A Club in Montmartre5/25/2010  A Club In Montmartre I recently picked up a book titled "A Club in Montmartre" by Mike Resnick for the sole reason that Jane Avril appeared as a supporting character and I couldn't resist.
At the cabarets and brothels of Montmartre, Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec is a well known visitor. Brilliant, rich and deformed, Toulouse-Lautrec carries on flirtations and relationships with many women - prostitutes as well as famous singers and dancers. In "A Club in Montmartre", writer Mike Resnick imagines the lonely artist meeting a starving waif, Dany, at the famous Moulin Rouge. Dany, like so many before her, falls under the spell of the dissolute can can dancer known as La Goulue. Toulouse-Lautrec wages a Faustian battle with La Goulue for the young girl's soul even as he is losing the battle for his own, slipping deeper and deeper into alcoholism and bitterness. This deeply felt story, Resnick's first in a genre other than science fiction, captures the intensiry of the genius caught between his limitations and his aspirations. Toulouse-Lautrec's lively posters and his art are popular with young adults. Part of the "Art Explorers" series, this is a compelling story of overcoming obstacles. Having accepted its somewhat simplistic form. It's a book I thoroughly enjoyed. However, what I couldn't have bargained for was the conclusion to the story which left me feeling rather hopeful that despite the misgivings and perceptions we have about ourselves, others may well see us in a very different light. Very Uplifting!
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Oscar Wilde Society5/19/2010 I've recently joined the Oscar Wilde Society.
It is (as described on their website which is linked to this website via the Links page) a literary society devoted to the congenial appreciation of Oscar Wilde; a non-profit making organisation which aims to promote knowledge, appreciation and study of Wilde's life, personality and works. It organises for its members lectures, readings and discussions about Wilde and his writings, visits to places associated with Wilde, an annual lunch in Oxford and an annual Birthday Dinner in London. Members receive two journals: The Wildean, published twice a year and Intentions, published about six times a year. Take time out to visit their website which provides information on upcoming events and gives an insight into the history of the society and a brief biography of Oscar's life and much more. Oscar Wilde Murder Mysteries5/10/2010 For the interested :-)
I have had a e-mail from the publisher John Murray who confirmed that the 4th instalment of the Oscar Wilde Murder Mysteries will be released in October/November this year. I understand that there are to be 9 books in the series. I'll end on an Oscar Wilde quote. "A poet can survive everything but a misprint." True indeed :-) Craig All steam ahead5/2/2010 I had a reply yesterday from Cosmopolitan (the Czech Republic Version) magazine confirming their intention to publish an article on Jane Avril and thanked me for the assistance/guidance provided.
They have confimed that they will forward me a copy of the article as requested once published :) I will keep you in touch with any news I receive. 
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