There will be another set of short reviews for my March reading. I read nine books, of which four were nonfiction. Two of them history books in Swedish so I will not say too much about them here. I did write about the findings in Uppåkra (Tusen år i Uppåkra by Dick Harrisson) in my newsletter, article on Reality, or myths? The Cat Who Saved Books by Sosuke Natsukawa A charming little story about a cat who helps a young boy to save his grandfather's bookstore. There were lots of thoughts on books and reading, and here are some of them. Books can give us knowledge, wisdom, values, a view of the world, and so much more. The joy of learning something you didn’t know before, and seeing things in a whole new way, if exciting. Books can't live your life for you. I’m going to say it as loud as I can. Empathy - that’s the power of books. If you find it difficult it’s because a book contains something that is new to you. Every difficult book offers us a brand-new challenge. A book that sits on a shelf is nothing but a bundle of paper. Unless it is opened, a book possessing great power or an epic story is a mere scrap of paper. But a book that has been cherished and loved, filled with human thoughts, has been endowed with a soul. Books have helped me many times. I’m the kind of person who tends to dwell on the past, and I give up way too easily, but somehow, I’ve made it this far because books keep me going. A cherished book will always have a soul. It will come to its reader’s aid in times of crisis. In the same way that music is made up of more than notes, books are more than just words. Donna Leon reading My Venice reading (due to our visit there, more in another post) has lead me to the thrillers by Donna Leon. In her first book in the Commissario Brunetti series, Dean at la Fenice we get to know the characters that return in the coming books. A famous conductor is found dead in his loge at the opera and Brunetti has to use all his skills to find out what actually happened. Casanova in Venice More Venice reading and why not about one of the most famous citizens of the city, Casanova. This is an extract from his memoirs that fits into drawings made from his writing. (Casanova in Venice by Michel Delon & Michèle Sajous D'Oria). Grand final i skojarbranchen by Kerstin Ekman Not translated into English it seems. It is about two women of which one is writing popular detective stories and one is using her name for the publishing. As the books become very popular the woman whose name is seen on the books are given medals, prizes and even a place in the Swedish Academy. How are these two women solving this as time goes by? Funny, witty and exciting as only Kerstin Ekman can do.

This was my last in the FINDS challenge hosted by AnnaBookBel and aiming at reading Nordic literature. I am not familiar with the author, but she writes what we call 'feel good' novels and has written quite a few other ones. It is a wonderfully, charming account of a lonely girl who does not get along with the rest of the world. However, she love books. "Broken Wheel, Iowa, has never seen anyone like Sara, who traveled all the way from Sweden just to meet her pen pal, Amy. When she arrives, however, she finds that Amy's funeral has just ended. Luckily, the townspeople are happy to look after their bewildered tourist—even if they don't understand her peculiar need for books. Marooned in a farm town that's almost beyond repair, Sara starts a bookstore in honor of her friend's memory. All she wants is to share the books she loves with the citizens of Broken Wheel and to convince them that reading is one of the great joys of life. But she makes some unconventional choices that could force a lot of secrets into the open and change things for everyone in town. Reminiscent of The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society, this is a warm, witty book about friendship, stories, and love." When there are close knit societies people tend to act as they always have. Nothing much changes, most probable because there is nothing to initiate any change. This is exactly what happens when Sara arrives in Broken Wheel. Her own, rather peculiar way of interacting with people around her, feels rather strange to the town folks. She was a friend of Amy's and that is why she is accepted. Her way of looking at books, and her aim to find a book that is suitable and interesting to everyone in the town, slowly changes people's mind sets. The novel makes you happy to read, especially if you are loving books. It is about friendships and finding your way in the world. How one person, rather discreet, somewhat odd, still can affect people the way she does. I think we can all recognise this in real life. Something happens, somebody says something and all of a sudden you start thinking in another way. Although at odds with the world Sara has the ability to change it, to attach to people, and to find her own happiness, at the same time as she is making other people happy. A sunshine story, much needed in this troublesome world. I don't have to mention the big influence of books to make the world a better place.

Ali at Heavenali is hosting another Daphne du Maurier reading week this year. It will take place on 8 - 15 May. This event comes at a very appropriate time for me, since I am on a path to read all, or most, of du Maurier's books. I have already started and managed five novellas during April. They were: Don't Look Now The Apple Tree The Birds Not After Midnight The Blue Lenses All of the spooky. Most of you will know The Birds, if not by reading, by watching the famous Hitchcock movie. All the novellas are building up a story, about quite ordinary people, but there is a dark undertone lingering, almost not visible. The endings come with a somewhat weird twist. Highly entertaining to read though. I have already read some books by du Maurier, and will try to start from the beginning. Her first three books are; The Loving Spirit, I'll Never Be Young Again and The Progress of Julius. I have to try to find them, but will choose something else, if they are not available. Are you a du Maurier fan as well? What would be your favourite books to start with, or to read by her.

It is this time of the year again, the much anticipated meeting point of Paris in July. Hosted by Tamara @ Thyme-for-Tea during the last years. This year Tamara has no time, and Emma at Words and Peace kindly has taken over this year, for which we are grateful. Thank you Emma. Emma has also created a beautiful cover image to go with our posts. What is it all about? From Emma's website (see link above) we get the following information: "I’m Emma, from Dijon, Burgundy, France, but have been living around Chicago for over 20 years. I have been blogging here for almost 13 years, often highlighting books set in France or written by French authors. So it kind of makes sense that I would help you, eager participants into this yearly event , to keep visisting your favorite city in July! Advertisements Let’s try something different: you will add all your links thanks to the widget on this page every week then on this same page, I will list your posts by theme : books, movies, cooking, etc. I think it will be easier for all to use as a resource there will be a couple gifts at the end of the month! Feel free to share your page on social media with the hashtag #parisinjuly2023. I’m also preparing a special BINGO game, if there’s some interest." There might be a few new items on the agenda this year. Looking forward to seeing what Emma is coming up with. My plans for the month I have not really had time to plan anything this year. I usually do a French dinner, but will not have time this year. I will look for French films/tv-series and listen to French music. I took a look at my book shelves to see if I have anything, not read, connected to Paris and France. To my surprise I have nine books that I could read this month. They are: The Pursuit of Glory - The Five Revolutions That Made Modern Europe 1648-1815 by Tim Banning - I can at least read about the French revolution. Axel von Fersen and Queen Marie-Antoinette by Margareta Beckman - a Swedish nonfiction of the love affair between the two. I think it will include new research and findings. Notre-Dame de Paris/The Hunchback of Notre Dame by Victor Hugo - I actually read this book in June, but will write about it in July. Hemingway, The Paris Years by Michael Reynolds - I have this for some time and each year decide to read it for Paris in July. Will it happen this year? The Red and the Black by Stendahl - a classic I wanted to read for a long time. The text in the physical book I have is very small, but I have an e-book version, so can go for that one. Marie Antoinette by Stefan Zweig - his take on the Austrian princess turned queen. I have already started this one, and it would be good to finish it this year. Arsène Lupin, Gentleman Burglar by Maurice Leblanc Michael Strogoff: The Courier of the Czar by Jules Verne The Scarlet Pimpernel by Baroness Orczy Let's see how far I have come at the end of the month. Hope to see you in Paris in July. Looking forward to seeing what you are up to this year.

Many years ago I saw, and loved, the tv-series with Anthony Andrews as the Scarlet Pimpernel and Jane Seymour as Marguerite St. Just. It was with great anticipation that I finally read the book. I had heard good words about it, but one never knows. I realised when I started the book (there was no information about the original titel) that it was not the first book. After some research, I found that the original title is The Elusive Pimpernel, the second book in the series (originally from 1908). It was a great read. I was surprised by the easy going writing, the characterisation, the descriptions of the aristocratic surrounding, and the political situation in France. We come straight into the action and the scheme planned by Chauvelin to capture the Scarlet Pimpernel. Chauvelin travels to England to try to lure the Scarlet Pimpernel into France. The plot is initiated through his wife Marguerite and she soon finds herself in a situation where she has been fooled into luring her husband to travel to France. As he is heading for France, well aware of the dangers, she decides to travel there herself to try to help him. This leads her into an even bigger trap and she sees no way out for herself, or for him. As the plot thickens, as a reader, you really don't understand how they will get out of this troubles. It is very exciting as the grip on both of them tightens, and there is a matter of their lives or the lives of the citizens of Boulogne. It is a great story and so exciting that it is difficult to put the book down. Baroness Orczy is slowly building up the story, and then it speeds up as we are nearing the end. I don't think I am spoiling anything if I say they manage to get out of their troubles, but it is quite a surprise how the author, in just a few pages, let us face the ending. And what an ending. Although more than 100 years old it still feels fresh to read, and is a traditional adventure story that we seldom see today.

Thank you to Emma @ Word and Peace for hosting this annual event. People who know me, knows that I am crazy about castles. It can be a perfectly beautiful castle where people live, a museum or even a ruin. I just love them. There seem the be a never-ending number of castles available in France. Many of them in a bad condition, but there is always people who are willing to take on a renovation challenge. There are loads of people to follow on youtube who bought a castle and started renovation. I wanted to share with you three different channels that I am following. The Château Diaries The channel is run by Stephanie Jarvis and from the About page we learn the following: "Back in 2005, I bought the Chateau de Lalande with my two best friends, Nic and Michael. Filled with optimism, we had no idea what epic adventures (and spiralling costs!) lay ahead. But little by little we tackled the renovation of this 16th century historic building, and filled it with friends and family from all over the world. Now, thanks to the viewers of this YouTube channel, and the patrons of The Chateau Diaries, Lalande is undergoing a renaissance. The chateau and its gardens are springing back to life, with a lot of hard work, set-backs, triumphs and - most of all - laughter, along the way..." She invites you in to follow daily life, renovations and Chamber d'hôte guests. It is exciting and interesting to see how she has changed the fate of this French château. Château de Purnon "Welcome to Château de Purnon, an extraordinary Louis XVI château, classée Monument Historique in Vienne, France. Practically preserved intact since its construction was completed in 1788, sadly today the château is in serious peril requiring an enormous restoration project to safeguard it for future generations. Join us as we uncover her secrets, share her past and fight hard to secure her future." This couple, all the way from Australia, has made it their lives' work to try to save the castle. Escape to rural France "Renovating an old abandoned chateau ruin, in the heart of France. as well as renovating a stone french farmhouse, follow for the ultimate one man renovation!" Dan has lived in France for many years, and we first noticed him working as a gardener at Château Lalande. Maybe the wish for a castle of his own became too much, because he bought a rather derelict castle that he is now renovating, all on his own. An amazing task. There are many more channels out there where you find hardworking people trying to save a French castle. It is sad to see how many old buildings, not only castles, are abandoned, and not only in France. I find there is something magic with an old house, especially if it is in need of a renovation. My fantasy starts working and I imagine the people having lived there, wondering what kind of life they had.

In 1982 a collection of letters was sold in an auction in London. It turned out to be a collection of letters between Marie Antoinette and Axel von Fersen, a collection which supposedly was burnt many years ago. Luckily, this was not the case. Archives Nationales à Paris bought the collection. Rarely available to outsiders, author and researcher Margareta Beckman got the permission to see, and read, the letters. That is, to read as much as is visible. Part of the letters have, through history, been censured, crossed over with black ink. Since 1982 big efforts have been done to try to decipher these areas, but in vain. The letters stayed in Count von Fersen's family until 1877, when they were published by his great-nephew, Baron R.M. de Klinckowström. Many suspects him of being the censor, but it could also have been von Fersen himself. He was living in dangerous times, and circumstances. Even without the censorship the couple wrote the letters in code. This code was broken some years ago and it is therefore possible to read the letters as they are. I did watch a documentary recently about the letters, and the efforts of the National Archives to decipher the cross overs. Experts, from different sciences, have worked on different schemes in order to try to find a way to peak behind the ink. They were partly successful in 2021, and if you are interested in the technical details, you can read more about it in this article from The New York Times . Count Axel von Fersen The von Fersen family has roots back to the 12th century in Germany. In the 16th century, one branch of the family moved to Estonia and then in the 17th century established themselves in Sweden. A very noble, and very rich family. In Stockholm they said that humanity consisted of the French, the Fersen family, and the mob. Axel was born on 4 September 1755 as the eldest son. He had two sisters and a brother. Another 'truth' was that the Fersens were beautiful people. Accounts on Axel states that he was unusually handsome. He was intelligent, successful in his work, and seemed to make an impact on people he met. "He was a symbol for a class of people doomed to disappear, the last nobles from 'l'Ancien régime'" In 1770 he makes his Grand Tour in Europe. He travelled with his tutor who was there to teach him languages, mathematics, science and everything a young man needed to know. In 1778 he comes to Paris and is presented at the court. On 26 August he writes to his father: " C'est mardi passé que je me suis rendu à Versailles pour être present la famille royale. La reine qui est charmante dit en me voyant: Ah, c'est une ancienne connaissance. Le reste de la famille ne me dit pas un mot. " On 31 July 1783 Axel writes to his beloved sister Sophie, and the person that was closest to him: "I have made my decisions, I will not get married, it is against nature. When the unhappy time comes when I will loose my father and my mother, it is you, my dear friend, who will be in charge of my house (...) I cannot belong to the only person I would like, the only one who really loves me; then I don't want to belong to anyone else either." Imprisonment Beckman has done a lot of research on the Queen's relationship with von Fersen. The letters now accessible, von Fersen's diary, diaries from people surrounding the Queen, and official documents. It makes for exciting reading, reads almost like a thriller. von Fersen was the one planning the failed escape, keeping close, although in the background, during the years of imprisonment. We seem to come very close to Marie Antoinette during the fatal years. I have read other biographies, but Beckman's account brings us so close to the actual events, and persons, that it almost feels like you are there. The constant pressure they were living under, threats to their personal lives from people who seemed to have access to them directly from the streets. How their lives go from a relative luxury 'prison' to worse and worse conditions, in the end separating the family. And, we all know how it ended. Aftermath In 1794 von Fersen leaves the Continent to go back to Sweden. His father has died and he is now head of the family, and are drawn into the politics in Sweden. He wrote in his diary after being at home for six weeks: " The Swedes who travel should not stay long away from their country; that will be their misfortune." He suffered from seeing how small everything was, Stockholm was like a small country town. And the Swedes! They had no manners, could not converse and were too fat. They didn't understand beautiful things, the theatres were lousy. Axel would probably have been inclined to agree with the opera director Jonne Hamilton, who divided humanity into three classes: "Frenchmen, Fersars and Pack ". von Fersen's destiny is not so much different from his beloved Marie Antoinette. On 28 May 1810, the recently chosen Crown Prince of Sweden, Carl August, died of apoplexy while on an inauguration tour in the country. Rumours had it that he had been murdered by the von Fersen family. When Axel von Fersen, On 20 June 1810, entered the streets to meet the coffin, he was attacked by a mob and lynched. So ends the greatest love story of the 18th century. “I shall love you up to the death” (Marie-Antoinette to Axel von Fersen) ... and then? No-one who reads the letters between Marie Antoinette and Axel von Fersen can doubt their love. We also see that their love affected the rest of von Fersens life. He decided not to marry, which was more or less a must in those days, when it was important to get heirs to continue the family line, and he was the eldest son. The big question that is not solved by the letters is: did they have a physical relationship. As Beckman accounts for in the story of their acquaintance, it would have been very difficult for Marie Antoinette to welcome a man, except her husband, into her chamber. However, there are opportunities. von Fersen visits her often as long as they are in the Tuileries, and of course before the Revolution. He returns to Paris in the beginning of 1792, having been abroad since the failed escape. He arrives in the evening of 13 Feburary and goes directly to the palace. " Went to HER, came in my usual way, was afraid of the National Guardsmen. She lives very well. Didn't meet the King. RESTÉ-LÀ." "Stayed there" was the phrase that Axel usually recorded in his diary when he spent the night with a mistress - we must not forget that over the years he had many such. But this very "resté-là" has filled many book pages with speculation. They are crossed out in the diary - but still legible - which shows that at least whoever censored Axel's letters and notes, whether it is Baron Klinckowström or someone else, considered them compromising." When the Queen had been executed von Fersen was devastated. However, he turned his attention to the Dauphine. When he heard of his death on 27 June he wrote in his diary: "This event touched me deeply, it was the only and last interest I had left in France. Now I have nothing left there, and everything to which I was attached is gone, for I do not care so much for Madame ... " As happens through history when a Royal dies in uncertain circumstances, false pretenders turn up. It also happened with the Dauphine Louis-Charles. Even up to our days some families claim they are descendants from him. In 2000 a DNA test was performed to settle the case. The doctor attending Louis-Charles when he died took ut his heart and preserved it. It is buried in the Church of Saint-Denis. Together with a lock of hair from descendants to Marie Antoinette, the experts performing the test acknowledged that it was most likely the heart of Louis-Charles. Why was von Fersen attached to this child? The author asked scientists if it would be possible today to do a test to see who the father is. They said it should be possible. ""It happened in the same way as when my son was born," Louis XVI wrote in his diary on the day Louis-Charles was born. But you might not want to know..."

When I hear Arsène Lupin I always think about the French tv-series that was shown in the 1970s. Loved the series. I have seen a couple of episodes on the new one. It is also good, but a little bit too modern, considering the original books. This first book (I think) is a series of short stories about different crimes that AL is performing. Told by a friend of his. It is extra ordinary, it is difficult to try to find out how they are committed, they are funny and charming. Easily read stories. The Queen's Necklace I will shortly talk about one story, since it relates to another post I wrote on Axel von Fersen and Queen Marie Antoinette by Margareta Beckman. A very interesting biography on their love story. The story of the necklace was one of the igniting sparks of the French revolution. And here it turns up in a story about Arsène Lupin. It is the story of the legendary necklace that Böhmer and Bassenge, court juwelers, had initially made for madame du Barry. It held 647 diamonds, weighed 2 800 carat and cost 1 800 000 litres (just above a billion euro in today's money). The Queen refused to buy it, but other people were out to grab it. It is quite a conspiracy and too long to tell here. In the end, the thief's behind the conspiracy, had the necklace disassembled and sold the stones in Paris and London. They lived well on the money until they were caught. Here is Maurice Leblanc's take on the story. After the theft, the only real part of the necklace was the setting, the stones had been changed. The Dreux-Soubise family owned the neckless for almost a century, and although their fortune shrank they never tried to sell the necklace. It was kept in the safe of a bank, and the wife only wore it once a year during a special ball. Everyone admired the necklace which was very important for the family. Once home from the ball, the necklace was kept in a box, and put in an alcove, isolated from the bedroom. The only entrance was opposite the bed. When Monsieur the next morning went to collect the necklace to put it back into the bank safe, it was gone. Nobody had entered through the door. In the alcove was a small window which was closed, and half of it had a board nailed to it. The classical secret of the closed room where somebody nevertheless has been able to steal the necklace. If you want to find out how it happened you have to read the book. This is one of stories the make up this book. There might be other real life stories incorporated in it, that I am not aware of. While reading I was thinking the Arsène Lupin is a little bit like Sherlock Holmes in his planning and analysing of crime. Although they are on the opposite side. I had to laugh when I came to the last story which has the title: "Herlock Sholmès comes too late."

Thank you to Emma @ Word and Peace for hosting this annual event. I have been watching a French tv-series about Brigitte Bardot. Season 1 in six episodes. It stopped when she was around 28 years old, so there might be a second season. An icon, not only in France, it was interesting to see the story of her life. I cannot say how much of it is true, although it says it is based on real events, or how much is due to dramatisation. In the end of episodes 4-6 there is information saying that her second husband, Jacques Charrier and their son Nicholas, won a court case on Brigitte's account of events. "With the publication of the memoirs of Brigitte Bardot, he found himself in the media spotlight. He sued for "violation of privacy", and was successful." (Wikipedia) I liked the tv-show very much. My views are based on how the dramatisation was shown. Julia de Nunez plays a very much look-a-like Bardot, and the acting is in general very good. She meets Roger Vadim at a very young age, 14 years, and become his mistress. They marry some years later and he is directing her in the film that took the world by storm. At least the men. And Woman ... Was Created. She became the 'property' of everyone. She must have been the first celebrity that was hunted by paparazzis. It was difficult for her to go anywhere without being recognised. All she wanted was to be left in piece, but it seems it was not feasible. She tended to fall in love with her leading actor, and her love affairs did not last for long. Her life was a feuilleton in the papers. One cannot but feel sympathy for her in this sense. In general she appears to have been rather selfish and spoilt. She could do what she wanted and she did it. When she got pregnant it was a disaster, and she was frightened during the whole pregnancy. She never took to her son, and when Brigitte and Jacques divorced he got the custody. Her life was her work and parties. Surrounded by her agents which were there when she started her career, they seem to have had quite an influence on her life. Underneath the surface there is a stroke of unhappiness, leading to several suicide attempts. A troublesome private life, although seen as a godess in the public eyes. It is not so difficult to imagine that it was a difficult life she led. Being in the spotlight must have been a disaster for her, appreciating her private life. However, if there had been no attention, it might not have been good either. Roger Vadim was a calming and good influence in her life, even after their divorce. Looking at her life, I think, she is a person of solitude. It was an interesting tv-series, well worth watching. I did not know so much about her, except her status as a godess, or, at the time, a 'sex kitten'. It is sad, because I think there is so much more to BB, as she was called.

We are nearing the end of Paris in July, but I will post a wrap-up shortly. Many thanks to Emma @ Word and Peace who skilfully guided us through Paris this year. I will end my posts about Paris and France this year, with a man who is probably, one of the most famous French people, Napoleon. I have a general knowledge about the man, but was intrigued when I was recommended this concise biography of him by David A. Bell. I think it was through Jared Henderson's youtube channel, but am not able to find the recommendation. Anyway, it is a rather short biography of the main parts of Napoleon's life. It is only 152 pages long, and around 4 hours to listen to, which I did. The biography is divided into five chapters plus an Epilogue: The Corsican, 1769-1796 The General, 1796-1799 The First Consul, 1799-1804 The Emperor, 1804-1812 Downfall, 1812-1815 Epilogue: 1815 - the Present An excellent book if you want to dive into Napoleon's life and legacy as a start. Written with insight and a grasp of Napoleon's place in the world and European history. It almost reads like a thrilling fiction book, where we follow the rise and fall of this self-made man, who had a career like nobody else. In his late twenties he was one of the greatest generals in Europe. From there he went on to master the politics of France, and extending its borders to become the most powerful country in Europe. He was a man of great power and movements, and did not hesitate to pronounce himself Emperor, putting the crown on his own head. His power, however, was based on wars and misery, which brought death to millions of soldiers. There is a very interesting part on the disastrous Russian campaign. In the end this led to his downfall and exile. Not giving up he fled Elba, came back to fight for France during 100 days, which ended with defeat at the Battle of Waterloo, on 18 June, 1815. David Bell puts Napoleon's character and career in a historical context, with some very interesting conclusions. Unfortunately, I don't have the e-book or physical copy, so can't relate to them here. You just have to read the book. An important one though, is the fact that Napoleon's career should be seen in the light of the French Revolution. The chaos that followed in the aftermath paved the road to the throne. One has to acknowledge that not anyone could have done what he did. He was a master in mobilising human and material resources. He was one of the best war strategists in history, and his power was based on wars. Although one can say that Napoleon was a revolutionary at heart, he betrayed the ideals of the Revolution, like liberty and equality, through his dictatorship. I found the book fascinating, as an introduction to the man, and am eager to read more about Napoleon, and his impact on European history. When we visited Martinique a couple of years ago, we visited the house where Joséphine was born, and I would like to know more about her as well. They did not have any children together, be he adopted her son, Eugène de Beauharnais. With his second wife Austrian princess Marie Louise, Duchess of Parma, he had a son, Napoleon II. He was born in 1811 and died of tuberculosis in 1832.

We are nearing the end of November and are already on week 4 in Nonfiction November challenge. This week is hosted by Rebekah @ She Seeks Nonfiction . I find this weekly challenge difficult. Mainly since I read mostly historical nonfiction, and I am not sure it changes anyones world views. I will probably go a slightly different path, so, let's see where I end up. Week 4: Worldview Changers: What nonfiction book or books has impacted the way you see the world in a powerful way? I went to my book shelves to check out my nonfiction books. I choose three of them that has impacted me. Maybe not changed my world views but the historical events had a great impact on many people. The Sleepwalkers , How Europe Went to War in 1914 by Christopher Clark This must be the most thorough research and writings on the first world war. Mainly centered on the origins of the war. The main event, we are told, are the shots in Sarajevo killing Archduke Franz Ferdinand, heir to Austro-Hungarian throne and his wife, the Duchess of Hohenberg. Well, as Christopher Clark shows, there are a few other events leading up to this devastating war. "The British historian A.J.P Taylor and the American historian Barbara Tuchman wrote that ’the war was a result of rigid planning, train schedules and treaty commitments. That is, it was the final stop in a chain of events that could not stop the train, once it started’. It is a very good description and after having read Clark’s book you can see how all decisions from the persons and countries involved, although aimed at not starting a war, on the contrary, lead directly to war." (from my review, link above). The book is called a master piece and that is no understatement. Well researched, well written, and an easy read even for the average reader. I guess it does teach us something, and changes our views on politics and politicians. My final paragraph in the review reads. "What amazed me, was how supposedly, responsible emperors, kings and politicians acted. Many times due to small reasons of self interest, making a decision without a proper back ground, without thinking of the greater picture, a lack of knowing what the others were doing, interpreting what they were doing, rightly or wrongly. It was like these people were sitting with the map of Europe and made their next move with a chess piece. Rather scaring. " I think this book did change my view on how the world is working. Prince of Princes: The Life of Potemkin by Simon Sebag Montefiore Another fantastic book about a person who seems to have been greater than life. A story about a great statesman and his relationship and love for Catherine the Great. In a way it has a bearing in what is happening today. Potemkin was promoted to Field Marshal in 1783 and took over the control of Crimea when it was annexed. He was a powerful man in the area and founded several cities, among them Kherson and Odessa. Apart from the historically interested people today, his name is mostly associated with ‘Potemkin village’. This goes back to the time when Catherine the Great was visiting him. The time was short and he wanted to make her believe he had achieved more than he had. He thus used painted façades to fool Catherine. These façades hid the fact there was nothing behind. Maybe he inspired the movie industry? Just a few days ago the world heard the news that when the Russians evacuated the city of Kherson they took the bones of Potemkin, buried in St Catherine's Cathedral, with them. Being the founder of the city his bones have a significance and great importance to the Ukrainians. For Russia as well, as they see Potemkin as being behind the conquest of the area in 1783. A Rage to Live by Mary S. Lovell I leave the war scene and go into exploration. Why not talk about one of the greatest, Sir Richard Burton. Mary S. Lovell is one of my favourite historical biographers. She writes so well, take you into other people's life, in a respectful way, and make you never want to leave. Sir Richard Burton is another man, greater than life. The achievements he did during his life time and the will to always learn new things. A brilliant mind, charismatic person, linguist, he spoke 24 languages, scholar, translator (he translated the Arabian Nights ) and a daring adventurer. What is not to love here? Reading about such people you feel rather small yourself. At the same time it gives you an insight in what man can do, if you put your mind to it. Everything seemed open to him. He was not afraid of trying new things and adventures. I guess you can say that he opened up the world to me in a way. Following in his fot steps, even if you are sitting in the sofa at home, he teases you to follow him. Do you think there is one book that everyone needs to read for a better understanding of the world we live in? A difficult question. I don't think there is one book that would do that for mankind. You probably have to widen your perspective with nonfiction books about different areas of society and different parts of the world. We all live different lives, and there is not one book that can make a better understanding of the world, for all people around the globe. A variety of nonfiction is the answer I think. Which should give me a big kick in the behind to start reading more than historical nonfiction.

It is time for DDM Reading Week 8-15 May, 2023 , hosted by heavenali . It came at the right time for me since I have decided to read through DDM's novels, and possibly some of her non-fiction. I April I read five of her novellas; Don't Look Now, The Apple Tree, The Birds, Not After Midnight and The Blue Lenses . I really liked them, with their almost gothic stories, a sens of something terrible lingering between the lines. I could not get hold of one of her novels, so decided to read three books I have on my shelves. I read them many years ago and don't really remember too much of the stories. I started with The King's General, a story about the civil war in England in the mid 17th century. As I understand, DDM has based her story on actual events and the actual Richard Grenville as the general, adding fictional characters, to tell a story of the devastating civil war and its casualties. Honor Harris is a young girl in Cornwall from a well to do family. At 17 she meets Grenville at a ball and the two fall in love. They keep it secret for some time and their affair does not go down well with her family. After finally receiving the agreement to marry, Honor visits Grenville at his estate and they go hunting. Honor can not control her horse and an accident is inevitable. The accident leaves her paralysed. The marriage is called off. Honor survives and when we meet her she is old, and has decided to write down her story. Thus, we get the story of her love, family and the civil war from her point of view, which works very well. It is a different kind of love story, maybe typical of DDM? Many of her stories about love come with obstacles. This might be the way with love stories in general, but DDM's stories have a bit of an undertone, hard to put your finger on, and you are never sure weather it is going to end happily or not. There are very good descriptions of the war. How it effected the population, the harshness of the conditions and the violence. DDM gives you a personal account with her real, and fictional, characters. It is excellently done. She knows Cornwall very well and it is beautifully, and violently, described. It made me think of Poldark, although that story is set about a hundred years later. Maybe, the landscape of Cornwall is made for violent stories of war, harsh weather and love. The estate of Menabilly plays a big part in the novel. DDM herself was living in a house named Menabilly when she wrote the novel. She did extensive research before she started writing the book. Many of the characters lived in the area, and part of the story is based on facts, mixed with the fictional relationship and private stories. I liked the character of Honor very much, as well as many of the other ones. However, Sir Richard Grenvile is not a likeable character at all. A rude, very egoistic man, whose only 'weak' point, if you can call it that, would be his love for Honor. I read that this novel is only one of three that has a female narrator. Thinking of the five novellas mentioned above, only one of them have a female narrator, The Blue Lenses . I really enjoyed this historical fiction, and am happy to venture into more works by Daphne du Maurier. Next up will be The Parasites or The Glass Blowers.