Bookshelf: Daphne Mallet, Curator, Jiali Gallery
"Bookshelf" is a regular magazine column in which we ask Beijing personalities to tell us about the books that have left an indelible impression on them. This month we spoke to Daphne Mallet, curator of Jiali Gallery.
I pretend to have read Journey to the End of the Night by Louis-Ferdinand Céline, but I never have. It’s a classic French novel. I started several times when I was a teenager and was never able to finish it. I found his style indigestible and could never read further than 50 pages.
A book that has changed my life would be The Dragon’s Brush by Fabienne Verdier. This book convinced me to move to China and realize my dream nine years ago. With a master’s degree in Chinese language and civilization, I was interested in understanding more about Chinese society through the prism of contemporary art.
The last thing I read was Le Sentiment d’Imposture, an essay by famous French writer Belinda Cannone. She’s going to write the text for an upcoming exhibit catalog.
My favorite book from childhood is Eleanor H. Porter’s Pollyana. My grandmother used to read it to me. It taught me to always be positive. Pollyanna’s philosophy centers on what she calls “The Glad Game,” an attitude she learned from her father. The game means finding something to be happy about in every situation.
The book I took with me on my most recent trip was Bolivia, Between a Rock and a Hard Place by Pete Good. I went there and tried to understand the country’s background by reading this. It covers the whole of Bolivian history, while concentrating on the last twenty years.
If you only ever read one book about China, make it Wild Swans: Three Daughters of China from Jung Chang. It’s a pleasant introduction to Chinese modern history through the life of three women from different generations.
I wish I had written Le Parfum by Patrick Süskind. It was amazing how I was able to smell all of the perfumes the author was describing in the novel.
Check out the Carlos Sebastiá Solo Exhibition showing at Jiali Gallery until June 21.
Photo: Mitchell Masilun
