tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-484915268092812945.post4223993984503414832..comments2023-10-22T14:27:21.241+01:00Comments on From the Desk of Bee Drunken: Shakespeare and CompanyBeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02375981493145612394noreply@blogger.comBlogger28125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-484915268092812945.post-84569431665006546492010-06-09T15:56:07.591+01:002010-06-09T15:56:07.591+01:00it's as though i held my breath, all the way t...it's as though i held my breath, all the way through this post. that's just how beautiful it is. sigh. <br />xochristinahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15541888793748453425noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-484915268092812945.post-29858899498359886592010-06-09T06:49:38.397+01:002010-06-09T06:49:38.397+01:00One fine day, I shall travel to Paris and visit th...One fine day, I shall travel to Paris and visit this bookstore, among many other things!<br /><br />I happened to visit France for the first time this March, I went to Lyon. Even though my "French" is a more Italian than anything else, people of all walks of life were extremely friendly and kind. Where do all these stories with French being unpleasant come from? <br /><br />The funniest thing to learn was that the French call a cappuccino a cappuccino! That helped a lot. :-)<br />Another thing I noticed that, at least in Lyon, in the morning there are long lines at ...... Starbucks! All those French having a desire for an American venti latte! Fascinating.Merisihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16781937797213521146noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-484915268092812945.post-8129629684684626102010-06-02T23:59:34.690+01:002010-06-02T23:59:34.690+01:00I admit to being a complete Francophile, while als...I admit to being a complete Francophile, while also being a complete Anglophile... I sense you are much the same. Why must people persist in saying the French aren't pleasant or helpful, or hate all Americans. I think to be annoyed with a nationality who don't bother to learn a bit of the local language is a reasonable annoyance. But almost without exception, every French person I have ever EVER met has been lovingly appreciative of my attempts to speak French, and that adds SO much to my love of being there. Thank you for such an evocative post about an iconic spot... I DO think you'd like parts of "Americans in Paris." Much of it is about Shakespeare...Kristen In Londonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03812033421757298431noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-484915268092812945.post-81610824304241757582010-06-02T14:25:08.311+01:002010-06-02T14:25:08.311+01:00I wanted to dive right into this post. Lovely, Bee...I wanted to dive right into this post. Lovely, Bee.TBMhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05587580447766102705noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-484915268092812945.post-49112390192352173552010-06-02T00:08:16.492+01:002010-06-02T00:08:16.492+01:00Bee,
Thanks for the recommendations. I actually ha...Bee,<br />Thanks for the recommendations. I actually have, and have read True Pleasures, and really enjoyed it. Just last week I was thinking of re-reading it. I've always been fascinated by this book store. There is a very interesting documentary about it where you get to see it's daily goings on with the people who live(d)there and with the extremely eccentric George Whitman. The scene where he cuts his hair by setting it on fire is memorable! I'm not sure of the title. It was on either Sundance or IFC. I hope you can find it somewhere.<br />Catherineceeceehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15962254736526651858noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-484915268092812945.post-54520769987399514352010-06-01T11:54:12.961+01:002010-06-01T11:54:12.961+01:00Such a fascinating post. I'm adding The Secret...Such a fascinating post. I'm adding The Secret Life of France to my to-read list (while Paris is, of course, already on my to-visit list!).<br /><br />K xkristinahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14892467118097087057noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-484915268092812945.post-4000242761767938672010-05-30T22:36:40.150+01:002010-05-30T22:36:40.150+01:00What is it about bookstores that makes us go all g...What is it about bookstores that makes us go all gooey? While I'm over here in Tennessee, I like to visit Borders every Saturday afternoon. It is a ritual that I cannot do without. I drink a hazlenut latte and watch the other people drinking their favourites and using their laptop computers. "What are they doing?" I wonder as I sup. I look at all the books to see what's new and always return to my favourite bookshelves. Yesterday's acquisition was Stieg Larsson's third book in the dragon girl trilogy, which has only just come out over here. I read the first two books in England.<br />Loved your post about France. Love the old shops there and the twisty streets.<br />Blessings, StarStella Joneshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06699491230987143490noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-484915268092812945.post-37604915702960510192010-05-30T21:00:36.922+01:002010-05-30T21:00:36.922+01:00The link Steve Newman provided to his piece about ...The link Steve Newman provided to his piece about Hemingway and Beach doesn't work - there's an extra "and" in the URL he provided. Correct address is http://quazen.com/reference/biography/ernest-hemingway-and-sylvia-beach-paris-september-1944/<br /><br />Well worth reading!Fantastic Forresthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08044290192610027408noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-484915268092812945.post-23509783470008382392010-05-30T20:18:28.787+01:002010-05-30T20:18:28.787+01:00Fascinating post. I think the term bohemian has lo...Fascinating post. I think the term bohemian has lost its lustre somehow. I led a monthly session for four and half years with the word 'bohemian' in its name and rewarded with a faithful attendance. But it was not a money-generating enterprise and it was almost shelved by the administration when it changed hands. I persisted and it lasted until the arts organisation folded in 2008. This post reminded of why we need Beach's approach now more than ever.<br /><br />Many thanks.<br /><br />Greetings from London.A Cuban In Londonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16423293358605007539noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-484915268092812945.post-61305186765869955662010-05-30T19:09:53.650+01:002010-05-30T19:09:53.650+01:00An excellent post, fascinating.
There are special ...An excellent post, fascinating.<br />There are special bookshops in many of the great cities of the world - and even some not so great cities - they all have a history of their own worth exploring. There is nothing like the smell, the atmosphere, the very dust of an old fashioned bookshop.<br /><br />I also admit to having a very soft spot for the ancient shelves of a really great second hand bookshop. Mind you, I could open one of them myself.Frikohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04277167831642088694noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-484915268092812945.post-84200062506573178662010-05-30T18:38:05.151+01:002010-05-30T18:38:05.151+01:00Next time I’m in Paris, I’m definitely visiting th...Next time I’m in Paris, I’m definitely visiting this bookstore. Your descriptions, history and photos give a great sense of place. That’s so funny that employees actually live there. I love that it has a Shakespeare theme too. What a contrast to Amazon and American chain bookstores. <br /><br />I like Beth’s suggestion about a travel book, except I think you should write a guide to bookstores, libraries and author homes. Wonderful post!Sarah Laurencehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00423008641739156182noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-484915268092812945.post-11670340731219260082010-05-30T16:39:05.843+01:002010-05-30T16:39:05.843+01:00A great read, Bee, and wonderfully illustrated. Lo...A great read, Bee, and wonderfully illustrated. Lots of memories flooding back.Dickhttp://patteran.typepad.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-484915268092812945.post-56120821796448206252010-05-30T12:27:40.890+01:002010-05-30T12:27:40.890+01:00Have you ever considered writing a travel book? T...Have you ever considered writing a travel book? The combination of your love of travel, your research abilities, your personal impressions and your writing skills make you a perfect candidate to author such a book. Truly. :)Bethhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14110235078325434919noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-484915268092812945.post-32167830617700983582010-05-30T11:26:40.960+01:002010-05-30T11:26:40.960+01:00you make me want to go to paris, where i've ne...you make me want to go to paris, where i've never been and was quite put off by it based on many trips through CDG... :-)julochkahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10884096685015570257noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-484915268092812945.post-90944037194542736382010-05-30T09:44:03.337+01:002010-05-30T09:44:03.337+01:00Lovely piece. The original Shakespeare & Co is...Lovely piece. The original Shakespeare & Co is now an antique shop of sorts.<br /><br />Some of you might be interested in reading my piece about Hem and Beach... <br />http://quazen.com/reference/biography/ernest-hemingway-and-sylvia-beach-and-paris-september-1944Steve Newman Writerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01913245435831507673noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-484915268092812945.post-19660339606933629992010-05-30T09:38:35.605+01:002010-05-30T09:38:35.605+01:00This comment has been removed by the author.Steve Newman Writerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01913245435831507673noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-484915268092812945.post-9844692141833868382010-05-30T09:20:18.496+01:002010-05-30T09:20:18.496+01:00This post was fascinating. But it made me a somewh...This post was fascinating. But it made me a somewhat sad; I'm so stuck in my little town these days. I must re-read A Moveable Feast.Barriehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04678698296265168217noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-484915268092812945.post-47423906633209277942010-05-29T19:59:29.500+01:002010-05-29T19:59:29.500+01:00I thought I know Paris' secret places but here...I thought I know Paris' secret places but here's one I've never heard about before! And it sounds like a place I can't miss. A real bookshop-museum, I can imagine it's very decadent and postmodernist.<br /><br />I won't miss it when I'm in Paris in July. I hope they have more copies of the books you described.<br /><br />Great post!Pollyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10085905065734027788noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-484915268092812945.post-18658750456495398132010-05-29T19:27:56.626+01:002010-05-29T19:27:56.626+01:00Sorry - got so riled up remembering the French tha...Sorry - got so riled up remembering the French that I forgot to say I loved the stories about that book store! While I agree with you that it sounds a bit more bohemian and unclean than I could stand in person, it's very romantic to hear about in retrospect!Marchelinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11201825708442679157noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-484915268092812945.post-48658813231745298762010-05-29T19:25:56.672+01:002010-05-29T19:25:56.672+01:00I understand why books and poetry could make someo...I understand why books and poetry could make someone fancy France, but I can't understand why anyone who has actually been there admires the French. I found them to be nasty, rude, and downright mean.<br /><br />Give me Scotland every time.Marchelinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11201825708442679157noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-484915268092812945.post-51509043046822358322010-05-29T16:41:02.744+01:002010-05-29T16:41:02.744+01:00Evocative post that brings back memories - and I a...Evocative post that brings back memories - and I actually live in Paris; well, the banlieue nowadays. I have lived in various parts of Paris including Le Marais, which I love.<br /><br />I recently re-read A Moveable Feast for the third or fourth time. I haven't been to Shakespeare and Co. for a long time. Perhaps I shall pop in again one of these days.Dumdadhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00070838905120958459noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-484915268092812945.post-24116331044710938842010-05-29T16:38:22.917+01:002010-05-29T16:38:22.917+01:00These last two Paris posts are so effortlessly ele...These last two Paris posts are so effortlessly elegant and erudite!<br /><br />We passed S and co quite late on a Saturday night, and poked our noses in, enjoying the glow and feel of camaraderie, but felt too absorbed in taking in the city to stop for English books! I didn't know all of its history as you've told it here, quite fascinating. <br /><br />Plutarch recommended The Secret Life of France a while back, but I've not got round to getting it yet. I'm pondering the who-admires-who-despises-who model, I'm not entirely convinced about it...Lucyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09764296105901909328noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-484915268092812945.post-59209092051412765422010-05-29T12:15:26.181+01:002010-05-29T12:15:26.181+01:00Wrote you a long, long appreciative response and i...Wrote you a long, long appreciative response and it got eaten by the comment demons.<br />Will try again later!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-484915268092812945.post-75349100904421061092010-05-29T12:02:35.601+01:002010-05-29T12:02:35.601+01:00Pamela - as I was writing this, I was thinking tha...Pamela - as I was writing this, I was thinking that it deserves a re-reading!<br /><br />Marja-leena - You know, I've been to Paris several times and NEVER managed to make it to the bookstore. I didn't spend as much time there as I wanted to, so I'm already planning my next visit.<br /><br />Willow - Deservedly!<br /><br />Fantastic Forrest - Yes, we are straight onto the Eurostar after we explore London and Chawton.<br /><br />I checked out the Sylvia Beach Hotel and it is the coolest place ever! I think that I might want to go and live there.Beehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02375981493145612394noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-484915268092812945.post-26379088146376878142010-05-29T09:18:29.407+01:002010-05-29T09:18:29.407+01:00Your post made me feel INTENSE JEALOUSY.
But I co...Your post made me feel INTENSE JEALOUSY.<br /><br />But I console myself with the knowledge that we are t minus three years and counting to the fab sabbatical so I can visit S & Co.<br /><br />And visit you.<br /><br />That makes me happy. Now I'm off to check out those books. Did I tell you about the Sylvia Beach Hotel in Newport, OR? Google it. We will go there when you get your tuchas out here.Fantastic Forresthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08044290192610027408noreply@blogger.com