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JANE CABLE REVIEWS APRIL’S NEW RELEASES

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The Forgotten Palace by Alexandra Walsh

A dual timeline based around Arthur Evans’ archaeological digs at Knossos on Crete, this book has an incredible sense of place, time and history. The heat and the dust from the excavations rise up from the page as the Victorian characters scrape in the earth and wash dirt from shards of pot.

In 1900 Alice departs on a grand tour of Europe accompanying her aunt and young nephews. She is heartbroken and in terrible disgrace, so her kindly family have sent her away to recover. In the present day timeline Eloise leaves for Crete on the day of her husband’s funeral wearing a red dress and red shoes. It’s clear she is glad he has gone – but why?

The book is packed full of history, myth, and dreams, with italicised sections which could be either of the latter, almost making it a triple timeline. But having read Alexandra Walsh’s other books I was not expecting this to be a simple love story and it is anything but.

A final word: don’t let the cast list at the front put you off – it really isn’t needed as all the main characters are so memorable.

 

The Cruise by Caroline James

I am not a great reader of romantic comedy, but I really enjoy Caroline James’ books. Not just because the protagonists are ladies in their sixties having a fabulous time, but because everything about them and their adventures is so beautifully observed and the pathos and humour eased out.

In The Cruise three single friends (one widowed, one almost divorced and the other resolutely single) decide to head to the Caribbean for Christmas. I loved the descriptions of the islands and it was wonderful to be back in a Barbados I recognised, albeit through the pages of a book. Anne, Jane and Kath, and the supporting cast of characters are bound to make you smile, so book your cabin now.

 

A Village in the Third Reich by Julia Boyd and Angelika Patel

I don’t often review non-fiction but I loved the premise of this book; to follow the life of a single village in Germany from the end of the First World War, and all through the Second.

It did not disappoint, and I would say it is essential reading for anyone interested in the era. It brings the human stories of the inhabitants of Oberstdorf in the Bavarian Alps to the fore, while setting them firmly in their social and political context. Whether dipping in and out, or reading from cover to cover, this in an exceptional history and meticulously researched.

 

The Girl Who Escaped by Angela Petch

This book is Angela Petch at her best, with a purely historical narrative set in her beloved Italy during the Second World War. It’s a gripping tale that explores the plight of the Jewish community as fascism tightened its hold on the country, and the efforts of the Italian resistance to return their nation to the tolerant society it once had been.

The Girl Who Escaped follows the stories of not only Italian Jew Devora, but her schoolfriends Luigi, a clandestine partisan, and Rico who may or may not be a collaborator. Their stories unfold and entwine, with Devora always centre stage as the world she has known crumbles around her when fascism begins to bite.

It’s an incredibly well researched book, so rich in detail that it absolutely transported me to Urbino during the Second World War, to circumstances that were at times so painful it was hard to read on. But, heart in mouth, I persevered, because I just had to know what happened. And that is the mark of a truly great storyteller.

Travel thoughts: Christmas markets

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I lived in France for ten years where the Christmas hype started much later and was much more low key. So for me, the Christmas markets signify the beginning of the festive period. Being cocooned by the closeness of the beautifully decorated stalls, almost suffocated by the homely aroma of vin chaud and heartened by the promise of melted cheese on bread, was an event worth attending even if I didn’t have a shopping agenda.

A tradition which originated in Germany in the late middle ages to mark the four weeks of Advent, the popularity of the Christmas market soon filtered through Europe to Switzerland, France, Italy and Spain. Surprisingly, even though local markets have occupied a place on the town squares of England for many years, the extravagant English Christmas fayres of the past didn’t return to our cities until the 1990s. Banned by the puritan leaders of Cromwell’s reign for being, an icon of a wasteful festival that threatened Christian beliefs and encouraged immoral activities, Christmas markets in all their glory took a long time to re-emerge. Festive products and foodstuffs eventually found their way back onto the English market stalls in the Victorian era. And thankfully now the dedicated Christmas markets of the past are once again popping up all over the country offering an abundance of tempting treats handmade gifts and a chance to meet the maker.

More popular than ever, festive markets are now regular events in the larger cities of Scotland (Edinburgh & Glasgow), Wales (Cardiff ) and England (London, Manchester, Leeds & Birmingham). Smaller towns and country estates have also eagerly adopted the unique yuletide shopping opportunity. York, Bath and Blenheim Palace are amongst the most popular heritage sites to make use of their elegant architecture as backdrops for complex projections, spectacular light manifestations and laser displays to wow the shoppers as they browse the stalls for festive goodies.

 

christmas treats

 

The best Christmas markets still take place within the leading countries of Europe. Cultural styles dominate the handcrafted objects on sale, varying the design of the jewellery, ceramics, and toys from region to region. The geographical differences don’t stop there, the choirs, the minstrels and vibrancy of the dancers who entertain the crowds all vary dramatically too.

Stuttgart, Frankfurt and Nuremberg still attract the highest numbers of visitors every year and are the biggest Christmas markets. Hot Bratwurst and gallons of beer are amongst the tempting treats at the german street stalls. Further east, roasted hams and hot sugar-coated cake entices shoppers to the markets in Prague. In Bologna, it’s festive nougat made with almonds and honey that is a winner with the crowds. However diverse the flavours may be, there is always one tempting aroma that dominates – roasted chestnuts. And just writing about it is putting me in the festive mood, which reminds me, I must buy some more cinnamon!

 

Christmas treats

Exclusive Paddy Ashdown Interview: On His Books

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Paddy Ashdown has been a Royal Marine, the leader of the Liberal Democrats for eleven years, High Representative for Bosnia and Herzegovina, and is a life peer in the House of Lords. On top of that he has written 8 books, with the 8th coming out on the 5th of June. I can’t wait as I have loved all of his other books. I interviewed him about his books and politics. Here is part one.

Did you get the idea for A Brilliant Little Operation: The Cockleshell Heroes and the Most Courageous Raid of World War 2 while you were a member of the Royal Marines elite Special Boot Squadron?

No, my publisher approached me and said ‘it’s the 70th anniversary how about writing the book’. Which is my seventh book. I am just about to produce my 8th so it was a natural subject really.

What is your 8th book about?

The 8th book is about the largest resistance battle with the Germans in the Second World War. It is called A Terrible Victory, about the Vercors plateau on June 1944 and it was the biggest resistance German battle in Western Europe. [Learn more about the book here. It is about the chronicle of the French Resistance during World War Two]

That sounds fascinating. You have written quite a lot of books. Do you have a favourite?

I think the one I am working on now is always my favourite. I love writing books and whatever you’re working on consumes your mind so it is always the one you are most thinking about.

You’re books are very good. They are always very factual and have lots of history in them. How do you go about writing them. What is your writing schedule?

Writing The Brilliant Little Operation, and the one I am going to produce, Harper Collins will publish it on the 5th of June, takes me about three years of research. I mean, I start writing before then and overall I don’t like writing unless I have all of the research it is possible to get. Normally the whole process will take my three and a half to four years. Of which three years is spent on research. Going to the wonderful archive museum in Britain, the National Archives in Britain. In the case of both of my most recent books, to the Château de Vincennes in Paris, In France there are three key archives you have to go to. And also the Bauhaus-Archiv in Germany.

I spend a lot of time in archives. In writing my present book I have read sixty other books on the subject, all of them in French. In writing a Brilliant Little Operation I have read four books before and a lot of research. So research is very important.

You can really tell that when you read your books.

Thank you, that’s kind. That’s very generous.

Tomorrow: The Liberal Democrats, the Conservatives, Nick Clegg, Labour and the NHS: Exclusive interview.

 

5 Film Sets That You Can Go Explore

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If you love films and travel, you might want to combine the two on a pilgrimage to the sets of your favourite movies. Here are our top 5 film sets that you can go and explore.

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  1. Jurassic Park – Kualoa Ranch, Oahu

Originally set to be filmed in Costa Rica, Steven Spielberg’s 1993 mega blockbuster Jurassic Park was relocated to the craggy, prehistoric landscape of Oahu, Hawaii. Standing in for the mythical Isla Nublar, Kualoa Ranch is arguably one of the stars of the film, as it sets the mood and tone for this ‘science gone too far’ escapade. Visitors to Kualoa today can take guided ATV tours of the vast acreage, also used as a filming location for Lost and Godzilla.

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  1. Harry Potter – Warner Brother Studios, Leavesden

A perennial favourite of kids of all ages, the 8 Harry Potter films were all shot in and around London and Oxford. A specialised team of designers, visual effects experts and artists built the elaborate sets—and you can visit them to this day! Take a wand waving class, get up close to prosthetics and costumes actually used during filming, and of course – visit the unbelievable shop at the end. If you want to catch a glimpse of filming locations around the city, head to the Millennium Footbridge, King’s Cross Station (home to the iconic Platform 9 ¾) and Leadenhall Market.

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  1. The Grand Budapest Hotel- Görlitzer Warenhaus Department Store, Görlitz, Germany 

Fans of Wes Anderson’s quirky alternate universe often cite The Grand Budapest Hotel as their favourite of his films. Nominated for 9 Oscars in 2014, this visually arresting movie was shot primarily in a department store, not a hotel. While the hotel’s façade was a model (a technique that Anderson often employs), the interior shots were all filmed in this handsome art nouveau department store, built in 1913 and located 60 miles from Dresden. Open daily, you can treat yourself to a bit of retail therapy while you walk through the halls of cinematic history.

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  1. Ghostbusters, Tribeca Firehouse, New York City

This 1984 classic is beloved by generations of fans who grew up watching the films, television series, cartoons and playing with Slimer action figures – and that is why so many fans flock to the Tribeca Firehouse at 14 North Moore Street in New York City. Now valued at over $16 million due to its newly trendy location, the newest reboot of the film due next year may not be able to afford to hire the space!

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  1. Friday the 13th, NoBeBoSco campground, Blairstown, New Jersey

If you love scary slasher flicks and you want to pay homage to Jason at the fictional Camp Crystal Lake, you will have to get the permission of an organisation so wholesome that it is the antithesis of Friday the 13th: The Boy Scouts of America! ‘Camp Crystal Lake’ is actually set on the NoBeBoSco campground in New Jersey, and during the off season they will occasionally grant permission to film buffs who want to wander through the original cabins.

These filming locations are iconic, interesting and affordable (or even free) to visit. Do you have any others you would like to see added to this list? Leave your suggestions in the comment section below!

 

 

Why Soccer Is More Than Just A Sport

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For those outside of the sport’s dedicated and passionate fan base, it is difficult to understand why or how soccer can have such a significant and emotive impact upon so many people. It is with almost disbelief that some people view grown men and women crying with joy or wailing with anger over what is just a game to them.

Soccer’s importance and presence within its fans’ lives will likely become even more apparent over the next few weeks with the conclusion of the League Cup, which sees Chelsea being the 4/6 favourite to win in the League Cup betting. This colossal event, which sees all clubs of the Football League compete against each other, has been to known to whip fans into an emotional frenzy each and every year.

But why is this and are those non-fans right to judge soccer fans for their seemingly irrational investment in – to quote many a sceptic – a bunch of men kicking a ball around? Moreover, why is it that many find it understandable for those actually playing the sport to show extremities of emotions, such Steven Gerrard’s passionate leaking of emotion after Liverpool’s win over Manchester City in 2014, but feel that fans are weird for also doing so?

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by  Calciomercato24

To understand the answer to this question, one has to realise that for many soccer is not just a sport but a powerful narrative that they are both emotionally invested in and mentally involved with. It is not just a defined, and isolated, game but an entity comprising of personal belief, identity and loyalty. It is a funnel for national pride and a uniting factor for many a country’s population.

An excellent example of this is the powerful and symbolic domestic reaction to Germany’s victory at the 2014 World Cup. Many critics and observers commentated that Germany’s joyous reaction to their country’s achievement was one of the first carefree expressions of such a feeling since the twin World Wars cast a shadow over the country’s ability to display patriotism.

This is soccer’s power, its ability to harness a collective pride and feeling of achievement and share it amongst its supporters. It is a form of entertainment that invites its punters to invest, not in fictional creations, but real people and their challenges. Likewise, it welcomes these fans to share the credit and the moment of victory with its players.

If people are allowed to cry over the death of Albus Dumbledore or be warmed by the heart-breaking romance of Fault In Their Stars, why should others not weep at watching an underdog side breakthrough or a former star briefly return to glory? Is seeing a group of individuals – through determination, hard work and ambition – achieve their dreams not worthy of a proper emotional response and vocal appraisal?

The answer is, of course, is because to these dedicated professionals and their passionate fans soccer is not a game of grass and goalposts but of blood and tears and heart.

 

 

 

The Society Islands, The Big Sleep | Music News

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Band/Artist: The Society Islands
Location: Cologne, Germany
Styles: Indie Pop, Neo Folk, Dream Pop
Similar to/RIYL: Tame Impala, Grizzly Bear, Unknown Mortal Orchestra, Porcupine Tree, Brian Eno
CD: The Big Sleep
Release date: September 26 (digital), November 14 (CD)
Members/Instruments: Boris Rogowski (vocals, guitars, bass, keys, woodwinds, percussion, drums), Moishe Lichtfuss (Saxophone), Benedikt Filleboeck (Trumpet), Isabelle Holder (vocals), Eva Bardo (vocals)
Production: Boris Rogowski


Bio: 


The Society Islands is the solo project of the Cologne, Germany based singer and multi-instrumentalist Boris Rogowski whose other musical ventures include work as composer, studio and live musician for domestic bands and artists like Klee and Gentleman. He is also a founding member of the psycho pop quintet DIE SONNE.

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His music as The Society Islands oscillates between neo-folk, dream pop and indie rock and is further characterized by unconventional stylistic shifts, ominous undertones and its creator’s firm belief that there is no such thing as bad influence.

“The Big Sleep” opens with the monologue of a person in a drug-induced state of wonder whose discovery that she “can’t use colour” only leads her to the conclusion that she “can do everything” – an adequate way of introducing an album full of musical and lyrical arrangements that never feel contrived or formulaic, but rather like something discovered by chance – in a state of somnambulistic certainty. The songs manage to conjure up musical and emotional landscapes which are as engrossing as they are hard to pinpoint; like dreamscapes, they tend to shift, blur and bleed into each other. 

“The Big Sleep” as a whole can be read as a meditation on impossibilities: There is no way to start over with a clean slate, to change who you are or to make beauty – or even happiness – last forever. It would be a depressing sentiment, were it not coupled with the one good reason to keep trying: the endless creative power of discontent. 

 

 

Leonino Naked Tunes | Music Profile

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Leonino "Naked Tunes" (Album) (Hueso Records)Band/Artist: Leonino (aka Jorge González)
Location: Berlin, Germany / Santiago, Chile
Styles: Pop
Similar to/RIYL: Scott Walker, Kate Bush, Dolly Parton, The Blue Nile, Serge Gainsbourg
CD: Naked Tunes
Release date: September 15, 2014

Accolades:
– Amnesty tour 1988 with Sting , Peter Gabriel, Tracy Chapman,
Bruce Springteen.
– Bogotá en Armonia festival 1988 with Jose Feliciano, Miguel
Mateos, Toreros Muertos .
– Estadio Nacional de Chile 2003 , 2 nights 80.000 people each one
as the only act. Estadio el Campin de Bogotá 2003 2 shows 70.000
people each night with no support. Same thing in Medellin,
Bucaramanga and Cali.
– Shows in 10 towns in Colombia, 11 in Peru, 4 in Bolivia, 10 in the
USA including a festival on Staples Center in L.A., 7 towns in
Ecuador and more than 30 in Chile.
-Albums: Records sold with Los Prisioneros and solo efforts,
around 2 million units sold.
– The Chilean society of songwriting rights , SCD gave to Jorge
Gonzalez in 1997 an award as the best pop songwriter of the
decade.
– Chile: winner “best song, best album, best act ” both in 1986 and
1990.

Production:
All songs are produced by Leonino at Krossener Studios, Berlin, mixed and mastered by Tobias Freund (except There Is a Light, mixed by Matthew Styles-Harris).

Bio:
As leader/vocalist of Los Prisioneros–the most iconic Chilean rock band ever and front-runners of a new musical resistance to Pinochet’s dictatorship that burst through in the mid 80’s – Jorge González became idol and voice for an entire generation of oppressed youth, reaching the pinnacle of fame not only in Chile but throughout Latin America. Never afraid of stating his opinions with sarcastic humor and raw talent, he guided the trio through a series of best-selling albums full of bile and discordance. It was a journey that began with the disenchantment of straight-forward punk-a-billy and meandered through different song structures, including an occasional excursion into ballads and other cross-genres, and the use of samples, keyboards and electronic sounds.

After the first four albums – and with them having conquered a transversal fan base–González ventured into a prolific and eclectic solo career, which once again consecrated him as an innovator and a genius composer, raising his signature tell-it-like-it-is lyrics and his particular crooning style to new levels of adoration. With an incipient electronic scene rapidly developing in Santiago in the early 90’s, he was involved in several releases progressively exploring into dance music (Gonzalo Martínez y Sus Congas Pensantes, Los Updates, Los Sampler…) and eventually moved to Germany in the 00’s, where he has continued working in close circle with a group of notorious musicians from Chile and abroad.

Jorge González is now back again as Leonino, with an intimate set of new songs accompanied guitar (in English) featuring collaborations by brothers Pier and Juan Pablo Bucci, Mariano Scopel, Argenis Brito, Martin Schopf, Tobias Freund and Miguel Toro. All songs are produced by Leonino at Krossener Studios, Berlin, mixed and mastered by Tobias Freund (except There Is a Light, mixed by Matthew Styles-Harris). This album is for Gia. Published by HR in an edition of 500 copies.

 

 

Gwyneth Paltrow wears Annoushka One of a Kind earrings

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Check out Gwyneth Paltrow looking beautiful in Annoushka One of a Kind earrings at the Golden Kamera Awards in Germany

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Annoushka One of a Kind 18ct white gold triplet earrings, diamond, apatite, mother of pearl and rock crystal earrings £11,500