Wings: Gifts of Art, Life, and Travel in France (Travelers' Tales)

Erin Byrne captures the essence of France through unique and authentic experiences in __Wings from Victory__, her collection of stories about travel in one of the world's most alluring countries. Some or her experiences come through serendipity, others via good fortune, still others by accident. But each time, Erin takes the experience, digs deeper, and discovers meaning from it. Each story demonstrates in a different way this idea put forth by Joseph Campbell: __The passage of the mythological hero may be overground, incidentally; fundamentally it is inward—into the depths, where obscure resistances are overcome and long lost powers are revivified.__ From Cézanne's studio in Aix-en-Provence to a tiny village in the Jura Mountains, from a cozy bistro on the Left Bank of Paris to a plain high above the Normandy beaches, Erin travels through France collecting stories, characters, tastes, and secrets that act as ingredients for change. She learns to trust her intuition after listening to Henri Cartier-Bresson's advice. After gazing at van Gogh's self-portrait, Erin finds a way to be more honest. This book is about the gifts we all glean from our travels, and will inspire readers to unwrap their own images and impressions in a new way. Paris Book Festival Winner Next Generation Indie Book Award Winner - Travel Next Generation Indie Book Award Finalist - Memoir Best Books Award Winner Reader's Favorite Five Star Review Amazon Five Star France is steeped in refined traditions, with its rich history, exquisite art, robust culture, and varied cuisine. Writer Erin Byrne was changed by traveling around this country with the ghosts of artists and historical figures who shared with her their guides to living. WINGS: Gifts of Art, Life and Travel in France (Travelers Tales | March 15) is a collection of essays drawn from Byrne's travels across the country. From Czannes studio in Aix-en-Provence to a tiny village in the Jura Mountains, from a neighborhood bistro on the Left Bank of Paris to a plain high above the Normandy beaches, she travels through France collecting stories, characters, tastes and secrets that act as ingredients for change, then takes those experiences and digs deeper to uncover meaning. Henri Cartier-Bresson issues a challenge, Sainte Genevive offers resilience, Salvador Dal seduces, Picasso entertains, and a wrought iron sign portends the future. WINGS is about the gifts that we all glean from our travels. This book will inspire readers to unwrap their own images and impressions in a new way. "Erin Byrne captures the essence of France through unique and authentic experiences in Wings, her collection of stories about travel in one of the world's most alluring countries. Some of her experiences come through serendipity, others via good fortune, still others by accident. But each time, Erin takes the experience, digs deeper, and discovers meaning from it. Each story demonstrates in a different way this idea put forth by Joseph Campbell: The passage of the mythological hero may be overground, incidentally; fundamentally it is inward--into the depths, where obscure resistances are overcome and long lost powers are revivified. From Cezanne's studio in Aix-en-Provence to a tiny village in the Jura Mountains, from a cozy bistro on the Left Bank of Paris to a plain high above the Normandy beaches, Erin travels through France collecting stories, characters, tastes, and secrets that act as ingredients for change. She learns to trust her intuition after listening to Henri Cartier-Bresson's advice. After gazing at van Gogh's self-portrait, Erin finds a way to be more honest. This book is about the gifts we all glean from our travels, and will inspire readers to unwrap their own images and impressions in a new way"-- Provided by publisher. 1. Les Deux Garcons Two Boys and a Bistro Day Dreamer Coasting Beyond Boyhood 2. Characters The Rarest of Editions Dear Madame Renaud Don't Think, A Message From Henri Cartier-Bresson 3. Tastes of Place The Taste of This Place A Rare Blend Jurassic Cheese 4. Connections French Connections Vignettes & Postcards From Paris Vincent's Vision 5. The Mystique of Art A Propos de Paris Eye to Eye with Van Gogh Winged Victory 6. The Storykeeper Mentalite Terrible The Boy and His Shield Storykeepers 7. Transformations Bastille Day on the Palouse Ave Metro Deep Travel, Notre Dame 8. Secrets The Secret of It The Mirror of Montmartre Wise Beams 9. Signs In Vincent's Footsteps Signs Duende in the Louvre 10. Belonging Cezanne's Salon des Refuses Reconnaissance : Seeking Sainte Genevieve Now, Fly.