Proust as Voyeur: Forbidden Places

A new book is out about  "the love hotels of Paris between the 19th and 20th centuries."  Marcel Proust frequented the Hotel  du Saumon to gather material for his book, setting scenes there.  My take is that Proust's interest was not entirely literary.  Well, so it goes.  This is the link to the Forbidden Places. 


A honky-tonk for men????   I thought honky-tonks were for loud music.  Isn't  "Honky Tonk"  a cool word.  Where do you suppose it originated? Apparently know one is sure.  It's been around since the 1890's and was first seen in print in 1920.  I do believe I will use it in my novel-in-progress.

This book, Nicole Canet's, not mine, is called an "erotic thriller." Sounds like something Toulouse Lautrec might have devised.  Canet is a painter and artist.   BTW, the book isn't on Amazon.  Sorry about that.  

Cheers!


Odette

 

Writers and Ideas

To ignore Proust for a post, tomorrow I'll be a guest blogger on Sheila Boneham's great writing blog. The topic is how a writer can run with an idea and the example I'm using is my recently published novel, World of Mirrors. Stop by and join the ever-fascinating topic of writers and ideas.

http://sheilaboneham.blogspot.com/

Two photos from the island of Ruegen where the novel is set.  These photos each led to an important scene in the novel. 

Statue in front of the Badehaus im Goor

Rugen Thatched Roof Cottage

Proust's Favorite Resort Hotel

Trouville and the surf lapping against the beach, ladies with long skirts and parasols, and girls riding bikes.  Ohhh!  It's Albertine and Andrea and the little band.  Proust vacationed here, and they even have his room restored.  Sounds spiffy.  I wonder if you get the same table every day and your own bottle of wine and water.

Proust's Fave Hotel