Lately I have been preoccupied with the recession and the dismal state of the food production system among other, shall we say, somewhat less than inspiring issues. The dreamer and romantic put aside. But upon opening Aphrodite A Memoir Of The Senses by journalist and author Isabel Allende, I was immediately seduced (aahh to be seduced!) - the lover recalled. This book promises to be a romp through the ages combined with the seduction of food. Hard to believe I have not made it past the first three pages isn't it? So taken with the dedication, quote and introduction the desire to share the book's seductive preamble has lead me back to my computer. Get ready...
Dedication:
I dedicate these erotic
meanderings to playful lovers
and, why not?
also to frightened men and
melancholy women
Quote from Srngarkarika, Kumaradadatta, twelfth century
Her breath is like honey spiced with cloves,
her mouth delicious as a ripened mango
To press kisses on her skin is to taste the lotus,
The deep cave of her navel hides a store of spices
What pleasure lies beyond,the tongue knows,
But cannot speak of it.
Introduction and Rondo Capricciosso
The fiftieth year of our life is like
the last hour of dusk,
when the sun has set and one turns
naturally toward reflection
In my case, however, dusk incites me to sin,
and perhaps for that reason,
in my fiftieth year I find myself reflecting
on my relationship
with food and eroticism; the weaknesses
of the flesh that most tempt
me are not, alas,
those I have practiced most!
I can hardly wait to dig into this sensuous tale of Allende's personal memories, folklore, legends and as the dust jacket states: memorable moments from literature - erotic and otherwise...a feast of fascinating facts about the aphrodisiac powers of food and drink.
Aphrodite was published in 1998 - while I was occupied with my own adventures in Italy which explains why I missed this gem at the time. If you can't wait for my review you're forgiven for running to the library or bookstore to pick up a copy for yourself.
A toast to the joy of life. Bon appetit!
I dedicate these erotic
meanderings to playful lovers
and, why not?
also to frightened men and
melancholy women
Quote from Srngarkarika, Kumaradadatta, twelfth century
Her breath is like honey spiced with cloves,
her mouth delicious as a ripened mango
To press kisses on her skin is to taste the lotus,
The deep cave of her navel hides a store of spices
What pleasure lies beyond,the tongue knows,
But cannot speak of it.
Introduction and Rondo Capricciosso
The fiftieth year of our life is like
the last hour of dusk,
when the sun has set and one turns
naturally toward reflection
In my case, however, dusk incites me to sin,
and perhaps for that reason,
in my fiftieth year I find myself reflecting
on my relationship
with food and eroticism; the weaknesses
of the flesh that most tempt
me are not, alas,
those I have practiced most!
I can hardly wait to dig into this sensuous tale of Allende's personal memories, folklore, legends and as the dust jacket states: memorable moments from literature - erotic and otherwise...a feast of fascinating facts about the aphrodisiac powers of food and drink.
Aphrodite was published in 1998 - while I was occupied with my own adventures in Italy which explains why I missed this gem at the time. If you can't wait for my review you're forgiven for running to the library or bookstore to pick up a copy for yourself.
A toast to the joy of life. Bon appetit!
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