Current page: 1 (book has 17 pages total) [available reading passage: 4 pages]
Mark Levy
Those words that we didn't say to each other
There are two ways to look at life: as if there could be no miracle in the world, or as if everything in the world is a complete miracle.
Albert Einstein
Dedicated to Polina and Louis
1
- Well, how do you find me?
“Turn around, let me look at you from behind one more time.”
“Stanley, you’ve been staring at me from all sides for half an hour already, I don’t have the strength to hang around on this podium anymore!”
– I would shorten it: hiding legs like yours is simply blasphemy!
- Stanley!
– You wanted to hear my opinion, right? Come on, turn around and face me one more time! Yeah, that’s what I thought: the cutout, front and back, is exactly the same; at least, even if you get a stain, you can turn the dress over and no one will notice anything!
– Stanley!!!
- And in general, what kind of invention is this - buying Wedding Dress on sale, wow! Then why not via the Internet?! You wanted to know my opinion - you heard it.
- Well, I'm sorry, I can't afford anything better with my salary as a computer graphic designer.
– Artists, my princess, not graphics, but artists! God, how I hate this twenty-first century machine jargon!
– What should I do, Stanley, I work both on a computer and with felt-tip pens!
- My best friend draws and then animates her adorable little animals, so remember: with or without a computer, you are an artist, and not a computer graphic artist; and in general, what kind of business do you have to argue about every issue?
– So do we shorten it or leave it as it is?
- Five centimeters, no less! And then, you need to remove it at the shoulders and narrow it at the waist.
- In general, everything is clear to me: you hated this dress.
- I'm not saying that!
– You don’t speak, but you think.
– I beg you, allow me to take on part of the expenses myself, and let’s look at Anna Mayer! Well, listen to me at least once in your life!
- For what? To buy a dress for ten thousand dollars? You're just crazy! You'd think you have that kind of money, and anyway, it's just a wedding, Stanley.
– Yours wedding.
“I know,” Julia sighed.
- And your father, with his wealth, could well...
“The last time I caught a glimpse of my father was when I was standing at a traffic light, and he drove past me on Fifth Avenue... and that was six months ago. So let's close this topic!
And Julia, shrugging her shoulders, descended from the dais. Stanley took her hand and hugged her.
“My dear, any dress in the world would suit you, I just want it to be perfect.” Why not invite your future husband to give it to you?
“Because Adam’s parents are already paying for the wedding ceremony, and I would feel much better if his family stopped talking about him marrying Cinderella.”
Stanley crossed with a dancing gait shopping room. The salesmen and saleswomen, chatting enthusiastically at the counter next to the cash register, did not pay any attention to him. He took a tight white satin dress from a hanger near the window and returned.
- Well, try this on, just don’t even think about objecting!
“Stanley, this is size thirty-six, I’ll never fit into it!”
- Do what they tell you!
Julia rolled her eyes and obediently walked towards the fitting room, where Stanley pointed her.
– Stanley, this is size thirty-six! – she repeated, hiding in the booth.
A few minutes later the curtain was opened with a jerk, just as decisively as it had just been closed.
– Well, finally I see something similar to Julia’s wedding dress! – Stanley exclaimed. – Walk along the catwalk one more time.
“Don’t you have a winch to drag me there?” As soon as I lift my leg...
- It looks amazing on you!
“Perhaps, but if I swallow even one cookie, it will burst at the seams.”
“It is not proper for a bride to eat on her wedding day!” It’s okay, let’s loosen the dart on the chest a little, and you’ll look like a queen!.. Listen, will we ever get the attention of at least one salesperson in this damn store?
– In my opinion, it’s me who should be nervous now, not you!
“I’m not nervous, I’m just amazed that four days before the wedding ceremony it’s me who has to drag you shopping to buy a dress!”
- I have in Lately There was a lot of work! And please don't tell Adam about today, I swore to him a month ago that everything was ready.
Stanley took the pincushion that someone had left on the arm of the chair and knelt down in front of Julia.
- Is yours future husband doesn’t understand how lucky he is: you’re just a miracle.
- Stop picking on Adam. And in general, what do you blame him for?
- The fact that he looks like your father...
- Don't talk nonsense. Adam has nothing in common with my father; Besides, he can't stand him.
– Adam – your father? Bravo, that's a point in his favor!
- No, it’s my father who hates Adam.
“Oh, your parent hates everything that comes near you.” If you had a dog, he would bite it.
“But no: if I had a dog, she would have bitten my father herself,” Julia laughed.
- And I say that your father would bite a dog!
Stanley stood up and took a few steps back, admiring his work. Shaking his head, he let out a heavy sigh.
- What else? – Julia was wary.
– It’s flawless... or not, you’re the one who’s flawless! Let me fix your belt, and then you can take me to lunch.
– To any restaurant of your choice, Stan Lee, dear!
“The sun is so hot that the nearest cafe terrace will do for me - provided that it is in the shade and that you stop jerking, otherwise I will never finish with this dress... almost flawless.”
- Why almost?
- Because it is sold at a discount, my dear!
A saleswoman passing by asked if they needed help. With a majestic wave of his hand, Stanley rejected her offer.
- Do you think he will come?
- Who? – Julia asked.
- Your father, you fool!
- Stop talking about my father. I told you I haven't heard from him for months.
- Well, that doesn’t mean anything...
- He will not come!
– Did you let him know about yourself?
– Listen, a long time ago I refused to let my father’s personal secretary know about my life, because dad is either away or at a meeting, and he has no time to personally talk with his daughter.
- But did you at least send him a notice about the wedding?
– Will you finish soon?
- Now! You and him are like an old married couple: he is jealous. However, all fathers are jealous of their daughters! It's okay, he'll get over it.
“Look, this is the first time I’ve heard you defend him.” If we look like an old married couple, it’s one that got divorced many years ago.
The tune “I Will Survive” started playing in Julia’s bag. 1
"I will live" ( English).
Stanley looked questioningly at his friend.
– Should I give you a mobile phone?
– It’s probably Adam or from the studio...
“Just don’t move, otherwise you’ll ruin all my work.” I'll bring it now.
Stanley reached into Julia's bottomless bag, pulled out a cell phone and handed it to the owner. Gloria Gaynor immediately fell silent.
“It’s too late, they’ve already switched off,” Julia whispered, looking at the number that had appeared.
- So who is it - Adam or from work?
“Neither one nor the other,” Julia answered gloomily.
Stanley looked at her inquisitively:
- Well, shall we play a guessing game?
“They called from my father’s office.”
- So call him back!
- Well, I do not! Let him call himself.
“But that’s exactly what he just did, isn’t it?”
- No, his secretary did it, I know his number.
– Listen, you’ve been waiting for this call from the very minute you dropped the wedding notice in your mailbox, so give up these childish grievances. Four days before marriage, it is not recommended to get stressed, otherwise you will end up with a huge sore on your lip or a purple boil on your neck. If you don't want this, dial his number now.
- For what? For Wallace to tell me that my father was genuinely upset because that was the day he had to go abroad and, alas, could not cancel the trip he had planned many months ago? Or, for example, that he has something of extreme importance planned for that day? Or he’ll come up with God knows what other explanation.
- What if your father says that he will be happy to come to his daughter’s wedding and called just to make sure that she will seat him in a place of honor at the wedding table?
“My father doesn’t care about honor; if he does show up, he will choose a place closer to the locker room - of course, provided that there is a sufficiently pretty young woman nearby.
- Okay, Julia, forget about your hatred and call... But by the way, do as you know, I’m just warning you: instead of enjoying the wedding ceremony, you’ll keep your eyes peeled, looking out for whether he came or not.
“That’s good, this will take my mind off the snacks, because I won’t be able to swallow a crumb, otherwise the dress you chose for me will burst at the seams.”
- Well, honey, you got me! – Stanley said caustically and headed towards the exit. “Let’s have lunch some other time, when you’re in a better mood.”
Julia stumbled and nearly fell as she hurriedly descended from the podium. She caught up with Stanley and hugged him tightly:
- Well, I'm sorry, Stanley, I didn't mean to offend you, I'm just very upset.
- What - a call from your father or the dress that I so poorly chose and adjusted to fit you? By the way, pay attention: not a single seam burst when you so clumsily descended from the podium.
“Your dress is gorgeous, and you are my best friend, and without you I would never have decided to go to the altar in my life.”
Stanley looked at Julia carefully, took a silk handkerchief from his pocket and wiped her wet eyes.
“Do you really want to walk down the altar arm in arm with a crazy friend, or maybe you have an insidious plan - to make me imitate your bastard daddy?”
– Don’t flatter yourself, you don’t have enough wrinkles to look believable in this role.
- Balda, I’m giving you a compliment, hinting at how young you are.
“Stanley, I want you to lead me to my fiancé!” You and no one else!
He smiled and said softly, pointing to the mobile phone:
- Call your father! And I’ll go and give some instructions to this idiot saleswoman - in my opinion, she doesn’t know how to treat clients; I’ll explain to her that the dress should be ready the day after tomorrow, and then we’ll finally go to dinner. Come on, Julia, call quickly, I'm dying of hunger!
Stanley turned around and headed towards the cash register. On the way, he stole a glance at Julia and saw that she, after hesitating, finally dialed the number. He took advantage of the moment and quietly took out his own checkbook, paid for the dress, for the fitting, and paid extra for the urgency: it should be ready in two days. Stuffing the receipts into his pocket, he returned to Julia just as she turned off her cell phone.
- Well, will he come? – he asked impatiently.
Julia shook her head.
- And what excuse did he put forward this time to justify himself?
Julia took a deep breath and looked at Stanley intently.
- He died!
The friends looked at each other in silence for a minute.
- Well, yes, the excuse, I must say, is impeccable, you can’t undermine it! – Stanley finally muttered.
- Listen, are you completely crazy?
- Sorry, it just came out... I don’t know what came over me. I really sympathize with you, dear.
“But I don’t feel anything, Stanley, absolutely nothing - not the slightest pain in my heart, I don’t even want to cry.”
– Don’t worry, everything will come later, it hasn’t really hit you yet.
- Oh no, it got it.
- Maybe you should call Adam?
- Just not now, later.
Stanley looked at his friend worriedly.
“Would you like to tell your fiancé that your father died today?”
“He died last night in Paris; the body will be delivered by plane, the funeral will be in four days,” Julia said barely audibly.
Stanley quickly counted, flexing his fingers.
- That is, this Saturday! – he exclaimed, his eyes widening.
“Exactly, just on my wedding day,” Julia whispered.
Stanley immediately went to the cash register, canceled the purchase and took Julia outside.
- Come on I I'll invite you to lunch!
* * *
New York was bathed in the golden light of a June day. The friends crossed Ninth Avenue and headed to Pastis, a French restaurant with authentic French cuisine in the fast-paced Meat Packing District 2
Meat Warehouse District ( English.).
Behind last years ancient warehouses gave way to luxury shops and boutiques of ultra-fashionable couturiers. Prestigious hotels and shopping centers sprang up here like mushrooms. The former factory narrow-gauge railway turned into a green boulevard that stretched all the way to Tenth Street. The first floor of the old plant, which had already ceased to exist, was occupied by a market for bioproducts; on other floors they settled manufacturing companies and advertising agencies, and at the very top was the studio where Julia worked. The banks of the Hudson, also landscaped, have now become a long promenade for cyclists, joggers and lovelorn madmen who have chosen the Manhattan benches - just like in Woody Allen films. Since Thursday evening, the neighborhood has been filled with residents of neighboring New Jersey, crossing the river to wander along the embankment and have fun at the many trendy bars and restaurants.
When the friends finally settled down open terrace“Pastisa,” Stanley ordered two cappuccinos.
“I should have called Adam a long time ago,” Julia said guiltily.
– If only to announce the death of his father, then undoubtedly. But if you want to tell him at the same time that you will have to postpone the wedding, that you need to warn the priest, the restaurateur, the guests, and most importantly, his parents, then all this can wait a little. Look how wonderful the weather is - let Adam live in peace for another hour before you ruin his day. And then, you are in mourning, and mourning excuses everything, so take advantage of it!
- How can I tell him?..
“My dear, he must understand that it is quite difficult to bury your father and get married on the same day; but even if you yourself consider this possible, I will tell you right away: to others this idea will seem completely unacceptable. My God, how could this happen?!
- Believe me, Stanley, God has absolutely nothing to do with it: my father chose this date - and only he!
“Well, well, I don’t think he decided to die last night in Paris for the sole purpose of stopping your wedding, although I admit that he showed quite refined taste in choosing such a place for his death!”
“You don’t know him, he’s capable of anything to make me cry!”
- Okay, drink your cappuccino, enjoy the hot sun, and then we’ll call your future husband!
2
The wheels of an Air France Boeing 747 screeched onto the runway at Kennedy Airport. Standing against the glass wall of the arrivals hall, Julia looked at the long mahogany coffin floating along the conveyor down to the hearse. An airport police officer came to pick her up in the waiting room. Julia, her father's secretary, her fiancé and her best friend got into a minicar that took them to the plane. An American Customs official was waiting for her at the ramp to hand her the package containing the business papers, watch and passport of the deceased.
Julia leafed through her passport. Numerous visas spoke eloquently about the last months of Anthony Walsh’s life: St. Petersburg, Berlin, Hong Kong, Bombay, Saigon, Sydney... How many cities she had never been to, how many countries she so wanted to see with him!
While the four men fussed around the coffin, Julia thought about her father’s distant travels in those years when she, still just a bully girl, would fight for any reason during breaks in the school yard.
How many nights did she spend without sleep, waiting for her father to return, how many times in the morning, on the way to school, she jumped on the pavement tiles, playing imaginary hopscotch and wondering that if she didn’t lose her way now, today he would certainly come. And sometimes her fervent night prayer actually worked a miracle: the bedroom door opened, and the shadow of Anthony Walsh appeared in a bright strip of light. He sat at her feet and put a small package on the blanket - it was to be opened in the morning. These gifts illuminated Julia's entire childhood: from every trip, the father brought his daughter some funny little thing that told her at least a little about where he had been. A doll from Mexico, a mascara brush from China, a wooden figurine from Hungary, a bracelet from Guatemala - these were real treasures for the girl.
And then her mother showed the first symptoms of mental illness. Julia remembered the confusion that gripped her once at the cinema, at a Sunday showing, when her mother suddenly asked in the middle of the film why the lights had been turned off. Her mind was catastrophically weakening, memory lapses, insignificant at first, became more and more serious: she began to confuse the kitchen with a music salon, and this gave rise to heartbreaking cries: “Where has the piano gone?” At first she was surprised at the loss of things, then she began to forget the names of those who lived next to her. The real horror marked the day when she exclaimed at the sight of Julia: “Where did this pretty girl come from in my house?” And the endless emptiness of that December, when an ambulance came for her mother: she set fire to her robe and calmly watched it burn, very pleased that she had learned to make fire by lighting a cigarette, and yet she had never smoked.
This is how Julia’s mother was; a few years later, she died in a New Jersey clinic, never recognizing her own daughter. Mourning coincided with Julia's adolescence, when she spent endless evenings poring over her homework under the supervision of her father's personal secretary - he himself still traveled around the world, only these trips became more frequent and longer. Then there was college, university and leaving the university to finally indulge in her only passion - animating her characters, she first drew them with felt-tip pens and then brought them to life on the computer screen. Animals with almost human features, faithful companions and accomplices... One stroke of her pencil was enough to make them smile at her, one click of the mouse to dry their tears.
“Miss Walsh, is this your father’s ID?”
The customs officer's voice brought Julia back to reality. Instead of answering, she nodded briefly. The clerk signed the form and stamped Anthony Walsh's photograph. This last stamp in the passport with many visas no longer spoke of anything - only of the disappearance of its owner.
The coffin was placed in a long black hearse. Stanley sat down next to the driver, Adam, opening the door for Julia, carefully lifted her into the car. Anthony Walsh's personal secretary sat on a bench behind him, next to the coffin with his owner's body. The car left the airfield, taxied onto Highway 678 and headed north.
There was silence in the car. Wallace kept his eyes on the coffin that hid the remains of his former employer. Stanley persistently looked at his hands, Adam looked at Julia, Julia contemplated the gray landscape of the New York suburbs.
-Which road will you take? – she asked the driver when the interchange leading to Long Island appeared ahead.
“By Whitestone Bridge, ma’am,” he replied.
– Could you go across the Brooklyn Bridge?
The driver immediately turned on the turn signal and changed lanes.
“But we’ll have to make a huge detour,” Adam whispered, “he was traveling along the shortest route.”
– The day is ruined anyway, so why don’t we please him?
- Whom? – asked Adam.
- My father. Let's give him one last walk through Wall Street, Tribeca and SoHo, and Central Park too.
“I agree, the day is ruined anyway, so if you want to please your father...” Adam repeated. “But then we need to warn the priest that we will be late.”
– Adam, do you like dogs? – asked Stanley.
- Yes... in general, yes... but they don’t like me. Why did you ask?
“Yes, just interesting,” Stanley answered vaguely, lowering the window on his side.
The van crossed the island of Manhattan from south to north and an hour later turned onto 233rd Street.
The barrier went up at the main gate of Woodlawn Cemetery. The van entered a narrow driveway, circled a central flowerbed, passed a row of family crypts, climbed a slope above a lake, and stopped in front of a plot where a freshly dug grave was ready to receive its future occupant.
The priest was already waiting for them. The coffin was placed on trestles. Adam went to the priest to discuss the final details of the ceremony. Stanley put his arm around Julia's shoulders.
- What are you thinking about? - he asked her.
– What can I think about at that moment when I’m burying my father, with whom I haven’t spoken for many years?! You always ask terribly strange questions, my dear Stanley.
- No, this time I’m asking quite seriously: what are you thinking about right now? After all, this minute is very important, you will remember it, it will forever become a part of your life, believe me!
– I was thinking about my mother. I wonder if she will recognize him there, in heaven, or if she will wander among the clouds, restless, forgetting everything in the world.
- So you already believe in God?
– No, but it’s better to be prepared for pleasant surprises.
“In that case, Julia, dear, I want to confess something to you, just swear that you won’t laugh at me: the older I get, the more I believe in a good God.”
Julia responded with a barely noticeable sad smile:
“In fact, if we talk about my father, I’m not at all sure that the existence of God will be good news for him.
“The priest wants to know if everything is ready and if we can start,” said Adam, who approached.
“There will only be four of us,” Julia answered, beckoning to her father’s secretary. – This is the bitter fate of all great travelers and lonely filibusters. Relatives and friends are replaced by acquaintances scattered all over the world... And acquaintances rarely come from afar to attend a funeral - this is not the moment when you can do someone a favor or favor. A person is born alone and dies alone.
“These words were spoken by Buddha, and your father, my dear, was a devout Irish Catholic,” Adam objected.
– Doberman... You should have a huge Doberman, Adam! – Stanley said with a sigh.
- Lord, why are you so impatient to force a dog on me?!
- For no reason, forget what I said.
The priest approached Julia and complained that today he had to perform this mournful ceremony, instead of performing the wedding ceremony.
– Could you kill two birds with one stone? – Julia asked him. “I don’t really care about guests.” But for your patron, the main thing is good intentions, isn’t it?
– Miss Walsh, come to your senses!..
“Yes, I assure you, this is not at all meaningless: at least then my father would be able to attend my wedding.”
- Julia! – Adam sternly besieged her in turn.
“Okay, so everyone present considers my proposal unsuccessful,” she concluded.
– Would you like to say a few words? - asked the priest.
“I would, of course, like…” Julia answered, looking at the coffin. - Or maybe you, Wallace? – she suggested to her father’s personal secretary. “Ultimately, you were his most faithful friend.”
“I don’t think, miss, that I’m capable of this,” replied the secretary, “besides, your father and I are used to understanding each other without words.” Although... one word, with your permission, I could say, but not to him, but to you. Despite all the shortcomings that you attribute to him, know that he was sometimes a tough man, often with incomprehensible, even strange quirks, but undoubtedly kind; and one more thing - he loved you.
“Well, well... if I counted correctly, this is not one word, but much more,” Stanley muttered, coughing meaningfully: he saw that Julia’s eyes were clouded with tears.
The priest read a prayer and closed the missal. Anthony Walsh's coffin slowly sank into the grave. Julia handed her father's secretary a rose, but he returned the flower to her with a smile:
-You first, miss.
The petals scattered, falling onto the wooden lid, followed by three more roses into the grave, and the four saw off Anthony Walsh in last way headed back to the gate. At the far end of the alley, the hearse had already given way to two limousines. Adam took his bride's hand and led her to the car. Julia raised her eyes to the sky:
- Not a single cloud, blue, blue, blue, just blue, and not too hot, not too cold, and not the slightest breath of wind - just a perfect day for a wedding!
“Don’t worry, dear, there will be other nice days,” Adam assured her.
– As warm as this one? – Julia exclaimed, spreading her arms wide. - With such an azure sky? With such lush green foliage? With such ducks on the lake? No, it looks like we'll have to wait until next spring!
- Autumn can be just as beautiful, you can believe me... Since when do you love ducks?
- They love me! Did you notice how many of them had just gathered at the pond, next to their father’s grave?
“No, I didn’t pay attention,” Adam answered, slightly worried by this sudden surge of delight in his bride.
“There were dozens of them... yes, dozens of ducks, with beautiful ties around their necks; they landed on the water at exactly that place and swam away immediately after the ceremony. They were mallard ducks, they wanted to attend MY wedding, but instead they came to support me at my father's funeral.
“Julia, I hate to argue with you today, but I don’t think the mallard has a tie on its neck.”
- How do you know! Is it you who draws the ducks, and not me? So, remember: if I say that these mallards are dressed in festive attire, then you must believe me! – Julia cried.
- Okay, my love, I agree, these mallards, all as one, were in tuxedos, and now they’re going home.
Stanley and his personal secretary were waiting for them near the cars. Adam was leading Julia to the car, but she suddenly stopped in front of one of the gravestones on the spacious lawn and read the name and years of life of the one who rested under the stone.
– Did you know her? – asked Adam.
- This is my grandmother's grave. From now on, all my relatives lie in this cemetery. I am the last of the Walsh line. Of course, except for a few hundred unknown uncles, aunts, and cousins living between Ireland, Brooklyn and Chicago. Adam, forgive me for this recent outburst, I really got carried away by something.
- Oh, nothing, dear; we were supposed to get married, but a misfortune happened. You buried your father and, quite naturally, are heartbroken.
They walked along the alley. Both Lincolns were already very close.
“You’re right,” said Adam, looking at the sky in turn, “the weather today is truly magnificent, your father managed to spoil us even in his hour of death.”
Julia stopped abruptly and pulled her hand away from Adam's.
- Do not look at me so! – Adam exclaimed pleadingly. “You yourself said the same thing at least twenty times after you found out about his death.”
- Yes, she said, but I have the right to this - I, not you! Get in that car with Stanley, and I'll go in the other one.
- Julia! I am very sorry…
– You don’t have to be sorry, I want to spend this evening alone and sort out the things of my father, who managed to spoil us right up to his death hour, as you put it.
- Oh God, but these are not my words, but yours! Adam shouted as he watched Julia get into the car.
– And lastly, Adam: I want mallard ducks around me on our wedding day, dozens of ducks, do you hear? – she added before slamming the door.
"Lincoln" disappeared behind the cemetery gates. Frustrated, Adam walked to the second car and sat in the back, to the right of his personal secretary.
“No, fox terriers are better: they are small, but they bite very painfully,” Stanley concluded, settling in front, next to the driver, whom he signaled to drive off.
A sample of the women's romance you love. Weekend book. For one evening. Relaxation after working days. If you want to read quickly and easily, this is what you need!
Let’s not particularly praise the novel “Those Words We Didn’t Say to Each Other.” Don't look for lofty ideas or deep meaning here. And the writing style cannot be called excellent. However, the name of the modern French novelist is quite popular, and his works are widely read. Mark Levy is a former entrepreneur who made his fortune in interior design services. And suddenly he took up his pen. And after his first novel was filmed in Hollywood, he took up writing seriously, as we see, not in vain.
So, if you are interested in what words the main characters did not say to each other, let’s start reading the book.
A couple of days before the wedding, Julia receives a call from her father with tragic news. An accomplished successful businessman, narcissistic and domineering, has not communicated with his daughter for a long time. But she invited him to the wedding. And now dad has an excellent excuse not to come to the ceremony - he is dying. The wedding turned into a funeral. But, as it turned out, not everything is so sad...
Before his death, the parent prepared a gift for the girl. She gets the chance to live six days with a father like he has never been, travel to different cities, and even into the past, to see his life through his eyes. Or maybe the deceased wasn’t so bad after all? She just didn't know him at all. Six whole days for the familiar world to turn upside down...
In the book “Those words that we did not say to each other” there are many light jokes and gags from the heroes. A complete set of attributes for a beautiful life. New York City, a beautiful main character, adored by men, a rich parent, a cheerful girlfriend who turns out to be gay, luxury, fatal love (what would a woman's novel be without this?), even a bit of fantasy is present. Such a fabulous romantic story from Mark Levy.
In his novel “Those Words We Didn’t Say to Each Other,” Mark Levy uses the example of Julia and her father to show the eternal problem of fathers and children. As a rule, different generations do not understand each other. The sad thing is that understanding and love come when it is too late to change something. Only when he was on the verge of death did the elderly man decide to find a way to his daughter’s heart. But they could live together happy life. There is something for the reader to think about.
On our literary website you can download the book by Mark Levy “Those words that we did not say to each other” for free in suitable formats different devices formats - epub, fb2, txt, rtf. Do you like to read books and always keep up with new releases? We have big choice books of various genres: classics, modern fiction, literature on psychology and children's publications. In addition, we offer interesting and educational articles for aspiring writers and all those who want to learn how to write beautifully. Each of our visitors will be able to find something useful and exciting for themselves.
(estimates: 2
, average: 3,00
out of 5) Title: Those words that we did not say to each other
About the book “Those words we did not say to each other” by Mark Levy
French writer Marc Levy gives readers another warm and endlessly touching story, “Those Words We Didn’t Say to Each Other,” which tells about the relationship between father and daughter.
The main character of the novel, Julia, is getting married. She and her best friend are choosing a wedding dress when a messenger from her father brings bad news. Father will not be at the ceremony. However, this is expected - Julia has not been in contact with him for quite a long time. But this time my father has a good reason - he died.
Mark Levy enriches the banality of the plot with further events. The heroine is forced to cancel the wedding and bury her parent. In the room she discovers a box sent by her father, and inside is an unexpected surprise that changes her life. Julia will have to reconsider her attitude towards her father.
“Those words...” were written by the author in a traditional manner with a fair amount of irony. Difficult moments are described easily, the book is read quickly and leaves a pleasant aftertaste. The writer's talent for conveying the feelings of the characters through words is indescribable. The novel turned out to be piercing and heartfelt.
Marc Levy in his work often raises banal topics and turns them into small masterpieces. Human feelings and thoughts become paramount actors, revealing the depth of the idea revealed by the author.
All people once experience the loss of loved ones, regret unsaid words and unexpressed feelings. In the book “Those Words...” the heroes have a chance to live life again, see what was hidden, and understand how the minutes were lost forever. Six magical days will tell Julia more about her father than many years.
On our website about books you can download the site for free without registration or read online book“Those words we didn’t say to each other” by Mark Levy in epub, fb2, txt, rtf, pdf formats for iPad, iPhone, Android and Kindle. The book will give you a lot of pleasant moments and real pleasure from reading. Buy full version you can from our partner. Also, here you will find last news from the literary world, learn the biography of your favorite authors. For beginning writers there is a separate section with useful tips and recommendations, interesting articles, thanks to which you yourself can try your hand at literary crafts.
Quotes from the book “Those Words We Never Said to Each Other” by Mark Levy
Time passed so quickly, but it went so slowly.
But where is the border between children's dreams and reality?
Mark Levy
Those words that we didn't say to each other
There are two ways to look at life: as if there could be no miracle in the world, or as if everything in the world is a complete miracle.
Albert Einstein
Dedicated to Polina and Louis
So how do you find me?
Turn around, let me look at you from behind one more time.
Stanley, you've been staring at me from all sides for half an hour already, I don't have the strength to hang around on this podium anymore!
I would shorten it: hiding legs like yours is simply blasphemy!
You wanted to hear my opinion, right? Come on, turn around and face me one more time! Yeah, that’s what I thought: the cutout, front and back, is exactly the same; at least, even if you get a stain, you can turn the dress over and no one will notice anything!
Stanley!!!
And in general, what kind of fiction is this - buying a wedding dress on sale, wow! Then why not via the Internet?! You wanted to know my opinion - you heard it.
Well, I'm sorry, I can't afford anything better with my salary as a computer graphics artist.
Artists, my princess, not graphics, but artists! God, how I hate this twenty-first century machine jargon!
What should I do, Stanley, I work both on the computer and with felt-tip pens!
My best friend draws and then animates her adorable little animals, so remember: with or without a computer, you are an artist, and not a computer graphic artist; and in general, what kind of business do you have to argue about every issue?
So do we shorten it or leave it as is?
Five centimeters, no less! And then, you need to remove it at the shoulders and narrow it at the waist.
In general, everything is clear to me: you hated this dress.
I'm not saying that!
You don't speak, but you think.
I beg you, allow me to take on part of the expenses myself, and let's look at Anna Mayer! Well, listen to me at least once in your life!
For what? To buy a dress for ten thousand dollars? You're just crazy! You'd think you have that kind of money, and anyway, it's just a wedding, Stanley.
- Yours wedding.
“I know,” Julia sighed.
And your father, with his wealth, could well...
The last time I caught a glimpse of my father was when I was standing at a traffic light and he drove past me on Fifth Avenue... and that was six months ago. So let's close this topic!
And Julia, shrugging her shoulders, descended from the dais. Stanley took her hand and hugged her.
My dear, any dress in the world would suit you, I just want it to be perfect. Why not invite your future husband to give it to you?
Because Adam's parents are already paying for the wedding ceremony, and I would feel much better if his family stopped talking about him marrying Cinderella.
Stanley danced across the sales floor. The salesmen and saleswomen, chatting enthusiastically at the counter next to the cash register, did not pay any attention to him. He took a tight white satin dress from a hanger near the window and returned.
Well, try this on, just don’t even think about objecting!
Stanley, it's size thirty-six, I'll never fit into it!
Do what you're told!
Julia rolled her eyes and obediently walked towards the fitting room, where Stanley pointed her.
Stanley, this is size thirty-six! - she repeated, hiding in the booth.
A few minutes later the curtain was opened with a jerk, just as decisively as it had just been closed.
Well, I finally see something similar to Julia's wedding dress! - Stanley exclaimed. - Walk down the catwalk one more time.
Do you have a winch to pull me there? As soon as I lift my leg...
It looks amazing on you!
Maybe, but if I swallow one cookie, it will burst at the seams.
It is not appropriate for a bride to eat on her wedding day! It’s okay, let’s loosen the dart on the chest a little, and you’ll look like a queen!.. Listen, will we ever get the attention of at least one salesperson in this damn store?
In my opinion, it’s me who should be nervous now, not you!
I'm not nervous, I'm just amazed that four days before the wedding ceremony, I have to drag you shopping to buy a dress!
I've had my fill of work lately! And please don’t let Adam know about today, I swore to him a month ago that everything was ready.
Stanley took the pincushion that someone had left on the arm of the chair and knelt down in front of Julia.
Your future husband does not understand how lucky he is: you are simply a miracle.
Stop picking on Adam. And in general, what do you blame him for?
The fact that he looks like your father...
Don't talk nonsense. Adam has nothing in common with my father; Besides, he can't stand him.
Adam - your father? Bravo, that's a point in his favor!
No, it’s my father who hates Adam.
Oh, your parent hates everything that comes near you. If you had a dog, he would bite it.
But no: if I had a dog, she would bite my father herself,” Julia laughed.
And I say that your father would bite a dog!
Stanley stood up and took a few steps back, admiring his work. Shaking his head, he let out a heavy sigh.
What else? - Julia was wary.
It's flawless...or not, you're the one who's flawless! Let me fix your belt, and then you can take me to lunch.
To any restaurant of your choice, Stanley, honey!
The sun is so hot that the nearest cafe terrace will do for me - provided that it is in the shade and that you stop jerking, otherwise I will never finish with this dress... almost flawless.
Why almost?
Because it's being sold at a discount, my dear!
A saleswoman passing by asked if they needed help. With a majestic wave of his hand, Stanley rejected her offer.
Do you think he will come?
Who? - asked Julia.
Your father, you fool!
Stop talking about my father. I told you I haven't heard from him for months.
Well, that doesn't mean anything...
He will not come!
Did you let him know about yourself?
Listen, a long time ago I refused to let my father’s personal secretary into my life, because dad is either away or at a meeting, and he has no time to personally talk with his daughter.
But did you at least send him a notice of the wedding?
Will you finish soon?
Now! You and him are like an old married couple: he is jealous. However, all fathers are jealous of their daughters! It's okay, he'll get over it.
Look, this is the first time I've heard you defend him. If we look like an old married couple, it’s one that got divorced many years ago.
The tune “I Will Survive” started playing in Julia’s bag. Stanley looked questioningly at his friend.
Shall I give you a cell phone?
This is probably Adam or from the studio...
Just don't move, or you'll ruin all my work. I'll bring it now.
Stanley reached into Julia's bottomless bag, pulled out a cell phone and handed it to the owner. Gloria Gaynor immediately fell silent.
It’s too late, they’ve already switched off,” Julia whispered, looking at the number that had appeared.
So who is it - Adam or from work?
“Neither one nor the other,” Julia answered gloomily.
Stanley looked at her inquisitively:
Well, shall we play a guessing game?
They called from my father's office.
So call him back!
Well, I do not! Let him call himself.
But that's exactly what he just did, didn't he?
No, his secretary did it, I know his number.
Listen, you’ve been waiting for this call from the very minute you dropped the wedding notice in your mailbox, so drop these childish grievances. Four days before marriage, it is not recommended to get stressed, otherwise you will end up with a huge sore on your lip or a purple boil on your neck. If you don't want this, dial his number now.
For what? For Wallace to tell me that my father was genuinely upset because that was the day he had to go abroad and, alas, could not cancel the trip he had planned many months ago? Or, for example, that he has something of extreme importance planned for that day? Or he’ll come up with God knows what other explanation.
What if your father said that he would be happy to come to his daughter’s wedding and called just to make sure that she would seat him in a place of honor at the wedding table?
My father doesn't care about honor; if he does show up, he will choose a place closer to the locker room - of course, provided that there is a sufficiently pretty young woman nearby.
Okay, Julia, forget about your hatred and call... But by the way, do as you know, I’m just warning you: instead of enjoying the wedding ceremony, you’ll be watching with all your eyes, looking out for whether he came or not.
Romantic egoist Frederic Beigbeder
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Title: Romantic Egoist
About the book “Romantic Egoist” Frederic Beigbeder
The book “The Romantic Egoist” is a novel based on the author’s diary. In his novel, the popular French writer Frederic Beigbeder describes his own life, full of entertainment, drunken parties, promiscuity and confused thoughts.
The main character of the novel “The Romantic Egoist” - the writer Oscar Dufresne, whose prototype is the author himself - wastes his life, wasting it on the elementary satisfaction of carnal needs. And yet, from time to time the hero thinks about the reason and meaning of the lifestyle that he has chosen, as well as the meaning of existence. At the same time, he himself needs love and attention, but not the kind that his fans give him.
As a highly successful writer, Oscar Dufresne travels extensively around different countries, however, he spends his time there mainly in discos and at airports. Every day he makes entries in his diary, summing up the results of his next day. The writer writes down his conclusions about the events that he observes from the outside and about those that happened to him personally.
In Oscar Dufresne's life there is a constant stream of women who seek to enter into relationships with him. He, in turn, often uses this, but everything ends as quickly as it begins. In his diary, the writer periodically mentions his married friend Ludo, who constantly cheats on his wife and often complains about her. Dufresne himself had a girlfriend, but he and Claire broke up. He tried to restore their relationship, but these attempts were unsuccessful.
And then one day the writer unexpectedly falls deeply in love with Ludo’s former lover. Thanks to these feelings, his lifestyle begins to change rapidly, but here the main character of the novel “Romantic Egoist” faces serious trials...
The notorious Frederic Beigbeder, in addition to writing novels, is engaged in journalism, literary criticism and editing. Higher education The writer received a degree in politics at the Metropolitan Institute of France, after which he studied advertising and marketing. His first job was at a large advertising agency, where he took a position as a copywriter, while at the same time working as a literary critic for radio. However, by this time the writer had already created several books. Frederic Beigbeder tried himself as a TV presenter, and then became an editor in a publishing group.
The books that helped the writer become famous include such works as: “99 Francs”, “Holidays in a Coma”, “Love Lives for Three Years”, “Romantic Egoist” and others.
On our website about books lifeinbooks.net you can download for free without registration or read online the book “The Romantic Egoist” by Frederic Beigbeder in epub, fb2, txt, rtf, pdf formats for iPad, iPhone, Android and Kindle. The book will give you a lot of pleasant moments and real pleasure from reading. You can buy the full version from our partner. Also, here you will find the latest news from the literary world, learn the biography of your favorite authors. For beginning writers, there is a separate section with useful tips and tricks, interesting articles, thanks to which you yourself can try your hand at literary crafts.
