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Blog archive

March 2025

February 2025

Commemorating Black History Month 2025
02/28/2025

Transportation at the Pasadena Village
02/28/2025

A Look at Proposition 19
02/27/2025

Behind the Scenes: Understanding the Pasadena Village Board and Its Role
02/27/2025

Beyond and Within the Village: The Power of One
02/27/2025

Celebrating Black Voices
02/27/2025

Creatively Supporting Our Village Community
02/27/2025

Decluttering: More Than The Name Implies
02/27/2025

Hidden Gems of Forest Lawn Museum
02/27/2025

LA River Walk
02/27/2025

Message from the President
02/27/2025

Phoenix Rising
02/27/2025

1619 Conversations with West African Art
02/25/2025

The Party Line
02/24/2025

Status - Feb 20, 2025
02/20/2025

Bluebird by Charles Bukowski
02/17/2025

Dreams by Langston Hughes
02/17/2025

Haiku - Four by Fritzie
02/17/2025

Haikus - Nine by Virginia
02/17/2025

Wind and Fire
02/17/2025

Partnerships Amplify Relief Efforts
02/07/2025

Another Community Giving Back
02/05/2025

Diary of Disaster Response
02/05/2025

Eaton Fire: A Community United in Loss and Recovery
02/05/2025

Healing Powers of Creative Energy
02/05/2025

Living the Mission
02/05/2025

Message from the President: Honoring Black History Month
02/05/2025

Surviving and Thriving: Elder Health Considerations After the Fires
02/05/2025

Treasure Hunting in The Ashes
02/05/2025

Villager's Stories
02/05/2025

A Beginning of Healing
02/03/2025

Hectic Evacuation From Eaton Canyon Fire
02/02/2025

Hurricanes and Fires are Different Monsters
02/02/2025

January 2025

PERESTROIKA IN PARIS: BOOK REVIEW

By Ms Vyk
Posted: 04/07/2021
Tags:
PERESTROIKA IN PARIS by Jane Smiley is a magical, lovely, sweet and captivating novel. A "fairytale for adults."
Paras, a thoroughbred racehorse, leaves her sheltered life to "explore" Paris, satisfying her curiosity by traversing the streets at night. Shortly after her escape she meets an elegant dog, an erudite raven, two querulous mallards, a  sweet, innocent boy, a creative baker and a lovelorn rat. They all bond and speak a language they can all understand (and we can, too). The dog and raven often accompany her on her little jaunts and they have many little adventures along the way.

The insights that these animals have of human beings are often humorous, sometimes philosophical and always poignant. I found myself laughing out loud several times.

This 289 page book was a quick read. It's a very different type of book with no violence, malice, greed, or car chases! The ending was unpredictable and surprising. I've never read anything like it. And as an avid horse lover it was a particular treat to read a book from the horse's "point of view."

A beautiful book and well written, too. Just lovely. Put it on your list and be sure to share with other book lovers!

This book can be bought through Vroman's Bookstore
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