The reason I haven't written much, and am unlikely to expound upon that, is the fact that I'm living in the best novel that has never been written, and never will be, because the core pleasure of life in private clubs is the absolute bound covenant of privacy and respect for the privacy of others that one accepts wholeheartedly by stepping through the doors. London is a kaleidoscopic marvel. I'd happily stay on indefinitely, although I haven't done much more than sleep late and read a few books. The other day I went to the National Museum and lingered in the medieval section, where I was captivated by the men at the height of Siennese painting. I don't really shop because I've got no money (or, more accurately, there's nothing I covet so badly that I'd be willing to pay a sixty-percent surcharge to take possession, with the exception of a candle I came across at Claridge's that smells like tobacco and leather). My brother is coming this weekend with my black fur coat, and other than that, I packed most of the right things. Day to day, I am obliged to set up a few meetings and social calls. Otherwise, the hours are my own for what feels like the first time in a decade or more. This evening I'm going down the way for dinner at another club, frequented by diplomats ('I'd like to take you to X or X, but of course it simply isn't done' [no women are allowed in the former, no guests at all in the latter]). One could make a very entertaining film about a glamourous young American -- 'beautiful, clever and wonderfully charming,' with 'beautiful eyes' -- who takes up temporary residence in a very proper English gentlemen's club. But that wouldn't be me.
You should read William Gibson's "Zero History," though - it has a very good description of a glamorous young American taking up residence in a somewhat more peculiar English club!
Posted by: Jenny Davidson | January 12, 2011 at 02:06 PM
Or you could as one of the Bloomsbury set did (was it Virginia?) dress up as a man and try to get in to the male only club. That would be fun!
Posted by: Anita | January 13, 2011 at 07:52 AM
Heigh-ho the glamourous life!
Posted by: Lauren | January 18, 2011 at 08:04 AM