Welcome to the Ophelia's World; or The Memoirs of Parisian Shop's Girl. It was one of the classic 80s bear's books. The story certainly exuded the feeWelcome to the Ophelia's World; or The Memoirs of Parisian Shop's Girl. It was one of the classic 80s bear's books. The story certainly exuded the feeling of old world coziness. Romantic. Infused with lots of French terms. If you love antique, lace, frills and ribbons; you will love this.
This is the first series of Ophelia B. Clise. She is the daughter of an ambassador, who amassed so many collectibles from countries of her father's diplomatic postings. Inspired from those treasures, she opened the "Bazaar des Bears" in Paris. It chronicled her tale of running the famous premium gift shop in a daily journal of a full year.
This book would benefit from some proofreading. To smoothened out some inconsistencies. Or is it Ophelia herself was confused with her own feeling and mind?
What saved it from being average storytelling is the photographic details. It is certainly enchanting and pleasant to look at. Beautiful photos of bears, antique dresses, window displays, props, and ephemera graced in between few pages. Very Victorian. Do you know those toy bears came from author's own collection? She owned 90 of them and, Bazaar des Bears inspired by the name of her shop in Seattle.
I'm not sure if this book is still in print. Mine, is a preloved of 1st edition hardcover; picked up in a book swap. The internet informed the latest new copy published in 1988. Probably, leftover stocks. A pity, because this would make a perfect gift of toy bears collectors. I'm sure they would love to have this charming book.
Story. 3stars Photos 5 stars My rating is based on average: 4 stars. ...more
Shopaholic series never failed to lighten my mind and mood; including this one. After few weeks of brainstorming sessions, reading this is a very muchShopaholic series never failed to lighten my mind and mood; including this one. After few weeks of brainstorming sessions, reading this is a very much a welcome relief. Very therapeutic to me.
Shopaholic Ties The Knots saw Rebecca Bloomwood in much headache again after kept digging her own holes. Her own fault for sweeping important matters under carpet until last minutes.
She's going to marry her long time boyfriend Luke. Her mom had started preparation for her wedding in Surrey. On the other side on Atlantic, Elinor Sherwood, Luke's mother also planned for the wedding at the Plaza Hotel ballroom for the same date.
How to be your own bride at two different continents in the same day?
Bloomwood didn't have the heart to tell her mum to cancel it and have her family flew to New York for the wedding. She couldn't released her herself from Plaza Hotel reception either. That's because, stupidly enough she just signed agreement with the wedding planner without reading anything. That will incurred 100 thousands in penalties if breached.
Amount of money she didn't have.
This third installment of Shopaholics saw a more matured version of Bloomwood. Having her foot in mouth faux pas but less silly acts. Still funny and hilarious. It's worth my time reading this. ...more
1) If you like a collection of short stories; this might be your thing.
2) If reading a poetic language is your cup of tea; then take a look3.5 or 70%
1) If you like a collection of short stories; this might be your thing.
2) If reading a poetic language is your cup of tea; then take a look at this.
3) If you like to immerse yourself in "dreamy-like" reflection of life, then pay a bit more attention to this.
4) If rich and colourful depictions are your must-have; then give this book a consideration.
5) If you like Indian flavoured story; don't look the other way.
So, there you are.
Unless you ticked all above, there's a chance you might not enjoy this. Me included. Even though I ticked number 1, 4 & 5. I'm not sure if I fully understood these stories correctly. Kind of enigma to me.
But, if you ticked all 5 above; you might love this....more
What an aesthetic and thoughtful piece of literature.
For a classic Indonesian book, surprisingly the language style feels modern and easy to be undersWhat an aesthetic and thoughtful piece of literature.
For a classic Indonesian book, surprisingly the language style feels modern and easy to be understood. It's the only one among his fictions that is still retaining verbatim et literatim since its first publication more than 8 decades ago. Even Malay language proficient readers could read this without much trouble.
The author used a fictional medium to illustrate his thoughts and disagreements about certain practices of Minangkabau ethnic; which he belonged to. *Minangkabau is the largest matriarchal society in the world, originally from the West Sumatran, Indonesia.
He highlighted customs that he found oppressing to the menfolk prior to 1940s. 1. Man do not own any property. Nor do he inherited any from his family. Only woman do. It passed matrilineally. If the deceased mother had no daughter, properties will be passed to her sisters, nieces or aunts.
2. Man has to build a house and prepared a farm for his wife. It will be build on his wife familial land.
3.That said properties will fully belong to the wife. It will not being considered matrimonial assets. Husband is considered a free lodger of the house for the duration his wife's life.
4. Once properties for the wife had been provided for; he has to provide property to his nieces if he could afford it. The principle is, one cannot enrich the spousal side only. But also your own maternal families as well.
5. Once his wife passed away, the property will belong to his daughter. By custom, he could no longer stays there. His daughter and her spouse will live there. Also, any nieces and their respective spouses.
6. So where will he stays? At the surau. Surau is equivalent to the mosque but in smaller size. That's where their menfolk will stay for the duration of their remaining lives once their wives passed away.
All above were delivered though the main character, Leman. He migrated to Deli in search of better living. He earned his living by peddling fabrics on his bicycle, riding through various plantation estates.
* Deli was a prosperous Sultanate state during the period prior to 1940s. It attracted migrants from all Dutch East Indies islands. Its located on the Sumatran Island.
* Indonesia was known as Dutch East Indies during the Dutch colonization.
He fell in love with Poniem, one of many mistresses of the estate supervisor. Poniem, being convinced by love and sincerity of Leman, eloped and built their new lives as a legally married couple.
So, what will happen when there's a cultural clash?
* Old Minangkabau custom hold that man is 100% responsible to make a living for his marital life. Wife only waited to provided for. Whatever or however it takes, it's not her concerns. Her family has the right to take her back if her marital life deemed uncomfortable materially or unsatisfactory.
Poniem being a Javanese descent believed in shared responsibility in marriage. She pawned all her gold jewelleries to raise capital in order to open a textile shop. It was a success and they became wealthy. Their marital lives was blissfully happy as well. In spite of their childlessness.
One day, Leman decided to visit his hometown in Padang, and brought along his wife.
That's where the seed of conflict began.
All I could say about the ending is, karma had been served to whom that commited injustice. Also to those unappreciative of a bountiful life made possible by sacrifices, devotions and loyalties of others. ...more
Full of flavours. Deeply enriched with Indian culture and social customs.
The 3rd volume of Marriage Bureau series saw a well-rounded characters' deveFull of flavours. Deeply enriched with Indian culture and social customs.
The 3rd volume of Marriage Bureau series saw a well-rounded characters' development. The story became even more interesting and well-marinated. What's more, Farahad Zama yarned around the storyline with contemporary social elements like Naxalites and LGBT, making it more current and realistic.
Actually, I skipped reading the 2nd volume, The Many Conditions of Love. But, I don't find that a hindrance to my reading enjoyment. It's very well-written and deeply absorbing.
I found The Wedding Wallah, personally appealing. I love the scene where milk delivered fresh, with milking done on the spot. Yes! A buffalo making her round and mooed the reserved customer house to signal her arrival. What a novel scenery!
The author also used phrases that we, in Malaysia also used. Like, a packed sardine in a can; to throw a sandal to someone. Even featured Vadai, one of my favourite fritters, a doughnut shaped snack made from dhall. I felt sorts of affinity with the story.
With all these, there's hardly anything for me to complaint about this book. It's a very much pleasure to read the Wedding Wallah....more
It's my mission this year to read at least one book by authors, that I had enjoyed myself in past years. Jackie Collins is one of those. Not everyone It's my mission this year to read at least one book by authors, that I had enjoyed myself in past years. Jackie Collins is one of those. Not everyone prepared to admit they read her books I believe, for its quiet scandalous and salacious contents.
The Bitch had all the hallmarks that made her book a bestseller. Gossipy, sexy and trashy. Exactly for these qualities, made a Collins book enjoyable to read and so entertaining.
Despite being shorter than her usual length, it compensate with characters' believability. Main characters are Fontaine Khaled, a divorced sugar mama on the brink of bankruptcy and Nico a widower of European classic singer who lost all in gambling table. Whom at the end, attracted to each other; in contrast to their usual preferences. They seemed real enough to me, and I'm satisfied with it. After all, I don't read Jackie Collins for literature or humanity value. It just a pure gossipy fiction for entertainment purposes only....more
It's one of my most pleasant reading this year. So soothing. I feel so tranquil, reading about river and it's fish, birds and it's small settlement. WIt's one of my most pleasant reading this year. So soothing. I feel so tranquil, reading about river and it's fish, birds and it's small settlement. What a peaceful life that they had in the Lost River. Millions thanks to my friend Negin, for recommending me to have a look at her Christmas list's books.
I like the way the author introducing characters into the plots. Beginning with the main star, Oswald T Campbell. Who being advised by his doctor to move out from Chicago as fast as possible because of his last stage of emphysema. Other characters gradually appeared smoothly along and characterized well in the storyline.
I feel engrossed in every page. Of their daily lives and what's came along. If I feel so serene after reading this, it's only fitted that this story had a happy ending.
All well and ended well. A policewoman, Tilda Morrison had bought a house on the Candy Cane Lane. This place is famous for their annual Christmas decoAll well and ended well. A policewoman, Tilda Morrison had bought a house on the Candy Cane Lane. This place is famous for their annual Christmas decorations. Every evening until the eve, Mrs Santa will be giving out candy cane to each touring vehicle. Every house gave the best shot to ensure the street have a magnificent festive atmosphere during those time. All of these were because of the hard work of Maddy, the informally anointed Mrs Chairperson.
The story is written in multiple narratives with Tilda, her next door Ivy and Maddy taking central place. Tilda found herself attracted to Devon Black, a local troublemaker who considered himself an ultimate God's gift to womenfolk. Meanwhile, Ivy facing difficulties in running daily chores as a single mother of two young children with an ex-husband kept making appearances on one pretext after another. Maddy was too busy with a neighbourhood's Christmas preparations to the extent of her family time took second place.
The author exploring various relationship issues that always crept up during Christmas time. She depicted each character very well. Each has their own distinctive personality. The storyline seamlessly interconnected at relevant plots. Descriptions of scenes were very lively, and I could form mental picture of each scene. Simply said, nothing more should be asked from this book....more
An entertaining read that gives you glimpse of Indian matchmaking.
Mr Ali had retired from the government service. He found himself with much free timAn entertaining read that gives you glimpse of Indian matchmaking.
Mr Ali had retired from the government service. He found himself with much free time. His wife gave suggestion for him to find a hobby to occupy his time. So, a home based matchmaking service was set up.
Mr Ali is definitely the star in this book. His sense of humour, in the way he think and his spontaneous comment is what gave this book a comedic tone in dealing with various demand of members. Some reasonable, some not. But his abilities as a matchmaker tested heavily in the case of Aruna, his own assistant.
For those not in know, matchmaking in India is intricate and never simple. For some, caste matched wanted. Then, from the astrological point of view, to determine the compatibility of prospective bride and bridegroom. After that dowry if required and the wedding expenses. The author wrote a lighter version of it by relying on Mr Ali's portrayal to make it an enjoyable reading experience. That said, this book is not that deep but not that shallow either.
I love depictions of wedding ceremonies here. Just nicely done to fit mood of this book. Harmonious. Some description of food is very appetizing like the Mutton Biryani. I manage to search for Indian style Potato and Cauliflower Stir Fry elsewhere after it being mentioned here. As a bonus, Mrs Ali's Halwa recipe is included by the author.
Overall, Mr Zama managed to bring life to each character, however short their part in the storyline. Each have their own mind and stand up well....more
Sophie Kinsella's is always my choice of book to read when I need to de-stress and to refresh my mind. Always comedic, lots of hilarious moments starrSophie Kinsella's is always my choice of book to read when I need to de-stress and to refresh my mind. Always comedic, lots of hilarious moments starring even more ridiculous characters really made my day and this book is no exception.
Emma had just failed in her solo marketing assignment to get an oil company to sign a deal. In her frustration, she drank 3 shots of vodka while waiting for her return flight. Heavy air turbulence occurred during this flight and combined that with being an aerophobic. Naturally she assumed this will be her last moment. In that nervous moment her mouth readily slipped all her secret to a stranger next seat. A week later she found out, the stranger she talked is the founder of the company she is working. Very awkward situations followed.
Not everything here is funny. There sad moments which I also felt for Emma. Of her secret pangs of grief and hate of Kerry; the cousin who since arrival in the family snatched away her parental love and devotion she deserved and being treated like crap.. Of humiliation, tense, determination. But one thing certain, Kinsella expertly intertwined all this to give it a humourous nuance. ...more
My individual evalution for each of the stories featured in this volume: 1) The Afghan - Excellently compacted with very dramatic effect. 2) Sun at MidnMy individual evalution for each of the stories featured in this volume: 1) The Afghan - Excellently compacted with very dramatic effect. 2) Sun at Midnight - This shortened version cut the depth and emotion of the story. 3) Echo Park - Nice selection. No real complain here. 4) Messenger of Truth - Another good choice. I will check out more of Jacqueline Winspear. Basically Reader's Digest Select Edition is a good way to sample out what other author has to offer....more
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