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Post by Lauryn on Apr 3, 2010 9:46:30 GMT -5
Arsene Lupin, now there's a larcenous character for you! I used to love those stories when I was young, and read them alongside Holmes. He seems to have been largely forgotten, these days, by American readers. You could once find the Lupin stories regularly published in mystery anthologies, but now, not so much.
Fandorin reminded me more of Steele than Bond, though you could obviously make the broader Bond argument. I think, because he’s so young I imagine the younger Pierce, though the comparison was kind of tongue-in-cheek. Fandorin is all heart in much of this first book, in the sense of having both feeling and pluck, and that is rather like Steele. Comparisons are optional, he’s a sturdy character on his own. I just thought I’d amuse myself by making a few.
One of the things I liked about Akunin's writing was the sense that Moscow was just this big neighborhood Fandorin lived in. He emphasizes place names and street names and kind of tours you around.
If it makes you feel any better my take on the rivalry was that all the Muscovites seemed to have some manifestation of a chip on their shoulder / inferiority complex about "Peter."
Akunin inspired me recently to take out my DVD of “Reilly, Ace of Spies,” starring that youthful, sardonic, James Mason protégé, Sam Neill – cast to a “T.” Now, Sidney Reilly is a St. Petersburg breed of cat! (Funny, I had accidentally typed “cad” instead of “cat,” but that works, too.) St Petersburg is Petrograd during the period it takes place. Poor guy does have to go to Moscow one too many times, since he’s trying to overthrow the Bolshies.
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Post by Yuliya on Apr 3, 2010 22:15:00 GMT -5
Right; you've only read the first book where Fandorin is younger; he grows older as the series progress, though he never actually gets really old. In a different series, one about his grandson, we learn that he lived a long life, but the series just don't cover all of it. I thought Akunin stopped writing about Fandorin-senior (he did for a while, though it's his best series no matter what else he tried), but actually I've just learned another book came out, so there's hope.  Actually, I think Fandorin also reminded me more of James Bond than of RS because I was thinking of literary characters - I knew the books tried to mimic famous works of literature and tried to pick as many as I could. I'm sure I didn't get even a half, and don't get upset if you got even less since a lot of that is in the literary style that for you was scrambled not once but twice - the series as well as what you would try to compare them, too. For instance, as far as I remember, the tone of the very beginning of "Azazel" very much reminded me of the tone of the first chapter of "Master and Margarita," but I'm sure it's a lot less obvious when both books are translated into English. I think Moscow has always been considered a more cozy, comfortable place - less imperial grandeur, farther away from the capital and the court, therefore less formal; farther from Europe and customs artificially imposed by Peter the Great, closer to the origins. It was that way at least until it became the capital city and some idiot architect tore down lots of churches and white city walls to make way to new buildings. St. Peterburg, being the capital, had what to say in return - who cares about the original when it's a lot more classy, European city, modern compared to the old-fashioned Moscow. I'm sure Muscovites held a grudge - Moscow had been a capital for centuries before St. Petersburg was built. Now it's more of a new money - old money relationship, I think, old money being St. Petersburg - like I said, we've always considered ourselves more classy. Also, we both have soccer teams, and if you want to know how it is, ask Ace what she thinks of Red Sox.  As for the locations, Moscow has always had (still has) very funny, but cute and unique street names and I'm not surprised Akunin enjoys repeating them. I'm sure great many authors repeated those names in their novel, and if I knew Moscow better and remembered the classics better, I could probably put Fandorin's whereabouts down to "he went to the place Pierre passed when he..." Alas, I can't. I can point Raskolnikov's whereabouts much better - he lived around the corner from where my father lived as a kid. |
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Post by Ace on May 15, 2010 22:28:04 GMT -5
Happy Birthday Pierce!  Yes, as per Yuliya's suggestion, the second photo is a gift for Pierce.  |
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Post by Lauryn on May 16, 2010 16:22:58 GMT -5
If he can't have her in the flesh, maybe this book will console him ... www.amazon.com/Monica-Bellucci/dp/0847835073/ref=pd_rhf_p_img_1 An exquisite tribute to Italy’s most important contemporary model and actress. As a model, Monica Bellucci graced the covers of magazines such as Elle and Esquire before achieving success as an actress whose notable appearances include roles in Bram Stoker’s Dracula, The Matrix Reloaded, The Passion of the Christ, and The Matrix Revolutions. This glamorous volume features 150 of the most exquisite, sensual photographs of Bellucci throughout her twenty-year career taken by the world’s most important photographers, including Peter Lindbergh, Helmut Newton, Fabrizio Ferri, Richard Avedon, and Ellen von Unwerth. Monica Bellucci will appear in the 2010 Disney film The Sorcerer’s Apprentice with Nicolas Cage. |
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Post by formermi6agent on May 16, 2010 21:15:43 GMT -5
Happy Birthday Pierce!
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Post by Ace on Nov 11, 2010 1:29:41 GMT -5
Cue the Drama!
Strike Up The One Man Band!
You're a (Sneetch with a) Star!
Happy Birthday Lauryn! |
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Post by Lauryn on Nov 11, 2010 12:16:44 GMT -5
Wow, Ace! Summit really dug into the archives for those "For Your Consideration" ads! <large wink> Seriously, if they do mount a campaign memories of PBs "star" turn as a sneetch should put him over the top. Well, OK, OK, if more people saw it.
Well, it's another birthday and you're asking yourself the kinds of existential questions one might be expected to ask upon attaining another year of wisdom. "Where are the prezzies?" "Why aren't there more?" "Why is cake a finite resource?"
Thanks for the well wishes, and the photo gallery!
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Post by Ace on Nov 12, 2010 15:53:07 GMT -5
Prezzies and cake are the ONLY reason to acknowledge birthdays so of course there can never be enough of either. Since your Birthday landed on a Thursday it means celebrations could and should be extended at least through Sunday (maybe in New Orleans) which should mean more prezzies and cake. |
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Post by Ace on Mar 30, 2011 19:51:57 GMT -5
Smile!
Make a wish and go crazy
Pierce brought back up just in case
Happy Birthday Yuliya! |
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Post by Yuliya on Mar 31, 2011 13:39:08 GMT -5
Thank you!  The first picture is particularly welcome - I don't think I've seen it yet, and it's sooooo gorgeous! |
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Post by Ace on Apr 1, 2011 11:11:30 GMT -5
It is gorgeous and I have no idea where I found it! (On day I really will have to organize all those non film related PB photos and do something with them - sigh) So were you properly feted and will the celebrations last through the weekend? |
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Post by Lauryn on Apr 2, 2011 9:45:41 GMT -5
Smile!
Whatever the two of you are up to with the camera, I hope you keep the negatives in a safe place. <wink>
Sorry to be so late with my birthday greetings. At this point I'll just have to wish you a speedy recovery fron the celebrations! |
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Post by Ace on May 16, 2011 0:57:50 GMT -5
That Dance question was rhetorical right?
Happy Birthday Pierce!
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Post by Lauryn on May 16, 2011 17:57:45 GMT -5
Hello Ace. Is there an echo in here? Is this a birthday thread or a lonely hearts club? Where is everyone? LOL! Tsk, tsk! I guess the SMA will have to dig out his little black book to find someone to ring up on his birthday!
Pierce, darling, here's wishing you an unforgettable May 16th, 2011!
(Just remember, when you do shuffle off, I want the boots..)
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Post by piercebrosnanhot on May 17, 2011 13:53:27 GMT -5
HAPPY BIRTHDAY MR.PIERCE BROSNAN!
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Post by piercebrosnanhot on May 17, 2011 13:56:25 GMT -5
FOR YOU PB. Attachments:
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Post by Ace on Nov 11, 2011 1:53:37 GMT -5
Ole, Lauryn!  Today Is Your Birthday! No, not that kind of Birthday....  Let there be wining! Let there be dancing! Let there be canoodling!  Er not that kind ..... That's more like it....
Have a Happy!
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Post by Lauryn on Nov 12, 2011 13:11:01 GMT -5
You're really good at this. By next Christmas I want the fully functioning Pierce holodeck. No pressure, no pressure.
So many Pierces, so little time! You know the way to a birthday girl's heart. I did hit some of your itinerary : the wining and dining. And the kiss from the dog. Dancing was out, hobbling was in. I sprained my ankle the day before, but I have two left feet anyway. Finally got to go to Brightsen's in New Orleans. The place where all the chefs eat. (They can bloody afford it!) Somehow we managed to waddle to the car.
Btw, Willkommen, bienvenue, welcome, come on in, to Matadorsteele. Ace will fill you in on all the members only benefits in the Julian Noble fan club. Just don't expect them right away. Where's my smoking jacket and naughty swizzle sticks?
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Post by Ace on Nov 14, 2011 17:08:22 GMT -5
Christmas 2357 - bank on it. ;-)
But who needs Pierce (blasphemy) - it sounds like your hubby (and doggie) properly feted you. Were you at least wined enough so that your ankle didn't hurt? And what did you order at this chef's haven?
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Post by Lauryn on Nov 17, 2011 19:38:36 GMT -5
Christmas 2357 - bank on it. ;-) You have to invent a holodeck. I have to wait for time travel. Right. With my luck I'll hop into a DeLorean going the wrong way! Brigtsen's Seafood Platter (aka the "Shell Beach Diet") 32. ~Grilled Drum Fish with Crawfish & Pistachio Lime Sauce ~Shrimp Cornbread with Jalapeño Smoked Corn Butter ~Baked Oyster LeRuth with Shrimp & Crabmeat ~Baked Oyster Bienville ~Jalapeño Shrimp Cole Slaw ~Panéed Sea Scallop with Asparagus Coulis No I didn't have to remove a rib in order to eat all this. It was small portions, honest! It was a lovely birthday; I got some new shoes and some swag for my Mini Cooper (two grille badges and 4 Union Jack valve stems). |
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What's wrong with St. Petersburg that he couldn't set the books there? It was good enough for Dostoevsky! And not only did he set the books in Moscow, but he obviously likes it more! Why?
What's wrong with St. Petersburg that he couldn't set the books there? It was good enough for Dostoevsky! And not only did he set the books in Moscow, but he obviously likes it more! Why?
The first picture is particularly welcome - I don't think I've seen it yet, and it's sooooo gorgeous! 
