As always, Julia Child {Page-Turner}

Perseverance and curiosity seem to be two of the greatest qualities of Julia Child, this storm of a woman - tall, active, witty throughout her personal and professional projects.

One of my favorite aspects of the movie was the epistolary correspondence mentioned here and there during the film and bringing immediate zing to every scene. It triggered my interest: the mixture of politics, sociology (never underestimate the role of food) and housewife common sense defines the real personality of Julia Child peeking through every letter excerpt read by the voice-off in the movie.

I have decided to follow that voice by reading the letters between Julia and her friend Avis gathered in the book As Always, Julia: The Letters of Julia Child and Avis DeVoto by Joan Reardon.

If I am being honest, the content of the letters is sometimes extremely trivial, but this dimension has its charm and shows how life-defining friendships can start in the lightest of ways - in this case, an article written by Avis's husband over the quality of kitchen knives. No need to add more.

From one letter to the other the parallel lives of Julia and Avis from the European to the American continent are shaped through anecdotes, elections, wars, household trivia and ambitious projects, among which the writing of a one-of-a-kind cookbook about French traditional cuisine detailed and explained to an American readership - a book that will shoot Julia into stardom. Comparisons and clashes between cultures are intertwined with insights into the tough publishing world - both dimensions are fascinating and absorbing our thoughts in what is a highly stimulating exchange.

The strong-minded Julia and Avis stand out as highly motivated, multitasking and hard-working women well ahead of their time. Let's not forget their husbands who support them every single step of the way, no matter what. Their couples are strong and based on shared interests and unique complementarity and mutual appreciation. Together they face everyday and exceptional difficulties and hardships with outstanding willpower and versatility, while tackling multiple projects with steadfast hopes and energy as one. What if this were true love? Letters and love: two realities from another time? Something to chew on as Valentine Day approaches.

I did wonder from one page to the other, and while they lived in an Internet-free time, how they managed to be so incredibly committed on all fronts! Letters, items of all kinds - including knives! -, books and the famous manuscript go back and forth via snail mail and this traditional means of communication does not seem to hamper once the flow of their ideas and their drive. Even though in the 1950s, when the book starts, the pace of life was far slower than in the 21st century, events, travels and thoughts unfold leaving no space for dull moments.

While re-reading the paragraph above, it just hit me that it is probably because of the lack of Internet and other high-tech distractions that Julia and Avis could live fully their lives, paying attention to each detail and trait of the places and people around them, surrounding themselves with the essential richness needed to infuse their work with sheer passion. Always.

Credits: TheDaydreamer