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Poetry & Literature
Marjorie Price - A Gift from Brittany: A Memoir of Loss and Love in the French Countryside
May 13, 2008
In this enchanting European version of A Year by the Sea, an artist recalls her liberating sojourn in France during the sixties—and the friendship that transformed her life.
Marjorie was a young woman from Chicago in the 1960s who shocked her family and fiancé by moving to Paris to pursue her dream of becoming an artist. There she fell in love and married Yves, a handsome and volatile French painter. On a trip to Breton, a rugged area on the northern coast of France, her husband impulsively purchases nearly half of a hamlet, La Salle, and she finds herself renovating a house in this remote village. Surrounded by neighbors who dress only in black, speak patois, and still employ customs and farming methods from the Middle Ages, Marjorie finds a friend in Jeanne, an old and illiterate peasant woman who has three cows to her name and no knowledge of the world outside her village. Their differences are staggering, yet as Marjorie’s marriage unravels they forge a friendship brimming with laughter, wisdom, and an uncommon exchange of customs from vastly different cultures.
A Gift from Brittany is a charming, moving memoir about the grace that can be found through friendship, and finding reserves of strength you never knew you possessed.
Marjorie Price was born in Chicago. She graduated from Stanford University and studied painting and design at the Chicago Art Institute. In 1960, she left for France, where she created an art center and became a successful artist herself. She moved to Italy in 1970, where her graphics are represented in the permanent collection at the National Museum of Copper Etching in Rome.
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Ticket Info
Tickets: Free
Info Phone: 650-324-4321
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Dates & Times
Dates:
May 13, 2008Times:
7:30pm -
Venue Info
1010 El Camino Real Menlo Park, CA 94025
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Parking Info
Free underground and nearby street parking.
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Accessibility Info
- Wheelchair Access
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NOTE: We do our best to ensure all information is accurate, however it's a good idea to visit the website or call the venue to verify the information.
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Member Reviews
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Event Name: Andre Dubus III - The Garden of Last Days
"Could not put this down!"
Review posted by: Reader Mama from NH, USA, Jun 28, 2008
A gripping page turning. Dubus masterfully does it again. I didn't put the book down for two days, both dreading and eager to get through the arc of the story lines. Loved it. Sad it's over
A gripping page turning. Dubus masterfully does it again. I didn't put the book down for two days, both dreading and eager to get through the arc of the story lines. Loved it. Sad it's over
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Event Name: Tobias Wolff - Our Story Begins: New and Selected Stories
"Write Up of Wolff's Talk at Kepler's"
Comment posted by: David R. from Oakland, California, May 05, 2008
There is an interesting write up of Wolff's talk on www.TheBayAreaIntellect.com.
There is an interesting write up of Wolff's talk on www.TheBayAreaIntellect.com.
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Event Name: Jack Bowen - The Dream Weaver: One Boy's Journey Through the Landscape of Reality
"The Dream Weaver Does It"
Comment posted by: Marin Reader from Marin, Feb 14, 2008
I read the original edition of this book gifted to me by a friend as what they called A Fun Way to Experience Philosophy. They were right. I liked it so much that I bought Bowens second book which... Expand
I read the original edition of this book gifted to me by a friend as what they called A Fun Way to Experience Philosophy. They were right. I liked it so much that I bought Bowens second book which is a more academic look at philosophy. I am very curious to see what he is like in person at this event. Collapse
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Event Name: Bruce Henderson - Down to the Sea: An Epic Story of Naval Disaster and Heroism in WWII
"The Real Thing"
Comment posted by: Robert H. Ellis (jr.) PhD from Cassadaga, NY, USA., Dec 16, 2007
Folks, this book, Down to The Sea, is the real thing. I am one of the 13 children born to wives of the USS Hull sailors after the Hull capsized and sank. I was never told much about the incident and... Expand
Folks, this book, Down to The Sea, is the real thing. I am one of the 13 children born to wives of the USS Hull sailors after the Hull capsized and sank. I was never told much about the incident and so have tried mightely to explore as much as I could including attending a reunion of the survivors. Finally, here is a book that captures what the survivors told me plus an excellent overview of the whole incident. I finally feel as if I truly know what happened to my Dad! Thank you Mr. Henderson. This author is an excellent writer (my daughter is an author so I have a little experience with quality.) I wish I could attend this event but I live in Western New York and get seriously snowed in. I am familiar with the author only through his writing this one book, but it was enough for me to say that regardless of his speaking style, you will not leave this presentation unimpressed! Collapse
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Event Name: Meet Jack Bowen
"Great!"
Review posted by: Thinksalot from Marin, Sep 21, 2007
Book is great. Author is better in person. Serious and classic.
Book is great. Author is better in person. Serious and classic.
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Event Name: Emily Wu and Larry Engelmann
"Very powerful"
Review posted by: Joe Holt from San Jose, CA, Oct 03, 2006
Rarely do I read a book that makes me sooo happy to be an American. Not proud, but happy. Emily Wu’s narrative of her childhood memories in China initially made me wince, yet at the same time grateful... Expand
Rarely do I read a book that makes me sooo happy to be an American. Not proud, but happy. Emily Wu’s narrative of her childhood memories in China initially made me wince, yet at the same time grateful such experiences were inconceivable here. The injustices, the brutalities, the fear of Mao’s doctrines upon the people of China have never been displayed with such force as with Larry Engelmann’s fidelity to Emily’s spoken words. Without embellishment Engelmann trusted her words to prove emotions fiction can only pretend to create. Though this is not an “easy” book to read, I recommend it highly to anyone who thinks they understand the trials the Chinese had to endure through the seventies, much less a little girl. Collapse
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Event Name: Meet Jack Bowen
"See Saw"
Review posted by: Anonymous from WA, Apr 10, 2006
I saw him speak in Seattle. Amazingly insightful (and a funny guy too in a weird way). Half way through the book and I LOVE it. Yes, great song too.
I saw him speak in Seattle. Amazingly insightful (and a funny guy too in a weird way). Half way through the book and I LOVE it. Yes, great song too.
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Event Name: Meet Jack Bowen
"Music, Book, Video"
Review posted by: Philo Reader from San Jose--USA, Mar 04, 2006
He spoke at our school. Great talk. Music video. Rockin 'n' cool.
He spoke at our school. Great talk. Music video. Rockin 'n' cool.
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Event Name: Meet Jack Bowen
"Wow!"
Review posted by: Smith from Bay Area, Feb 17, 2006
I had no idea what to expect. This book is amazing--part novel, part philosophy. I felt overwhelmed at times with everything this character Ian was dealing with. Though it kind of makes me... Expand
I had no idea what to expect. This book is amazing--part novel, part philosophy. I felt overwhelmed at times with everything this character Ian was dealing with. Though it kind of makes me wonder how this author pulled it off. I can't wait to read his next book, but can read this one again until then. Collapse
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