Category: Books

RECENT FILMS

POISON GLOW

Radium Girls (Netflix)

Based on history, this is the heart-tugging story of several young women who work in a New Jersey factory painting luminous numbers on clock faces.  It’s 1925, and the “girls” are told the brush point is finer if they dip the brush in the paint, lick it, and then paint.  Paid by the piece, there is incentive to paint as many clocks as possible each day. The company is American Radium, and the radium in the paint takes up residence in their bodies.  Their bones, and sometimes their jaws, become infected.  In time, a number of them die of radiation poisoning.  

One sister has died and Josephine, another sister, is suffering when Bessie becomes determined to do something.  She meets resistance, but eventually there is a notable court case. It’s the beginning of regulation and concern for workplace safety.  The sisters here are a fictional composite based on several young women, and the name of the company has been altered.  It’s a good pairing with the film Radioactive.

TEXAS AFTER THE CIVIL WAR

News of the World (Netflix $)

Based on the novel of the same name by Paulette Jiles, the film is a faithful rendering of the book.  Tom Hanks is perfect as Captain Jefferson Kyle Kidd, and Helena Zengel, a child actor of 12, is amazing as Johanna.  Set in Texas in 1870, the psychic wounds of the Blues’ victory are still festering.  The captain takes on the task of traveling 600 miles across the state to return Johanna to relatives.  Her parents are dead, she’s witnessed violence and brutality, and the Indians who adopted her are gone.  Johanna is angry, unruly, and almost mute.   

Their journey is slow and marked by shootouts, broken wagon wheels, and suspicious relatives.  Initially unable to communicate, Captain and Johanna gradually adapt to each other. She teaches him words in Kiowa and he gives her the English equivalent.  I loved the book for its writing. I loved the movie for its gentle depiction of the growing trust and acceptance between these two wandering souls. Recommended!

MOSTLY FUN–AN ARISTOCRAT’S MEMOIR

Lady in Waiting:  My Extraordinary Life in the Shadow of the Crown by Anne Glenconner

At age 87, Anne Glenconner has had a life of travel, tragedy, adventure, and service.  Daughter of an earl and then wife of a baron, she grew up playing with the Princesses Margaret and Elizabeth.  As children, they were friends.  As a young woman she was a maid of honor at Queen Elizabeth’s coronation.  Later, after marriage and the birth of her five children, Anne was invited by Princess Margaret to be her Extra Lady-in-Waiting.  She served Princess Margaret in that role for 30 years.  

In those decades, she traveled abroad with Margaret and attended many royal engagements.  There was a closeness between them, even to the point of friendship, but in conversation, it was always and forever, “Ma’am” and “Anne.”  Margaret was supportive when tragedies struck Anne’s family, but Anne was always on call to the princess when working.  A strange relationship from an American perspective.

Anne’s husband, Colin Tennant, was the son of a baron and a temperamental eccentric.  He was subject to fits of rage, had numerous affairs, and yet was applauded for his enterprise in developing the island of Mustique.  He divided his time between London and Mustique, relishing the latter’s more laid-back milieu.  In his late years, he decamped to St. Lucia and opened a restaurant.  We visited St. Lucia several times in the 1990’s and once met Lord Glenconner when we dined there.  Tall and dressed all in white, he cut quite an odd figure.  

I got curious about the role of a lady-in-waiting and found this brief summary of the duties.  There is no pay, they are generally rich, titled women, they must be trustworthy, and their hours are somewhat flexible.  The job is to provide company and friendship for the princess or queen, to attend events with her, to travel with her, and to be her personal assistant. Two specific positions are Mistress of the Robes and Woman of the Bedchamber.  Queen Elizabeth has nine ladies-in-waiting.

Lady Glenconner has had a fascinating life, and I found her memoir an absorbing peek into the world of the royals.  Her principal royal, Princess Margaret, comes off better and nicer in this account than in many I’ve read.

CULINARY CORNER

ITALIAN TAKEOUT

The little Italian restaurant not far from us changed hands some months ago and is now called Pesto.  We finally tried it for takeout and were pleased with the results.  Veal is not that common on local menus, so we both had veal entrees.  The Chief Penguin found their version of veal cutlet saltimbocca quite good, and I liked my veal scaloppini with capers, nuggets of pancetta and slices of hearts of palm.  Each entrée came with broccolini and a choice of penne alfredo or the chef’s potato of the day which was mashed potatoes.  

We began with a small Caesar salad (slathered with dressing and topped with an anchovy) and the Caprese salad which was a lovely presentation of sliced tomatoes and burrata with balsamic vinegar, olive oil, basil, and walnut pesto.  Italian bread and dipping oil were included with our order.  A very successful first taste which we will repeat!