This morning Jackie and I transported ten used compost bags of green refuse to Efford Recycling Centre.
After lunch I read The Beach of Falesá, being the next tale in my Folio Society collection of Robert Louis Stevenson’s stories.
Five chapters progressing from largely well crafted dialogue with excellent descriptions of place and scenario, increasing apace to a thrilling crescendo of action provide romance, mystery, superstition, deception, blending of cultures, and sexual exploitation, from the pen of a master of narrative and suspense. There is a touch of the racial attitudes of the times, yet expressed with sensitivity.
Light, shade, and weather play their part in setting the scenes whilst engaging sight and sound, brilliantly portrayed by the use of a moving lantern’s effect on scale in a pitch dark eerie wood crackling underfoot at nighttime.
Here is Michael Foreman’s dramatic illustration.
Our young family arrived home in time for dinner, which included roast chicken thighs; creamy mashed potatoes; crunchy carrots, firm cauliflower, tender green beans and meaty gravy, with which I was the only imbiber – of more of the Montepulciano.
Mashed potatoes (taters) and gravy are the way to my heart! Yum. ????
Thanks a lot, John
☺️
I am missing lunch and your dinner sounds like I would have liked to order. Love the illustrations and hope the house hunting was successful.
Thanks very much, Pat. It was – but as we all know we have to wait and see
I remember being enthralled by this story. The fabulous illustration certainly complements it.
Thanks very much, Dolly. You have read so much
I think I’d need to go to bed with the light on after reading The Beach of Falesá,
I am with you on that, Liz. 🙂 Derrick’s reviews are wonderful, but these days, I need some upbeat reading. 🙂
Thanks very much, Liz
You’re welcome, Derrick.
Fabulous story review! And an illustrations that IS super dramatic! Ooh! (scared face)
Glad the kids are back safe. Hope the house hunting went well. 🙂
Your meal sounds so hearty and comforting. 🙂
(((HUGS))) ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
Thanks very much, Carolyn X
Dinner sounds lovely, we should have photographs! I’m glad the family returned safely.
Thank you very much, Sue
You describe Stephenson’s story superbly Derrick …
Thank you so much, Ivor
That’s seems like such a story and you can’t go wrong with mashed potatoes
Thanks very much, Gary.
Dinner at your house always sounds delicious, Derrick and Jackie. I hope Flo and Dillon are able to find the house of their dreams, and not far from you. I am glad they are there to look after you two and help out.
Thanks very much from us both, Lavinia
Yes, dinner does sound rathr tasty, especilly the creamy mashed potatoes !
Thanks a lot, John
A terrific dinner!!
Thanks very much, GP
I shall only add what others have already said, dinner sounds fantastic.
Thanks very much, Rupali
Dinner sounds delicious and the illustrations are quite impactful.
Thank you very much, Eugi
Most welcome, Derrick.
The illustrations are gorgeous, and you describe the story line and the narrative so well.
Thank you so much, Alys
That was a quick trip to Scotland
It was, Sheree. Thanks very much
It sounds like quite a story, and the illustration is dramatic.
Good timing by the young family. 🙂
Thank you very much, Merril
Those illustrations are fabulous. I was interested in what you wrote about the racism in the story and how it was handled. So many books written during that time period make me cringe with their overt racism.
Indeed, Laurie. Thank you very much
The story sounds interesting. I am currently reading A journal of the plague year by Daniel Defoe. Have you read it?
I don’t think I have, Robbie – but then I am often never sure 🙂 Thank you very much.
I don’t think the story will be the same without the illustrations 🙂
Thank you very much, Ribana
Verry charming illustration, despite the eeriness of the atmosphere.
Thank you very much, Byung
It’s a lyrical overview of the classic.
Thank you very much, Uma. I do appreciate your views