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Tell Them It Was Wonderful
The best of the late writer-illustrator's fiction and nonfiction for adults, arranged in thematic and chronological sequence, provides an autobiographical portrait that spans Bemelman's life from his Tirolean childhood through his years in New York, Europe, and Hollywood
315 pages, Paperback
First published April 1, 1985
About the author
Ludwig Bemelmans
195 books451 followersLudwig Bemelmans, Austrian-American illustrator, wrote books, such as
Madeline
in 1939, for children, and his experiences in the restaurant business based
Hotel Splendide
, adult fiction in 1940.
People internationally knew Ludwig Bemelmans, an author and a gourmand. People today most note his six publications to 1961. After his death, people discovered and posthumously published a seventh in 1999.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ludwig_...
People internationally knew Ludwig Bemelmans, an author and a gourmand. People today most note his six publications to 1961. After his death, people discovered and posthumously published a seventh in 1999.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ludwig_...
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
August 28, 2011
Read this book seven years ago in my high school library (sophomore). And yes, it was wonderful! A piece of France and childhood plus Bemelmans's writing prowess. (:
March 30, 2011
OK, I'll tell you: this book was wonderful! "To do good work, one must eat well, be well housed, have one's fling from time to time, smoke one's pipe, and drink one's coffee in peace." That's Van Gogh, but it just as well could be Bemelmans.
March 1, 2022
Best known for his Madeline picture books, Bemelmans was a bon vivant with an eclectic life, various segments of which are captured in this collection of autobiographical fiction and nonfiction works. They extend from his youth in Austria and Bavaria to his travels after achieving fame and wealth. He certainly had a dark side, mentioning one incident of shooting a gun in the air to make a point while in the US Army during WWI. His coming to US was said to have been precipitated by an incident, also involving a gun, while working as a headwaiter in his uncle's hotel in Austria. Whether these incidents actually occurred is probably open to question, given his storytelling propensity. Regardless, he was prone to melancholy and dealt with it by writing and living life to the fullest. I enjoyed reading about his exploits, even the ones that didn't end up in success, such as his attempt to renovate an Île de la Cité bistro in Paris or experiences with boats. I look forward to raising a toast to him and his murals at Bemelmans Bar in Manhattan.
"In spite of all that, the black moods descend upon me, and consolation is hard to find. . . There are two cures. One is to work ; all misery fades when I work, but I can't work all the time. The other is to celebrate it. . . People such as I live by rules of their own. . . Outcast is too dramatic a word; let's call us alonegoers. That also is not quite true, for I seek people and like them, but still in their midst I am alone." p198
"In spite of all that, the black moods descend upon me, and consolation is hard to find. . . There are two cures. One is to work ; all misery fades when I work, but I can't work all the time. The other is to celebrate it. . . People such as I live by rules of their own. . . Outcast is too dramatic a word; let's call us alonegoers. That also is not quite true, for I seek people and like them, but still in their midst I am alone." p198
March 3, 2026
Belmelmans is most famous for his Madeline picture books and being a bon vivant with an eclectic life, various segments of which are captured in this collection of autobiographical fiction and nonfiction works. They extend from his youth in Austria and Bavaria to his travels after achieving fame and wealth.
He certainly had an acknowledged dark side, mentioning one incident of shooting a gun in the air to make a point while in the US Army during WWI. His coming to US was said to have been precipitated by an incident, also involving a gun, while working as a headwaiter in his uncle's hotel in Austria. Whether these incidents actually occurred is probably open to question, given his storytelling propensity. Regardless, he was prone to melancholy and dealt with it by writing and living life to the fullest. I enjoyed reading about his exploits, even the ones that didn't end up in success, such as his attempt to renovate an Île de la Cité bistro in Paris or his experiences with boats. I look forward to raising a toast to him and his murals at Bemelmans Bar in Manhattan now that I've completed all of his books.
"In spite of all that, the black moods descend upon me, and consolation is hard to find. . . There are two cures. One is to work ; all misery fades when I work, but I can't work all the time. The other is to celebrate it. . . People such as I live by rules of their own. . . Outcast is too dramatic a word; let's call us alonegoers. That also is not quite true, for I seek people and like them, but still in their midst I am alone."
He certainly had an acknowledged dark side, mentioning one incident of shooting a gun in the air to make a point while in the US Army during WWI. His coming to US was said to have been precipitated by an incident, also involving a gun, while working as a headwaiter in his uncle's hotel in Austria. Whether these incidents actually occurred is probably open to question, given his storytelling propensity. Regardless, he was prone to melancholy and dealt with it by writing and living life to the fullest. I enjoyed reading about his exploits, even the ones that didn't end up in success, such as his attempt to renovate an Île de la Cité bistro in Paris or his experiences with boats. I look forward to raising a toast to him and his murals at Bemelmans Bar in Manhattan now that I've completed all of his books.
"In spite of all that, the black moods descend upon me, and consolation is hard to find. . . There are two cures. One is to work ; all misery fades when I work, but I can't work all the time. The other is to celebrate it. . . People such as I live by rules of their own. . . Outcast is too dramatic a word; let's call us alonegoers. That also is not quite true, for I seek people and like them, but still in their midst I am alone."
December 21, 2021
To get this out of the way before the praise spills forth: I was tempted to rate this about a 4 because there are 2-3 fiction pieces in the latter portion of the volume that I skimmed or skipped because they weren't my cup of tea. Also, 'the army years' segment is entertaining enough, but don't have the lustre of typical Belemans.
Anyway, this is a wonderful book. 85% wonderful!
Most of the book is full of the comic, light-hearted, sharp, and evocative Bemelmans autobiographical and travel pieces. He comes across as a totally unique bonvivant with a keen eye for humanising details and humour. 'Herr Otto Brauhaus' is probably the funniest thing I've ever read in a book.
Plus, there are a number of great pieces about dogs. So, back up to five stars, Stevie.
Anyway, this is a wonderful book. 85% wonderful!
Most of the book is full of the comic, light-hearted, sharp, and evocative Bemelmans autobiographical and travel pieces. He comes across as a totally unique bonvivant with a keen eye for humanising details and humour. 'Herr Otto Brauhaus' is probably the funniest thing I've ever read in a book.
Plus, there are a number of great pieces about dogs. So, back up to five stars, Stevie.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews