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September 06, 2009

The Sunday Salon: Back to the past in different ways

One of the reasons why I have so little time to write about books is my mother, after many many years feels strong and healthy again , so we made some one day trips this summer to the places she since years hasn't visited.

Last week we were in Budapest. It's for me something usual, I spend each month a few days in the capital, but she wasn't here since 15 years. Not a few times!

And this week we visited Keszthely, the nice town at the Lake Balaton. And that's why I write in the title of this post: back to the past in different ways. Maybe it's a bit unusual, but for our family the Lake Balaton is not really about lying on the beach all day long, there are so many nice places around the lake....

(Festetics Palace - Keszthely)

And one of them is Keszthely, and its wonderful baroque palast (owned by the noble family Festetics till the 1940's), built in the 18. century.
The palace is really monumental and it has a nice park with English style.

It was a day like living in the past.

On the other hand, I read The Passion by Jeanette Winterson recently, and somehow, I don't know what to think about it. I never heard of Winterson before, and her book is a quite unusual historical novel, if any, to be said, about a man and a woman during the Napoleonic Wars. And I would like to know, what do you think about her and her works?

Oh yes, and currenly reading:
historical short stories by Gyula Krudy.

5 megjegyzés:

JoAnn said...

That is a beautiful picture! I am glad to hear your mother is feeling healthy, and you are able to take trips with her again. I haven't read Jeanette Winterson. From the reviews I have read, it sounds like she may not be an author for me.

Oh said...

Wonderful to hear you are traveling with your mother. I know absolutely nothing about Budapest and marvel at its beauty. Our friends honeymooned there and loved it.

I am unfamiliar, too, with Waterston, but you mentioned a Maughm story I have NOT read which intrigues me. I love his work even though it's very long but it's always about "character" and I love that. So thanks for the review on "Theatre."

Hope we hear more about your travels, too.

Gavin said...

What a beautiful palace! Is the public allowed inside? I'd love to hear more ablout you travels with your Mum, glad she is feeling better.

I have just read one novel by Winterson, Lighthousekeeping, which I enjoyed very much. Can not comment on any others. Have a wonderful week.

ninaivanovna said...

Thanks all the comments.

@JoAnn, I second that, I think, Winterson is not for me

@Oh

"thanks for the review"
you're welcome
actually Theatre was my first Maugham novel I've read, it was funny, but I'm not sure I would like to read more books written by him.


@Gavin: yes, the public is allowed inside, there are 5 different museums there
look at this site: http://www.meszi.hu/helikonkastely/index.php?page=fouri_eletforma_kiallitas_csaladi_arckepcsarnok

Gavin said...

Thank you for the link. The palace is amazing.

 
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