Most of us had a hard time getting our hands on this book, which was first published in the mid-1930s. The public/university libraries came through for some, a friend's private collection worked for one, and one person already had it unread in his personal library. Basically a travelog of Persia, most found it something of a slog, mostly because of the total unfamiliarity of the places and names described. But the author's frequent trenchant cultural observations, bits of humor and irony, and philosophical thoughts somehow made her quest for archaelogical/sociological/geological wisdom worth it. Plus, the brave woman who wrote it was basically traveling alone, with a guide or two, in a very hostile environment.
The restaurant, Spill the Wine, is a new incarnation of a place previously located on Washington Avenue, and it was very accommodating. The food, mostly served on small plates, was very good, and the service was attentive and agreeable. We rated it much higher than our visit to the old place.
Don suggested several books for next time: Toni Morrison, Home and Beloved; Yoko Ogawa, Housekeeper and the Professor; and Ishiguro Kasuo, Remains of the Day. We picked Beloved, primarily because we know it's a major piece of literature and most of us haven't read it. Jim suggests the next book.
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