BOOKPATHS

Turkey

Boyd Tonkin interviews Elif Shafak.

“After years of interviewing ego-driven writers, one truth looms larger all the time for me. Authors who have precious little to say or to fear always make the biggest fuss about their precious work and their sacred little selves. Then there is the modest minority in whom talent, courage and self-knowledge converge; who fight high-stakes battles against dangerous enemies, but never succumb to vanity, bitterness or dogmatism. Quietly eloquent at breakfast-time in her Bloomsbury hotel, the Turkish novelist, journalist and academic Elif Shafak explains how the Sufi strand of Islam that she loves helps to ground her in internal as well as external realities. ‘It's an endless chain,’ she explains. ‘I'm both observing the outside world, and observing myself. And this is something that perhaps I derive from Sufism. Because I think the human being is a microcosm: all the conflicts present outside are also present inside him.’" – from “Interview: Elif Shafak Has Survived a Court Case and Renewed Her Love for Turkey’s Multi-ethnic Heritage,” by Boyd Tonkin, The Independent

Bookpath: Shaw’s Corner, Ayot St. Lawrence, near Welwyn, Hertfordshire, England

George Bernard Shaw lived in the red-brick house he and his wife named Shaw’s Corner from 1906 until his death in 1950. A visit to The National Historic Trust property today finds it much as they left it with “many literary and personal effects evoking the individuality and genius of the dramatist,” kitchen and outbuildings that recall early 20th-century domestic life, Shaw’s unique revolving writing hut, the “vigorous” garden, and views of the Hertfordshire countryside. In 2007, the house will remain open through October 28th, Wednesday through Sunday, from 1:00-5:00 p.m.; the gardens open at noon and remain open until 5:30 p.m. For additional information, visit The National Historic Trust’s Shaw’s Corner website.

Bookpath: Berry, France

Little Fadette, by George Sand (various editions in French and English translation; first published in 1848)

Little Fadette is the third of George Sand’s novels placed in her cherished Berry. It’s a charming tale of love, love that transforms individuals for the better and love that transforms individuals for the worse when jealousy takes hold. Descriptions of place, tradition, and superstition add to the novel’s pull. Little Fadette would be a perfect book choice for a tour of Berry, perhaps with stops at Maison de George Sand in Nohant and her cottage in Gargilesse.

“But she paid him no further heed, and instead of starting to run and romp with the children after her prayer was said, she took her departure so discreetly that people had hardly time to see the change and improvement in her. Landry dared not follow her, especially as Sylvinet did not take his eyes off him; but after an hour or so, he succeeded in slipping away, and this time, guided by his throbbing heart, he found little Fadette quietly tending her flock in the little sunken road that they call the Traîne au Gendarme, because one of the king’s gendarmerie was killed there by the folk of La Cosse in the old days, when they were trying to force the poor to pay the taille tax and to do their spell of forced labour, contrary to the terms of the law, which as it stood was quite harsh enough already.” – from Little Fadette, by George Sand

Author Thomas Bloor chooses his “top 10 tales of metamorphosis.”

Bookpath: Château de Monte-Cristo, Le Port-Marly, France

Sparing no expense, Alexandre Dumas began construction of his Renaissance château, just north of Paris, in 1845. He named the château after his novel, The Count of Monte Cristo. Dumas would only enjoy his château and garden until 1849 when debt forced him to sell the property. Now a historic monument, visitors are invited to step back in time and imagine the years when Dumas escaped his Paris apartment to entertain friends at his luxurious Château de Monte-Cristo.

Visitor Information

Address:
1, avenue Kennedy
Le Port-Marly

Phone:
01 39 16 49 49
Fax
+33 1 39 58 43 84

Website
In French
In English

Hours
April 1 – November 1
Tuesday-Friday, 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m. and 2:00-6:00 p.m.

November – March
Sundays 2:00-5:00 p.m.

New England

Angus Clarke follows in the footsteps of Henry David Thoreau.

“Having practised our thousand-yard stare across Walden Pond – and having pondered a while at the spot where Thoreau’s cabin once stood – we set off in Thoreau’s footsteps. His writings make an engaging and offbeat guide to an attractive side of New England and its spectacular natural beauties.” – from “A Literary Guide to New England,” by Angus Clarke, The Times

Bookpath: Los Angeles, California

The Lady in the Lake, by Raymond Chandler (New York: Vintage Crime/Black Lizard, 1988; and other editions)

Two missing wives are at the center of Philip Marlowe’s investigation in The Lady in the Lake. Readers follow Marlowe as he searches for clues in an atmospheric Los Angeles and the nearby Santa Monica Mountains.

“The Treloar Building was, and is, on Olive Street, near Sixth, on the west side. The sidewalk in front of it had been built of black and white rubber blocks. They were taking them up now to give to the government, and a hatless pale man with a face like a building superintendent was watching the work and looking as if it was breaking his heart.” – from The Lady in the Lake, by Raymond Chandler

Publisher’s Website

Moscow, Russia

On his first visit to Moscow since 1973, Martin Cruz Smith, author of the Gorky thriller series, talks with Mark Franchetti about the changes he sees.

“In the space of only a few days, he has also been to St Petersburg, for the first time since his first trip to Russia, in 1973, which gave birth to Gorky Park, the novel that shot him to world fame. In Moscow, he has met academics, members of the intelligentsia, militiamen, ordinary people and several old Russian friends. A consummate reporter with a sharp eye for detail, he is now trying to find a way to attend an illegal nighttime car race, and has just come back from a morning at Moscow’s hippodrome.” – from “Back in the USSR?”, by Mark Franchetti, The Times

August 2007 Literary Events

Australia

The Age Melbourne Writers' Festival
August 24–September 2, 2007
Melbourne, Australia
http://www.mwf.com.au/

"Most of the events occur at the CUB Malthouse in Sturt St, Southbank. After each event, the authors go to the book tent (run by Readings Books, Film & Music) where they are happy to sign copies of their books and chat with their readers. In between events there is a café, bar, book shop and festival club to keep you amused. It is a great place to meet friends and see an event followed by dinner or a drink or you can spend an indulgent weekend hopping from one event to another. Don’t expect every event to be explosive or attention-grabbing. Sometimes it is the quiet, contemplative events that will affect you most."

Canada

British Columbia

25th Annual Sunshine Coast Festival of the Written Arts
August 9-12, 2007
Sechelt, British Columbia
http://www.writersfestival.ca

"Join Canada's longest running summer gathering of Canadian writers and readers, featuring established literary stars and exciting, new voices... with opportunities for writers and readers to mingle amidst Rockwood's heritage gardens."

Yukon Territory

Beyond Words...20th Yukon International Storytelling Festival
Whitehorse, Yukon
August 17-19, 2007
http://www.storytelling.yk.net/

"...Angela Sidney, one of the last speakers of the Tagish language, had to travel all the way to Toronto in order to tell her stories to a large audience. This prompted two Yukoners to organize the first Storytelling Festival in the Yukon in 1988."

New Zealand

Wanganui Literary Festival
Wanganui, Manawatu / Wanganui
August 16-19, 2007
http://www.eventfinder.co.nz/2007/aug/wanganui/wanganui-literary-festival.html

“An exciting selection of thirteen events including 'An evening with Owen Marshall,' New Zealand's best short story writer, 'An encounter with Gordon McLaughlin', social commentator and author of many best-selling books, and events novelists Graeme Lay and Diane Pettis.”

Scotland

Edinburgh International Book Festival
August 11-27, 2007
Edinburgh, Scotland
http://www.edbookfest.co.uk

"Events cover every kind of topic this year. Themes include Science, Poetry, Business Matters, Matters of The Mind, Focus On China, Focus On India, Nature and the Environment, Slavery Stories, Genes and Society, the return of our ever-popular Nations Unlimited and East and West series of events plus Writers of the World, Gaelic Culture, Education and much, much more."

United States

California

Steinbeck Festival
“A Culture of Discontent: Steinbeck and the 60s”
August 2-5, 2007
Salinas, California
http://www.steinbeck.org/Festival.html

"In commemoration of the 40th anniversary of the “Summer of Love,” the National Steinbeck Center presents a 4-day festival of film, music, talks, and other “happenings.” This year’s festival will appeal to both the general public and the Steinbeck fan. We’ll explore the cultural forces that built to a head during the 60s—through the eyes of John Steinbeck—and the parallels between today’s times and that turbulent decade. The festival also provides opportunities to celebrate the distinct flavor of the 1960s through a street fair, a 60s-flavor “eat-in,” talks on Steinbeck and popular music, exploration of the parallels between Steinbeck’s road trip and those of the Beat Generation, and more.”

Illinois

Illinois Storytelling Festival
August 12, 2007
Spring Grove, Illinois
http://www.storytelling.org/

“Connecting generations, nurturing communities, and celebrating our diversity...through Story.”

Massachusetts

Martha’s Vineyard Book Festival
August 5, 2007
Chilmark
http://www.mvbookfestival.com/

“Chilmark is proud to again present the Martha's Vineyard Book Festival. The book festival celebrates the joy of reading and the achievements of the many authors with a special connection to Martha's Vineyard.”

Pennsylvania

Three Rivers Storytelling Festival
August 10-11, 2007
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
http://home.comcast.net/~3rstf/

“We invite you to come, sit back, and enjoy.”

Utah

18th Annual Timpanogos Storytelling Festival
August 30-September 1, 2007
Orem, Utah
http://www.timpfest.org/

"Imagine sitting under a shady canopy in a beautiful spot at the foot of Mt. Timpanogos, listening to stories of adventure and excitement -- a peaceful place where memories and magic are captured and spun into tales that make you laugh and cry. Hear stories that tell of a time that used to be, of folk in distant lands or the people next door. Glimpse into the past and live the imaginary. Learn more about your parents, your children, yourself. Discover all this and more at the Timpanogos Storytelling Festival."

"Read books. They are good for us." -- Natalie Goldberg

Bookpath: High Line Canal, Denver area, Colorado

The Thunder Tree: Lessons from an Urban Wildland, by Robert Michael Pyle (Out of print, but available; hardback published by Houghton Mifflin in 1993; paperback published by The Lyons Press, New York)

At age six, Robert Michael Pyle discovered the High Line Canal near his home in Aurora, Colorado. In The Thunder Tree: Lessons from an Urban Wildland, Pyle shares how the canal touched and influenced his life as “sanctuary, playground, and sulking walk,” as an “imaginary wilderness, escape hatch, birthplace as a naturalist,” lover’s lane, research site, and holy ground of solace.” Pyle’s memoir is both place-specific as he guides readers into the life and history of the High Line Canal and broader in its desire to “awaken interest in places like the High Line in every community.”

“My own point of intimate contact with the land was a ditch. Growing up on the wrong side of Denver to reach the mountains easily or often, I resorted to the tattered edges of the Great Plains on the back side of town. There I encountered a century-old irrigation channel known as the High Line Canal. Without a doubt, most of the elements of my life flowed from that canal.” -- from The Thunder Tree: Lessons from an Urban Wildland, by Robert Michael Pyle

Related Website

Denver Water – High Line Canal