Waring MBB518 Bar Blender, Stainless Steel
Average Customer Review:
Kitchen
list price: $190.00 -- our price: $129.00
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Editorial Review

Bandleader and inventor Fred Waring introduced the first blender in 1936; more than 60 years later the Waring blender remains the standard for the field. Tall and old-fashioned looking with a plated metallic finish on its base, this blender will crush ice and blend frozen fruit beautifully in a few seconds. This blender feels sturdy: the lid, with a cap that doubles as a 1-ounce measurer, fits securely, and the pitcher, made of thick, ridged glass, won't wobble. Many chefs prefer a blender rather than a food processor for soups and creamy sauces--the blades of a good blender whirl more quickly than those of a food processor and will refine a thin liquid such as cream of tomato soup to an incomparably silky texture. This blender is definitely up to that task. The fixed, self-cleaning stainless-steel blades on the base of the pitcher mean the lid is the only separate part to wash. --Maria Dolan ... Read more

Features

• Measures 16-1/2 by 8 by 7 inches; 1-year warranty, 5-year motor warranty
• 40-ounce glass jar holds 5 cups of mixed drinks, soup, or sauce
• Powerful 350-watt motor crushes ice fast
• High and low speeds cover mixing, chopping, and pureeing
• Dishwasher-safe glass jar and lid for easy cleaning

Reviews (32)

Don't waste your money
I bought this 2 weeks ago. Used it about half a dozen times and the motor's busted. It's smelled since the first use. Other reviewers reported the same. I'm buying one of these instead
KitchenAid KTA-KPCB348PPM Pro Line Chef's Blender with Polycarbonate Jar, Pearl Metallic

The blender of the 4 I've owned in the last 2 years.
I make smoothies every morning, and so I wear out blenders fast.I've had this one for two weeks, and I *love* it -- it is way better than the Oster and Cuisinart models that I have gone through.

This is the easiest to clean, least messy blender I have owned.In particular, having the blade and gaskets as part of the glass jar is a huge plus for not allowing any leaks to seep out at all, and for making this extremely easy to clean.

I also love how quiet this is compared to other blenders of the same power ratio.Note well, I'm not saying this is all that quiet, but compared to the others, it is not as loud as they are.(You still wouldn't want to be on the phone while blending.)

Also, this blender does a better job at circulating the contents than the other blenders I've had -- so that even in just 10 seconds of blending, all my frozen fruit is cut up.In the Oster blenders I've had, even after 30-40 seconds there are sometimes big chunks.

The only bad thing I will say about it is that the jar isn't huge, but I still give it 5 stars because the jar is big enough for smoothies and for margaritas, and it does a better job than any other blender I've used.I love how cleanable it is in the dishwasher too.

Much better than the Kitchenaid
I had a Kitchenaid blender quit on me(second time with the same problem) and found out that they have changed the style and don't make replacement parts for my model.I would have had to buy an entire new blender.From the looks of it, they didn't make the new ones any more robust so I decided to look at other brands.Stumbled across Waring and did a little research.Found out that Waring sells every part for every blender that it has made in the last 60 years.That level of support combined with the favorable reviews led me to take the plunge.After eleven weeks with my new blender, here are my observations:

Noise - I think this one is slightly quieter than my Kitchenaid and definitely quieter than my parents old Oster.Even so, don't plan on trying to watch TV or carry on a conversation with the thing running.Luckily it does it's job pretty quick.

Cleanup - FAR better than the kitchenaid.No disassembly required; just put some hot water and a little dish soap in and run it a few seconds.Rinse and you're done.Dishwasher safe if you feel like it too.Kitchenaid has the jar, lid, jar base, blade assembly, and gasket to fool with.Lots of crevices for food to get stuck in.

Performance - Simply a better performing blender.Blends drinks to a much smoother consistency with no big ice chunks left behind.With the Kitchenaid I frequently had to pop the lid off and give things a stir to get them mixed up and worked down to the blades.I rarely have to do that with the Waring.I don't have anything scientific to back this up, but I think it is a matter of geometry.The Kitchenaid is a wide, squat jar where the contents seem to be able to find refuge from the whirling blades.The Waring is taller & skinnier and it seems that nothing gets away from the blades.The Waring has only two speeds while the Kitchenaid had five, but I don't really miss them at all.I haven't found anything the Kitchenaid could do that the Waring can't do at least equally well.

Durability - The problem I had with the Kitchenaid was the blade assembly.The metal "gear" on the bottom is a press fit onto the shaft that connects to the blade.When this loosens up (such as when an ice cube jams up the blade) there is no way to repair it.New assembly costs about $15.If the Waring had a similar failure, the thing does come apart, the replacement part is about $4, and it is widely available.Other than this, they both seem to be durable and rugged.The glass jars on both are thick and sturdy, and they really give the blender some mass.

So far I've had my blender 11 weeks and have been using it mostly to make frozen drinks and milkshakes.The Waring is by far superior to the blender it replaced.It looks great, performs nearly perfect, and comes from a company with an excellent reputation and parts support.Can't ask for much more than that. ... Read more

Asin: B00004S8F8
Subjects:  1. Barware    2. (Bar Ware)    3. Bartending    4. Small Appliances    5. Electrics    6. Blenders    7. (Osterizers)   

Oh, Inverted World
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (19 June, 2001)
list price: $14.98 -- our price: $13.49
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Editorial Review

Something extraordinary is afoot in Albuquerque. The Shins' first big-timerecord, Oh, Inverted World, combines mysterious narratives with golden songstructures, resulting in lavish and opulent indie pop. Touches of Neutral Milk Hotel's lyricalmajesty and the nostalgic swirl of Echo and the Bunnymen abound.But the Shins' music--rich with acoustic guitars, flickering rhythms, and Casio-tonekeyboards--is distinct and peculiar. Worry mixes with abstraction throughout, and whileJames Mercer sings, "You led no celibate life / No skirt while chemicals danced on yourhead / You stole the keys to this ride / And your fables are falling tonight," you maywonder if he's been routing through your fondest, most troubling memories. This vitalalbum is easily among 2001's most distinguished recordings and one of the best Sub Popreleases to date. --Thom Arno ... Read more

Features

• Enhanced

Reviews (229)

Know Your Onion! holds it together
The Shins are one of my favorite groups ever since I saw the video for New Slang on Subpop many many months ago. Song by song they completely change and mold to fit anew.

Caring is Creepy-A Garden State song. Very jangly and road trip worthy.
One by One All Day-Spaced at first. Becomes a summer convertible song.
Weird Divide-One of my other favorite songs off of Inverted. Very spaced and worthy of an Alexander Payne movie.
Know Your Onion!-This is my favorite of all the songs. It's lyrics ring true to my life experiences.
New Slang-Another Garden State song. The song that "will change your life I promise you." It really will, I swear.
The Celibate Life-Drags on a little bit. Good writing though.
Girl On The Wing-Not a big fan of this one.
Your Algebra-2 minutes and 23 seconds of short lyrics.
Pressed in a Book-To me this song deserves to be dissected by scientists to find all of the different meanings. There are so many.
The Past and Pending-Great way to end it.

People are bound to disagree but...
This album is my pick for the second best of the 21st century thus far (only behind SMiLE) - I know, quite a bold statement, but I'll stand by it. It's not musically complex or challenging, nor is it genre-bending or groundbreaking. What it is, though, is the one of the most pure, genuine, well-written pop CDs since the Beach Boys put out Pet Sounds. The production is flawless - not overbearing, but good enough to enhance all of the nuances. The songwriting and lyrics are honest, simple yet extremely catchy, and not totally derived, either. The Shins use their instruments extremely well in the way keyboards are used to add flavor without sounding contrived and the guitars are genuinely pure and sweet. James Mercer sings with so dynamically and genuinely that I don't feel like he's singing to me, but rather with me.

This album has a really inviting feel to it. The melodies flow with ease and nothing seems forced. The lyrics are the best I've heard since Belle & Sebastian. There's almost a sort of an ethereal feeling throughout, but it's not a feeling of distance. Instead, the songs invite you in and make you want to fall into the existence that is Oh, Inverted World. I could write more, but I think this'll suffice.

Wow
Destined to be a soundtrack for your life (or atleast a phase of it). I don't I could even speculate on the greatness of this album. Something about a wonderful set of voices and gentle guitar on some interspersed with speedy, catchy rock.

it deserves your listening. ... Read more

Asin: B00005JSHW
Subjects:  1. Indie Pop    2. Indie Rock    3. Pop    4. Rock    5. United States of America   

And Then Nothing Turned Itself Inside-Out
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (22 February, 2000)
list price: $16.98 -- our price: $14.99
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Editorial Review

Yo La Tengo's most consistently brilliant record is also their quietest, as husband and wife Ira Kaplan and Georgia Hubley turn the volume down while exploring decidedly grown-up relationship themes. It's definitely not the shoe-gazer-tinged barrage of guitars they've supplied in the past, but the silences here speak louder than an amplified guitar ever could. --Matthew Cooke ... Read more

Reviews (91)

Beautiful
This is the most perfect record I have yet heard in the few years of my life. Each song captivates and evokes a sense of nostalgia. I have lived, felt and possibly understood everything that this album is about. Only the best music produces this sensation and cannot be reccommended enough.

"Let's Save Tony Orlando's House" is quite possibly the best song written.

a good looking girl just walked by.
i like the computer lab for a couple reasons.first, i don't have a computer, so without labs i would never use one.second, sometimes you see people!!you can't smoke cigarettes in it though, or you will get kicked out.

the more i listen to this music the more i like it.seriously, i didn't listen for a while and then i listened again and MY did it sound great.even "night falls on hoboken" which i used to think was too long, or something, i don't even know, because such a thought is now unfathomable.

Good Indie
A quiet, melancholic and gripping record, "And Then Nothing Turned Itself Inside Out" is a solid and convincing effort from one of the most compelling bands of the current alternative rock scenario. While not a masterpiece or a mind-blowing experience, this little album offers an intriguing collection of hypnotic songs worth listening. Moments like the haunting opener "Everyday" or the sublime "You Can Have It All" show this band`s strenght, providing tender and delicate compositions. Appropriate to listen to at a calm night, this is a record worth checking.

Recommended. ... Read more

Asin: B00004C4OA
Subjects:  1. Alternative Pop/Rock    2. Indie Rock    3. Noise Pop    4. Pop    5. Rock   

Bonjour Tristesse
Average Customer Review:
Paperback (06 November, 2001)
list price: $12.95 -- our price: $10.36
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Reviews (14)

Un roman qui n'a pas vieilli
Cécile, une jeune fille de 17 ans, va passer quelques jours de vacances sur la côte d'Azur avec son père, un homme frivole, et sa maîtresse Elsa. Une ancienne amie,Anne, une femme intelligente et raffinée va bouleverser la vie insouciante et tranquille de ce trio. Cécile, jalouse de cette incursion dans la vie de son père et dans sa propre vie, va demander à son petit ami Cyril de simuler une relation amoureuse entre lui et Elsa pour couper court à cette nouvelle vie imposée par cette femme et aux projets de mariage décidés par son père et Anne. La manigance de Cécile va pousser son père dans les bras de son ancienne maîtresse. Tous deux surpris par Anne, celle-ci s'enfuit et meurt das un accident de voiture. Cécile connaîtra alors un sentiment nouveau dans sa vie: la tristesse.
Publié en 1954 , alors que Françoise Sagan n'avait que 21 ans, le roman afait scandale: l'écriture était trop libre pour l'époque.Roman à la fois innocent et pervers, il n'a pas vieilli et ce n'est pas tant la maturité de la jeune femme sur la vie qui nous interpelle toujours mais l'analyse fine et lucide de la complexité des sentiments d'une jeune femme qui découvre tout de la vie.

Essential French Literature
Any lover of the French must read the coming of age tale of Celine.Written in 1954, Bounjour Tristesse was novel and took on issues of young love and jealously that seemed ahead of it's time. Now, the book may feel a bit passe, but for understanding the author and time it was written-- it remains a classic.

Pourqois?
BONJOUR TRISTESSE c'est une livre tres ravissemente, mais pourquois sont tous les feuilletons d'Amazon cybernetique en Anglais?Il n'y-a pas d'auteurs francophones pour cette edition en particulier??

Pardonnez-mois pour ma usage terrible de la belle langue; ma lieu de naissance etais Baton Rouge, Louisianne, mais je suis d'origienne anglophone.

Tres ravissemente, la travaille de Mlle. Sagan.
Une livre avec une protagoniste dans l'an 1955, mais "Plus ca change, plus ce la meme chose" aussi pour les Teenagers! ... Read more

Isbn: 0066211697
Sales Rank: 95316
Subjects:  1. Fiction    2. Fiction - General    3. General    4. Fiction / General    5. Reading Group Guide   

Live
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (30 June, 1998)
list price: $27.99 -- our price: $27.99
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Features

• Import
• Live

Reviews (11)

album
Wow, an artist that actually sounds better live. This album is wonderful and upbeat.

SO MUCH FUN!
This ablum is so much fun! I swear sometimes when I listen to it I feel like I am at one of her concerts. If you don't know who Vanesssa is, she is like the Britney Spears of France & Europe. Her songs are amazing becuase they're so simple and sweet. Very basic rhythems and tunes. I would like to congradulate Vanessa for using her talent to it's fullest, and making song without profanity, for writing alot of her own songs, and for always taking the right path, not the easy one. She doesn't realease an ablum every year to stay popular, so when you get one of her ablums you know it's the highest quality music availible. Don't buy this ablum as your first Vanessa ablum, you won't appreciate it until you get some of her other ablums first. I would recommend getting "M&J" and "Vanessa Paradis" first. If you're already a fan, this is one of her greatest ablums. Like I said before, it's just fun. It's a must-have for fans. Incredible. Theres not much more I can say about this.

Brilliant...just brilliant...
i do not own this cd, but i have a copy of the concert live on tape, so i got to see the whole thing, as well as hear it. let me just say, it was great. vanessa has so much fun with her audience, and the way she sings most of the songs on the albums is upbeat and makes you want to get up and dance with her. my favorite song on this album was "les cactus". her best live album to boot. :) ... Read more

Asin: B0000072SA
Sales Rank: 116240
Subjects:  1. Club/Dance    2. Dance-Pop    3. Pop    4. Rock    5. World Music   

Breathless
by Jean-Paul Belmondo Jean Seberg
Director: Jean-Luc Godard
Average Customer Review:
DVD (20 November, 2001)
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Editorial Review

The movie that heralded the French New Wave movement, this lean and exciting 1959 film directed by Jean-Luc Godard (A Woman Is a Woman, Weekend) broke new ground not only in its unorthodox use of editing and hand-held photography, but in its unflinching and nonjudgmental portrayal of amoral youth. Jean-Paul Belmondo and Jean Seberg play two young lovers on the run from the law after Belmondo kills a cop and steals a car. Soon they are on an odyssey through the streets of Paris searching for some money he is owed so that he and his American girlfriend can escape to Italy. As a chase picture it features some startling photography on the streets of Paris, but as a romance it defies expectations, existing as part tragedy and part Bonnie and Clyde crime movie. The result is a wholly original film experience. Inspiring not only a remake starring Richard Gere but numerous films and television series, Breathless is an essential part of motion picture history. --Robert Lane ... Read more

Features

• Black & White

Reviews (51)

Revolutionary & Dynamic, "Breathless" Still Electrifies!!
François Truffaut, Jean-Luc Godard, Claude Chabrol, Jacques Rivette and Eric Rohmer were film connoisseurs, who all worked as movie critics for the same magazine. Between the years 1958 to 1964, this group transitioned into filmmaking, and, along with other directors, such as Agnés Varda, Jean-Pierre Melville and Louis Malle, ushered in the French New Wave Movement, (Nouvelle Vague). Their background in film theory and criticism was a major factor in motivating these artists to create a bold new cinema.

Jean-Luc Godard's first feature, "Breathless," was released in 1960, introducing the New Wave and changing cinema forever. Godard used jump cuts, handheld cameras, zoom lenses and a new editing style to take the viewer places never ventured before. No artificial, glossy stage sets in this movie. Along with the protagonists, we travel up and down small side streets, into local bars and sidewalk cafes, across boulevards and, for inconsequential moments, brush the lives of passers-by, who have nothing to do with the screenplay, but always play a role in our daily comings and goings. The fragmented rhythm of modern life is translated here. Godard used sound in the same way, adding street noises, bits of conversations and music to add to the movie's authenticity and pace. This was indeed innovative at the time. And it still holds up. Watching "Breathless" forty-five years after its debut, 21st century technology does not detract from its dynamism or relevance in the slightest. In fact, with each viewing, I find the film every bit as exciting and poignant as I did the first time.

Jean-Paul Belmondo plays the feckless, foul-mouthed car thief, anti-hero and Humphrey Bogart fan, Michel Poiccard. Just a few minutes after the opening credits conclude, Michel's status changes from small-time hood to cop killer. His life's plans alter drastically as he becomes a hunted fugitive. Michel remains cool enough, however, to visit an old girlfriend and steal some money. Bogart would have been proud - not of the theft, but of the style. Michel spots gamine-like American, Patricia Franchini, (the lovely Jean Seberg), selling copies of the Herald Tribune on the Champs-Elysees, and pursues her, with roguish smiles and moody pouts. He curses her and moves off fast, though, when she gives him a hard time. He likes his women more enthusiastic. Instead of getting out of town fast, Michel hangs with fellow thugs and steals more cars.

Patricia is an enigmatic character, who occasionally startles with her observations and revelations. Twenty years-old, with the naive face of an angel, she seems to have no direction or goals in life. She studies at the Sorbonne and says she wants to write, but is oddly detached. She shuns commitment. She does occasional odd jobs for the newspaper, but appears to live in a dream world. Of course Patricia winds up with Michel and together they gallivant around the gorgeous streets of Paris, as if they haven't a care in the world. Patricia does have at least one problem, however - she might be pregnant. Together the couple attempts to collect on a debt to raise enough cash to escape to Italy.

Godard captures incredibly intimate moments between the two lovers, particularly in one lengthy, extremely realistic bedroom episode, filled with small talk, tenderness, petty cruelties, eroticism, mind games, childhood memories shared and loneliness. At the scene's end we have a better understanding of the self destructive individuals who make-up this twosome. A sense of burgeoning doom, which has hovered in the background all along, begins to increase here. Michel's bravado also escalates with the level of danger and, to his credit, he remains true to his idol, Bogart, to the end. The conclusion boggles the mind, at least it has always impacted me emotionally in a major way.

Belmondo is brilliant as the restless thief, in this, his first film role. He reminds me of a French James Dean. Seberg is convincing and fresh. This is a dynamic film, witty, fast-paced, romantic and disturbing. It has long been a favorite of mine.
JANA

Irritating, but that may have been the intention
I really wanted to like this movie, and did find plenty to enthuse over, but ultimately, no doubt due to my own inadequacies as a human being, it was simply tedious. I was put off when half-way through, my wife started snoring and my 15-year-old movie buff daughter picked up a maths book to study in preference to watching more of it.
The most irritating scene is where Michel sits around in his undies playing the tough wiseass beseeching his 'girlfriend' to sleep with him. I doubt there was a tight script for this part of the movie. In an attempt to be hyper-realistic this scene sadly comes across as totally feigned - it's embarrasing watching the actors ad-libbing to fill-out their roles - and from this point the immersion in the reality of the movie is completely destroyed.
It reminded me of a John Waters movie with a girl is sitting on a train, eating lunch, farting, scratching her nose and staring out the window... for two hours. Performance art? Maybe.

I'm still waiting for it to take my breath away.
This film should have been directed by a much better director, Francois Truffaut, who actually wrote it.A so-so movie with Belmondo being the bright spot with his iconic portrayal, however the film never really lets the viewer care about the characters or what happens to them.Some overly long scenes, which tend to get very boring, overtake most of this film, and then it's over.Godard has a very withdrawn-from-society style that is hard to embrace by many, unlike the universally accessible Truffaut.He turned an interesting Truffaut premise into a mundane, uneventful ride.

Definitely not the best French New Wave film, as many rave. ... Read more

Asin: B00005NC66
Subjects:  1. Foreign Film - French   

A Woman Is a Woman
by Jean-Claude Brialy Anna Karina Jean-Paul Belmondo
Director: Jean-Luc Godard
Average Customer Review:
DVD (01 October, 2002)
list price: $9.98
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Editorial Review

One of the landmark early films of the French New Wave, director Jean-Luc Godard (Breathless) weaves a tale of desperation and deceit. Anna Karina (Vivre Sa Vie) plays a stripper determined to have a child in the hopes that it will better her life. She tries in vain to convince her rough, selfish boyfriend (Jean-Paul Belmondo) to father the child, but he refuses. In desperation and sparked by anger she turns to his best friend to father the child, setting off a new round of recrimination and betrayal. Une Femme Est une Femme is one of Godard's first films and essential viewing for fans of the Nouvelle Vague, to chart the beginnings of the detached mood and style that influenced a coming generation of films. --Robert Lane ... Read more

Features

• Color

Reviews (18)

a fine early work by Goddard
This review is for the Criterion Collection DVD edition of the film.

"A Woman is a Woman", released in France as "Une femme est une femme," is one of Jean-Luc Goddard's first major film releases.

It follows the story of an exotic dancer who wants to have a child. When her boyfriend is not interested, she goes after one of his friends.

The film despite it's portrayal of striptease dancers, is tame even by the standards of the time. It is filmed in full color and has some nice scenery in it. The humor is also quite good also.

The DVD has some excellent special features as well.

The DVD has the short film "Charlotte et Véronique ou Tous les garçons s'appellent Patrick" or "All Boys Are Called Patrick" which is one of Goddard's earliest films.

There is also an audio recording promoting the film with some interesting imagery, a series of behind the scenes photos and publicity shots, lobby cards, and posters, a scene from a 1966 interview with some of the cast and crew, and a theatrical trailer.

In addition the liner notes contain more material than normal, including an interview.

This is one that Goddard fans will love.

Une Femme est Une Femme
I was expecting greatness, which is always a recipe for disaster. I had heard from more than enough people that Jean-Luc Godard is the master of modern avant-garde cinema, so I bought the only movie of his I could find. I enjoyed it, yes, but it was SO mainstream. It's a cute romantic French comedy. Overall, good, but nothing extraordinary.

"There She Goes.."
The New Wave has been assessed in every intellectual capacity, and using every aesthetic criterion imaginable, but what makes the New Wave the most beguiling of cinematic phenomenon is that, in essence, it is a declaration of the love of cinema, through cinema itself.

AWOMAN IS A WOMAN ("Une Femme est une Femme"), Godard's third film, is as much a milestone as his own "Breathless" two years earlier. The basic premise is effectively that of a kitchen sink drama; an exotic dancer's (Anna Karina) whim to have a baby is met with consternation by her boyfriend (Jean-Claude Brialy), who is further dismayed when she asks a mutual friend (Jean-Paul Belmondo) to act as a surrogate father.

But the neo-realist background gives way to a film shot in bold, giddy colours and synchronised to Legrand's harebrained soundtrack - A WOMAN IS A WOMAN is best described as a musical with no singing. Actors frequently affect choreographed like stances and positions, their conversations punctuated with overtly dramatic interventions from Legrand's score. Our heroine expresses her desire to appear in an American musical, "with Gene Kelly and Cyd Charisse", before adopting the relevant deportment for the approval of the audience, who are constantly consulted, bowed to, winked at and cavorted with by actors revelling in front of Godard's lens.

It is Godard's preference for the actor, in favour of the character, that makes A WOMAN IS A WOMAN an unparalleled experience in spontaneity. Filmed without a script, the actors wear their own clothes and concoct their own dialogue. Belmondo in particular frolics in the new-found fame gifted to him by Godard, expressing his wish to be present when "they're showing Breathless on television", and grinning at the audience as he namedrops new acquaintance Burt Lancaster. Later, he meets Jeanne Moreau in a bar, and asks her "how JULES ET JIM is coming along".

And it is with Truffaut's masterpiece that A WOMAN IS A WOMAN shares its essential raison d'être - the embodiment of femininity through a dazzling and formidable singularity, in this instance Anna Karina, whose whims, mood-swings and impetuosity are her right and privilege as a woman, as all women. "Women have a right to dodge issues, men don't", she tells Brialy, shortly after decreeing the stupidity of modern women, "these women who imitate men". A smile turns to a frown or a tear in the blink of an eye, and back again just as quickly, in an infectiously joyful and touching performance that is among cinema's most engaging. Karina, the new wave bride, worked with husband Godard on seven of his greatest films, but it is this wonderful and dizzying cinematic cocktail that is Godard's most translucent love poem to an extraordinary actress touched by an impulsive genius and unique beauty.

Along with JULES ET JIM, Jacques Demy's LOLA and Godard's own BAND A PART, A WOMAN IS A WOMAN is the most energizing and uplifting of all New Wave films. Both gleeful and baffling, it is essentially summed up by Brialy himself, who towards the film's delightful conclusion declares: "I don't know if this is a comedy or a tragedy, but it's a masterpiece"




... Read more

Asin: 1572523956
Subjects:  1. Foreign Film - French   

Gray's Anatomy: The Classic Collector's Edition
Average Customer Review:
Hardcover (23 November, 1988)
list price: $14.99 -- our price: $10.19
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Editorial Review

The leg bone's connected to the hip bone, and so on.For many of us, anatomy can seem intimidating and unrewarding, but the right teacher can clear such feelings away in a heartbeat.Our fascination with our bodies is a powerful force, and once we start looking, we find that beauty is much more than skin-deep.

It so happens that the right teacher can take the form of a book. Gray's Anatomy is one of those few titles that practically everybody has heard of, and with good reason--it is a scientific and artistic triumph. Not just a dry index of parts and names, Gray's lets the natural beauty and grace of the body's interconnected systems and structures shine forth from the page.Using sumptuous illustrations and clear, matter-of-fact descriptions, Dr. Gray unleashed a classic on the world more than 100 years ago. Its clarity and usefulness keep it in print today. Whether you want to understand yourself or others, knowledge of our physical parts and how they fit together is essential. Gray's Anatomy provides that information in a simple, timeless format that cleanly dissects a body of knowledge grown over centuries. This book will not only fill the needs of people in the medicalprofession, but will please artists and naturalists as well. --Rob Lightner ... Read more

Reviews (15)

Excellent reference book
Gray anatomy's is an excellent text for those who want to understand the working of the human body,Its pop-up book structure enables the reader to see in three dimensions the inner working ofall the main internal organs and some of the more obscure ones such as the thyroid gland, and the pituitary gland. In fact, glands are comprehensively covered in this encyclopedic text. Unfortunately, there are many obscure Latin words in the text, particularly referring to parts of the body, for some reason, and it would much more preferable and less confusing if future editions were written in plain English. In many ways the book is similar to the series of Haynes DIY auto manuals that enable the amateur car mechanic keep their ailing old bangers, such as the type I Ford Escorts and Morris Marinas on the road.As a result, for those interested in reducing their medical expenses or impatient with long hospital waiting lists, the temptation is after reading this book is to "have a go yourself" and remove your own appendix or transplant a kidney. I should say at this point that modern surgery is a lot more involved than simply "knowing where all the bits are" and this should be strongly discouraged. Only those who have completely read the whole book should think about taking on a craniotomy on the kitchen table and only then with another responsible adult in the room who can act as an anesthetist.For those who are animal lovers sadly this book is destined to disappoint there are not a single description of the dissection of any thing other than the human body, this narrow minded unanthropomorphic view of the subject matter will surely deter the more wholistic readers who believe that looking at the map of a cat or lion or even the nasal cavity of a proboscis monkey, Nasalis larvatus, could bring in new insights to modern surgery.

Buyer Beware!
I want to reinforce what reviewer Thomas Greiner wrote, because it appears that so many other reviewers may be unaware that there is an edition of Gray's Anatomy that is much more current, useful, and abundantly illustrated than this one.

This reprint of the classic 1901 edition can be recommended for only limited reasons: It is relatively compact and easy to carry around; it is inexpensive; and it's a classic of historical interest. It's authoritative and well written, but it is poorly illustrated (a much more verbal than pictorial guide to anatomy), some of its terminology is long out of date, and it is lacking in scientific currency.

For medical students, health-care professionals, personal injury attorneys, or others who want and can afford a more current and comprehensive reference, I strongly recommend the 1995, 38th British Edition of Gray's Anatomy (ISBN 0-443-04560-7). It's much more expensive (about $215), but well worth it. It is THE definitive reference work and belongs on the shelf of anyone who needs an up-to-date, comprehensive, impeccably authoritative, and well-illustrated treatment of human structure.

For artists who need to know what's under the skin; for anyone who wants a more visual than verbal presentation of human anatomy; for nursing, physical therapy, or other allied health students who need less detail that Gray's; for others who can't afford a $215 anatomy book; and for anyone wanting a visual atlas to complement Gray's, the following are excellent atlases that would serve far better than the 1901 Gray's.

For photographic treatments of cadaveric anatomy I recommend "Color Atlas of Anatomy" (Rohen & Yokochi); their smaller and less expensive, paperback version, "Photographic Anatomy of the Human Body" (Yokochi, Rohe, & Weinreb); or "McMinn's Color Atlas of Human Anatomy" (Abrahams, Marks, & Hutchings).

For lineart atlases, which have some explanatory advantages over photography, I recomment "Atlas of Human Anatomy" (Netter), "Grant's Atlas of Anatomy" (Agur), or "Anatomy" (Clemente). All of these are visually fascinating atlases, although they offer very little of the verbal description needed for functional insight. For that, I recommend "Clinically Oriented Anatomy" (Moore and Dalley). Most students would probably be best served by Moore & Dalley and one of the aforementioned atlases. Other than the British Gray's, if I could have only two human anatomy books, they would be Moore & Dalley and Rohen & Yokochi.

A classic reference source
For med students, funeral directors, artists, model makers, special effects technicians, this is a CLASSIC book! Even if you just want to know about the human body and how it works, GET this book! Don't let the size of it fool or intimidate you. ... Read more

Isbn: 0517223651
Subjects:  1. Anatomy    2. Anatomy, Human    3. Life Sciences - Anatomy & Physiology    4. Reference    5. Sale Adult - Medical    6. Science / Anatomy   

Projects for Prada Part 1
Average Customer Review:
Paperback (2001)
list price: $60.00 -- our price: $37.80
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Editorial Review

Dutch architect Rem Koolhaas's firm, OMA, and Italian fashion house Prada have a lot in common: They both existed for years before they became the pets of the American moneyed elite in the mid to late 1990s. They both eschew conventional notions of what's elegant or pleasing to the eye--Koolhaas's designs often look like post-industrial origami, and Prada's like uniforms for a really chic neo-Fascist army. Most of all, they're both poised for a transition from designerati darlings to global household words.

For all of these reasons, one supposes it's fitting that Miuccia Prada sought out Koolhaas and associates to design three new "epicenter" stores for the company--in New York, Los Angeles, and San Francisco--and to create Prada's Web site. They've documented that collaboration in this hefty, molto stile paperback that illustrates how they've rethought the shopping experience in ways both high-flown (in NYC, a shoe section that converts to a theater for performances and other "non-shopping events"; an electronic customer-identification/service system that either promises or threatens to track shoppers and their "needs" more closely than the FBI's) and cleverly common-sensical (dressing rooms with simultaneous, digitally-produced front, back and side-views, phones for requesting another size, and walls you can shift from translucent--so you can model for your friends--to frosted, for privacy).

Design-wise, the stores say "Koolhaas" as we know him so far--the facade of the San Francisco one, for example, is all perforated-looking metallic grids, and elsewhere there are shiny, swooping ceilings and walls, plus glass elevators that hover among glass floors like huge floating rooms. But most of what we see in this book is funky, moody photography of the sites' models, thickly populated by white figurines with the same unsmiling hauteur of Prada's sexy real-life runway models (not enough of which are featured here, by the way). The book's minimal text, though boldly designed, strikes a strange note somewhere between the usual half-cryptic semio-speak of Koolhaas's other books, and the oppressive language of corporate self-promotion ("Our ambition is to capture attention and then, once we have it, to hand it back to the customer."). But then, isn't that as it should be? With both Koolhaas and Prada, you often suspect that their recent stranglehold over American fashionistas and theory-queens alike is of great amusement to them. Between these pages, the joke once again might be on us, but who can't take a little joke when it's as stylishly presented as it is here?--Timothy Murphy ... Read more

Reviews (4)

delirious koolhaas
It seems like Koolhaas can never get out of graphic design architecture. At one point he became interesting but is now becoming like fashion designers where trend and surface have more meaning. Perhaps, he should quit architecture and become a graphic or fashion designer.Delirious Koolhaas.

same old same old
enough with the picture books and a little more substance please. i enjoy koolhaas but he is making more money on books than his buildings. the prada store sucks and he is becoming a sellout. spend your money on something else or save it because all of his new books are garbage. just because you have a lot of pictures and images does not mean you should put it into one UNEDITED book.

What can Prada be?
The other review here is quite good and explains the book quite nicely, so I will try not to be redundant.But I really found this book brilliant from a retail sales standpoint.I once had a professor of music history ask the question, "what can music be?", and this book asks the similar question of "what can shopping be?"Much credit has to be given to Prada for their investment of time and money into projects that really stretch the boundaries of the luxury shopping experience (and thanks to Rem Koolhaas and OMA/AMO for their incredible designs).And to prove that all these concepts are not merely theorized ideas neatly bound in a book, you simply need walk into the Prada SoHo 'Epicenter' store to see what it's all about. ... Read more

Isbn: 8887029180
Subjects:  1. Architecture    2. Design & Drafting    3. Fashion    4. Individual Architect    5. Interior Design - General    6. Public, Commercial, or Industrial Buildings   

The Cement Garden (Vintage International)
Average Customer Review:
Paperback (13 January, 1994)
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Reviews (49)

Excellent short novel
This is an essential McEwan novel from the start of his career which captivates through its 140-odd pages. Like all McEwan novels it starts shockingly and it maintains this throughout, without overstating itself: indeed, because the story is told through the eyes of Jack, engulfed in the events of the book, it comes out in a chillingly offhand manner. The way it actually plays with your mind so that part of you doesn't want them to be caught, though you know in reality that is what should occur, is particularly disturbing.

The characterisation in the book is superb: not only that of the children, who are extremely multi-faceted and complex, brought out in a concise and suggestive rather than explicit manner, but also the father, mother and boyfriend, none of whom are described in extreme detail, but all of whom are imaginable. The prose is unromantic and flat to reflect Jack's own tone, yet this is ultimately appropriate. Though it could have been longer, its brevity is an asset insofar as it feels like a finely drawn short story. Well worth a read.

EWWWW!!!!!!
I can't even begin to put this book into a category...I will say that this is in no way a pleasurable read. I didn't find it haunting or even bothersome; annoying and tasteless is more of an apt description. It was predictable and plodding as well. The only reason I finished it was because it was short and I have a neurotic tendancy to finish what I start. So glad I got it out of the library & didn't spend my $ on it.
Not recommended.

Tightly told, compelling story about family secrets
This story is about family secrets - but it does not keep its secrets hidden for very long. In fact, within a few pages, we know more about the family that is at the heart of the story than we probably wanted to know. The entire story revolves around a group of four siblings, two boys, two girls, ages seventeen, fifteen, thirteen and six, and how they deal with the circumstances surrounding the loss of their parents. What develops is chilling and yet told in such a way that it appears natural and logical, since it is told in the first person of one of the siblings, the fifteen year old boy. Children who are not blessed with adult maturity and wisdom are left to their own devices and judgments. Outsiders are treated with suspicion and contempt. Disaster ensues. We witness a story of control, death, incest, sibling emotional suffocation, cruelty, and at times, tenderness, all told in a very unnerving way.

Like much of his later work, Ian McEwan proves adept at delving below the skin of his subjects, with complete realism and honesty. And be warned, this is not for the squeamish or moralistic. But then I am not aware of any of his writings that are. In the hands of a lesser writer, some of the subject matter could be offensive and unseemly. But McEwan is no ordinary writer.

While this story was written early in his arc as a novelist, it still stands as a worthy work. One can also see how his later works have progressed and become more literary, but any McEwan fan should enjoy it, and anyone looking for a place to begin reading his work will find much to admire here. ... Read more

Isbn: 0679750185
Sales Rank: 41077
Subjects:  1. Domestic fiction    2. England    3. Fiction    4. Fiction - General    5. Literary    6. Mcewan, Ian - Prose & Criticism    7. Orphans    8. Psychological fiction    9. Fiction / Literary   

Eames Design
Average Customer Review:
Hardcover (01 October, 1989)
list price: $95.00 -- our price: $59.85
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Reviews (4)

A stunning visual record of a great American design team
This is THE book about Charles and Ray Eames. Beautifully printed and designed and with more than 3500 photos to explore the work, year by year, of these two famous designers. The range of work is amazing, furniture (domestic and commercial) films, exhibitions, architecture, books even toys. I have a set of his 1952 House of Cards, a deck of fifty-four playing-card size cards that can be interlocked to create three dimensional structures, a very simple idea beautifully conceived.

I think the book easily reflects the joy and stimulation that Charles and Ray Eames got out of the creative process.

The Definitive Text
An exceptionally comprehensive year-by-year summary of the work of the Eames Office from the early 1940s to the late 1970s.Covers everything equally -- from wartime plywood experiments and herman miller furniture to toys, exhibitions, and, of course, films.A must for anyone interested in Eames design.Full of hard-to-find information and photos of rarely seen items.

Excellent Survey of Eames Studio
This is an excellent survey of the work of the Eames studio.It provides a chronological survey of the furniture, films, exhibits, and other work of the studio.It even provides a listing of the Eames staff at each pointand time.Lavishly illustrated, it provides photographs of furniture,exhibits, and stills from the over 100 films produced by the Eames's. Highly recommended as the one book you must have about their work. ... Read more

Isbn: 0810908794
Sales Rank: 117146
Subjects:  1. 20th century    2. Art & Art Instruction    3. Decorating    4. Design    5. Design - General    6. Furniture Arts And Crafts    7. History    8. Individual Architect    9. Individual Artist    10. Office of Charles and Ray Eame    11. Office of Charles and Ray Eames    12. United States   

From Lascaux to Brooklyn
Average Customer Review:
Hardcover (21 February, 1996)
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Reviews (2)

Simply a must have. For every designers library!
I thought that this book sheds a different kind of light on the how and why, of design. Written by a true master that understands every aspect of what he did, and why. He delivers the message as astutely as he designed.Read it, you will not regret it!

Where do we go from here?
I love the simplicity of the book which is a consistent reflection of Paul Rands style.However, I can't help but question his analyzation of so-called primitive art and design.For example he compared early africanart to that of childrens art (in a positive way).And while he attemptedto praise the art, I think he only succeded in confusing it.African artas well as other artistic expressions by early cultures cannot be analyzedby the same Western eye that we use to scrutinize our own creations.Whilewe would like to think that we understand other cultures the fact is wecan't Unless, we are personally involved with that culture.I don't thinkRand understood this. He seemed pre-occupied with the mathematical beautyin all the example work, but I think for Early cultures it went way beyondmathematics. Furthermore, while I love his passion for design, I can't helpbut wonder if he speaks about Design as Art or design as a COMMERCIAL tool. Certaintly, Clients are more concerned with the Marketing component ofdesign as opposed to how beautiful it looks.This is not to say I amagainst good design.But as more designers confuse Graphic Design withPersonal Art, I find that most work is being designed with other designersin mind (and awards) as opposed to the client and his/her customers. Rosser Reeves had the same argument about Copywriters wanting to writeelegant prose instead of Sales material. Rand is a great.This book isdefinitly a must read.But I wonder how many people go along with hisphilosophies simply hecause of who he is. ... Read more

Isbn: 0300066767
Sales Rank: 114433
Subjects:  1. Art    2. Art & Art Instruction    3. Commercial art    4. Criticism    5. Design    6. Graphic Design    7. History - General    8. Philosophy    9. Art / Criticism   

Harold and Maude
by Ruth Gordon Bud Cort
Director: Hal Ashby
Average Customer Review:
DVD (01 March, 2004)
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Editorial Review

Black comedies don't come much blacker than this cult favorite from 1972, and they don't come much funnier, either. It seemed that director Hal Ashby was the perfect choice to mine a mother lode of eccentricity from the original script by Colin Higgins, about the unlikely romance between a death-obsessed 19-year-old named Harold (Bud Cort) and a life-loving 79-year-old widow named Maude (Ruth Gordon). They meet at a funeral, and Maude finds something oddly appealing about Harold, urging him to "reach out" and grab life by the lapels as opposed to dwelling morbidly on mortality. Harold grows fond of the old gal--she's a lot more fun than the girls his mother desperately matches him up with--and together they make Harold & Maude one of the sweetest and most unconventional love stories ever made. Much of the earlier humor arises from Harold's outrageous suicide fantasies, played out as a kind of twisted parlor game to mortify his mother, who's grown immune to her strange son's antics. Gradually, however, the film's clever humor shifts to a brighter outlook and finally arrives at a point where Harold is truly happy to be alive. Featuring soundtrack songs by Cat Stevens, this comedy certainly won't appeal to all tastes (it was a box-office flop when first released), but if you're on its quirky wavelength, it might just strike you as one of the funniest movies you've ever seen. --Jeff Shannon ... Read more

Features

• Color
• Closed-captioned
• Widescreen
• Dolby

Reviews (206)

Classic Dark Humor
Harold and Maude provides a wonderfully dark, ironic contrast between the angst of growing up and the celebration of growing old and embracing death. Bud Cort and Ruth Gordon put in excellent performances.

Even if the plot line doesn't appeal to you, the sound track for the movie--exclusively Cat Stevens--is stunning and makes this a must-hear movie.

Best Movie Ever
This movie is my official screening device for future friends and lovers.I know many kind and wonderful people who could not appreciate this film, and god bless 'em.But if I want to know right away if there's any possibility of someone "getting" me or a deeper connection between myself and them, I ask them if they like this movie. If they haven't seen it, I lend it to them.

Harold and Maude the Remake
I was in tenth grade when this movie came out and must have seen it 5 times. Of course, the soundtrack was incredible and made the movie and really turned me on to Cat Stevens. Fast forward to 2005 and if you are up to date with the times today (2/05) with all the remakes they are doing, this one also should me remade.
How about Jack White and Loretta Lynn. They showed they had good chemistry on her last album and I would love them to be the new Harold and Maude. ... Read more

Asin: 6305882592
Subjects:  1. Feature Film-comedy   

How to Restore and Maintain Your Vespa Motorscooter (Authentic Restoration Guide)
Average Customer Review:
Paperback (01 January, 2000)
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Reviews (5)

Not at all for beginners
More than a book teaching you how to "restore and maintain your vespa," this is a history book about vespas.Also, this book should have been called "Tips for restoring and maintaining your vespa motorscooter assuming you are already familiar with vespa mechanical systems and jargon" because it does NOT cover even the most basic of things in a way comprehensible to anyone but those already familiar with vespas.For example, in explaining how to remove the engine, the instructions say, "Before putting in the pinion axle, make sure the zerk fitting is installed in the proper direction.One way will clear the speedometer cable, the other won't. That's why the hole in the trunnion is cast at an angle."Too bad it doesnt tell you what a "pinion axle," "zerk fitting," or "trunnion" is, nor does it provide any pictures.

Speaking of the pictures, they are so random and are rarely, if ever, useful.The step by step instructions are also not nearly as comprehensive as they need to be.Anyone who works on vespas can tell you that dropping the front fork (without pulling your hair out) cannot be distilled into one page for a beginner.

Complaints aside, there are a handful of useful pointers that can be culled from here or there.But it's probably a lot easier to get that information from a vespa message board or from your mechanic than from buying this book.Online vespa communities have made this book largely irrelevant.

An insider's book, oganized badly and missing details.
I'm looking for a scooter to restore.I bought the Vespa book because I know about Bob Darnell's reputation as a scooter restorer and have seen his work personally.For years I lived in Phoenix and knew that Bob Golfen is an excellent writer and very knowledgeable on things Automotive.I've restored 26 European cars and have read many "how to restore" books in the past.This book seems to be aimed at people that already own scooters and know most of the information in the book already, reinforcing or clearly presenting information that is probably available elsewhere.

"Vespa" is an excellent resource for solid information about the various scooters.It shows what engines came with which, what the serial numbers are, and an excellent description of the history of the models.It contains excellent sections on fixing various components of the product, logically arranged around the system (engine, electrical, body, etc).

Where the book really misses for me is a no chapter for "What scooter is right for me."I've never owned a bike before and I am puzzled about what to buy, and there's very little information about this, other than what the various performance levels and parts availabilites are.

The other glaring error concerns a paragraph on page 120 (the "body and paint" section).It states that you should never buy a scooter with a crease in this one area of the frame, going on to explain where it is (the explanation missed for me, because I didn't have an actual scooter in front of me for reference) and then they Didn't Provide A Picture For Reference!The authors continue by saying that this inspection is Very Important when you are looking to purchase your ride, yet it isn't in the buying section or anywhere up front where choosing or inspecting your scooter is located.If this is so important, why is it buried near the back of the book?What if you have one of these creases?How do you fix it? Nope, nothing there.I had orginally given the book 3 stars, but the hopeless organization and authors' inability to see their finished product through the eyes of the reader put me over the edge.

I'm curious about real world issues. "What type of rider are you?""How big are you?""Where do you ride?"How often do you ride?" "How are your mechanical skills?"How reliable do you need your bike to be?" etc.Should be questions that are answered in detail to choose the right bike.If you're looking for this information, look elsewhere.

Scooters have their own culture attached.I would have liked more information about the culture and what it is about.While this isn't directly related to scooter restoration, You sure don't want to show up at your first event with a perfectly restored Vespa looking like a goofball. The book kind of makes an assumption that you are already a "cognoscenti."

In the performance section it gives very little information about engine swapping or what "works" and what doesn't.This seems to be a common practice, yet there is no information about stuffing a 200 engine in a 160 frame.Also lacking is what the differences in power are.A stock 200cc Vespa has around 12-13 horsepower. If I do "blank" to the engine, what does that do to the performance in real and "seat of the pants" numbers?What about reliability?The section on modifications goes into great detail on how to "do" the mods, but not very much in "what you get for your trouble".

Finally, I was shocked at the number of spelling errata.From someone writing a column in a major newspaper, I was amazed at how many spelling errors and typos there were.It seems that this book was rushed, not very well outlined and underwent very little rewriting and no peer review.In this rush some really good information that I know that the writers had in their brains never made it to the page.I hope there are other books available to fill in the gaps.

General, but very good to have.
As noted in previous reviews, this is an excellent resource to use along with a more model-specific manual for your particular scooter.I am restoring a 1955 150cc and found that much of the information is specific to the GS, small-frame and P-series scooters, with not nearly as much for the less common models like my own.You can get a long way with this book and it's a very good reference for Vespa history and all, but you'll still need something like a Haynes as well if you're going to get elbows-deep in scooter innards. ... Read more

Isbn: 0760306230
Sales Rank: 46761
Subjects:  1. Conservation and restoration    2. Cycles - Repair And Maintenance Of Specific Models    3. Maintenance and repair    4. Motorcycles - Repair & Maintenance    5. Transportation    6. Vespa motor scooter   

Breakfast at Tiffany's (First Vintage International)
Average Customer Review:
Paperback (28 September, 1993)
list price: $12.00 -- our price: $9.60
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Reviews (72)

Great read!
First I recommend that you read the story before watching the movie.I did and I'm glad.

Breakfast at Tiffany's is a great story, plus you get another 3 in this edition - I enjoyed them all, especially "A Christmas Memory"."House of Flowers" and "A Diamond Guitar" are nicely written too.I easily read all four stories in one day.

I recommend this collection...along with In Cold Blood, also by Capote.

Absolutly worth your time!
Breakfast At Tiffany's is a truly one of a kind novel, not to mention a major pop culture phenomenon.It truly mirrors the changes that occurred to American society after World War II.The novel gives a glimpse to the reader what it was like for woman and how their roles in society changed. It's a great tale of human nature as well as overcoming adversity.
One becomes enthralled and entranced by the infamous character, Holly Golightly.She, without a doubt, is defining of a cultured woman of the American 1950's, a contemporary debutant, carefree and aloof.This former starlit actress moves into the narrator's (or "Fred" as Holly refers to him as) apartment building, just a floor down from his apartment.After Holly climbs threw his fire escape to avoid a man who is biting her, they become instant friends seemingly over night. Holly is not a perfect person, but because her flaws are bared for all to see, she is a much more identifiable and loveable character.
Her wild like qualities make her irresistible to every man she comes in contact with, which doesn't omit "Fred", either.Over the course of the story, he falls madly in love with the fiercely independent Holly.Definitely a quintessential case of misguided love.
In addition to Breakfast at Tiffany's, there are three short stories that go along with the motif of human nature.House of Flowers, A Diamond Guitar, and A Christmas Memory play off of each other, as well as Breakfast At Tiffany's.Each short story relates to how people communicate their emotions with one another.

The most important book of the day
The well-known short novel, Breakfast at Tiffany's, and three of Truman Capote's most famous short stories make for a continually fresh and exciting look at how human beings successfully connect with one another. No matter how many times you read these stories, you will be moved by Mr. Capote's marvelous sense of and appreciation for the specialness of each life and the ways we belong to each other. Having not read Breakfast at Tiffany's for about 30 years, I came away much more impressed with the novel than I was the last time I read it. Perhaps you will have the same reaction upon rereading it as well. If you are reading it for the first time, you have a very nice surprise ahead of you! Breakfast at Tiffany's revolves around Holly Golightly, the former starlet and cafe society item, who floats lightly through life (like cotton fibers in the wind) looking for where she belongs. Ms. Golightly is and will remain one of the most original and intriguing characters in American fiction. Like a magician, she is both more and less than she seems. But she has an appreciation for people and animals that goes to the core of her soul that will touch you (if you are like me), especially in her desire that they and she be free. The novel has a harder edge and is more revealing about human nature than the movie is. Of the two, I suggest you start with the novel and graduate to the movie. You will appreciate the portrayal by Audrey Hepburn of the inner Holly more that way. The same humor is in both the novel and the movie, as well as the innocent look at life for what it can be, believing in the potential of things to work out for the best. Despite that upbeat note, her weakness is that for all of her ability to understand what motivates other people she does not understand herself well enough to know when she does belong with and to others. This is symbolized by her abandonment of her unnamed cat, and quick realization that they do belong together. As for the friends she leaves behind, she never seems to appreciate how much they love her and want to be with her. As a result, she abandons them as well . . . leaving them with memories to warm their winter nights. Mr. Capote is now realized to have been a more autobiographical writer than was appreciated when he first published his fiction. Your understanding of Breakfast at Tiffany's will grow if you keep in mind that it was modeled in part on his friendship with Marilyn Monroe.

Also recommended:BARK OF THE DOGWOOD and THE COMPLETE SHORT STORIES OF CAPOTE ... Read more

Isbn: 0679745653
Sales Rank: 46038
Subjects:  1. Capote, Truman, 1924-1984    2. Classics    3. Fiction    4. Literary    5. Literature - Classics / Criticism    6. Short Stories (single author)    7. Short stories    8. Fiction / Literary