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Dear Bookclub,
An enthusiastic discussion of Sue Prideaux's "Wild Thing" bubbled around the picnic table at the Bernardo Winery on a not-May-gray day. Luxuriating with healthy lunches while angling into shade, Prideaux's discovery of new truths set us off and running with our discoveries. We talked about the threads between some of the books we have read recently and the comprehension boost enjoyed. Our opinions of Gauguin shifted with the new understandings revealed.
The teeth. Prideaux's inspiration to write about Gauguin was rooted in the discovery of the teeth shown above (note the humongous cavity in the molar) which debunked the syphilis rumors surrounding the artist. Showing no signs of mercury or arsenic, the treatments given at the time, Gauguin was in the clear.
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| Dr Petrus le Roux |
Please check out this entertaining article from the University of Cape Town about the analysis (above pictured Dr. Petrus le Roux, the head of geological sciences' radiogenic isotope lab, examining molar):
https://science.uct.ac.za/articles/2016-09-26-mystery-tooth-linked-paul-gauguin
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| Vincent Cassel as Gauguin in biopic |
Returning to our squirmy discomfort with the artist's reputation, the article below discusses the practice of ignoring artists' questionable actions, as was done in the 2018 biopic Gauguin:Voyage to Tahiti:
https://hyperallergic.com/gauguin-voyage-to-tahiti-edouard-deluc/
Sue Prideaux is a marvel and our admiration of her writing style cannot be understated. Please check out her website to explore her other works and accomplishments. The second link is a short video of her reading from the book in what is called "Wild Thing" Book Trailer - it's excellent. Hear her voice, enjoy the scenes, and appreciate her message.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pQ4uBc4vxqc
And now, for some objects of beauty:
Val's suggestions for an upcoming read:
"The Silent Element: On the Intelligence of Water" Evgeny Basov
"Land: A Novel" Maggie O'Farrell *chosen
"Strangers: A Memoir of Marriage" Belle Burden
Up next:
Happy reading,
LK
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