Off to the National Gallery on Saturday for an
'olfactory journey' which was interesting as far it went, but turned out to be a tour of only three paintings.
The lovers in The Morning Walk evoked the scent of honey and vanilla ...
Less convincing was the pungent scent of lemon (think Lemon Jif), which apparently masked the smell of death, for the memento mori in The Graham Children ...
And a damp Gainsborough landscape was petrichor although I picked up a scent of lilac leaves in the rain. Not cow manure.
Well, that was fun but it only took 20 minutes so I went for a browse and quite by chance found myself in the company of The Duke - having watched the
very funny film with Jim Broadbent and Helen Mirren only a few days ago.
Not the faintest hint of this
painting's chequered career will you glean from its label. Stolen via an open window in the gent's, held to ransom as part of a campaign for free TV licences for OAPs, returned via a left luggage locker at Birmingham New Street ... yes, The Duke has seen life!
And quite by chance again, there in the same gallery was poor Lady Jane Grey - who featured in this book that I'd only finished reading a few days previously. I do love a story about a house - a London house, for a change, not a country house, and Rumer Godden weaves the layers of time and memory and family history very skilfully.
I was quite looking forward to seeing The Larkins, despite feeling that we didn't need another adaptation of Darling Buds of May. But aaarrgggh .... not a politically-correct, multi-cultural Larkins. Why? If HE Bates had wanted a Nigerian Charlie, that's what he'd have written! Charmless, vulgar - Joanna Scanlan is the spit of Pam Ferris, but the new Mariette doesn't come within a mile of the luscious beauty of the young Catherine Zeta-Jones and I doubt she'll end up as Hollywood royalty. I watched two episodes and doubt I'll bother with the rest. Filed away under 'only to be watched if absolutely desperate for something to do.'
I love Runer Godden books but haven't read this one yet...
ReplyDeleteI think I enjoyed this one more than any of her others, Vronni - but she was so prolific, there's loads I haven't read. Next upis China Court.
ReplyDeleteWhat an interesting post. The top picure is one of my all time favourites.
ReplyDeleteI loved the film clip; when can I see it, I wonder?
I love A Fugue in Time, also another of her books about a house, China Court.
As for The Darling Buds, I've been horrified by the idea of a remake since I first heard of it. Luckily, I have the original series on DVDs picked up very cheaply at the market. I trust your judgement on that one.
Why is Blogger making it so hard to comment today? (Rhetorical question.)
The film is in cinemas in the New Year, Callmemadam - February, I think. It's great fun.
ReplyDeleteOh, the Larkins - it's dreadful, why did they do it? The original series was so gentle and charming.
I wonder if anybody has seen Enchantment - the film adaptation of A Fugue in Time, with David Niven? There are clips/trailer on YouTube but I can't find the full film online.
ReplyDeleteI haven't read Rumer Godden since I was a girl. I shall try this one, and the Mary Lawson one (never heard of her). The London exhibitions sound good. I'm desperate to visit the London daughter but exhibitions won't feature, sadly. Poor Lady Jane - I think she was only 17. She must have been so terrified.
ReplyDeleteShame you won't make any exhibitions, Pam - or is the pull of grandchildren stronger?
ReplyDeleteI find Rumer Godden very variable - some wonderful ones like Black Narcissus, and others I can't remember reading - but they're up on the 'read' shelf. Pippa Passes - what was that about????
Oh, the pull of granddaughter and, indeed daughter, is much stronger. Though I like exhibitions too. Daughter Laura is at work Tues-Friday and her little one is at nursery then, so I could in fact go to things when they're not around. She and her husband have put their flat on the market, though, so things are a bit fluid at the moment!
ReplyDeleteThat sounds ideal, Pam - up and out early and you'll be back by the time they're home. LIsten to me - I'm hopeless at up and out early!
ReplyDelete