(no subject)

The House of Mirth is quite possibly Edith Wharton's best novel. It shows how a woman raised in a certain world had to behave, and how hard that could be, and how the rulse of society do not allow for individuals. Lily Bart is ultimately destroyed by the world, for both playing the game and refusing to play by the rules.

It's not the greatest movie. But there is something so profoundly right about Gillian Anderson's potrayal of the character, especially in the latter part of the film. Her utter determination in the end has moved me to tears, and though I knew it was coming all along, Lily's death was truly tragic.

Anthony LaPaglia plays Simon Rosedale, and he makes the character something so much more than I ever thought of before. It's fascinating.

Plus, the movie is full of hats.

(no subject)

I love the wet trees and how they look black, against dusty green leaves and the grey patterned sky. The stillness of the water, the forest of clover growing by the edge of the driveway. It makes the world seem more strange, more possible.

Lately I've been wanting to wear my hair braided back, just because it's long again.