Le Road Trip turned out to be an epic journey for me as well as Vivian Swift.It's just that my reading journey was nowhere near as romantic as Swift's creative one!
Last winter I added Le Road Trip to my soccer bag, so that I could use my time on the sidelines (when I wasn't jumping up and down barracking for the boys that is) dreaming of Paris.
The trouble was, at the end of the soccer season, I left it in my soccer bag. Forgotten, like last season's shin pads!
Imagine my delight, during half time at the first game of the season, when I opened my bag & discovered something white & glossy peeping out between the scarf, gloves & garden cushion!
It felt like unearthing hidden treasure or finding an old friend.
Le Road Trip was a book I savoured one lovely page at a time, over two seasons of soccer.I enjoyed the road trip/relationship comparison.
I loved the cheeses, the windows and the cats.
Swift's drawings and paintings were a gorgeous way to record a holiday. I felt envious of her ability & wished that my travel journal could be more than just words, tickets stubs and postcards.
Sometimes Vivian's voice & attitude was a little, well, annoying, but this is just a slight grumble about an otherwise glorious book full of inspiration & tantalising details.
Thanks to this book (& Paris in July) my TBV (To Be Visited) list for France is starting to look more like a telephone directory!
This is a part of Paris in July and Dreaming of France.
Well done to you for being so committed over the time. The images and topics in this book look fantastic. Beautiful butterflies.
ReplyDeleteI loved Vivian Swift's blog where she showed how she created her water colors. So sad she isn't blogging these days.
ReplyDeleteAhhh I did not know about the existence (& demise) of her blog - I'm sorry I missed it.
DeleteWow, thanks Brona, for posting about this book. I see France as my second home, so this book will be going in my TBR pile. The paintings are certainly lovely. I can't wait to crack open this book myself!
ReplyDeleteI must get hold of this, if only for the beautiful drawings. Thanks for introducing it to us. Sounds like a wonderful read and a book that ought to be read in its hard copy and not with an eReader. ;)
ReplyDeleteDefinitely a hardcopy book this one!
DeleteIt's printed on lovely white shiny paper and turning each page is a delight.
I'm glad you got to this one Brona, it certainly is beautiful. Books like this really make me wish that I had some artistic ability. It would be extraordinary to create something so lasting, so gorgeous.
ReplyDeleteLooks like a lovely book. I envy you. Will see if I can find it.
ReplyDeleteI reviewed this book on my blog a couple years ago and I had many of the same reactions as you: http://www.melindalarson.com/2012/08/le-road-trip.html?m=1#.U9JvVNm9LCQ
ReplyDeleteso glad you rediscovered your book, I loved it so much, everything is so well done, from writing to paintings. She has another book too
ReplyDeleteI thought that book was a lot of fun too. What fun that you rediscovered it Here’s my Dreaming of France meme
ReplyDeleteThis looks just lovely! I'm going to have to get a copy to savor.
ReplyDeleteOne of my favorite books of all time. If I was having to leave all but a dozen books behind, this would be one I'd take with me. Her blog is delightful with its mini-painting lessons. (It's on hiatus now while she works on her next book but I like going back to re-read!). A true delight. I'm so glad soccer season came around again!
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