Lacking Whalebone

One of my favourite stories ever is by Isak Dinesan and its from Gothic Tales. I think it is called the Old Chevalier. In it "Woman" is a concept veiled in mystery as well as many layers of clothing. "Woman" is given up for liberation. The description of the sensuality of it all is so rich and the writing full of those " I have to read it again its so good". Its also very wry and witty. Colette wrote Gigi so one can imagine the sort of world we are talking about.I watched Gigi the other day. As well as the aspects of women having to survive there was charm. People were charming to each other. We may have gained being fully human and lost charm along the way.