Wednesday, March 28, 2007

"A Sort of Magistrate"

"The French mother is often the source of everything that informs the French girl: a sense of the feminine, of social conduct, poise, etiquette and, of course, cooking. She's an arbiter of continuity and tradition, a sort of magistrate who oversees the smooth functioning of family life--managing conflict, diffusing resentments, letting go of grudges in an elegant and seemingly transparent way. Through her all things eventually pass--the family's history as living memory as well as the future."

--Debra Ollivier, Entre Nous, (2003)

11 comments:

PeppermintPearl said...

Oh, I LOVE that book!!

Entre Nous is definitely in the top 5 (maybe even in the top 3) of my influential reading list.

I'll have to go find it today and re-read it!

MamaBirdEmma said...

Entre Nous was one of the first books I read on French Chic... Thanks for reminding me how much I liked it!

JacquiG said...

A great quote from a great book! It's been a while since I read Entre Nous. I loaned the book to my son's girlfriend. I must remember to get it back becaus it's one I'll read a few more times!

Kat said...

What a delightful quote! I copied it into my 'quote notebook' straightaway. I am glad to be introduced to this book.

EEEEMommy said...

Tres joli! Merci!

Anonymous said...

Beautiful, and inspiring quote! It paints a much warmer and inspiring picture for a Momma watching over her sometimes rowdy brood :). Thank you

Julian said...

I am going to see if I cannot request this book from our library, or buy it. It sounds great! I am a book lover, and so I am always interested in book ideas, especially along this line.
Christina

Anonymous said...

I admit I have never even heard of the book.... but I'm on the prowl now. It all sounded great until the phrase "elegant and seemingly transparent way" In my life I can't imagine being elegant AND transparent. Sorry.
Lady Mother,
Miss Meg

The Trent Family said...

What a beautiful quote! I hope you don't mind, but I have added your blog to our blogroll.

Genuine Lustre said...

Anna and Emma - are you on the French Chic yahoo list? Me too! - as Paulette.

Polly said...

I so enjoyed this book. It has a place of honor on my green bedroom bookcase--a place where only the favorites are allowed to dwell.

lovely quote.

Related Posts with Thumbnails