‘Dissolution’ The First in the Matthew Shardlake Series

‘Dissolution’ is author C.J. Sanson’s debut novel featuring Master Matthew Shardlake, an attorney who serves the infamous reformer Lord Thomas Cromwell in the year 1536. I confess to not knowing very much about the Reformation period other than what I learned on Masterpiece Theater and films like ‘Anne of A Thousand Days.’ My Catholic grammar school history classes were, not surprisingly, willing to skip those significant chapters in church history.

The Reformation period is arguably just as much of a central character as Shardlake, his protege Mark Poer, and the cast of monks and servants at the struggling monastery at Scarnsea where the story unfolds. The historical backdrop is that of King Henry VIII and Cromwell’s relatively swift process of dismantling and closing the giant machine of monasteries that dominated England’s economy.

Tasked with investigating the gruesome murder of one of Cromwell’s commissioners at Scarnsea, Shardlake’s loyalty to The Reformation and belief that the enormous wealth of the monastery system will be equitably divided becomes as murky as the dangerous surrounding marshlands used by smugglers and a cast of nefarious suspects.

Matthew Shardlake is haunted by personal losses, his own physical deformity and he often admits to being confused, exhausted and fearful. It’s a refreshing portrayal of how hard it has always been to be a hero in times of corruption and conflict. Some things never change.

Looking for more? There are seven titles in the Shardlake series; Dissolution, Dark Fire, Sovereign, Revelation, Heartstone, Lamentation, Tombland.

 

Rivers and Travel Highs Converge at Harper’s Ferry WV

Harper’s Ferry, West Virginia was a highlight of a spring roadtrip – a place with the perfect blend of history and scenery at the  confluence of the Potomac and Shenandoah Rivers.  It offers a unique 2-for-1 deal in that the town and Harper’s Ferry National Park are actually indistinguishable. 

At the base of ‘The Lower Town” sits ‘The Point’ where the mingled waters of the two mountain rivers flow along the boundaries of Maryland, Virginia and West Virginia.  Driving in this entire area is a dizzying game of automobile pinball as you bounce across state line to state line in a crazy game of geographic boundaries.  Harper’s Ferry is actually a quaintly* compact place, tightly hugging the hills and yet, the stocky B&O Railroad tunnel gawks right out of the mountain above and bringing the Amtrak line straight from Washington D.C.  Abolitionist John Brown’s Fort is also a sturdy thing to behold, hunkered proudly at the confluence point in the Lower Town, as if to dare the rivers and hills to make it budge after all of these years.

*”Quaintness” should only be expected during “low” seasons. Due to the narrow, steep streets and lack of space for parking, the place has to be an over-crowded trap during spring break, summer and fall color season!   Hence the Park’s need for the “official” National Park center above the town. It’s only there to shuttle crowds down the hill to John Brown’s Fort and the other historic sites. Or, take the train from Pittsburgh or DC.  A final tip, dining options were limited.

A natural spring runs through The Rabbit Hole Gastropub.

One of the few open restaurants in early springtime, The Rabbit Hole offered scenic  dining on the deck overlooking town & railway station.  It’s almost “as old as the hills” when you realize that there is a visible mountain spring running through the main dining room.

Another kind of confluence is the Appalachian Trail Conservancy Headquarters & Visitor Center just above town. Spend a little time in the office and you’ll hear the stories of through-hikers, day-hikers and meet people from all over the world.  We hiked straight out of the trail office towards the rivers and alongside places where Thomas Jefferson walked.

ATC Headquarters, Harpers Ferry WV

A short walk up those same hills brought us to our suite in a beautifully restored house across the road from the ATC headquarters. Perfect homebase for your visit.  https://www.potomacadventure.com/

Happy Trails!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Hare with Amber Eyes A Family’s Century of Art & Loss

Edmund De Waal

This true account of the author’s ancestors between 1871 and 2009 moves along slowly, almost serenely, and I believe with good reason. His focus from the beginning of this archival labor of love is an inherited 264 piece collection of Japanese netsuke.

Don’t know what those are? Neither did I, and I realize that while the author includes photos of people and places, maps and a family tree, I wish he would have included a photo or illustration of these treasures. I found this article in The Guardian which highlights just a few.

ne·tsu·ke/ˈnetso͝oˌkē,ˈnets(ə)ˌkā/

  1. a small carved ornament, especially of ivory or wood, worn as part of Japanese traditional dress as a toggle by which an article may be attached to the sash of a kimono.

The Ephrussi family banking empire began in Odessa, and their wealth and prestige grew as they ultimately lived in Paris, Switzerland and Austria. The author takes his time describing the family members. They were art collectors, businessmen, ladies of society, lawyers, engineers, and they also happened to be Jewish at a dangerous time in history.

Anti-semitism compelled them to leave Paris, but nothing could help them avoid the night of March 11, 1938 when their slowly unraveling freedoms and peace came to a cataclysmic end in the Anchluss.

The netsuke collection’s amazing journey and survival give De Waal a rope to pull the story from letters, archives and interviews. It’s a testament to holding on to things and letting go as well. Perhaps they are simply too precious to him to share a photo with us, the readers of his story.

The Cure Starts with Recognition of the Problem

It came to me while I was preparing my Christmas lasagna, that I may have an addiction. Possibly something which would require an intervention. As I was slicing up the onions I looked down and realized I was wearing my Superman apron. Pretty cool, right? While I don’t have the hairline of Clark Kent, buried beneath layers of pasta, beer, burritos and an occasional veggie is a six pack that’s the envy of every weightlifter. Then it dawned on me. After I wake up, I put on my favorite bathrobe which is colored in Superman Red and Blue, with his huge “S” emblem in the back. I’ll then dress for work and probably wear Stance socks decorated with superheroes. At my office, observant visitors will notice a Superman figurine guarding the entrance. On the bookshelf is Batman, ever watchful.

These days many of my client appointments are WebEx meetings. I’ll send out an invite for the meeting and after an introduction I’ll open to the homepage on my laptop. What image does the client immediately see? Batman, looking out on high, guarding over Gotham City.

Depending upon the day, I’ll hit the gym. If I’m lifting, and trying not to put the muscle men to shame, I’m wearing a Superman tank. Lucky for us we live in a beautiful town, not far from the beach. Dee and I often walk along the waterfront at sunset. I’ll grab my hoodie which has on the front; you guessed it, a big ‘S’ for the big guy. So that’s a normal day. I may have missed a reference or two to a superhero, but assuming not, that’s a wrap. We’ll eat, watch some TV and go to bed. I’m an early riser so I don’t use an alarm but occasionally if I might need a reminder I’ll set one. My wake-up tune? Superman’s Song by Crash Test Dummies.

So, do you think I have a problem? Should I seek help? If so, where? Heroes are an interesting study. They tell us who we are and what’s at the heart of our being. We all know about the ancient Greeks and the god’s they worshiped. With all respect to those still following Zeus, Hades and Athena, are they much different than today’s superheroes? According to Marvel I guess not, after all Thor has captured the hearts of many. Heroes in many ways are our guiding lights and set a standard we all should want to follow. As the above-mentioned song goes; “Even though he coulda smashed through any bank in the United States, he had the strength but he would not.” Heroes set an example of what we should strive to be. Do the right thing, take care of those who are vulnerable, think of yourself last, sacrifice for others. Those are the values we all were raised with and try to pass on to others.

In business is that so wrong? We really can do the right thing all the time and benefit our clients. Capitalism is a wonderful thing and if done correctly, many of us benefit from the gain. It does not have to be a dog-eat-dog world. I was raised in an industry by a mentor who preached, ‘take care of others first, it’s the right thing to do’. Don’t think of your compensation, put that out of your mind. Put your clients’ needs first, and good things will follow. This may sound foolish and naïve but it lets me sleep peacefully knowing we’re always doing the right thing.

Back to the original question; should I seek professional help? On second thought, no thank you. I’ll just take my heroes along wherever I go.

“Just” finished…

Here’s proof that I needed to start eprlife! FOUR years of books and I haven’t shared the titles, much less a review of any kind. That said, many of you read way more than this, and I’m in awe! What are your reading now? Next time, we’ll be checking in with Sarah B. who will put all but the most avid book-nut to shame!

  • 2016 – 2017

All The Pretty Horses by Cormac McCarthy. The first in The Border Trilogy and my favorite.

Island of Lost Maps by Miles Harvey. What map geek wouldn’t read this true tale of thievery, obsession and a heist that took place at Northwestern University?

Soul of a New Machine by Tracy Kidder. How Kidder got me caring about the geeks who sweated their brains out for the first PC is a testament to his talent!

The Orchardist by Amanda Coplan. I live on an ‘old orchard’, but don’t want this stuff happening here!

  • November – December 2018

Map of Salt and Stars by Jennifer Zeynab Joukhadar. Really captivating story of a family. A war. A refugee’s existence.

Stardust by Neil Gaiman. I’d read Good Omens and found I like a good biblical-based fantasy so I picked up this lovely little fairy tale and ‘Poof!’ my wish was granted!

  • 2019

Mary Astor’s Purple Diary: The Great American Sex Scandal of 1936
by Edward Sorel. Kind of a ‘hoot’ and the illustrations are classic, but actually very sad and appropriate as ‘Me Too’ is not at all new!

French Milk, by Lucy Knisley. I like reading about France and Lucy Knisley is a talented of an ‘indie-cartoonist’. Is it really a ‘graphic novel’? Barely. But its FRANCE!

Southpole Station by Ashley Shelby. Being a little obsessed with Antarctica and it’s fragile/hostile environment, I took a chance on a novel about an artist in residence in the scientific, quirky world that is truly down under. It did not disappoint, and left me wanting to read more on the subject.

Reading now…American Gods by Neil Gaiman. Stay tuned THE battle is nigh!

Happy Birthday President Lincoln! A Penny For Your Thoughts.

Happy Birthday Abraham Lincoln. Born 211 years ago today and still revered in our collective national memory as truly wise, witty and brave. Also, quite fitting that his image is on not one, but two U.S. currencies: the penny and the five dollar bill. It’s just good to have this guy around!

Whether spiritual, self-effacing, political or poignant, his words are timeless and I am amazed by the number of insightful and delightful quotations which sprang from Mr. Lincoln’s fine mind. Sharing a few gems here.

“When I do good, I feel good. When I do bad, I feel bad, and that’s my religion.” – Abraham Lincoln

“We the people are the rightful masters of both Congress and the courts, not to overthrow the Constitution but to overthrow the men who pervert the Constitution.” – Abraham Lincoln

“If I were two-faced, would I be wearing this one?” – Abraham Lincoln

“Better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to speak out and remove all doubt.” – Abraham Lincoln

And on Lincoln’s Birthday years ago, the late, great Johnny Carson told a joke about Abe Lincoln that referenced his assassination. The joke bombed badly, and without missing a beat, Carson quipped, “Too soon?” Yes, Johnny, it will always be too soon.

Just finished…Cloud Atlas by David Mitchell

Cloud_AtlasTruth be told, it was this book’s title and cover-art images that interested me. Pen and ink illustrations along with satellite and radar images of clouds all hint at the book’s central them of our inter-connected lives, especially through the passage of time.

Let yourself roll with Mitchell’s ability to write six unique stories from disparate places and times. You’ll be asking, how does this relate, right up until the time it all invariably does!

Adam Ewing – a Pacific Ocean adventure circa 1850 which starts and ends this novel;

Robert Frobisher – a roguish, tragically talented pianist who composes his masterpiece sextet ‘Cloud Atlas’ which resurfaces in two of the other stories;

Luisa Rey – a 1970’s era tough-as-nails LA journalist who is in way over her smart little head;

Timothy Cavendish – an unlucky, lucky Brit who steals the show while living through a true nightmare;

Sonmi-451 – one unique human clone in a future populated with clones who serve burgers, clean nuclear waste and don’t get any kind of retirement benefits;

Zachary – a boy’s wild adventure in postapocalyptic Hawaii, which reads more like Huck Finn meets Bladerunner;

Cloud Atlas was adapted into a film in 2012.

Stories from Shakespeare – or how to follow the Bard

stories_shakespeare

If you have watched a Shakespeare play and said to yourself, “What are they saying?” or “What’s going on?” or “Why don’t they speak English?”, you are not alone, and should not have high school flashbacks either. The play is the thing! Just prepare for it. I did my research back when we first subscribed to Chicago Shakespeare Theater all those years ago. The hands-down best resource to prep for the play is ‘Stories from Shakespeare’ by Marchette Chute. The title of Marchette’s work says it all in the word “Stories”. These are great stories and we want to hear the words, watch the action and learn to tell them again and again.

Most people can probably share a common High School English class experience of reading an assigned Shakespeare play. Mine was ‘The Merchant of Venice.’ I’ve since come to believe that these richly layered, intensely crafted plays were not meant to be read, and that is why the torturous memories of my first exposure to Shakespeare still linger. That said, I am thankful to have found that at 15 years old, I was able find real truth and a peak at the genius that Sir Will shared with the world in the eloquence and cunning of Portia v. Shylock.

After many years as subscribers to Chicago Shakespeare Theater, we are down to only one or two of the histories before we can say we’ve seen the entire canon. This is not like saying, “Shakespeare Bucket List – Check!” The guy’s works are enduring and wouldn’t still be staged all over the world every day and night if he was a one hit wonder. Seeing a Shakespeare play more than once is like looking at a bright object through a prism. It is every changing and beautifully fascinating. Proof of that can be found as the 450th anniversary of Shakespeare’s birth brings a celebration of Hamlet to be performed in every nation on earth within 2 years. http://www.shakespearesglobe.com/theatre/whats-on/globe-theatre/hamlet-globe-to-globe

But back to the plays, because, the play is the thing. Hamlet: “I’ll have grounds, more relative than this—the play’s the thing. Wherein I’ll catch the conscience of the King.”
Hamlet Act 2, scene 2, 603–605