Curious Creatures, Wild Minds

The COVID-19 pandemic continues its rampage and public activities have moved to virtual platforms. Luckily, the annual Book Week (barely) escaped from being turned into a Zoom activity. The show went on albeit very late this year and with several restrictions in place.

Very proud of my son who concocted his get-up this year following the 2020 theme (oh yes, we read the fine print of the memos). Double the joy, his best friend teamed up to be another character from this same series!

Check out Book Week from previous years:

Reading is my secret power

The Ninja and his treasure

Book Week

 

The Marcus Antonius Trilogy by Brook Allen

It is said that the victor will always be the judge and the vanquished, the accused.  A good historical fiction writer acts as defence lawyer for these accused and gives them an opportunity to be heard. The best historical fiction writers are those who can convince us, readers, that history has committed a great disservice to these vanquished. 

I started reading the trilogy last year on my way to a conference interstate. I was so enthralled with the story that by the time I was back home, three days later, I have finished Brook Allen’s two books.  

Part 1 (Son of Rome) of the trilogy provides a sympathetic narrative on the early years of Marcus and how these influenced his actions and decisions later - his mixed feelings about Julius Ceasar, his dogged enmity towards Cicero, his relations with Publius Clodius Polcher and Curio, his utter lack of sympathy for Octavius, and his position on the restoration of the Republic.

Part 2 (Second in Command) expands on how Marcus strived long and hard to prove himself to Julius Caesar but these did not seem enough - Caesar threw him into the snake pit of Roman politics with scant support, refused to consider taking him along on the Parthian campaign, and the last straw, struck out Marcus from his will and instead named Octavius as his adopted son and heir. This book is so well written that I got distressed, less enamoured with my heroes, and kept saying to myself all throughout the book, "Oh Caesar, how could you?", "Chickpea, surely you can rise above your prejudices and ambitions!" and "Octavius young man, pay heed to your betters!"

Part 3 (Soldier of Fate) concludes Antonius’s remarkable story. It narrates Marcus’s Parthian campaign which started on a high note and horrendously went all wrong at the end; his domestic woes being married to Octavia in Rome and Cleopatra in Egypt; the unceasing arguments with Octavian; the disillusionment of his soldiers, and the tragic Battle of Actium. The book also provided a good view on Antonius's conflicted position: on the one hand he had his trusted seasoned Roman soldiers and strategists; on the other hand, he had Cleopatra, who provided coin and who had no qualms of making known that she was a key political player and will take an active part in the campaigns. 

In between Brook’s second and third parts of the trilogy, we have exchanged messages, book recommendations, and thoughts on ancient Rome. She is both an amazing writer and a gracious person! I was thrilled to join her virtual book launch of Soldier of Fate – an exhilarating meeting of persons who share the same love for the Roman empire and excitement at the release of the third part and conclusion of Marcus’s saga.

Without doubt, Brook Allen has ably given Marcus Antonius his day in court. She has provided deep insights on what made Marcus tick – why he acted the way he did, his great points, flaws, generosity, exuberance, capacity for love, and inner demons. The beauty of the trilogy is that while it astounds readers of the extent of the power and might of Rome’s political and military machinery, it makes readers empathise of what it was like to be on the other side - continuously harangued by propaganda, bitterly abandoned by the troops, betrayed by perceived allies, and plagued by self-doubts on how a true Roman should carry himself.

Helmets off to Brook for this wonderful trilogy and significant contribution to the ancient Roman lore! 

See also:

Rome-ing!

Do not underestimate Kmart

I will let you on a secret. Before you purchase that book, check online if it is available at Kmart. Especially with new releases and international booksellers, chances are, the book is being sold at a fraction of the price at our humble everyday to-go store. 

In these COVID-19 days where we try to limit our locomotion, I am fortunate to have a friend who works at Kmart and is kind enough to check and pick up a book for me available at her branch. 

(This being said, I know it gives a different thrill and satisfaction to pick up that glossy new book at the airport which inevitably sells at least 50% more of the retail price at Kmart.)

Lovely surprise waiting for me in my pigeonhole.

Hello again, Dymocks!

Things are looking up in South Australia. Two weeks ago, the Department of Education has encouraged schools and parents to return to face to face teaching in Term 2. A few businesses have started opening up while keeping the required physical distance of 1.5 meters.

I took a quick walk to the city after I heard that one of my favourite bookshops would be open. There is nothing like open bookshops to herald the return to normalcy.

Big smile when he got his surprise!

My son said that this is a perfect book for me. It is small enough to fit into my handbag
and can help me decide to do the right thing when I am confused or stressed. 

Dymocks Adelaide

135 Rundle Mall

Adelaide, South Australia 5000

Phone: (08) 8223 5380

Email: adelaide.orders@dymocks.com.au

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DymocksAdelaide

Twitter: https://twitter.com/DymocksAdelaide

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dymocksadelaide/

See you later, Booknook & Bean

I took a long walk around the city today. A very long walk.

Starting next week, my husband and I will be fully working and our little one learning from home. With the number of COVID-19 cases and the rising death toll around the globe, it will be some time before we can walk freely on these streets again, have drinks with a friend, or people-watch while leisurely sipping a cappuccino.

The world is closing in.  Restaurants and cafes can now only do takeaways. Churches, mosques, and synagogues are no longer allowed to hold services in their places of worship. Gyms, salons, golf courses, and stadiums have closed. Conferences, concerts, and sporting events have been cancelled. What may have been viewed as questionable incursions on civil liberties three months ago, are now norms without question – there are border controls, it is illegal to be congregating in groups, and in several countries, people are forcibly quarantined, required to remain at home.

I chanced upon Booknook & Bean while these dreary thoughts were crossing my mind. I have been meaning to catch up with a girlfriend in this café and I rued putting off seeing her, swamped with meetings and deadlines at work. Of course, who would have thought last New Year when we saw each other, that something this massive, horrifying, and unfathomable will happen to the world?

I ordered coffee and chatted a bit with the barista. He said they were evaluating whether they will still open next week. I wished him the best.

If there is one thing in Australia that I love, it is that we never say goodbye. We do not say adieu. We say: “See you later!”

Booknook & Bean

Topham Mall, 18/52-54 Waymouth Street

Adelaide, South Australia 5000

Phone: 0430 475 006

https://www.facebook.com/booknookandbean

 

Social distancing at Harry Hartog

Hello from our COVID-19 universe. The World Health Organisation has declared a pandemic 11 days ago after 118,000 individuals tested positive for COVID-19 across 114 countries.

We are living in interesting times where we now need to stand at least 1.5 meters away from the next person. Most of us are studying and working from home, venturing out only to buy essential items.

We went out today to get some fresh air and I thought of using a gift voucher I received last Christmas. I was pleasantly surprised to find that the bookshop has been able to remain open amidst these challenging times.

Harry Hartog is a gorgeous bookstore in Burnside Village with a beautiful display and collection of children’s books. My son was entranced, going aisle by aisle, inspecting the books.

I am hoping that when this disease comes to pass, this bookshop will be here, waiting for us.

Harry Hartog Booksellers

Burnside Village, Shop T109 and 109A

447 Portrush Rd, Glenside

South Australia 5056

Tel: (08) 8338 0920

Website: https://www.harryhartog.com.au/

Thank you Carol for my Christmas present!

Congratulations, Sara and Chris!

One day, I will write that book.

And my niece will give it a splendiferous look.

In the meantime, 

She has moved into a charming place

with this delightful nook.