque forts. Fort Campbell was built to protect the northern approach to Malta.
Unfortunately, this fort was never maintained and, after the British forces left Malta in 1979, it was vandalized and has fallen into disrepair. The entrance to the fort is open and it is possible to wander around in the grounds, but rooms and barracks should be avoided as the beams have been removed from most ceilings, causing them to cave in and making them dangerous to visitors. Walls abound with colourful graffiti and the remnants of hundreds of broken bottles litter the ground.
From Fort Campbell's vantage point it is possible to get a bird's eye view of Saint Paul's Bay, Mistra Bay and St Paul's Islands. The latter is purported to be the place where the ship carrying the apostle Paul ran aground while he was on his way to Rome to be tried. An account of the shipwreck can be found in the Book of Acts.
We spent around 3 hours walking around Selmun and it was a very enjoyable outing. Spring is definitely in the air and giant fennel and asphodel are in full bloom; almond trees are fully of pretty blossoms.
The crown daisies are everywhere too and they fill the air with their own particular pungent smell. Bees, wasps and a few butterflies are busy with their own little chores and I also came across a ladybird (ladybug for my US readers). I can't remember the last time I saw one but it was when my son was very young because I recall showing it to him and explaining how rare these pretty little beetles are becoming.
Selmun is a great place to visit for a walk, a picnic or to learn a little bit about Malta's past. I just wish that the buildings of Fort Campbell could be restored to their former glory and guided tours offered to visitors. The barracks could be rented out to artists or photographers (there's plenty of inspiration in this area) and the fort grounds could still be used for picnics if people are charged a small fee that would go towards the upkeep of this historical fort. I am sure that this will never happen, but a girl can dream.
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