My first outting of the day was the Book Club at Bryant Park- Madame Bovary. The moderator for the event was Karen Thompson Walker. Her first book, The Age of Miracles, has just been published. There were about 60 women and 1-2 men. She told us that Flaubert established modern realist narration in the novel. She also commented that the book contains a lot of people behaving badly. I agree- the book is full of unlikable characters;there are only 1-2 sympathetic people (the maid and the daughter). I wouldn't care to spend time with any of the others. Lots of modern jargon comes to mind- manic depressive, dysfunctional family, insatiable need- to describe Emma. Although the book is set in the 1850's, Emma could be living among us today.
I recommend the book, but would not have picked it up to read without the book club. The next book is Mill on the Floss by George Elliot.
I took a picture of the entrance to the women's public restroom- a 4 foot high urn of fresh flowers. The prettiest, tidiest public restroom I have ever been in.
I read on the Public Library patio for an hour, and then went home.
In the evening, I went to "Ghost." The most interesting thing was the staging. They projected locations throughout NYC on three sides of the stage- making it possible to have scenes in a variety of locations. In one scene, Sam (the murdered boyfriend) appears to walk through the door. In another, Oda May (the psychic) is transformed into Sam. A third is in the subway, with Sam and another ghost jumping on and off the projected train.
The story followed the movie closely- including the pottery wheel scene, and repeated use of "Unchained Melody." I don't know why the writers felt the need to make it a musical. The songs added nothing to the story- before Sam dies, Sam and Molly sing several songs about their love. After he dies, they sing about how they miss each other.
If you are a fan of "Ghost," watch the movie again. Going to the restroom at Bryant Park and reading some of Madame Bovary would be a much better use of time.
Sally
Karen Walker Thompson
The entrance to the women's restroom in Bryant Park- a 4-foot high urn with fresh flowers. The prettiest and cleanest public restroom I have ever been in.
Oda May
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