On November 17 of this year it will be 95 years since Sylvia Beach opened her first bookshop and lending library at 8 rue Dupuytren, Paris. Her little shop saw the likes of the best of English and French language writers and artists, not to mention American expats who enjoyed a little spot of home on the West Bank of Paris for which to indulge in the best literature of the day and to warm their feet by her wood stove. Its been nigh on 8 years now since I started this page to pay tribute to Sylvia Beach, who in my opinion has never been acknowledged properly for her contributions to the support of the worlds best writers: Hemingway, Joyce, Fitzgerald, Stein and a larger cast of others. Our little Facebook group grew slowly at first, it took us more than 5 years to top 300 members. In the last few years we have seen increased interest in what we have to offer, which is a place for you all to contribute, respond or lurk here, all of which are welcomed and appreciated. We now receive multiple requests for membership every day and we are fast approaching 700 members, which I have to say stuns me and pleases me much. We have the good fortune to have quite a few members among us who have dedicated a part of their lives to Sylvias legacy, from biographers to authors to playwrights and filmmakers all of whom I am honored to be counted amongst your friends. Your contributions here are more than appreciated. While Im on that subject, I wish to pay honorable mention to Jayne Lyn Stahl, who passed away at age 63 on March 21, 2013. Poet, essayist, teacher, playwright, member of PEN and blogger for The Huffington Post, she had written a screenplay of Sylvias life and was in the process of finding backers for it with considerable interest when she left us. I was honored to hear her recite her poetry and spend some time with her. She was an interesting and talented woman. She was was also a contributor here and she is missed among our ranks. Thanks to all who spend a little or a lot of time here in this cyber Odeonia. Your continued interest in preserving Sylvias ambassadorship is, in a way, payback for what she gave to us all. Warm your weary feet by the fire and try to imagine the aroma of good strong coffee and old hardbound books. I believe Sylvia would have wanted it that way. Mchael B
Posted on: Thu, 30 Oct 2014 07:10:53 +0000
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