Two Kinds of Belle

Usual fortnightly visit to Sittingbourne preceded by an excursion to Faversham to pick up some pipe shag. Picked up a copy of Philip Pullman's “Northern Lights” for 20 pence from a charity shop to sell online. Whilst on the bus journeys betwixt the two towns, I finished reading “Wide Sargasso Sea” by Jean Rhys (Penguin), which I have read years ago whilst studying for an Open University course. I decided to read it again , as the novel , looks at the mad woman in the attic , Bertha Mason (First wife of Mr. Rochester in the Charlotte Bronte novel “Jane Eyre”). Set in the Caribbean for two thirds of the novel, and the final third in England, it is narrated from the perspective of the woman herself, and the circumstances that led her to become deranged in the first place. Partly feminist, partly post colonial, and resolutely a powerful evocative read.

Thursday I did my two hour stint as a computer buddy at the local library. Had two senior ladies vie for my attention as I flitted between the two, teaching them the basics of using a computer. I also had an enquiry over the phone similar to the problem my friend GC had with her keyboard and tower unit.

I watched another DVD of the French classic film, from director Luis Beunul ,“Belle de Jour” as well late evening. Based on a book by Joseph Kessel, it is the elaborate fantasies of flogging and bondage of a young housewife called Severine, and features the demure Catherine Deneuve as the main protagonist. Cool enigmatic film!


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Belle_de_Jour_%28film%29