A Honeymoon: Munich and Paris

Remember when I wrote about having a wedding? And getting a dress for that wedding? And then deciding against a wedding and just going to England instead? But then announcing that we got married in Chicago without telling anyone so then the England thing was like whhhaaa?!?

Yep. We obviously have an issue with committing to things. Not to one another, mind you, but it's complicated. So we scratched England. Look, I LOVE London. LOVE it, but I've been numerous times so I needed to see something different. J hasn't been to Europe and was game for anything so we decided on another route. I promise you'll actually see pictures from these destinations because we've already booked the trip and there's no possibility of backing out. So. Here goes..

Destination One: Munich, Germany

J's only request was that we see a castle. Yep. So I thought Schloss Neuschwanstein would be easily accessible from Munich, and would give me a glimpse of Bavaria, a win-win for us both. I don't really know anything about the city but plan to learn as much as possible during our short visit. Sure, I'm also looking forward to beers as large as my head and pastries in equal quantity, but it isn't just the food I'm looking forward to.

Munich

 

Three days in Munich - Entouriste

Getting to Neuschwanstein from Munich - Entouriste

I've always wanted to see Germany, and while Munich wasn't really on my radar, it allows us to see Bavaria and visit nearby Salzburg, Austria, without much difficulty. I tried hard to refrain from packing too much in, as I was inclined to do on this trip because it'd been so long since going overseas, but decided that four days seemed like enough time to explore Munich, take a day trip to Austria, and not feel like we'd missed too  much. Plus, I'm always up for future trips once we've found favorites!

Salzburg

Scenes from Salzburg - Entouriste

Destination Two: Paris, France

I'm aware that Paris is THE honeymoon destination, and probably a little cliche for this particular trip, but I was so taken with a few posts from some of favorite bloggers on the sights of Paris that I became obsessed and convinced that we had to go NOW. We're also huge fans of historical adventures so Paris was a no-brainer. I'll hold off on pictures because images of Paris are practically everywhere (and I know you just can't wait to see mine). Besides Versailles, we haven't planned any trips outside of the city. I realized quickly that five days was barely enough time to fit it all in after looking at the different neighborhoods and museums. I guess that means future trips?

So... in a couple of weeks, J and I will be headed on our first European adventure together and I just can't wait.

Visited these areas before and want to share places we shouldn't miss? Share with everyone in the comments section!

All images used with permission from Entouriste.  

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A Review: Z: A Novel of Zelda Fitzgerald by Therese Anne Fowler

Zelda Sayre is young, sociable, and hell bent on breaking the rules. A force in her small Alabama hometown, her wild tendencies haven't met a match until she meets a young Army officer, F. Scott Fitzgerald, at a town dance. Z follows the infamous couple from the beginning of their happy lives together, highlighting Scott's height of fame, before exhibiting their final collapse after leading lives of excess. Told from the perspective of Zelda through these trials and tribulations, Z is a refreshing look at this tragic story.

From what I understand, the recapitulation of Zelda and Scott's relationship is quite polarizing. Some believe Zelda and her emotional fits ruined Scott and drained his creativity. Others, however, believe that Zelda was very clever, incredibly yielding, and allowed Scott to repeatedly claim her work as his own. I, for one, have never been one to view a relationship and its success or failure on one individual; clearly, there were issues with both Scott and Zelda. Both appear to have been unable to control their fiery temperaments, which probably didn't mix well with Scott's alcoholism and Zelda's mental instability. This, however, most certainly falls into the camp that sympathizes with Zelda, and obviously so, as it's told from Zelda's perspective of their wonderful honeymoon period and its subsequent decline.

Fowler has a way of evoking the sights and sounds of the glitz and glamour of cities like New York City and Paris in the late 1920s. Smoky dens, loud music, and artists assembled around crowded tables come to life in its pages. While she doesn't necessarily provide vivid descriptions of these scenes, her characters and their actions bring it to life in a way that makes it so much more fascinating.

Fowler admits that she took liberties with some events in the book, which is standard for historical literature, but emphasizes that she was inspired by reading countless letters from the couple to one another, and credible biographies on the two. Overall, it's a well written historical look at a couple that history has long been fascinated with, told by the figure that is often overshadowed but provided just as much color. I can't recommend this one enough; a fun read that is sure to prompt you to learn more about the Fitzgeralds.

I received a copy of Zelda: A Novel of Zelda Fitzgerald from St. Martin's Press in exchange for an honest review. You can expect to see this novel in stores on March 26, 2013.
Read an excerpt, or pre-order a copy.

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A Review: The Confidant by Helene Gremillon

I completely fell for this book. In the best way. I loved it. Be warned: the contents are not necessarily profound, the story even cliche, but the CHARACTERS, oh the beautiful characters and the train wreck that was bound to follow made this one so hard to put down. Sometimes you just need something for the entertainment, a novel that's well written, maybe even a little filthy, but takes you a thousand places you could never go. This is also a perfect title to suggest on Valentine's Day for so many reasons, but mostly for some of the seriously sensual scenes. Steamy time. I'm sure in the original French it was absolutely thrilling.

This year has been a winner in the reading department. I've completed six and have only been disappointed with one. The library is suddenly releasing all my anticipated holds. Netgalley continues to promote reads that I just have to have (look out for a review of Z: The Life of Zelda Fitzgerald in March). I'm basically foaming at the mouth for an advanced copy of Kate Atkinson's Life After Life because I hear it's amazing. If the galley gods see this, perhaps they'll spare my poor heart and grant me access. A girl can hope.

When Camille begins receiving handwritten letters in the post, she believes someone has cleverly decided to take advantage of her role as a book publisher. However, Camille quickly realizes that the author, Louis, is telling a story of a past that will change her life forever. Deep between the pages of paper weathered from Louis's own hands, Camille discovers the life of Annie, and Louis's undying love for her. Louis's dreams are dashed when a mysterious, and wealthy, young couple move into their small town, just outside of Paris. Annie is swept under the wing of Madame M. and spends less and less time with her friends and family. After a sudden decision to escape to a small town with the couple, those closest to her attempt to understand her decision. In these letters, Camille discovers the reason for her flight and secrets that Annie was forced to keep for the rest of her life.

There's not much I can say that won't spoil the novel. Sure, there are many bits that you see a mile coming, but then there are things that take you by surprise and change everything you thought you knew completely. The characters, while not completely complex, do have their own voices and tales that garner sympathy. The backdrop, Paris, is only vaguely described, but the life within each individual brings it to life. Gremillon brilliantly manages to bring an authenticity to the changing landscape in the midst of the occupation of France by Germany.

The emotional impact at the heart of the novel really makes this shine. An unrequited love, a story you've heard before, Camille and Louis and Annie make this feel so unique. My only issue was that the translation, at times, felt clumsy and ruined the pacing. However, it didn't ruin the book for me. I can say, for sure, that I'll be reading this one again to pick up the pieces that I failed to notice along the way.

Even if you don't celebrate Valentine's Day, do yourself a favor and pick this one up. I mean, who doesn't like receiving gifts from themselves?! Maybe that's just me.

I had to feature the following tweet posted by WaterstonesOxfordSt earlier today: "Remember that if your partner didn't get you a book today then it's over. It's all over. They had their chance. They blew it." So funny! Happy Thursday, everyone! 

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