"Secret of Chanel No. 5" Interview (FYI)

Will be posting this link as an addendum to our Weekend Book Club discussion, but thought I'd pass along this interview with Tilar Mazzeo from The Sisterhood blog.

Anti-semitism is discussed, and reference is made to research that suggests "we like scents that highlight [...] the 'scent' of our immune systems"--I believe she is referring to research chatted about in perfume bloggery as "the sweaty t-shirt study."

Book Discussion: The Secret of Chanel No. 5

So here we are, me without my hoped for comment threading widget, and no way -- YET -- to cluster our subtopics.  Because when it comes to this book, subtopics, I've got a few.

Despite the lack of fancy gadgetry, I'm going to plunge forward.  If you like, when you comment, you could use a Twitter convention, and #hashtag certain discussion points, so that you can refer to them.  You know, things like #CocoSexLife or #CleverMetaphors, or #AtHomeRecipes.  

Unfortunately, the book's contents lead to only one of those three hashtags being applicable.  I look forward to any you identify.

I propose that you first write a comment that either represents your "review" of the book, or a Major Point you wish to make about it.  Then, we'll start responding to each other, and track the traffic via hashtags or simply by referencing to the idea we are responding to.

YOU ARE NOT EXPECTED TO LIKE OR DISLIKE THE BOOK.  You are not required to agree with me or anyone who registers an opinion.  I trust you all know how to be polite without squashing your or someone else's Good Thought.  

:), the emoticon said.

We'll start with my thoughts:

I came to The Secret of Chanel No. 5 with no expectations, other than possibilities raised by the title itself.  (Will this deal with formulas? With marketing strategies? With the powerful personality responsible for its success? The little known fact that Allied sympathizers found a way to hide messages inside the iconic simple square flacon?) I have not seen either of the Coco biopics, and while I've read the usual suspects when it comes to perfume history and primers and such, I far from consider myself "schooled" on the subject.

So, The Secret of Chanel No. 5 could have chosen to be a historical fiction, an industry analysis, or a written documentary of how one fragrance influenced boudoirs across geography and time.  (The subtitle is "The Intimate History of the World's Most Famous Perfume," after all.)

Unfortunately, I'm not sure what to call it.

Read the preface, and the author will tell you "this is the history of the world's most seductive scent."  Indeed, you'll get a hit of Chanel's orphan story, a hit on her collaboration with Ernst Beaux, a review of the flacon history, mention of the who's who of society at the given period under discussion.  There is, in fact, a bag full of good data here, and this is worth reading if you are a fan of perfume or fashion.

I am just torn about how to describe how *good* a read it is.

There is an odd combination of attention to detail that veers toward pedantic and a tone that reads, well...as a tone, rather than a voice I want to follow through the wilderness.  I got the distinct impression that the book was developed in chunks, and a through line was never fully developed or followed--relying on a time line to pull us from beginning to end, rather than say a single or evolving mystery that slowly unravels.  (Just one of a few choices.)  

Somebody commented on my Facebook page with encouragement to keep going--it gets more interesting, they said, as you get further into it.  True.  But not in the sense that sometimes happens with a narrative when you suddenly realize that you've become concerned with the characters involved, and must keep going to see what happens next.  More in the sense that you've already spent this much time and energy in the relationship, you might as well play out the whole hand.

I don't regret having this book. But I am rather frustrated with how hard I had to work beyond the narrative to pull things together.  What in the start of the book is a "signature scent" (for the House of Chanel, not for a wearer, an important distinction to point out to perfumistas what with their understanding of the word) and on the book jacket is "the smell of seduction" is at the start of Chapter 17 "an elite cultural icon and an object of mass market-appeal."  Mind you, No. 5 may well be all of those things.

I just think that it was the author's job to more clearly (and entertainingly) connect the dots to show me how.  By all means, go find a copy if you want various historical bits gathered in one location. Do not expect a "good read."

I have not reconciled myself to a positive review.

I will say this:  As for the scent itself, if Mazzeo's theory is right, and Chanel wished to basically put into one bottle the Cisterian values of soapy cleanliness and the lush rose and jasmine content of a "O-De-Kolon" favored by the Russian aristocracy...well...let's say that in my nose, the soapy clerics totally wiped the floor in a victory over the czary flowers.  

What Does Reconciliation Mean?
An accounting process used to compare two sets of records to ensure the figures are in agreement and are accurate. Reconciliation is the key process used to determine whether the money leaving an account matches the amount spent, ensuring that the two values are balanced at the end of the recording period.

- Investopedia

Reconciliation \Rec'on*cil'i*a"tion\ (-s?l'?*?"sh?n), noun [F. r['e]conciliation, L. reconciliatio.]

1. The act of reconciling, or the state of being reconciled; reconcilenment; restoration to harmony;renewal of friendship.
Reconciliation and friendship with God really form the basis of all rational and true enjoyment. --S. Miller.

2. Reduction to congruence or consistency; removal of inconsistency; harmony.

A clear and easy reconciliation of those seeming inconsistencies of Scripture. --D. Rogers.
Syn: Reconcilement; reunion; pacification; appeasement; propitiation; atonement; expiation. 

- define.com

Two Weeks from today... reminder

Book chat 

Saturday, February 26

Hope to "see" you there!

Announcing...

The winner of "The Secret of Chanel No. 5" is horror movie fan Nancy H. 

You can find my e-mail via the Information page.







Miss World 2010, Alexandra Mills, from TT Owonubi.  

Bulb bumps progressing

Slaying dragons beyond the blog, but am here to remind you that I will draw names for the free copy of "The Secret of Chanel No. 5" tomorrow.  Late tomorrow.  Go comment on Saturday's post if you are interested.

Posting a picture of the hyacinth bulb progress.  Am continuing to turn a blind ear (yes, blind ear) to yearnings for spring.  Winter has what it has.

I love the way the roots know to reach out for water that is just beyond.  Soon enough, they'll have engulfed the marbles, and I'll have detangling to do when all is said and done.  Things change.

Weekend Book Club / Chanel No. 5

I'm reading Tilar Mazzeo's The Secret of Chanel No. 5.  Never a fan of spoiling a reveal, I am going to say nothing about it.

Yet.

But when I do, I'd like you to join me.  Let's turn this book review thing around, and make it a book chat.  I'm looking at the February calendar, and thinking either the third (19th) or the fourth (26th) weekend.  At that time, I'll post my thoughts, and invite you to put your thoughts and/or questions in the comments.   This should give you time to find the book at a bookstore or library.

Or, get a free copy from me.  Register your interest below.  If you take the time to be clever, I'll enter you twice.  Will draw a name next Thursday, at which time I will be ready to pop it into the mail to you as soon as you (that would be You, the drawn name/winner) tell me your address.  All I ask is that if you win a copy, you join the conversation.

Listen to Mazzeo on NPR.
Reader copy of The Secret of Chanel No. 5 provided by Harper Collins