To store my expanding collection of vintage hats (some going back to the 1930's), I really need to find some hat boxes. I found the one above at the Santa Monica flea market (Pine st. and Lincoln bv.). Only $4, too!Isn't this an exquisite passport cover? It's handmade (in England!) and I got it from the Etsy store Handmade With Joy. I find that one of the joys of Etsy is receiving packages in the mail from foreign lands...
And now, a few books. My exploration of Scandinavian literature (remember my post about Per Petterson?) has led me to Tove Jansson, a Swedish language Finn more famous for her children's series, The Moomins. The cover of her haunting The True Deceiver is as magical as her universe. Right now I'm enjoying David Grossman's ZigZag Kid (book on the left); not since Mark Twain's Huck Finn and J.D. Salinger's Holden Caulfield has a written so successfully channeled a youthful voice. So quirky.
Next on my list is a new translation of poems by the Syrian-born, Lebanese author Adonis. In the Arab and Persian world, poetry is the literary form par excellence, and Adonis's works are certainly worthy of the extraordinary tradition that he sprung from and challenged. In my opinion, he is the greatest poet alive.
(For a good intro to his work and that of the just-as-great Mahmoud Darwish, check out the slim anthology Victims Of A Map).
Emily Dickinson
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21 comments:
The hat box is beautiful. And $4! I should commission you to buy stuff for me!!!
Wonderful purchases. WHat a find that hat box is.
Love hatboxes, this one looks wonderful. How large is it? (Approximately)And I agree with Laura--do you take commissions? You have an eagle eye.
I just laughed out loud remembering Swedish friends cats Moomin & Molly back in the 80s. I did not know about the for-adult books...
Agreed about Adonis (though I can't say 'est' as I like so many others too but he's definitely in the upper 3-5).
I didn't know about Adonis (or other Lebanese/Persian poets for that matter), so thank you for the advice.
I love the passport cover :-)
ciao
Alessandra
Oh hatboxes, how fantastic! I haven't seen those for years. I'd love to have a glimpse of your wardrobe someday to discover all those hidden treasures. The passport cover is exquisite and I share your love of packages from abroad. Tove Jansson is such a wonderful writer and I'll be sure to check out David Grossmann. The poems sound great as well.
Incredible find and I learned a lot from you today.
Hat boxes are the best.$4! That's amazing.
I agree with Vanessa - you must have a wonderful wardrobe.
Have you read any Danish literature:-)
Carina
P.S. Love the Oscar Wilde Halloween tweet:-)
I just added The True Deceiver to my list of books to read. Now to explore Victims Of A Map.
LAURA - I love finding presents for you!
GIULIA - how big is it, let's see, I'd say the diameter is about 2-paperback long.... It's pretty large! And high, too.
I wonder who are your favorite living poets?
CARINA - I'm afraid I only read stories by Isak Dinesen/Karen Blixen, which were written in English but I'd really LOVE for you to recommend some Danish writers!
wow! the hat box is great and love your other finds! ;))
Oh that hat box!! There's something really lovely about a hat box I think. I've had a few in my time but not as lovely as this one! The passport cover is gorgeous - will go check out that shop - thank you!
Oh Mary-Laure - where do I begin? Don't know if there are genres you prefer. But Karen Blixen is wonderful, Out of Africa, Babette's Feast, Anecdotes of Destiny...well pretty much just everything she wrote:-)
Herman Bang wrote great short stories - not sure if they are translated, but I think his novel Ved Vejen/'By the Road' is - a wonderful impressionistic novel.
Then of course H.C. Andersen - not only his fairy tales, but also his memoirs and travelogues.
Inger Christensen's sonnet collection: Butterfly Valley: A Requiem is so beautiful.
Last - I promise - you must read Suzanne Brøgger - probably Brogger in translation. The Jade Cat is a wonderful book.
I'm all inspired to do some posts about these great authors:-)
SAM - yes, hat boxes are very special. There's a nostalgia about them I think.
CARINA - thank you SO MUCH for this list! I really look forward to discovering some Danish authors...
Hi Mary-Laure
that hat box is divine!! I can't believe it was $4!!! I'm placing my order too!! hehe..
Love to see some shots of the Santa Monica Markets some day... I've been there once.. my US trip in??? 1992... bought a pair of old levis and funnily am about to go out to the garage.. and HOPE... i held on to them..
Can I also commission you to clean and stock my fridge!! hahaha.. [last post!!].. ciao xxx Julie
I wonder who owned this lovely hatbox before you, and what type of hats did she/he own. Very interesting. Enjoy your hatbox; it's lovely.
JULIE - actually, I posted about the Santa Monica Farmers' Market in the past; I'll find the links for you. It's a GORGEOUS market.
Let me know if you find that pair of Levi's!
PURPLE - yes, exactly, when I buy old things I always wonder who they belonged to, how they reached me...
Still mulling over living poets...xo
wow, that's high praise! I love your new purchases.
Que bonita la caja!!!!!!!!!!!
Un saludo, hacia tiempo que no entraba en los blogs ...
besos desde ibiza
You got a steal on that hat box.....nice find! Looks to be in great shape for only $4.
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