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Art in Evolution: a review of The Horn

"Reading The Horn " copyright 2019 Kristin Fouquet In my childhood, it was customary for my parents to bring my brother and me to the French Market on Sundays to buy our weekly produce. It was on one of these occasions I heard the most amazing music. The song emitted through a radio owned by the man selling Creole tomatoes. I lingered to listen until my mother called for me. When I caught up, I asked about that music. Her reply, “Just jazz.” Despite being native to New Orleans, I wasn’t brought up in a household with jazz. It was up to me to learn the musicians and the songs- from trad jazz onward. Jazz became my favorite music. Ten years ago, at the recommendation of the much-respected Carter Monroe, I read The Horn by John Clellon Holmes. It had such a deep effect on me, I recently decided to pick it up for another read. I’m so glad I did. The Horn is considered the definitive jazz novel, so my humble opinion of it will hardly drive up sales. Yet, after rere...

Chez Fouquet and Bastille Day

"Fouquet Chocolatier" copyright 2013 Kristin Fouquet All is well here at Chez Fouquet in New Orleans. We were fortunate to be spared the wrath of Barry and didn't even lose electricity. Many thanks for the concern and all the wishes- it means a lot. So, as we get back to normal here, I am thinking of Paris. Happy Bastille Day!  #BastilleDay * Le Salon Annex is #16 in Feedspot's Top 25 New Orleans Blogs

Surrendered Stories with photographs

"Rare Treat" a review at Read My Lips 5 Stars  review by Carol on Goodreads "Surrendered Stories" review at Random Book Reviews "Excellent Collection"  by Erik Tarloff 4.25 Stars review on Amazon "Surrendered Stories (with photographs)"   a review at Briggs Loves Books "Surrendered Stories with photographs" - a review at Lori's Book Loft "Fouquet Delivers Again" - a review by Ames Holbrook on Goodreads "Book Review Surrendered Stories" by Olga Nunez "Book Review of Surrendered Stories" by Rod Raglin for Readers' Favorite SURRENDERED STORIES, with photographs by Kristin Fouquet A piece of writing is never finished. You just surrender. -Carter Monroe These four surrendered stories are accompanied by twenty-four b&w photographs. In "Cocteau’s Ransom," two dognappers believe they’ve found the solution to their financial troubles unt...

Vicious or Virtuous Cycle: a review of “Existential Labyrinths”

"Reading Existential Labyrinths" 2019 Kristin Fouquet In Julian Gallo’s compelling novel Existential Labyrinths (Palm Frond Tea, 2018), the nameless protagonist and narrator is a writer struggling in existential crisis. He hates his job. His hot and cold relationship with a young painter named Julia is maddeningly frustrating. He becomes disillusioned with his native New York City and its denizens. His own vicious circle, his cycle of ever-questioning himself and art and its purpose, distracts him from writing his novel. The solution he fixates on is running away to Paris to retrace the steps of his literary heroes. I was reminded of two other novels while reading Existential Labyrinths . I found myself comparing the Julia in this book with the Julia in George Orwell’s 1984 . Although they have purportedly been involved for three years, the protagonist in Gallo’s novel regards his relationship with Julia as temporary, much like Orwell’s Winston views the affair ...

Interesting and Unusual Souvenirs in Time for Jazz Fest

I was delighted to find this article, 5 Interesting and Unusual Travel Souvenir Ideas , which mentions my first book, Twenty Stories, under the second souvenir idea: Books by Locals.  With scores of visitors coming to town for Jazz Fest, I thought I'd do a bit of shameless self-promotion by mentioning all four of my books may be found at these fine New Orleans bookstores: Beckham's Bookshop (228 Decatur Street), Blue Cypress Books (8126 Oak Street),  Crescent City Books (124 Baronne Street), Faulkner House Books (624 Pirate Alley), and Librairie Book Shop (823 Chartres Street.)

Carnival 2019 in New Orleans

My highlights of Carnival 2019...

Mardi Gras and National Absinthe Day- March 5, 2019

"La Fée Verte" copyright 2019 Kristin Fouquet