Armchair Escapism 14

Books
On Persephone’s Island, Mary Taylor Simeti
In 1962, fresh out of college, Simeti left America to devote a short period living and working in
Sicily. This turned into a lifetime and twenty years later, married to a Sicilian with two children, she
decided to write an account of an average year on the island. Spending half her time in gritty
Palermo and the other half farming the idyllic lands on the city’s outskirts, Simeti richly describes
the divine beauty but also the earthly hardships of her existence. Endless balmy citrus-scented days
are interspersed with the brutalities of mafia killings; excursions to abandoned ancient sites where
Persephone is said to have walked are contrasted with the frenzy of religious festivals that crowd
the streets. Simeti peppers the pages with anecdotes and escapist storytelling at its finest giving an
account as both a foreigner who observes local customs as well as an insider deeply entrenched into
Sicilian values and traditions.

The island of missing trees - Elif Shafak
Its the summer of 1974 and Cyprus is an island divided by two clashing identities. Greek-Cypriot
Kostas and Turkish-Cypriot Defne have fallen into forbidden love which they must hide not only
from their families but from everyone. Under the gaze of a fig tree in a tucked away tavern, they
regularly meet until that July, war on the island breaks out. Fast forward years later, and Ada the
teenage daughter of Kostas and Defne is yearning to know more about her parent’s homeland which
she has never visited. Her quest begins in her own back garden where a fig tree grows, planted with
a seed taken a long time ago from a tavern in Cyprus.

Hot Milk - Deborah Levy
Rose and her daughter Sofia turn up in a small town in southern Spain. They have come all this way
to see a Dr Gomez whose unorthodox methods may cure Rose’s unexplainable paralysis. Along this
storyline, events unfold that bring themes of motherhood, female sexuality, and familial ties/
obligations to the surface. Beneath the intoxicating Spanish sun and amidst its even more
intoxicating locals, Sofia and Rose’s tumultuous relationship is on the brink of collapse.

Films
The Taste of Things
Set in the late 19th century in France, acclaimed gourmet Dodin Bouffant brings exquisite dishes to
life with the help of his exceptional cook, Eugénie. They have spent decades collaborating in the
kitchen and over that time, a quiet love has blossomed between them. Despite Dodin proposing on
countless occasions, Eugénie refuses each time, contented with their partnership and mutual
adoration for food. But when she falls ill, it is Dodin’s turn to cook and their dynamic shifts in more
ways than one. The cinematography and acting is spellbinding, and we are transported to Dodin and
Eugénie’s kitchen alive with mouthwatering scents, a constant bustle, visual delights and the
unmistakable atmosphere of love.

Dramma della gelosia
The Italian title of this film translates as ‘The Jealousy Drama’ but box offices decided to name the
English version ‘The Pizza Triangle.’ The story follows Oreste (Marcello Mastroianni), a politically
minded bricklayer who falls head over heels with Adelaide (Monica Vitti) at a rally. So deep is his
love (or lust) that he leaves his wife behind to begin a new life with her. It isn’t long however until
pizzaiolo Nello enters the new lovers’ sphere. When he catches his own feelings for Adelaide, he
sends her a heart-shaped pizza and so begins a clandestine romance. As the Italian and English titles
suggest, things go awry when discoveries are made but that’s not before some charming scenes of
passion and joy compel us. One of the best is when Oreste and Adelaide feign a marriage ceremony
at the beach by putting calamari rings onto another’s fingers.

Bonjour Tristesse (1954 and 2024)
Based on the book by Francoise Sevan, Bonjour Tristesse (Hello Sadness) is a film set on the
glamorous and promiscuous French Riviera. 17 year-old Cecile and her playboy father Raymond
are holidaying at their villa when Anne, the best friend of her deceased mother comes to stay. A
classic femme fatale, she wins Raymond’s affections and begins to manipulate the relationship
between daughter and father. Cecile decides to get rid of Anne with the help of Raymond’s former
lover, Elsa. But the girls’ follies are at risk of going too far.
There are two versions of this film, one from 1958 and the other from 2024. The former contains
questionable acting but endlessly chic costumes and scenes from the Cote D’Azure in its glory days.
The latter, set in modern times, is deeper and darker using the Mediterranean backdrop as a symbol
for the ominous work at hand.