At one point while reading Abha Dawesar’s lush That Summer in Paris I realized I was actually being seduced! It took away my appetite (in the best possible way), moved me, and helped me to understand a past relationship better.
The novel is also a tribute to the most lovely things in Paris – the sex, art, and food – and somehow manages to enhance their beauty and mystery. Strongest possible recommendation.
“Do you know why there is an opposition? I too think of you as two people. And I think of myself too as two… But today I am a slave to real life. You are Prem. This is cheese. And this cheese is more real than what I’m trying to write. There’s no struggle between the world and this one,” she said, tapping the side of her head with her index finger.
“I want you to have a sip of the wine to cleanse your palate of the herbs and then to put that strong cheese in your mouth.” Prem startled himself with his tone. Prem and Maya had vanished; they were two stomachs.
Maya had a sip of wine and then neatly cleaved the buttery nine o’clock cheese with her knife and put it in her mouth. The jewel in the crown. The climax.
“Vous etes un génie!”
Cherif, no doubt cognizant that such a moment happens at a certain point in the meal, was already hovering near the table. Trying his best to hide his triumph, he smiled sheepishly and said, “It’s the cheese, not me.”
“I want you to have a sip of the wine to cleanse your palate of the herbs and then to put that strong cheese in your mouth.” Prem startled himself with his tone. Prem and Maya had vanished; they were two stomachs.
Maya had a sip of wine and then neatly cleaved the buttery nine o’clock cheese with her knife and put it in her mouth. The jewel in the crown. The climax.
“Vous etes un génie!”
Cherif, no doubt cognizant that such a moment happens at a certain point in the meal, was already hovering near the table. Trying his best to hide his triumph, he smiled sheepishly and said, “It’s the cheese, not me.”
See also Lauren Cerand’s recommendation of Dawesar’s award winning Babyji which she describes as pleasure reading for smart people.
Always hard to resist a book about Paris, and yet they makes me feel slightly sad, knowing that if I did ever get the motivation to write about Paris it would no doubt have been done before. The Dud Avacado. Highly recommend.
Posted by: Lauren | 30 April 2009 at 12:14 AM
It's true, but what's amazing about writing on a much covered subject is that everyone has their story to tell. There's no end to the desire for new stories.
(I've heard The Dud Avacado is wonderful...Thanks.)
Posted by: Coquette | 01 May 2009 at 11:37 AM
Great recommendation! It's going on my summer reading list!
xoxo
www.chicsetera.com
Posted by: WWW.CHICSETERA.COM | 02 May 2009 at 06:22 PM
'The Dud Avocado' WAS wonderful -- when it was written, in 1958 (about the time when I started misbehaving in Paris, too). I recently re-read it for obscure reasons and now it reads as tame, quaint, and snobbish. Frankly my dear, I don't give a damn about who Elaine Dundy drank absinthe with in La Coupole.
Posted by: Stu "El Inglés" | 19 May 2009 at 12:45 AM
I am reading this currently (on your reccomendation.) I'm about 20 pages from the end and I find myself trying to not finish it. I don't want it to be over! Great great great reccomendation. Would love to hear what else you would suggest.
Posted by: lehottomato | 02 July 2009 at 10:25 PM
So glad you like it!
Posted by: Coquette | 03 July 2009 at 09:49 AM
Can't wait to try it - these books are a tonic to me!
Posted by: Wanderlusting | 08 July 2009 at 08:55 PM
I must look for this book!
Posted by: Claire | 11 August 2009 at 05:35 PM