So, I'm still sick but I did leave the house today, so that is a big improvement (I'm going to be exhausted for a week because of it, but hey I had to get a French Christmas card for my Pepere!)
In the middle of all the book recommendations, I finished Michael Winter's The Big Why and Fallingwater Rising by Franklin Toker. I'm going to write a full review of Winter's book, but let me say it is an amazing novel. I knew just a bit about Rockwell Kent when I started and I am very impressed by what a good job Winter does of capturing not only the painter's life (and marriage) but also the world of Newfoundland prior to WWI. Surprisingly, as the book takes place in the early 20th century, the story is very timely. Kent did not support the First World War - he thought it was a crazy thing and he had a big appreciation for the German culture (he spoke German) - something that was very common at the time for Americans and Western Europeans. But once Britain went to war you had to support it in Canada - or they began to wonder why you weren't (more of that you must be against us if you aren't with us attitude). Here's an exchange between Kent and the local constable:
There's some thought, Mr. Kent, that you might not be fully behind the effort.
The effort. I'm E for effort.
To fight the Germans.
I will fight no Germans.
So you oppose England.
I'm dead against the war.
But surely the British position is just.
The man was poised with pencil to his notepad.
The British, I said, make a good condiment. Beyond that I see little to recommend the British. You spell condiment with an i.
But surely you don't support the Germans.
I am a supporter of great culture, I said. Have you read Goethe? Listened to Bach?
You know you look a bit like a German.
How can you respond that? I bid my apologies, excusing myself from a longer interview by having to tend to my pregnant wife.
The British position must be just, because they are British, right? And you must support the British or you must support the Germans - there can be no middle ground.
You are either for our soldiers or against them, either wearing a yellow ribbon or a terrorist sympathizer.
You can stand on this corner and wave a flag or stand on that corner and hold a poster with a peace sign.
You cannot do both and iIt's as simple as that.
I'll have more on The Big Why after I get a chance to exchange a few emails with Michael Winter. And I'm also asking Paul Collins a few questions about The Trouble with Tom - more on that later as well.
As for Fallingwater, well - if you have any interest in that particular house or Frank Lloyd Wright or modern architechture, then you really need to own this book. It's as indepth as it gets and an outstanding history of the house and them men who built it. Very cool stuff, and very easy reading.
Now I must lie down and find something mindless to watch on tv while I deal with the pile of magazines on my side of the bed. I am soooooooooo sick. Pity me!!!!
