Careers for Women by Joanna Scott 4,25/5 French: No translation has been announced. Summary New York in the late 1950s. A city, and a world, on the cusp of change. Maggie Gleason is looking toward the future. Part of a mid-century wave of young women seeking new lives in New York City, Maggie works for legendary Port Authority public relations maven Lee K. Jaffe--affectionately known to her loyal staff as Mrs. J. Having left Cleveland, Maggie has come to believe that she can write any story for herself that she imagines. Pauline Moreau is running from the past--and a shameful secret. She arrives in the city on the brink of despair, saddled with a young daughter who needs more love, attention, and resources than Pauline can ever hope to provide. Seeing that Pauline needs a helping hand, Mrs. J tasks Maggie with befriending, and looking after, Pauline. As the old New York gives way to the new, and Mrs. J's dream of the world's largest skyscraper begins to rise from the streets of lower Manhattan, Pauline--with the aid of Maggie and Mrs. J--also remakes herself. But when she reignites the scandal that drove her to New York, none of their lives will ever be the same. Maggie must question everything she thought she knew about love, work, ambition, and family to discover the truth about the enigmatic, strong woman she thought she had rescued. My review My mother is a naturally picky person. She has a very precise type of novel that she likes, and when she has a connection with an author she will read everything from them. She has read every single Margaret Atwood novel. She adores Louise Penny and Joyce Carol Oates. From this short list, you can tell that she likes mysteries, creepy stories but also books with strong female protagonists. As per usual, I bought her a book for Christmas like I do with all my immediate family members. Every year, I try to find something that would please the recipient, but it needs to be something that they would not buy for themselves otherwise what’s the point of gift-giving? I had never heard of Careers for Women, but when I saw it laying randomly on a table it just called to me. The title made it sound like some exposé on women in the workplace, and I did not bother reading the summary before I bought it (stupid move, I know). She just finished reading What Happened by Hillary Clinton so she was on a feminist literature high. After she unwrapped her gift, she started reading it only to find it is not AT ALL about the difficulties of women in the workplace or sexism. The title is fake news to attract readers more than to accurately represent the story. Careers for Women is, on the surface, about the disappearance of Pauline Moreau, a secretary for the New York Port Authority in the 1950s, and the attempts of her “friend” and fellow colleague, Maggie, to find her. The novel puts back piece by piece the events that lead through the “big reveal”, going back and forth between the present, past and future and between different characters at these different times. It is occasionally hard to follow considering the overlapping timelines and the variety of characters that change sometimes in the same chapters, but it is entirely worth it. The focus is not necessarily on the “who did it?” but more on the “why did they do it?” The characters are masterfully fleshed out, so much so you can easily pity them like Maggie does. Maggie was the most interesting of them all. She strives for her boss’ approval, the famous Lee K. Jaffe who did actually rule the Port Authority’s Public Relations department, and when she asks her to befriend her protégé Pauline whom she saved from being arrested for prostitution, Maggie does not hesitate even if she does not particularly enjoy Pauline’s presence. In the American 50s, where everything women did was being judged and judging others, Maggie is friendly towards Pauline but can’t help but feel uneasy around her like she can’t forget her past although Moreau has clearly moved on. Yet, she does not hesitate to take care of Pauline’s daughter, Sonia. Maggie pities Pauline but it is mixed with the desire to respect the promise she made to Jaffe to take care of Pauline and an unprecedented level of compassion and love for little Sonia. There is a very polished quality about Careers for Women.Every single detail feels thought-out but without any awkward foreshadowing. It seems like Scott embodied the expectations of women in the 50s: classy, refined and collected. Except she adds a good dose of honesty and frankness to the mix which makes Careers for Women almost like Maggie’s diary. The reading experience is smooth and silky, everything shines, from the windows of Downtown NYC to the glitter in Sonia’s eyes. It is not a poetic novel, in fact, Scott writes in a very straight-forward manner, but it is like a nice rock that you find on the beach, not necessarily pretty but perfectly smoothed by the waves and soft to the touch like a baby’s skin. It is not of these novels that you will remember forever, but the simplicity of its content is in symbiosis with the richness of the form, like a rock made of simple minerals or mineraloids who would be nothing if they were not arranged together by an elaborate assemblage of chemical bonds or by years of underground pressure. Looking back on it, Careers for Women does carry a strong message for single mothers and throws us back to a time where women were glad to work for their independence. It reminds us of the sacrifices our mothers did to raise us as well as they could. With Mother’s Day coming soon (you’re welcome, I know you forgot), Careers for Women is definitely a solid option for the woman in your life.
0 Comments
This year marked my 10th visit to New York City. To say that I love NYC is an understatement. It has been a while since I was last in Paris, but I think The Big Apple surpassed it as my favourite city in the world. Granted, I haven’t been to that many places, but NYC just calls to me. To live there would be a dream come reality. I was in NYC to participate in NMUN – NY (National Model United Nations – New York) (more on that soon), a 5-day conference in which my delegation and I pretended to be diplomats to solve the world’s various problems. Fortunately, the conference happens to be right before Easter break, so I stayed for two extra days in the city. One cannot do much when one is “MUN-ing” because it takes all your energy. Imagine going to school for 15 hours a day and having to do an oral presentation every two-hours in front of an audience of 300+ people while simultaneously writing an essay on how to solve world hunger. That’s the best I can explain it. However, since I have been multiple times to NYC, I can share with you some of my favourite spots to visit. This post is going to be a little different than my Miami one simply because the day-by-day was not that interesting since I didn’t stay long enough, it is more like a compilation of my favourite things to do. Enjoy! Thank you to KL, KF, M-LF, FH-H and JH for sharing your NYC pictures with me and saving my life after my phone was stolen! Thank you also to CB for editing them. The classicsThe Metropolitan Museum of Art (MET) I went to the MET this year for the first time in a while. I love museums in general, and the MET is undoubtedly one of my favourite ones. I especially love the Art of Arab Lands rooms which had magnificent embroidered carpets. The Arms and Armor rooms were equally fascinating. I have never been interested in combat gear, but I was visiting with two friends who were, and they made it interesting. The MET is truly worth a visit. Broadway / Lincoln Center New York City is one of the most fascinating cities for the arts. If you are not a fan of museums and inanimate forms of art, you should at least try to go to a Broadway musical, play or a performance at the Lincoln Center. Nowadays, even off-Broadway shows run extremely expensive and need to be booked months in advance (unless you go to the last-minute ticket booths). My group and I were travelling on a student budget, so instead, we went to the Lincoln Center to watch a performance of Lucia di Lammermoor by Donizetti. You would think that opera is much more expansive than a Broadway show, but you would be wrong. Family circle tickets run between 25-35$USD. Opera is an acquired taste, but I think it is one of the most universal of art forms once you start appreciating it. It is a perfect mix of theatre and music, what’s not to love? UN I love the UN. Everything from the architecture to its mission absolutely inspires me. One day, I hope to work there. Meanwhile, I’ll just gaze at the beautiful sculpture garden or wander through the UN bookstore. Go learn about current issues and admire the beauty of the General Assembly. Take the time to understand that this building is where some of the most important decisions in human history have been made. As an aspiring diplomat, I can feel the weight of past generations on my shoulders when I step through the grand hall of the General Assembly. Times Square I don’t think I need to explain this one. Just go and feel grand and powerful under the neon lights shining through the black night. UnderratedBrooklyn Museum (BM) Last year was my first visit of the BM and it was a phenomenal one. From the permanent collection to the temporary expositions, BM is a truly unique museum. Last year, I saw Pretty/Dirty by Marilyn Minter (pictured above) and was absolutely blown away. It was probably one of my favourite art exhibitions ever. It also has the Elizabeth A. Sackler Center for Feminist Art which aims to raise awareness about “feminism’s cultural contribution”. It hosts the famous piece The Dinner Party by Judy Chicago which I honestly think should become as iconic as any Van Gogh or Monet. The BM also has a pretty large collection of historical artifacts from all corners of the world, although I have not visited that part. I would highly recommend a visit to their magnificent contemporary exhibitions. Chelsea Market I don’t understand why this is only #69 on TripAdvisor. Every time I come to NYC I make time to head to Chelsea Market. You can find a perfect blend of good food (it is not a coincidence that the headquarters of Food Network lie just above), and great local clothing stores, vintage apparels, quirky ornaments and modern art. You can easily spend a good afternoon browsing the various shops to find the perfect present to bring home. Clothes and accessories normally run a bit expensive due to the hard work of well-payed artisans that went into making them and to the quality of the products used, but they will last you a life time. I still have multiple pieces of jewelry and a few coats from previous visits that are as good as new. Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5EV4uet3T6E High Line Somehow this is #14 on TripAdvisor but I don’t know anyone in my entourage that has done the High Line hence why I think it is severely underrated! Coming from the Chelsea Market, you can access this old railway of the 1930s that has been converted into a walking park. The fauna and flora of the place are beautiful and contrasts with the surrounding industrial buildings. You want to make time to stop at all the little kiosks that sell a variety of products from honey to tote bags. It is a nicer way of getting around than by subway (especially in NYC). FoodSource: http://thewanderingeater.com/2013/03/18/brunch-at-friedmans-lunch-2/ Friedman’s lunch Words cannot express how much I love fried chicken with waffles. It is quite simply the perfect brunch food with its mix of crunchy, sugary and protein-y. The best I’ve ever had is at Friedman’s in Chelsea Market. It is just fabulous. Every time I am in NYC I make a point of stopping by even if the line is always long. The chicken is fried in a batter not too heavy to achieve crispiness and juiciness of the chicken at the same time, a true achievement. The habanero honey adds the perfect tinge of spice with the cheddar waffles. For people who have not had chicken and waffles, I understand the idea sounds confusing, but just try it. I promise it’ll blow your mind. Eataly Another must is the Eataly market in the Flatiron District. (I have a thing for markets.) Eataly is a chain with multiple stores throughout the world. The one in NYC is owned by celebrity chef Mario Batali and the Bastianich family. They have restaurants, counters, caffès and a market. There, you can find the best gelato, cannoli and pasta in the city. You can also buy goods like flour, sausage, seafood and all things Italian. They also host multiple workshops and happenings year-round. My favourite dish has to be the pappardelle at La Pizza & La Pasta. Homemade pasta are my weakness. Nagle’s bagels Coming from Montreal, I know a lot about bagels. I can proudly attest that NY bagels are clearly inferior to MTL's. Here are the key differences between both bagels:
BooksNYC Public Library (Stephen A. Schwarzman building) I generally have an aversion to libraries, but everything is always better in NYC. The Stephen A. Schwarzman building of the NYC Public Library system is the central and most important building of the system, it is also called the Main Branch. Built in 1911, the building is made mostly of marble with two lion statues (Lord Astor and Lady Lenox) who guard the main entrance. The Main Branch is known for the Rose Reading Room which looks like Belle’s library in Beauty and the Beast. My favourite part is the painting of the sky that hangs on the ceiling. It is like seeing a piece of heaven during long hours of studying. The library also has a bookshop for tourists with plenty of little knickknacks to bring home. Source:http://www.tabletmag.com/scroll/252530/farewell-to-the-scion-of-the-strand-bookstore-fred-bass-new-york-city Strand
Perhaps NYC’s most famous independent bookstore, the Strand is an institution. It is 18 miles (!) of books. That’s about 2,5 million books in the middle of NYC. In addition to an up-to-date department for new books, it has a huge used book section where you can find everything from Advance Reader Copies to signed copies to original editions for a cheap price. The store also has a rare books department. It is a paradise for every literary nerd. If you ever have 4 500$ laying around, you can get a first edition of The Hound of the Baskervilles by Arthur Conan Doyle or an inscribed custom-bound first edition of Curious George Goes to the Hospital by Margaret & H. A. Rey. Feel free to comment down below your favourite parts of NYC! Xx. Villains #1 Vicious by V.E. Schwab 4/5 Award: Goodreads Choice Award Nominee for Best Fantasy (2013) Français: Aucune traduction française n’a été annoncée. Hey guys! Before starting, I would like to apologize for not posting in a while. Things have just been a little crazy with my recent trip to NYC with school (more on that soon), then I lost my phone so I couldn't do advertising for coming posts, and then I had multiple other writing deadlines to hit. However, everything is now under control, and I have many exciting articles for you all coming up soon! Thank you for your patience. Summary Victor and Eli started out as college roommates—brilliant, arrogant, lonely boys who recognized the same sharpness and ambition in each other. In their senior year, a shared research interest in adrenaline, near-death experiences, and seemingly supernatural events reveals an intriguing possibility: that under the right conditions, someone could develop extraordinary abilities. But when their thesis moves from the academic to the experimental, things go horribly wrong. Ten years later, Victor breaks out of prison, determined to catch up to his old friend (now foe), aided by a young girl whose reserved nature obscures a stunning ability. Meanwhile, Eli is on a mission to eradicate every other super-powered person that he can find—aside from his sidekick, an enigmatic woman with an unbreakable will. Armed with terrible power on both sides, driven by the memory of betrayal and loss, the archnemeses have set a course for revenge—but who will be left alive at the end? My thoughts To say that I had high expectations for Vicious would be an understatement. Since it came out a few years ago, I have heard nothing but raving reviews of the first novel in a recently announced series (it used to be a stand-alone). I think it came as a surprise to everyone that this book did so insanely well considering Schwab was not sure if she would get the deal for a second installment. Vicious is a very niche novel. It is part science-fiction and part fantasy with a dash of romance. If you are a fan of the X-Men franchise, you are sure to love it. Unfortunately, it would be surprising if Vicioushits my top picks of the year. It is by no means a bad book, but I think I set the bar too high. Vicious pretty much revolves around the characters’ intertwined storylines. Against popular opinion, I loved Eli the most. His twisted ways and his egotistical madness was so fun to read. He lacked any sense of morals and was probably one of the best literary villain I have ever encountered. I will agree with the crowd and say that his religious fanaticism came out of nowhere, but it was so well-written that I did not care. Victor, the main character, is the villain you love to love/hate. He is a very polarizing figure, it is now a couple weeks later, and I still haven’t decided what I think about him. His only aspiration is getting recognition from Eli, the poor kid just wants a friend. Yet, he goes to such despicable lengths to achieve this that it makes him hard to empathize with. Vicious proves that you don’t have to relate to a character to find him absolutely fantastic. Call me Manichean, but I don’t like when authors try to humanize villains particularly in this case. The novel presents itself as the ultimate antihero story, but, to me, Victor was more hero than villain. The side-characters, particularly Serena, were fantastic. They were so intricate and psychologically interesting that I kind of want a spin-off of all of them (the world always needs more spin-offs anyways). The plot follows a strong flashback structure with multiple points of view which is not an easy thing to master but Schwab did it magnificently! It made the novel ultra-addictive. There we some cliché moments, but I think that was to be expected considering the novel is about ExtraOrdinaries, basically superheroes. Personally, I have had enough of superhero movies whom are just repeating the same storyline with different special abilities. Vicious distances itself from the crowd by the nature of the good and evil dilemma that is not usually present amongst Young Adult lit or in Marvel/DC movies and comic books. Would I recommend Vicious? Probably, but I would be carefully how I pitch it. It is a solid novel, but nothing absolutely extraordinary (pun!) I think if you are into the whole “superhero” subgenre then you will enjoy it immensely, but for the rest of us, the literary flaws seem more prominent. I definitely want to read the sequel (Vengeful, coming out September 25th, 2018) because regardless of all the flaws, it remains an addicting story and I want to know how it wraps up. If you liked Vicious, you will love… Ready Player One by Ernest Cline The Night Circusby Erin Morgenstern Chaos Walking Trilogy #1 The Knife of Never Letting Go by Patrick Ness |
MeI'm in love with the world. Archives
April 2020
Categories
All
Archives
April 2020
|