GIANNI THE MAGNIFICENT
Since I’m in Italy, let’s talk about the excellent novel by Stéphanie des Horts, “Gianni le Magnifique”, which recounts the eventful life of Gianni Continue reading “GIANNI THE MAGNIFICENT”
THÉRÈSE DESQUEYROUX
Despite their national and even international fame, some French authors remain fundamentally regional, writing about the milieu Continue reading “THÉRÈSE DESQUEYROUX”
MADAME STAVISKY
“Madame Stavisky”, Antoine Billot’s novel, retraces the fate of Arlette Stavisky, the wife of the shrewd financier but above all the notorious Continue reading “MADAME STAVISKY”
FOLCOCHE
Those who love literature and history generally enjoy books devoted to the history of literature. Published in 2025, Folcoche by Émilie Lanez Continue reading “FOLCOCHE”
FRANKENSTEIN
Victor Frankenstein and his creature are coming back into fashion in November 2025, thanks to Guillermo del Toro – which is hardly surprising Continue reading “FRANKENSTEIN”
I WANTED TO LIVE
The outstanding novel by Adélaïde de Clermont-Tonnerre, Je Voulais Vivre (I Wanted to Live), recounts the all-too-brief life of a fictional character Continue reading “I WANTED TO LIVE”
FEDORA
Penultimate movie by Billy Wilder, “Fedora” is based on a novella by Thomas Tryon published in “Crowned Heads” and brings together Continue reading “FEDORA”
CHANEL & THE EXILE
As we have seen here Gabrielle Chanel never emphasized any past as a Resistance fighter.
At the Liberation in September 1944 Continue reading “CHANEL & THE EXILE”
CHANEL & THE RITZ
As we’ve seen here, Deauville was the cornerstone of Gabrielle Chanel’s success from 1913 onwards. Biarritz followed in 1915, then Paris in 1921 Continue reading “CHANEL & THE RITZ”
CHANEL & DEAUVILLE
Here I am in Deauville, Normandy, in front of the gorgeous drawing of Gabrielle Chanel executed in 2011 by Karl Lagerfeld on the wall Continue reading “CHANEL & DEAUVILLE”
THE BARMAN OF THE RITZ
Philippe Collin’s historical novel “Le Barman du Ritz” (The Barman of the Ritz) is a fictionalized account of the Parisian life of Frank Meier Continue reading “THE BARMAN OF THE RITZ”
THE BIRDS
Directed in 1963 by Alfred Hitchcock, “The Birds” is inspired by the eponymous short story by the English neo-Gothic novelist Continue reading “THE BIRDS”
THE COST OF VIRILITY
“The Cost of Virility – What France Would Save If Men Behaved Like Women” is the first enlightening essay by French historian Continue reading “THE COST OF VIRILITY”
AMERICAN PSYCHO
After Francis Scott Fitzgerald‘s Lost Generation, let’s talk about Brett Easton Ellis’ Generation X. The literary kinship of these two Continue reading “AMERICAN PSYCHO”
WOMEN AND ART
I have already expressed here my astonishment at seeing so many naked women populating museums. They are almost always Continue reading “WOMEN AND ART”
RIPLEY, AGAIN
Since I’m in Ischia, let’s talk about Tom Ripley, since the two film adaptations of Patricia Highsmith’s novel “The Talented Mr. Ripley” Continue reading “RIPLEY, AGAIN”
JOSEPHINE BAKER
If you like graphic novels and if you are a tad feminist – or just curious – the series of literary works by Catel and Bocquet Continue reading “JOSEPHINE BAKER”
TRUE SUMMIT
Since I’m in Chamonix – let’s evoke Maurice Herzog, who was the mayor of this beautiful village from 1968 to 1977. Continue reading “TRUE SUMMIT”
ORANGERIE MUSEUM – PARIS
Who could believe that the serene Orangerie museum hides a recent sulfurous history Continue reading “ORANGERIE MUSEUM – PARIS”
THE VICOMTE DE BRAGELONNE
The twilight atmosphere of the candlelit evenings organized by Vaux-le-Vicomte castle Continue reading “THE VICOMTE DE BRAGELONNE”
THE SHINING
When it comes to “The Shining”, should we talk about the Stephen King book or the Stanley Kubrick movie? Continue reading “THE SHINING”
LA CONTESSA
Since I’m in Piedmont, let’s talk about “La Contessa” the biography by Benedetta Craveri, which retraces the destiny Continue reading “LA CONTESSA”
THAT WOMAN
The biography “That Woman, the life of Wallis Simpson, Duchess of Windsor” Continue reading “THAT WOMAN”
DRY HEART
“Dangerous Liaisons”, “Ridicule” and “Lady J”, three excellent period films, evoke the same Continue reading “DRY HEART”
THE KILL – ÉMILE ZOLA
Re-reading your literary classics at 48 is quite good. Especially when it comes to French writer Continue reading “THE KILL – ÉMILE ZOLA”
AM I A FEMINIST? PART 5
The last time I asked myself the question, here with you, whether I was a feminist dates back to 2017. Continue reading “AM I A FEMINIST? PART 5”
MARILYN MONROE
2022, Marilyn Monroe’s year? I don’t think so. Sixty years after her death, two highly publicized Continue reading “MARILYN MONROE”
THE SWIMMING POOL
This vintage Hermès swimsuit is the almost perfect replica of one of the swimsuits Continue reading “THE SWIMMING POOL”
BALZAC MUSEUM – PARIS
Of the many Parisian residences inhabited by the great French writer Continue reading “BALZAC MUSEUM – PARIS”
THE GREAT FORGOTTEN
“The Great Forgotten – Why History has erased women”, Titiou Lecoq Continue reading “THE GREAT FORGOTTEN”
VICTOR HUGO MUSEUM – PARIS
If you walk around Place des Vosges Continue reading “VICTOR HUGO MUSEUM – PARIS”
MASTERCLASS
Let’s talk about a book that has probably guided some of my life Continue reading “MASTERCLASS”
MARIE-ANTOINETTE
If we have to talk about Marie-Antoinette, then we have to talk Continue reading “MARIE-ANTOINETTE”
LOLITA
Following the publication of the French novels, “Consent: A Memoir” Continue reading “LOLITA”
TENDER IS THE NIGHT
There is a lot to be said about Francis Scott Fitzgerald, the “sad young man” Continue reading “TENDER IS THE NIGHT”
A SECRET
Here is a mesmerizing autobiographical novel: “A Secret” by Philippe Grimbert Continue reading “A SECRET”
DE LA DÉMOCRATIE EN PANDÉMIE
Here is a very interesting essay published in January 2021 Continue reading “DE LA DÉMOCRATIE EN PANDÉMIE”
DEAD CALM
Published in 1963, “Dead Calm” is one of Charles Williams’ last novels. Continue reading “DEAD CALM”
ETRETAT & MAURICE LEBLANC
Stopover in Etretat, on the breathtaking Alabaster Coast Continue reading “ETRETAT & MAURICE LEBLANC”
DAPHNE DU MAURIER
Let’s discuss about the queen of neo-gothic novel: the talented Daphne du Maurier. Continue reading “DAPHNE DU MAURIER”
THE BEAUTIFUL FALL
Alicia Drake’s “The Beautiful Fall: Fashion, Genius and Glorious Excess in 1970s Paris” Continue reading “THE BEAUTIFUL FALL”
THE GREAT GATSBY
I have infinite love for this white dress, which I perfectly picture being in “The Great Gatsby” Continue reading “THE GREAT GATSBY”
GEORGE SAND
The Museum of Romantic Life was Dutch painter Ary Scheffer’s residence Continue reading “GEORGE SAND”
LA PANTHÈRE
Here is a very good historical novel – although sometimes a bit hagiographic – called “La Panthère” Continue reading “LA PANTHÈRE”
L.A. CONFIDENTIAL
“L.A. Confidential”, the book written in 1990 by James Ellroy or “L.A. Confidential”, the film Continue reading “L.A. CONFIDENTIAL”
REBECCA
“Rebecca”, Alfred Hitchcock’s movie.
But more importantly, “Rebecca”, Daphné du Maurier’s novel. Continue reading “REBECCA”
WITCHES
And here I am in a playsuit that I particularly like, as it combines a strict tuxedo collar with the ease of a bare leg. Continue reading “WITCHES”
THE SWANS OF FIFTH AVENUE
Here I am, in a retro style, ready to tell you about a novel I loved: “The Swans of Fifth Avenue” Continue reading “THE SWANS OF FIFTH AVENUE”
FILLING THE VOID
Good read of the week: “Filling the Void” by Marcus Gilroy-Ware, whose concern is to understand why so many people are addicted to social media. Continue reading “FILLING THE VOID”
CAT ON A HOT TIN ROOF
Going up to a Parisian rooftop is the perfect opportunity to talk about Tennessee Williams, as a wink to his famous “Cat on a Hot Tin Roof”. Continue reading “CAT ON A HOT TIN ROOF”