Alexia Brue

This is a book that is better than its title; perhaps the editor thought it was a good idea. The theme is much less ambitious, a rambling exploration of communal womens' bathing in the Turkish, Russian, Japanese and Scandinavian traditions. The author, with a half formed notion of bringing an ancient tradition (essentially Roman) to modern New York, takes the reader with her on a trail of bathing cultures across the world. The subject may be peripheral, but it is by no means slight. It draws in the very essence of being female and human when all the other trappings of wealth and status are stripped away. The author gives herself wholeheartedly, neither sparing the reader her enthusiasm, or her tiredness and confusions. Her personal reflections and uncertainties contrast with the assurance and wealth of her traveling companion (exotic and very European), which gives a extra dimension to her journey. The conclusion is appropriate to the overall tone of the book, reflective and uncertain, but acknowledging the subtle power of personal experience to change one´s view of the world, and of oneself. The writing carried me along effortlessly most of the way, but seemed to flag, like the author, from time to time. But for that a four star rating.… (mehr)