The Persistence of Yellow: A Book of Recipes for Life [Hardcover]

Monique Duval (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 2000

A book to make your heart soar! You will laugh, cry, cheer and fall in love with life all over again.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

“Unique, amazing, unforgettable”— these are the words that came to mind as I first read Monique’s magical writing. The Persistence of Yellow is one of those rare gifts that when you experience it, you immediately want to share it. It is joy and wonder wrapped up in a bright yellow package. Get ready to go to a place where miracles live, hope resides, love calls home and childhood memories come out to play. It’s here that angels, possibilities and true love win out over boundaries, fears and obligations. The unreal becomes real and the good gets a taste for the great.

So, suspend your disbelief. Go ahead, take a chance and setout on this wonderful adventure. You won’t come back the same as you left and you’ll want to visit again and again.

From the Author

One of my favorite places to sit and write is in my crowded studio. I have a vast collection of things that once belonged to a part of something else: typewriter keys, tiny brass screws extracted from radios and the elbows of eyeglasses, a pile of watch gears. As I work with these objects (creating a piece of art) stories come to me like timid, curious deer out of the twilight. Stories about the people I see at the grocery store and bump into at the train station. Stories about you. You live right next door or down the street. I've taken the liberty of giving you wings (I'm not a reporter any more so I can invent the details), maybe a tattoo and a wacky song to sing when you're sitting in a tree. That's how The Persistence of Yellow was born. So if the characters in this book seem somehow familiar, now you know why.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 80 pages
• Publisher: Compendium Publishing & Communications (July 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1888387386
• ISBN-13: 978-1888387384
• Product Dimensions: 8.1 x 7.8 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (18 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #102,648 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars "Listen to the Waves." "What Waves?", October 3, 2000

By 

Donald Mitchell "Jesus Loves You!" (Thanks for Providing My Reviews over 109,000 Helpful Votes Globally) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (TOP 100 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: The Persistence of Yellow: A Book of Recipes for Life (Hardcover)

Ms. Duval had a wonderful grandmother who told her terrific stories, asked her marvelous questions, and engaged her deeply in a vivid yellow kitchen. In this series of wonderfully illustrated meditations, she recaptures those special moments when "every outrageous question I asked was elaborately answered and decorated like a birthday cake." As Ms. Duval explains, "The Persistence of Yellow is a book about a place like this (her grandmother's kitchen) that exists in all our hearts."

One of the major charms of this book comes in the form of marvelous turns of phrase with vivid imagery that first startle, then illuminate.

"She flung off her pinstriped suit and gave birth to herself."

"So, she decided that if she must have chains, she would rather be chained to her dreams."

"Last night I ate the moon . . . . I'm still hungry for you."

"Today I saw the future . . . . [which] leaves a little trail of hope."

"When you catch an angel, consider yourself fortunate."

"There is a quiet wind voice inside of me. It's the same voice inside of you."

Her summary of what the book is all about is that it is "a recipe book for the soul."

As enjoyable as the meditations are about angels, natural elements, and conversing with our true selves, the illustrations (which you can see in more detail here on Amazon.com) transform the meditations into ethereal sculptures of transcendence. Ms. Moss has created wonderfully curving line drawings complemented with bold splashes of yellow which symbolize the spirit of the meditations beautifully. You can enjoy this book just for the illustrations and be very pleased.

Although I rarely comment on book design, this one deserves mention and much credit. The theme of yellow is woven into the design in exciting and useful ways. For example, some pages are printed in yellow type. Other pages are all yellow, with white drop outs for the type. Other forms of yellow highlights are used elsewhere. These design elements continually change and pleasantly surprise, making one happy to see the next page . . . even before considering the meditations or the illustrations.

Although everyone can and should enjoy this book, I believe that it will speak more deeply to some women (because the imagery is more feminine than masculine) than to many men. But guys, give yourself a chance to enjoy this book. It's gently inspiring, like a lover's caress!

This is both a great book for lifting your own mood and a thoughtful gift to someone who may need some brightness in their day.

After you have finished enjoying this book for the 10th time, I suggest that you try to write some of your own meditations. If you like the results, have someone (or do it yourself) make complementary drawings with vivid colors that excite and inspire you. In that way, you can be doubly inspired to enjoy all the potential that life holds!

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Bless yourself and your friends with this book!, September 12, 2000

By 

Kelly (Seattle, WA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Persistence of Yellow: A Book of Recipes for Life (Hardcover)

If you've ever turned a "don't you dare!" into a "daring do"; if you've ever heard the wisdom of a grandmother whispered in your ear; if you've ever found a tiny miracle tucked away just for you underneath the shelter of a tree on a rainy day --this book will help you celebrate. If you haven't shared these experieces but want them, this book will help you hope. And as much as I liked the written word, I loved the art! I found myself tracing the whimsical, skillful illustrations and the effect was almost as if I was following a labrynth taking me deeper into my creativity. I'm charmed!

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Lasting Treasure, November 6, 2004

By 

Professor Lilmom (Ellicott City, MD United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Persistence of Yellow: A Book of Recipes for Life (Hardcover)

I bought my first copy of this book in 2000 and have bought more for "special" friends since. It is now 2004 and I have just finished reading the Persistence of Yellow from cover to cover for the umpteenth time.

This book does not have many pages but each page has an important tale to tell. I don't know why it is called "a recipe for life" because it is not at all like a cookbook. It is all about a wonderful woman,her angels, friends, and family that are so unique and genuine that there is no way they can be copied. On the other hand, although this book does not tell you how to live, I do confess that I just repainted my kitchen. And yes, it is still a bright yellow. Not everyone likes the outrageous color but it suits me fine. Just like this wonderful book of the heart and soul.