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.

During our trip to Egypt in December last year, we visited most of the famous sites. One of the most important ones is Luxor. We set out early one morning, leaving our cruiser ship, and with a driver and a guide, drove to the other side of the Nile to visit the Valley of the Kings. But, what is the French connection here? Well, we have to go back to Napoleon’s invasion of Egypt in 1798, and the beginning of modern Egyptology. Napoleon’s Egyptian Expedition (1798–1801) The main aim with the invasion was mainly strategic - to threaten British routes to India. However, Napoleon brought with him a group of about 160 scientists, engineers, artists, architects, and scholars. Their task was to measure, sketch, map and document the ancient monuments of Egypt; temples, tombs, flora, fauna, and people. For people in Europe this was a first look into the history of ancient Egypt. The Rosetta Stone In 1799, French soldiers discovered the Rosetta Stone near Rashid (Rosetta), at the Mediterranean coast, east of Alexandria. The stone is unique since it contains the same text written in hieroglyphs, Demotic Egyptian, and Greek. Although the British seized the stone after defeating the French, this discovery became vital to deciphering the hieroglyphs. The Rosetta Stone can today be seen in the British Museum. Several linguists took on the task, but, in the end, it was French scholar Jean-François Champollion who cracked the code in 1822. This helped architects and historians to decypher the inscriptions on the walls of temples and tombs. All of a sudden the world of the ancient Egyptians opened up to modern man. I have on my shelves The Keys of Egypt, The Race to Read the Hieroglyphs by Lesley and Roy Adkins. This is more exciting than any thriller story you can make up. Description de l’Égypte One of the most important results of Napoleon’s expedition was the publication of the monumental work Description de l’Égypte (1809–1829). I don’t have that work, but bought the book Egypt Revealed, Scenes from Napoleon’s Description de l’Egypt, edited by Robert Anderson and Ibrahim Fawzy., when I was living in Egypt. The book contains hundreds of detailed engravings of temples, tombs and people’s every day lives. Furthermore, it is, even today, useful information for archeologists since many of the monuments look different today due to damages, restoration or excavations which altered the original structures. Quite a fantastic account of past times. Throughout the 19th century French scholars continued to play a leading role in studying Egypt. Institute d’Archéologie Orientale in Cairo, became the center for Egyptological research. The Luxor Obelisk The most visible symbol of the French-Egyptian connections today is the Luxor Obelisk. In 1830, Egypt’s ruler, Muhammad Ali Pasha, presented the two obelisks that stood before Luxor Temple to France. One has to be grateful that France ultimately transported only one of them—the western obelisk. It was taken to Paris, where it was erected in Place de la Concorde in 1836. The matching obelisk remains at Luxor Temple today. The Paris obelisk is over 3,000 years old, dates to the reign of Ramesses II(c. 1303 – 1213 BC), and remains one of the most recognisable Egyptian monuments outside Egypt. The expeditions impact on Europe Napoleon’s expedition sparked Egyptomania across Europe and here are some of the impacts: it sparked Egyptian-inspired architecture; obelisks were raised in public squares, furniture and decorations were filled with Egyptian motifs, it caused an increased interest in mummies and archaeology, and, maybe most important, it saw the birth of Egyptology as a scientific discipline. Even today, the French often describe the Luxor Obelisk in Paris as a symbol of the long cultural relationship between the two countries. If you are interested in reading more about our trip to Egypt, I am writing several articles on the trip on my newsletters (see links below). Are you interested in my posts on travel, history and culture? Have a look at my Substack newsletters (in English och på svenska). The Content Reader Den tillfälliga besökaren

Dear Bookish friends, It was a while since I posted here. Spring, and especially May was a very busy time, with both good and bad things. I am hoping for a quieter June with more time to communicate, read and relax as we are nearing summer in Sweden. This article will be about bookish thoughts and an interesting historical revelation. My Summer Challenges This summer I will follow two challenges: 20 Book of Summer , although I will limit myself to 10 books, all from my TBR shelves. At the same time, I will follow Sue Jackson of Book by Book who hosts a Big Book Summer Reading Challenge. Also here, I choose books from my TBRs and hopefully I can get through these “bricks” as we call thick books in Swedish. Franzen, Jonathan - Freedom Byatt, A.S. - The Children’s Book Geras, Adèle - Ljus och skugga (Facing the Light) Laoutaris, Chris - Shakespeare and the Countess Oates, Joyce Carol - Blondie March, April and May Reading Wrap-up Coming up towards the end of the first half of 2026, I am far behind on my quest for reading 100 books this year. So far I have only read 29 books, of which I read 11 during the last three months. I might finish one more book. Nonfiction Bibeln och arkeologin (The Bible and Archeology) by Hans Furuhagen is an interesting book starting with stories from the Bible and what science has been able to certify or prove through archeological digs. Very interesting. A Short History of Myths by Karen Armstrong. An overview of myth building in old, ancient and modern societies. Ett utrikes liv by Ingmar Karlsson. A former colleague of mine has written down his memories from his time in the Foreign Service. He covers around 40 years of development in Europe, Middle East and China. He is an excellent writer so a pleasure to read. Weimarrepubliken (The Weimar Republic) by Olle Larsson. A short history of Germany after World War II. Interesting look into a different governing body and its aftermaths. Classics One classic and that was The Invisible Man by H.G. Wells. A somewhat strange story. Fiction Tarantel (Tarantula) by Eduardo Halfon. A book I read for a book circle I was not able to attend. A Guatemalan author which I have never heard of before. The story follows two brothers who return to Guatemala in the 1980s to attend a Jewish survival camp. What begins as a cultural and educational experience gradually turns disturbing and traumatic, forcing them to confront fear, identity, and the legacy of historical violence. As an adult, the narrator revisits those memories and uncovers the deeper meaning of what happened, exploring how childhood trauma and Jewish history continue to shape his life. (summary by ChatGPT). Very well written story of childhood memories and nightmares and how it affects your life. I would read more by this author. Den stygga flickans rackartyg (Travesuras de la niña mala/The Bad Girl) by Mario Vargas Llosa. My review under the link. Glömda om söndagen (Les Oubliés du dimanche/Forgotten on Sunday) by Valérie Perrin. We follow Justine, a young nursing assistant in a retirement home who forms a close bond with Hélène, a nearly 100-year-old resident. As Hélène shares memories of love, war, and loss, Justine starts uncovering long-buried secrets about her own family. It is a moving story of family, love, friendship and how the past affects our present lives. It is beautifully written with many memorable sentences and thoughts about life. Makes me want to read her Fresh Water for Flowers. Guppies for tea by Marika Cobbold Hjörne. A couple of years ago I found a book by this author (Swedish, but living in England) called Shooting Butterflies which turned out to be one of my all favourite books. This is her first book and it is written in the same beautiful prose and insight into family relationships. The two books are about the relationships between old and young. A little bit like Perrin’s novel. It is touching, and thought provoking at the same time. Written with love and tenderness. Totally what you need in the unruly world we live in today. Den som följer en stjärna vänder inte om by Malin Haawind. A historical fiction about Malin Blomsterberg, house keeper for Ellen Key. Ellen Key was a Swedish writer, educator, and feminist best known for her influential ideas on children's rights, progressive education, and women's emancipation. She became especially famous for her book The Century of the Child, which argued that the 20th century should focus on the well-being and development of children. Her work had a major impact on educational reform movements in Europe. This is a historical fiction on Malin’s life. Her struggles to do her house hold work, as well as being a companion and discussion partner for the great lady. Interesting, but sad life story. Studier i mänskligt beteende (“Studies in Human Behaviour” my translation) by Lena Andersson. Lena Andersson is a Swedish novelist and columnist known for her sharp, analytical writing about relationships, power, and ideology. She gained major recognition for her novel Wilful Disregard (2013), which explores obsessive love and emotional manipulation. Her work often combines psychological insight with critical social commentary. The same could be said about this book, containing short stories seen from female perspectives. Their relationships and place in the world. Some of the characters from one short story also appears in another, putting together a web of female lives and decisions. Very interesting, and I really liked this book. Ancient finds Last but not least, a very interesting discovery has been made in Egypt by archaeologists from the Oxyrhynchus Archaeological Mission (University of Barcelona). They have uncovered an extraordinary find from the Roman era. Namely, a fragment of Homer’s Iliad placed inside a mummy as part of the embalming process. The discovery was made at the Al Bahnasa necropolis, the Egyptian site identified with ancient Oxyrhynchus. It is situated around 190 kilometres south of Cairo and was an important city the Greco-Roman era. The excavation has revealed a funerary complex dating back around 1,600 years. The chambers where the sarcophagi and mummies were found, were unfortunately looted, not uncommon in Egypt. The find was made in Tomb 65 where researchers discovered a papyrus placed on the abdomen of a mummy—a position previously known to contain Greek papyri, but earlier, only magical or ritual texts have been found, never literary works. After analysis, scholars identified the text as belonging to Book II of the Iliad, specifically the “Catalogue of Ships,” which lists the Greek forces before Troy. This is the first known case of a Greek literary text being deliberately integrated into the mummification ritual. I can imagine the excitement from the archeologists when this was revealed. (more information from the University of Barcelona). This is a remarkable find that highlights how much remain to be discovered in Egypt. Many ancient sites preserve stories of the past, and each excavation adds another piece to a much larger historical puzzle. Modern finds I made a more modest find in a bookshop in Innsbruck. They sold pocket books in English for 7€ a piece and I made two discoveries. Snow Country by Yasunari Kawabata - I am not familiar with this specific Japanese writer, but have recently read several good books by Japanese writers. I have just started, and the prose is calm, descriptive and beautiful. From the back cover: “Shimamura is tired of the bustling city. He takes the train through the snow to the mountains of the west coast of Japan to meet with a geisha he believes he loves. Beautiful and innocent, Komako is tightly bound by the rules of a rural geisha and lives a life of servitude and seclusion that is alien to Shimamura - their love offers no freedom to either of them.” The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea by Axie Oh - I have a feeling I have been hearing good things about this novel. Axie Oh is a first generation Korean-American author. From Oh’s website I find this about the book. Sounds interesting to me. “The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea is an enthralling feminist retelling of the classic Korean folktale “The Tale of Shim Cheong,” perfect for fans of Wintersong, Uprooted, and Miyazaki’s Spirited Away. Deadly storms have ravaged Mina’s homeland for generations. Floods sweep away entire villages, while bloody wars are waged over the few remaining resources. Her people believe the Sea God, once their protector, now curses them with death and despair. In an attempt to appease him, each year a beautiful maiden is thrown into the sea to serve as the Sea God’s bride, in the hopes that one day the “true bride” will be chosen and end the suffering. Many believe that Shim Cheong, the most beautiful girl in the village—and the beloved of Mina’s older brother Joon—may be the legendary true bride. But on the night Cheong is to be sacrificed, Joon follows Cheong out to sea, even knowing that to interfere is a death sentence. To save her brother, Mina throws herself into the water in Cheong’s stead. Swept away to the Spirit Realm, a magical city of lesser gods and mythical beasts, Mina seeks out the Sea God, only to find him caught in an enchanted sleep. With the help of a mysterious young man named Shin—as well as a motley crew of demons, gods and spirits—Mina sets out to wake the Sea God and bring an end to the killer storms once and for all. But she doesn’t have much time: A human cannot live long in the land of the spirits. And there are those who would do anything to keep the Sea God from waking…” Are you interested in my posts on travel, history and culture? Have a look at my Substack newsletters (in English och på svenska). The Content Reader Den tillfälliga besökaren

Since I have been very busy at the first half of this year, I have not participated in any real challenges, and hardly read or reviewed any books either. But, when I saw AnnaBookBel’s annual challenge of 20 Books of Summer, I decided to try out at least ten books from my TBR. Here are some of the rules (very easy and flexible) but head over to her web-site for more information. This is your first call to start planning… The #20BOS26 challenge runs from Monday June 1st to Monday August 31st The first rule of 20 Books is that there are no real rules, other than signing up for 10, 15 or 20 books and trying to read from your TBR. (If you think you’ll only manage 5, that’s fine too.) Pick your list in advance, or nominate a bookcase to read from, or pick just at whim from your TBR. If you do pick a list, you can change it at any time – swap books in/out. Don’t get panicked at not reaching your target, it’s not really a challenge as such. Just enjoy a summer of great reading and make a bit of space on your shelves! Don’t forget to add your posts to the monthly linkys. The final one will stay open till for a week into September to catch the last reviews. I’ve made some new logos, for 20, 15 and 10 books, including a set for winter for those in the Southern hemisphere – do resize as needed (they’re 500 high jpgs, showing as smaller here). I’ve also rejigged Emma’s book bingo card below if you’d like to add another layer of challenge. If you’re planning to join in please do add your blog / planning post link to the Mr Linky (on her website) the logos and bingo card now, which’ll help us keep track, and you can use the hashtag #20BOS26 on your socials (I’ve made it shorter this year). My challenge I will aim for 10 books, but anything above will be a bonus. Hopefully, I can also fill some of the squares from the Bingo card. I will go for five fiction and five nonfiction. Here are ten books I will try to read this summer. They are all from my TBR shelves, some of them have been there for a long time, so it is about time I read them now. What are you planning to read this summer, or winter, if you come from the southern hemisphere? Are you interested in my posts on travel, history and culture? Have a look at my Substack newsletters (in English och på svenska). The Content Reader Den tillfälliga besökaren

“Well, at heart I knew she'd never be a normal woman. And I didn't want her to be one, because what I loved in her were the indomitable and unpredictable aspects of her personality” ― Mario Vargas Llosa, Travesuras de la niña mala I have read my first book by the Peruvian author and Nobel Prize laureate Mario Vargas Llosa: Den stygga flickans rackartyg, or The Bad Girl in English. Vargas Llosa won the prize for “his cartography of structures of power and his trenchant images of the individual’s resistance, revolt, and defeat.” This is a very good description of the novel, although I don’t think it is his most famous work. It is a story about obsession — in this case, a man’s obsession with a woman. At the start of the novel we meet Ricardo Somocurcio (the narrator) as a young boy. Together with other youngsters they enjoy themselves as young people do, and one day he meets the “Chilean girl.” He falls in love, but circumstances work against them and she disappears. Ricardo’s dream is to live and work in Paris, and this dream is fulfilled when he goes there to study and becomes an interpreter. He is even happier when, one day, he meets the Chilean girl again in Paris. This becomes the recurring pattern of Ricardo’s life. The girl is a woman striving for another life — richer and more luxurious than Ricardo can ever give her. She appears and disappears over the years, always coming back to Ricardo when she is down and out. Although she hurts him emotionally, he cannot stop loving her. Vargas Llosa gives us this story against the backdrop of the latter half of the 20th century. There is the Peruvian revolution, the Swinging Sixties, the AIDS epidemic, and the collapse of the Soviet Union. As the times change, so does the girl, always seeking new, wealthy men who can give her a luxurious life. She returns — or Ricardo happens to meet her — as the wife of a French diplomat, as a revolutionary, as an aristocratic wife in London, a luxury escort in Tokyo, and in other identities in other countries. Every time their paths coincide, he falls in love again, in spite of the fact that she treats him badly. Themes and Meanings You cannot really say that the novel is story-driven; rather, it is character-driven. Although we follow Ricardo’s career path, his friends, and his lovers, the main focus is always the bad girl. He is obsessed and she is free. She tells him she cannot live an ordinary life, that she feels like a prisoner. Although she moves between a rich and luxurious life and one that is more mundane, she cannot give up her lifestyle. The bad girl is constantly changing her name, background, and social class. She is a survivor, able to control the environment she is in at the moment. On the contrary, Ricardo wants to live a quiet life in Paris, and although his work takes him all over the world, he is most content when being in Paris. These two people — who, I would say, do love each other, but in different ways — represent obsessiveness versus freedom; being satisfied and content versus a constant urge to find something new. Their dreams totally differ. Ricardo knows that the bad girl is not good for him, but he cannot let her go. Every time they meet, he hopes she has changed. At the end of the novel they meet again, but I will not give any spoilers. The Characters We only get the narration from Ricardo, so it is difficult to know what the bad girl feels inside. From the beginning she hides how poor she is. In a way, I guess this is why she always looks for a better life. It becomes her “career”: wanting to be someone else than she is. As Ricardo is obsessed with his love for her, she is obsessed with freedom, status, and wealth. When she meets Ricardo, she leaves him when life becomes too stable and quiet. She does not want to be dependent on anyone and is always playing a role depending on the man she meets. It is difficult to like the character of the bad girl. Maybe because we see her actions from the outside and do not get to know her from the inside. Ricardo, on the other hand, is a good guy — maybe a little too good, stable, and boring. The contrast between their lives really stands out. Why does Ricardo put up with her? That is perhaps the big question in this novel. It could be a matter of her being his first love, his ideal, his dream. He always waits for her, even if she hurts him. Maybe he admires her mysterious ways, her search for freedom. She is a fantasy that always returns. Then his dream starts again — the dream of being with her forever. In spite of the hurt he feels, he always forgives her. Maybe he thinks he will always be there to catch her when her relationships fail. Maybe he is afraid that without her, his own stable, quiet life without any real drama will be too empty. The Relationship It is a very tragic relationship. He is only really happy when she is around, and she recovers with his love but still cannot stay with him. The big question is: does she, in spite of everything, love him? I think she does, in her own way. She always comes back to him, trusts him, and confides in him. Probably he is the only one to whom she shows her true self — a safe haven when she needs it. Although his love is everything, her love is more calculating, less romantic, and she values things he cannot give her. The tragedy is that they love each other in very different ways — ways that do not coincide with what they want in life. An interesting novel about a very different relationship. Vargas Llosa places the story within the wider context of international and political events during the latter part of the 20th century. This might be important, since it was a time of great developments and possibilities. Set in another time frame, the story of Ricardo and the bad girl might not have fitted so well into the world around them. Are you interested in my posts on travel, history and culture? Have a look at my Substack newsletters (in English och på svenska). The Content Reader Den tillfälliga besökaren

Hello, Life has been busy and my posts rare. Now I have three posts to share with you. These days I use Substack as my main blog. Feel free to head over there for subscribing, or just to have a look. You find it here: My Bookish Corner My Artist Date for mid March What is a Myth? To be obsessed by a TV-series

I am currently mostly writing my posts on my substack account. I will from time to time write a post with links to them, or I might write a full post here as well. I very much enjoy working and writing on substack. Somehow it gives you another dimension. I have been slow in general lately, due to personal reasons, to post at all. It starts to get better now, so hopefully there will be a few more reviews and update on challenges here. In the meantime, I have three posts that might be of interest. The 52 Book Club Reading Challenge February Book Haul - and a review of The Shadow over Innsmouth by H.P. Lovecraft February Reading Wrap-up and what I plan to read for March

When we are travelling with our van, we sometimes have big plans for the places we visit, and sometimes we have an end station and discover a lot of interesting places on the way. This is how we discovered Chillon and its mysterious and dangerous past. As always, while visiting interesting places or museums, I try to find a book about the place and the story behind. In the Castle of Chillon I found a small literary guide edited by Patrick Vincent. He has collected “travel narratives, letters, poetry and fiction of close to fifty British and American writers, spanning almost three and a half centuries.” Sometimes I wonder what we would have done without the people (that is, those with money and often a title) who went from Britain (mainly) for their traditional Grand Tour of Europe. So much have been written about these places which are big tourist spots even today. It is interesting to see how people in those days took in the places, buildings, paintings, sculptures and much more. Many of them have left written accounts of their travels, some not. One of the most famous, and idle, of these travellers is Lord Byron. Where did he not go? I think we can easily say that he is the one who made the Castle of Chillon known to a wider circle. He visited the Château de Chillon in the summer of 1816, together with his friend Percy Bysshe Shelley. Those of you who are familiar with the circle of Lord Byron in Villa Diodati that specific year, know that it has come down as the year without a summer. Mainly due to severe climatic events. Temperatures in Europe decreased and it was the coldest summer of any records between 1766 and 2000. Evidence suggests it was caused by the massive 1815 eruption of Mount Tambora in modern-day Indonesia. Thanks to this event the word saw the creation of Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein. But, that is another story, let’s get back to the Castle of Chillon. Château de Chillon The Castle itself sits on a rocky island on Lake Geneva and dates back to at least the 12th century. It stands in a beautiful spot, in the lake with the mountain as a back-drop, making the harsh walls less imposing. It is only an illusion. It began as a strategic fortress controlling the Alpine trade routes between northern and southern Europe. From the 13th to 16th centuries, it was expanded into a grand residence by the Counts of Savoy, who used it as both a stronghold and a symbol of power. In 1536, the castle was captured by Bernese forces, becoming an administrative center and prison. After the canton of Vaud restored the castle in the 19th century, it has become on of the best-preserved medieval castles in Switzerland. If you are in the vicinity it is really worth a visit. The pillar where Bonivard was chained Its most famous prisoner was François Bonivard (1493-1570), who was immortalised by Lord Byron in his poem The Prisoner of Chillon. He was a Genevan patriot, historian, and supporter of the Reformation. Because he opposed the rule of the Duke of Savoy, Charles III, he became a political target. In 1530, Savoyard forces captured him and imprisoned him in the dungeons of Chillon, where he was kept for six years. According to accounts, Bonivard was chained to a stone pillar, allowed to walk only in a small circle worn into the floor by his steps. Though harshly confined, he survived—something many prisoners did not. It is amazing, since even in the summer it is rather cold and damp in the dungeon. Maybe he survived due to the fresh air coming in from the open window? In 1536, Bernese Protestant troops conquered the region and freed him. He return to Geneva, where he lived a turbulent but influential life, writing an important history of Geneva. View from the pillar. The dungeon is situated at lake level The Visitors The earliest account in this little gem of a book is from 1664 and the latest in 1979. I list just a few of the most famous visitors here: John William Polidori, in September 1816 (he was also part of the Byron party in Villa Diodati. His ghost story was published as The Vampyre ). Marie Edgeworth (1820), Charles Dickens (1846), John Ruskin (1833), James Fenimore Cooper (1828), Harriet Beacher Stowe (1853), Nathaniel Hawthorne (1859), Henry James (1872) who incorporated the castle in his novel Daisy Miller . Mark Twain (1879), F. Scott Fitzgerald (1930) and Anita Brookner (1984). The Poem The Prisoner of Chillon is too long to write here, but you can read it under the link. Lord Byron also wrote a sonnet: Sonnet of Chillon “ Eternal Spirit of the chainless Mind!Brightest in dungeons, Liberty! thou art:For there thy habitation is the heart—The heart which love of thee alone can bind;And when thy sons to fetters are consigned—To fetters, and the damp vault’s dayless gloom,Their country conquers with their martyrdom,And Freedom’s fame finds wings on every wind.Chillon! thy prison is a holy place,And thy sad floor an altar—for ’twas trod,Until his very steps have left a traceWorn, as if thy cold pavement were a sod,By Bonnivard!—May none those marks efface!For they appeal from tyranny to God. ” The Castle of Chillon by Letitia Elizabeth Landon (1837) "Fair lake, thy lovely and thy haunted shoreHath only echoes for the poet’s luteNone may tread there but with unsandalled foot,Submissive to the great who went before,Filled with mighty memories of yore.And yet how mournful are the records there:Captivity and exile and despairDid the endure who now endure no more,-The patriot, the woman and the bard,Whose name thy winds and waters bear along;What did the world bestow for their rewardBut suffering, sorrow, bitterness and wrong?Genius! A hard and weary lot is thine,-The hear thy fuel, and the grave thy shrine." From Modern Painters III by John Ruskin (1833) “… Let us see how poetry and history themselves differ, in their use of variable and invariable details. I am writing at a window which commands a view of the head of the Lake of Geneva; and as I look up from my paper, to consider this point, I see, beyond it, a blue breadth of softly moving water, and the outline of the mountains above Chillon, bathed in morning mist. The first verses which naturally come into my mind are -””A thousand feet in depth belowThe massy waters meet and flow;So far the fathom line was sentFrom Chillon’s snow-white battlement.” Harriet Beacher Stowe (1853) “… What a power of vitality was there in Bonnevard, that he did not sink in lethargy, and forget himself to stone! But he did not; it is said that when the victorious Swiss arme broke in to liberate him, they cried, -”Bonnevard, you are free!”” Et Genève?” ”Geneva is fee also!”You ought to have heard the enthusiasm with which our guide told this story!” Letter to Mollie McQuillan Fitzgerald, June 1930 by F.S. Fitzgerald (1930) “Dear Mother:My delay in writing is due to the fact that Zelda has been desperately ill with a complete nervous breakdown and is in a sanitarium near here (…) Tell Father I visited the ”- seven pillars of Gothic mouldIn Chillon’s dungeons deep and old,” Fitzgerald also used Chillon in his Tender is the Night (1934) If you are interested in reading about my travels, history and culture, please check in on: The Content Reader newsletter (English) Den tillfälliga besökaren (Swedish)

January passed very quickly and we are already into February. I can’t say that I had a very interesting reading month, more leisurely wise. As it was not the best month for me, I took it easy with my choices, which is why they tend to lean on the lighter side. Read in January Death in the Clouds by Agatha Christie En klenod i samlingen by Agatha Christie The Accidental Tourist by Anne Tyler Muhammed by Klas Grinell Passenger to Frankfurt by Agatha Christie I Feel Bad About My Neck by Nora Ephron 4.50 from Paddington by Agatha Christie Complete Odes by Pindar Jason and the Argonauts by Apollonius of Rhodes That makes four Agatha Christie in my quest to read all her books. 4.50 from Paddington was the best, I think, and really good. Passenger to Frankfurt started out very well, but I somehow lost track towards the end. These are books where either HP or Miss M are in the story but being side characters. Anne Tyler is a favourite author and The Accidental Tourist is great. I loved the film when I saw it many years ago. I would like to use this novel for my challenge: Read the book, see the movie. I started to read all of Anne Tyler’s books in a challenge a couple of years ago, but somehow stopped mid way. This is a way to start reading her again. She is a sure observer of human psychology and actions, especially family related. I have not read anything by Nora Ephron earlier, although seeing several films she wrote. In this book, I Feel Bad About My Neck , we follow her through her life, interests, work and family life and it is gives you a good feeling reading her short insights into her life. Especially, in this confused world we are living in for the moment. Only one nonfiction book this month, and it is also an audio book. Muhammed by Klas Grinell . He is an author and associate professor of the history of ideas, with a focus on Islamic tradition, cultural heritage and philosophy. It is an interesting, short introduction to the life of Mohammed, his time and deeds. Finally, two books included in my Curriculum reading of Literature and History. Complete Odes by Pindar was written in the early 5th century BCE, Pindar’s odes are among the most celebrated works of ancient Greek lyric poetry. Composed to honor victors in the various Panhellenic athletic games. They combine praise with myth, moral reflection, and religious devotion. I found it rather difficult to read and it is very dense. It is famous for offering a glimpse into Greek values of excellence, fame, and the fragile balance between human success and divine favour. I can only recommend it if you are really into the ancient Greek world. Jason and the Argonauts by Apollonius of Rhodes is more accessible and tells the story of Jason and his quest for the Golden Fleece. It is always a fascinating story and I did not really know the details. It was composed in the 3rd century BCE. Unliked Homer’s epics, this poem focuses on psychological depth, emotional conflict, and complex character relationships—most notably the inner turmoil of Medea. Here is an epic full of adventure as Jason and his Argonauts set out to find the Golden Fleece. We meet friends and foes, and some of the most famous people from the Greek myths; Jason and Medea. Especially the second part was written in a style that felt very modern, with thrilling descriptions on how to manage to catch the fleece and get away with it. An interesting mix between a classical epic story telling and more modern tones. This story is for everyone who wants to know the story behind the Golden Fleece. I have also joined two read-alongs with Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy with host Nick Senger and Paradise Lost by John Milton with hostess GlutenbergBible . I really enjoy reading these two classics in a slow pace. Plans for February At the end of 2025 I decided to plan part of my monthly reading by reading specific genres. It did not turn out well in January, as I did not plan it. For every month I would like to read a book from the following genres. Classics/Read-a-long: Anna Karenina - a chapter a day - ongoing until the summer Classics/Read-a-long: Paradise Lost - certain lines a day - ongoing until the summer Non-fiction: Classics: Novell: SciFi: I did try to read A Clockwork Orange by Anthony Burgess for January but could not stand the language and gave up after two pages. Yep, although a classic as well. Apart from the continuous read-along here is what I have planned. I try to use books from my own shelves, to lower the number of unread books crowded there. Non-fiction: Why We Sleep - Unlocking the Power of Sleep and Dreams by Matthew Walker - perfect, I hope, for someone who does not sleep very well. Classics: Makurells i Wadköping by Hjalmar Bergman - A Swedish Classic that made a great success as a tv-series in 1968. It is a satirical novel about a flamboyant, dishonest businessman who schemes his way through a small Swedish town. Through his rise and fall, Bergman exposes hypocrisy, self-deception, and the thin line between success and fraud. I have just started and find it a little bit slow in the beginning. Novella: Breakfast at Tiffanys by Truman Capote - I think it does not need any further introduction. Could easily go under Classics as well. SciFi: Animal Farm by George Orwell - I have read his 1984 but never got around to this one. Also this one is a classic. My Curriculum I am on the road to Antiquity with my reading for Literature and History. The recommendations come from the youtube channel of Dr Jean Menzies; Jean’s Thoughts. She is an Ancient Historian and Author and talks about the Ancient world in an understandable way. This month I will read the following two books Library of Greek Mythology by Apollodorus is one of the most important surviving handbooks of Greek myth. “Written as a compilation, it traces mythological history from the origins of the gods through the heroes of the Trojan War, preserving countless stories that are otherwise lost or fragmented in earlier sources. Its clear, almost encyclopedic style makes it invaluable for both scholars and modern readers.” Posthomerica by Quintus Smyrnaeus picks up “the story of the Trojan War where Homer’s Iliad ends, narrating the events from Hector’s death to the fall of Troy and the Greeks’ departure. Composed centuries later in Homeric style, the poem fills a major gap in the epic tradition, blending reverence for Homer with late-antique literary sensibilities.” These two should give me more insight into the Greek myths, and the fascinating tale of the Trojan War and its heroes. Apart from these reading goals I hope to read a few books that come my way during the month.

The Artist Way and its exercises have been dormant for a while. I was travelling in December and beginning of January. Then my father suddenly passed away in mid January and my life went on a hold. He was 100 years old, but it still came as a chock, partly because it happened so fast. I was in time to spend some days with him in the hospital before he quietly passed, and I am happy about that. Still, it has affected my life, and the emptiness takes away my energy. I am now trying to hold on to slowly starting living my life again. The Artist Way is one of the projects I have, and I hope it will help me find my energy again. I started yesterday morning with the Morning Pages and it felt good to write down what has been happening lately. I wanted to start all over again with week 1 and 2, but decided to continue with week 3. The Artist Date My Artist Date this week was a visit to Malmö Live Concert House for a concert with Shostakovich. His 2nd Waltz is one of my favourite classical pieces, the most beautiful music you can imagine. But, there was more on the programme. Frederick Delius - On Hearing the First Cuckoo in Spring, tonpoem för orkester (1912) Benjamin Britten - Violinkonsert i d-moll, op. 15 (1939) Dmitrij Shostakovich - Symfoni nr 10 i e-moll, op. 93 (1953) It was a beautiful concert with Martin Brabbins as the conductor, and he was excellent. I have never heard of Delius before, but it was a light, rather short peace. I am not that familiar with Britten’s work, this is probably the first I ever heard. It was technically a difficult piece, and the guest violinist, Alexandra Conunova from Moldova, did an excellent performance. Britten might not be my favourite after this piece. I did see though, that he has written a short opera on The Turning of the Screw. I would like to listen to that. Maybe for next week’s artist date? The best came at the end. Shostakovich’s 10th symphony was nothing but powerful and full of beautiful parts in between. Shostakovich wrote this following the death of Joseph Stalin. Shostakovich lived in a constant state of anxiety during Stalin’s regime. His life and career hung in the balance more than once. Julian Barnes has written a great book on his life in The Noice of Time. Highly recommended if you are interested in Shostakovich. This piece has been understood as Shostakovich’s long-suppressed response to decades of political terror, artistic censorship, and personal fear. The opening movement is dark and brooding, unfolding slowly. Then comes the second one, a more violent and powerful tune, often interpreted as a musical portrait of Stalin himself - short, brutal, and terrifying in its force. This might not have been the composer’s intent, but it is there and it is very powerful. The third movement is going back to a more quieter tune, paving way for the finale which gives a sense of triumph. You draw a breath when the last tunes have faded out. Absolutely fantastic. I am continuing with my morning pages which is a great way of getting rid of inner turmoil. There are questions to be answered; tasks to perform and finally the Check-out. Have you done what you should do this week. It gives you a push in - hopefully - the right direction. Have you heard of the Artist’s Way? Have you been following it? Leave a comment and tell me all about it.