Better late than never, so here another post about France for Paris in July, 2026, hosted by Emma @ Wordsanpeace. The reading has been slow but I have been to a couple of art exhibitions lately. This one is from the famous modern art museum in Denmark, Louisiana. I was invited by a friend of mine and we took the car, went over the bridge and drove over to this museum, beautifully situated along the eastern coast of Själland. I am not very fond of modern art, but Louisiana tends to always have good exhibitions, that also I enjoy. This time we enjoyed two exhibitions; Sophie Calle and Lucian Freud. I had recently read something about Lucian Freud, so it just seemed perfect to have a look at his work. We started with Sophie Calle, who is a French writer, photographer, installation and conceptual artist. She is known for using ‘arbitrary sets of constraints’. Her work depicts human vulnerability, and examines identity and intimacy. Quite unusual, she is also famous for her ‘detective-like tendency’ to follow strangers and investigate their private lives. It does not sound too nice, but, as I saw in the exhibition, it gives unexpected life to everyday events. Her photographic work often includes panels of text which she writes to fit into the photograph taken. Needless to say, I have never heard of her, but must admit that I was totally fascinated by her art. She has had exhibitions all over the world and seems to be an artist with many talents, always renewing herself. I was fascinated by her photographs, where, in front is a piece of material with a text on it, and when you lift the material, there is a photo. You read the text, and when you see the photo you are overwhelmed by the cleverness, seriousness and ideas that she comes up with. I could have taken a photo of each of these ‘paintings’ and there must have been around 30, but I only took one, and here it is. The rest of the exhibition was as great. I have a weak spot for photographic exhibitions so this was a perfect one. We continued to the Lucian Freud (1922-2011) one. I don’t know very much about his art, and I cannot say that all is to my liking. Freud specialised in figurative art and known as one of the foremost 20th century English portraitists. Early on he was influenced by surrealism which continued into expressionism. However, in the 1950s his paintings tended to go towards realism. He was a very private person and his portraits are mostly of friends and family. The paintings often go towards, what I would call, horror like images or backgrounds. It is often interiors or urban landscapes. He is also famous for a close examination of the relationships between artist and model. There are many models who had to sit for long sittings, not always comfortable. Here is one of the paintings that I did like. It is a self portrait. There are a few more permanent exhibitions to see. We had a nice lunch and there is a huge park where you can walk around in. It is a lovely museum to visit, so if you are passing by, it is well worth a visit.

Paris in July, hosted by Emma @ Wordsandpeace, will soon come to an end. I have not been very active due to various other engagements. Although I did choose a number of books connected to Paris and France from my book shelves, my reading slump has been worse than ever. But, today I did finish one of the books I choose: Til bords med kunstnerne i Paris by Signe Wulff. I bought this book at the Ordrupgaard museum in Denmark, in May when I visited the exhibition Café Society. Art and Sociability in Belle Époque Paris. The visitors were invited to Parisian cafés by artists like Vincent van Gogh, Pablo Picasso, and Édouard Vuillard. The cafés in Paris at the time were visited by all kinds of artists; writers, painters, musicians, and poets. The met to discuss life, art, and making new contacts with other artists. All under the influence of coffee, beer, wine, and the devastating drink of absinthe. Also Scandinavian artists came to France to meet fellow artists and get a flare of French society, modern life, and follow the new trends in painting. Gradually, their lifestyle became motifs in their own arts. Artistic ideas and trends developed and inspired a new modern era. Most artists were poor and they could sit in the cafes with just a cup of coffee, speak with other artists or read the newspaper, as well as receiving letters from home. In the first decades of the twentieth century international artists like Pablo Picasso, Juan Gris, and Elisabeth Epstein moved here to be part of the new scene. There were not only the most famous painters at the exhibition, but also many artists I had not heard of earlier. It was interesting to see their depictions of Paris life at the time. All in all, you get an idea of what life was like for these, often very poor artists. Dining with the Artists in Paris I bought this book at the exhibition. It is written by Signe Wulff who is a Danish journalist and author with a love for culture, art, language, and gastronomy. This all comes out in the book where she takes you around the Paris where artists used to hang out, and frequent cafés and restaurant. It can also be used as a guide book to where these restaurants are situated. I intend to take the book with me next time I go to Paris. It is divided into 11 chapters, each chapter being about an artist and their interests in food. The chapters are about: Alexandre Dumas (author) - A Gastronomic Will Auguste Escoffier (cook) - Artist in the Kitchen Sarah Bernard (actress) and Victor Hugo (author) - To Eat the Unknown Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec (painter) - Wormwood in the Cup Pablo Picasso (painter) - Picasso’s Wild Party Gertrude Stein and Alice B. Toklas (art collector and gourmand) - Chez Salon Stein Chaïm Soutine and Amadeo Modigliani (painters) - Artists on a Diet Ernest Hemingway (author) - Papa’s Paris Kiki de Montparnasse (model/painter) - The Queen of Montparnasse Colette (author) - You are born a Gourmet Karen Blixen (author) - Preliminary Study for Babette’s Banquet It is a wonderful book if you are interested in the artists living in Paris in the beginning of the last century. Their struggles, their work, their lives and their love for French food. Good tips on which restaurants to visit and what they are serving. And, an address to find your way to. Unfortunately, I think it is only available in Danish.

People who are interested in reading, and especially those who love the classics, cannot have missed the online debate surrounding Christopher Nolan’s new epic film, The Odyssey. Curious to understand what all the fuss was about, I decided to go and watch it. I admit that I often become frustrated when classics are changed, modernised, or transformed into entirely new interpretations. However, sometimes these adaptations work well. A new perspective can bring an old story to life — but it can also take away some of the things that made the original special. I am not particularly familiar with Nolan’s complete work. In my younger years, I was a dedicated film fan. I knew the names of directors, actors, and writers, watched most major releases, and followed cinema closely. However, for several years now, I have struggled to become enthusiastic about many of the films being made today, especially those coming from Hollywood. Looking through Nolan’s filmography, I realised that he directed one film that I consider among the best I have ever seen: The Prestige. What an excellent film that is. I also watched Oppenheimer, which I enjoyed. However, I have little interest in the endless stream of superhero and Marvel films, so I have not seen them. Sometimes it feels as if they are the only type of films coming out of the Hollywood dream factory these days. When I heard that The Odyssey was going to be filmed, I became genuinely excited. Here was one of the greatest stories ever told: the journey of a hero returning home after war. What could possibly go wrong? Well, as it turns out, quite a lot. I have watched numerous YouTube videos by archaeologists, historians, classicists, film enthusiasts, and others discussing the film. It is easy to be influenced by their opinions and by what we see in trailers. Like many others, I initially felt uneasy because it seemed that the filmmakers had taken quite a few liberties with the original story. Nevertheless, I decided to approach the film with an open mind. Some critics described it as an epic achievement and believed that the story worked well as a modern film. I sat down full of expectations, hoping that I would love it. Ithaka The film begins promisingly, with the story opening at the palace in Ithaka. We are introduced to the royal household: Penelope, Odysseus’ wife; their son Telemachus; and the group of suitors waiting for Penelope to choose one of them as her new husband. Most people know the story of Penelope’s weaving trick and how she delays making her choice. Everyone is wondering why Odysseus has not returned home. Many of the other heroes of the Trojan War have already reached their own kingdoms and settled back into their lives. Telemachus sets out in search of his father, hoping to discover what has happened to him. Odysseus’ Journey and Its Obstacles We then follow Odysseus and his crew as they attempt to return home. Every time they stop to find food, water, or shelter on their journey, they encounter another obstacle. In the film, the first major challenge is the encounter with the Cyclops Polyphemus. I am sure most readers know the story, but here is a short summary: Trapped in the Cave Odysseus and some of his men land on the island of the Cyclopes in search of food. They discover a large cave filled with supplies and enter it. The owner of the cave, the one-eyed giant Cyclops Polyphemus, returns home and blocks the entrance with a huge rock. Polyphemus has no respect for the gods or the laws of hospitality, and he eats two of Odysseus’ men. The Clever Plan Odysseus realises that he cannot simply kill the Cyclops because only Polyphemus can move the enormous stone blocking the entrance. He sharpens a wooden stake and gives the giant strong wine to make him drunk. When Polyphemus asks his name, Odysseus tells him that he is called “Nobody”. When the Cyclops falls asleep, Odysseus and his men heat the wooden stake and blind his single eye The Escape When Polyphemus cries out for help, shouting that “Nobody” is attacking him, the other Cyclopes do not come to his aid. The next morning, Odysseus and his surviving men escape by tying themselves beneath the giant’s sheep. However, as they sail away, Odysseus’ pride takes over. He reveals his true name to Polyphemus. The Cyclops then prays to his father, Poseidon, the god of the sea, asking him to punish Odysseus. This curse is what makes Odysseus’ journey home so long and difficult. The entire disastrous journey home begins with that moment of hubris — Odysseus’ inability to control his pride when he reveals his identity. Once Polyphemus and Poseidon know who attacked the Cyclops, the fate of Odysseus and his men is sealed. All the future suffering comes from Poseidon’s anger, although this connection is not emphasised very clearly in the film. The many challenges Odysseus faces on his way home are ultimately consequences of this single act. Myth vs Historical Reality vs the Classical Tale People often say that The Odyssey is a mythical story with no historical truth behind it. Therefore, they seem to argue, filmmakers should be free to change the story and its appearance however they like. However, it is still a classic tale written nearly 2,800 years ago. The Trojan War, at least as we know it from legend and archaeology, supposedly took place around 1200 BCE, give or take a few decades. Even if the story itself is largely mythical, there are certain facts we know about how the world of the Late Bronze Age looked. This would have given any filmmaker a perfect opportunity to recreate that world as accurately as possible, especially considering the enormous budget available. There has already been plenty of discussion about the casting, the Viking ship, and other historical inaccuracies, so I will not dwell on those issues here. My Views of the Film The Mediterranean The story takes place in the Mediterranean, a region known for its sunshine, warm colours, and brilliant blue skies. Yet much of the film is shot in shadow, with a dark and muted visual palette. Perhaps Nolan wanted to emphasise the darkness of war, suffering, and loss rather than the beauty of the setting. While I can understand that artistic choice, I feel it takes away much of the natural splendour of the Mediterranean and presents the landscape in an oddly unrealistic light. The Storyline The story is told through a series of non-linear timelines and flashbacks, which appears to be very much Nolan’s style. To be fair, The Odyssey itself is not told in strict chronological order. I generally enjoy this kind of storytelling and often find it highly effective. In this film, however, it is somewhat confusing. The narrative constantly shifts between different threads, leaving the viewer with fragments of the story that do not always seem to connect into a coherent whole. The Women Lupita Nyong’o was once asked a hypothetical question in an interview: what would she ask Homer if she could meet him? Her answer was: “I’d say to him, ‘So, Homer, how do you feel about the amount of time given to these women on screen, considering how little time you gave them?’” I think that question might be more appropriately directed at Christopher Nolan. The women who appear in the film are largely reduced to brief encounters, giving the audience little sense of who they are or why they matter. Penelope is the obvious exception, but it would be difficult to ignore her given her central role in the story. Women may make up only about a quarter of the named characters in The Odyssey, but their importance is immense. They are independent, intelligent, and powerful figures who drive many of the story’s most important events. In fact, many classicists regard The Odyssey as one of the most female-centred works in ancient Greek literature. Unfortunately, that aspect of the story does not come across particularly well in the film. One Swedish film critic described the film as “asexual”, and I think that is an apt description, particularly regarding Odysseus’ relationships with women. It makes one wonder whether a certain modern moral sensibility influenced the adaptation. In the original story, Odysseus clearly has relationships with both Circe and Calypso, and possibly with other women as well. The film largely removes this dimension of his character. Instead, Odysseus is portrayed as being as faithful to Penelope as she is to him. He is visualised as an honourable hero with no faults. The Underworld I was disappointed by the Underworld sequence. I had hoped for a more imaginative depiction of the realm of the dead, a place where Odysseus could truly descend into another world and then return to the living. Given the possibilities offered by fantasy and modern visual effects, this could have been one of the most memorable parts of the film. Instead, I found it rather underwhelming. Zeus’ Law The concept of Zeus’ Law, the sacred obligation of hospitality, is certainly important in Greek culture and mythology. However, it is repeated so often throughout the film that it eventually becomes slightly ridiculous. The Sea Peoples The Sea Peoples are mentioned several times during the film. They are the name given to a number of unidentified groups who attacked Egypt and other parts of the eastern Mediterranean around 1200 BCE. The theory was first proposed by nineteenth-century Egyptologists based on reliefs found at the Mortuary Temple of Ramesses III at Medinet Habu. The Sea Peoples are often associated with the Late Bronze Age Collapse and are sometimes linked to the decline of Mycenaean civilisation around 1200 BCE. The problem is that this historical concept was completely unknown both at the time of the Trojan War and when The Odyssey was written. Towards the end of the film, Odysseus even speaks about the aftermath of the war in terms that sound almost post-apocalyptic. Needless to say, people of that era neither possessed such a historical perspective nor understood the broader geopolitical events unfolding across the Mediterranean. That said, the mystery of the Sea Peoples remains a fascinating subject and one of the great unanswered questions of ancient history. Regretting the War At the end of the film, Odysseus reflects on the Trojan War and appears to regret having fought in it. This feels more like a modern interpretation of warfare than something that comes directly from the original text. Yes, war is terrible, and most of us today view it that way. However, Homeric heroes tended to see things differently. In the original story, Odysseus is generally proud of his achievements at Troy. After all, he was the man who conceived the idea of the Trojan Horse. He sees himself as a great warrior, though not without regrets. His regrets stem from different sources: the loss of his companions, the mistakes that brought Poseidon’s wrath upon him, the years spent away from home, his separation from Penelope and Telemachus, and the suffering endured during his ten-year journey back to Ithaka. Those are the burdens that weigh most heavily upon him. Overview In the end, there were simply too many things I did not like about this film. First of all, I found it far too long. Personally, I think Nolan could have reduced or even removed many of the scenes depicting the Trojan War. In this case, those events could have been conveyed through dialogue rather than shown directly on screen. Ironically, the film often chooses to tell rather than show in places where visual storytelling would have been far more effective. There were moments here and there when the film managed to draw me in, but overall I found it surprisingly dull. At one point, after what felt like an eternity, I checked my watch and realised there was still another hour left to go. That was not an encouraging moment. I also found much of the dialogue painfully weak. More than once I found myself admiring the actors’ ability to deliver some of the lines with complete conviction, without blushing or appearing embarrassed. The last time I felt this way was while watching Wuthering Heights—another film that, in my opinion, suffered from poor dialogue and poor storytelling. The only positive thing I can say is that The Odyssey is slightly better. I suppose that says it all.

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My blog is about books and reading, reviews and discussions on anything bookish. Under this label you find some information about myself. My Story I am Lisbeth Ekelof, an expat Swede, who returned to Sweden in 2018. My expat years were very interesting, enjoying life in different countries and cultures, including a lot of adventures. Always interested in reading, I started my blog at the end of 2012, just before early retirement. It has been a wonderful journey, exchanging views on books and reading with the international blogging community. I published my first post on 24 October 2012. I love your comments and try to answer all of them. I do accept reviewing books on demand, depending on my time schedule. Please use contact form to get in touch. “Every secret of a writer’s soul, every experience of his life, every quality of his mind, is written large in his works.” Virginia Woolf