Comments on: Smugglivus Presents – Kate (What Kate’s Reading)

By: Kate

Kate — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 06:52:00 +0000

Karin, definitely check it out! It is an incredible book. I actually picked it up late in 2007 and read the notes and author information, which left me sufficiently emotionally drained to leave the book for a later reading. It was incredible.

Kris, I work in the visual arts so the idea of context is almost ever-present. I really enjoyed extrapolating those ideas out into literature and music. The number of times I catch myself appreciating a piece of art without actually liking it can't be counted.

Evie, I don't think you'll be disappointed!

M., I recently also saw "The Rape of Europa" and can't speak highly enough about it. As a person with a background in history who works in the visual arts, I deal with art provenance pretty frequently and I have to admit that it's by far one of the most fascinating parts of what I do. Have you ever read "The Forger's Spell" by Edward Dolnick? It just came out this year (I think?) and deals with a Dutch man who forged Vermeers really very poorly but sold his way into the Reich collection. The book deals occasionally with the Monuments Men and the recovery of art post-war. If you liked "The Rape of Europa," I think you'd like "The Forger's Spell."

By: M.

M. — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 00:51:00 +0000

Very thought-provoking analysis and difficult-to-answer questions. I had not heard of this book, but will seek it out. Just recently watched the extraordinary ‘Rape of Europa’ documentary, which describes the Nazi program of systematic theft of art treasures from Jewish families in the occupied territories including France, for funneling back to Germany, and how every once in a while now items pop up again in the market and are restored to descendants of the rightful owners.

By: Evie

Evie — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 00:44:00 +0000

Kate,

Fascinating essay on Suite Francaise. I’ll be moving it up on my TBR.

By: Kris

Kris — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 22:49:00 +0000

Thanks for a thought-provoking post, Kate.

The concept of 'reading' in context; whether it be when the work was created or became public/ published/ displayed or even the personal context of the audience, is something which is of great interest to me. I've had many a discussion re: the matter of, as you so clearly put it, 'when one mistakes appreciation for the context for appreciation for the art' and the value of said work if that is purely where the appreciation lies.

'Suite Francaise' sounds fascinating and the story of both the author and the discovery of the manuscript cannot but add to its reading.

Thanks again.

By: Karin

Karin — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 21:55:00 +0000

Wow, Kate, I had not heard of Nemirovsky or her books, but now I really want to get my hands on a copy. It sounds fascinating and like something I would like to read. Thank your posting about it.