“Up out of the lampshade, startled by the overhead light, flew a large nocturnal butterfly that began circling the room. The strains of the piano and violin rose up weakly from below.”
Milan Kundera, The Unbearable Lightness of Being
With spring in the air, this bit of literary poetry sprang to mind.
What words from literature make you think of spring, or vice versa?
“…The moon gazed on my midnight labours, while, with unrelaxed and breathless eagerness, I pursued nature to her hiding places…”
“Who shall conceive the horrors of my secret toil, as I dabbled among the unhallowed damps of the grave”
~Mary Shelley (Frankenstein)
I love this story, and I love its origins. Mary Shelley is a fantastic Author and Frankenstein is such a tribute to her talent. This timeless tale was written with such grace and elegance, yet she fearlessly captures the relentless heart of a man desperately searching for meaning.
“You pierce my soul. I am half agony, half hope. Tell me not that I am too late, that such precious feelings are gone for ever. I offer myself to you again with a heart even more your own than when you almost broke it, eight years and a half ago. Dare not say that man forgets sooner than woman, that his love has an earlier death. I have loved none but you.”
~Jane Austen, Persuasion
“Up out of the lampshade, startled by the overhead light, flew a large nocturnal butterfly that began circling the room. The strains of the piano and violin rose up weakly from below.”
With spring in the air, this bit of literary poetry sprang to mind.
What words from literature make you think of spring, or vice versa?
“A rogue does not laugh in the same way that an honest man does; a hypocrite does not shed the tears of a man of good faith. All falsehood is a mask; and however well made the mask may be, with a little attention we may always succeed in distinguishing it from the true face.”
I know I just did a “What I’m Sipping On” but I’ve been managing my time well lately which in turn means, more time for reading!
The Three Musketeers
by Alexandre Dumas
Published in 1844
The Three Musketeers is a historical novel by Alexandre Dumas. Set in 1625–1628, it recounts the adventures of a young man named d’Artagnan after he leaves home to travel to Paris, to join the Musketeers of the Guard.
Rated: 4.4 on amazon.com
This book despite it’s sexism and class/rank subjugation (which was clearly and unfortunately acceptable at the time in which it was written) is still a very well written and entertaining read. Dumas has a knack for adventure that enthralls me. However I also found a few subtle gems of wisdom among the escapades.
“..the merit in all things consists in the difficulty.”
I also find myself laughing quite often when reading this book; the witty banter and subtle humor quite amuses me. Here is just a little example:
“Porthos: He thinks he can challenge the mighty Porthos with a sword…
D’Artagnan: The mighty who?
Porthos: Don’t tell me you’ve never heard of me.
D’Artagnan: The world’s biggest windbag?
Porthos: Little pimple… meet me behind the Luxembourg at 1 o’clock and bring a long wooden box.
D’Artagnan: Bring your own…
Porthos: [laughs]”
I do love a book full of variety and this one most certainly has it; adventure, comedy, romance, and more! It also reads poetically, it’s almost as though you are reading a Shakespeare play. It’s the perfect lighthearted read for me right now.
above or HERE for link
Book Bean: Light Eggnog Latte
So while I’ve been reading this I have been sipping on one of my holiday favorites; a latte cut slightly with eggnog! mmm good 🙂
“Time, dear friend, time brings round opportunity; opportunity is the martingale of man. The more we have ventured the more we gain, when we know how to wait.”
~Alexander Dumas, The Three Musketeers
So, do share, what have you been sipping on?
Check out Mochas and Musketeers for more swashbuckling madness!
“We cast a shadow on something wherever we stand, and it is no good moving from place to place to save things; because the shadow always follows. Choose a place where you won’t do harm – yes, choose a place where you won’t do very much harm, and stand in it for all you are worth, facing the sunshine.”
E.M. Forester, A Room With a View
Cafe Book Bean 