Book Review: "Mary Poppins, She Wrote" by Valerie Lawson

      The recent Disney film, “Saving Mr. Banks”, highlighted the story behind the making of their earlier film, “Mary Poppins”. It touched upon the life of the stories' author, P. L. Travers, an odd yet imaginative woman whose contribution to literature, film and culture carries on to this day. In this book, writer Valerie Lawson delves deeper. She, too, describes Helen Lyndon Goff's childhood in Allora, Australia, and her complex relationship with her father, Travers Goff, an alcoholic. Of course, she spends time in her book telling us about the making of the film version of “Mary Poppins”. Yet there is much more to the story.

      Pamela, as P.L. Travers preferred to be known, was probably not someone who would be fun to have a conversation with. She was sharp and snobby, and very demanding. Valerie Lawson shares with us everything from Pamela's spiritual beliefs to her adoption of her son, Camillus, a twin, whose brother she left behind. We learn about her time as a writer in residency on the college scene, and how she herself managed to sabotage her own attempts to be accepted by the students, with her brusque manner. Lawson does not ask us to like Travers, but does justice to her life by giving us a well-rounded picture of who she was and why.

      I enjoyed reading it and learning more about the creator of Mary Poppins. The book was originally published in 1999. (Travers passed away in 1996). The copy I found was a paperback reprint through Simon & Schuster. ISBN 978-1-4767-6292-0. Suggested retail price was $16 US or $18.99 in Canada.

Movie Review: "St. Trinian's"

     Today we watched a fun and silly movie called "St. Trinian's".  St. Trinian's is a girls' boarding school, where the rules are lax and the headmistress (portrayed by Rupert Everett, who also plays her brother in the film), is not what society would consider "ideal". 

     The girls, who are all rebels in one way or another, learn that the Minister of Education (Colin Firth) wants to close down their school.  They also learn that the bank is about to foreclose on the property.  A ridiculously improbable but hilarious plot ensues, in which the girls try to steal a priceless painting, "The Girl With the Pearl Earring", from an art museum.  They also have to try to win an intellectual quiz show, but can they pull it off without cheating?

     The humor is a little dark but decidedly British and so much fun! There was not much language but there is a scene at the end where Colin Firth is nude for a few seconds. This would probably be best for teens and older to enjoy. It is, in fact, rated PG-13 and runs for 97 minutes. 

     

Cleaning House -- Summer Edition!

     Most people talk about "spring cleaning", but I always find that summer is the best time for me to tackle the bigger projects around the house.  What about you?

     We are a family of 8, and many hands make light work!  When all six kids are home from school for the summer break, it's a lot easier to take care of those bigger tasks.  The school year also means getting up early to catch the bus, and more errands and appointments to run to.  So not only do I have more hands to help, I also have more time -- a rare commodity for me!  This summer, I've already thrown away two trash bags of old papers, cleared two bookshelves of my own books, had my young daughter clean out the kids' books (five shelves' worth, and cleared out three shelves in the garage that had old beat up craft supplies and catalogues and outdated cleaning supplies on them.  I also was able to toss out bags and bags of trash from old junk stored in the garage that we just don't use anymore, or that were broken.  Goodbye, clutter!

     Next up?  I'm hoping to have the kids help me go through the stacks of board games, and toss out anything they never use or that is missing too many pieces.  There's always plenty to do around here!

Book Review: "The World Before Us" by Aislinn Hunter

     On a bright afternoon in northern England, a young teenager named Jane is babysitting Lily, the daughter of a local botanist.  William, Lily's father, is up ahead, exploring plants that Edmund, an enthusiast from 1877, brought back from his travels around the world.  Jane looks down at the sunshine around her feet for just a fleeting moment, but when she looks up, little Lily has disappeared!  Jane carries this burden with her as she grows into adulthood.

     Now in her 30s, Jane works at a local museum, and finds herself drawn into researching the property where Lily disappeared.  Apparently, back in the 1870s, a young woman recorded only as N disappeared in the same area, after leaving the local lunatic asylum with two men.  But who was N? And what could have become of her?  Jane presses on, hoping to figure out the mystery, to help herself find some peace.  Tying the two centuries together are the spirits of people who lived in the 1870s, who bring a mystique of their own.  You see, they are rather unsure themselves of who they once were in life, and of why they are still hanging around in the earthly realm. 

     Aislinn Hunter has created an unusual story that will draw you in and envelop you with its characters.  Readers will eagerly follow Jane's footsteps, just as the spirits tied to her do, hoping to solve the enigmas of both the past and the present.  This was a fascinating and no-holds-barred look at human nature.  This novel was published in March, 2015 from Hogarth and Penguin Random House.  Hardcover edition, e-book, and audio book available.  Suggested retail price for the hardcover edition is $26.00. ISBN 978-0-553-41852.