The second book from the 19 century with a similar theme to that of Moby Dick. Revenge! This book of course is one of the forerunners of Gothic Horror stories, interestingly I always thought that the Vampire story was based in Bram Stoker's Dracula, It seems that Lord Byron had a lot to do with the beginnings of the tale.
I also always thought that ' The Bride of Frankenstein' was a bit of a joke Hammer Horror sequel, but how wrong I was, Mary Shelley has poor old Doctor Frankenstein ditching the future Mrs. Fiend in a basket in the waters somewhere near the Orkneys. I have ordered the oldest DVD film (1934) and hopefully nearest to the story of Frankenstein.
I must admit I did enjoy this book and I am glad that I made the effort to read it. I know there are lots of messages about the industrial revolution and Godwinian philosophy, but its still a really scary story!
Where next? Well, it's time for a short story and one I do not know anything about, including the writer.
Joseph Conrad and 'Heart of Darkness' To be followed by a film (but not a book) that I do know, Alice Walker's The Color Purple.
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
The King's Speech (2)
(2) ? Because it is the second time I have seen this film in the cinema and to be honest I think I would go again!
I can't remember the last time I watched a film twice? Life of Brian?
I love this film, I love the history and the humanity of the story. It deserves every honour it gets , Oscars , the lot.
I can't remember the last time I watched a film twice? Life of Brian?
I love this film, I love the history and the humanity of the story. It deserves every honour it gets , Oscars , the lot.
50 Books to read before you die No 4. Moby Dick
Excellent!
I watched the DVD straight after I had finished the book. The book is just so detailed and of course the film tells the story of the Whale and the chase.
Yet I was beginning to think that the amount of detail would detract from the story of Ahab's revenge. I was wrong.
I found myself looking for the detail described in the book in scenes in the film. Small details, but what a difference it made to my enjoyment of the film, which I had seen before, probably many times.
So , on to the next book. Mary Shelley's Frankenstein.
I seem to be stuck in the Gothic period, but I must be honest I loved Hammer Horror when I was a kid.
I watched the DVD straight after I had finished the book. The book is just so detailed and of course the film tells the story of the Whale and the chase.
Yet I was beginning to think that the amount of detail would detract from the story of Ahab's revenge. I was wrong.
I found myself looking for the detail described in the book in scenes in the film. Small details, but what a difference it made to my enjoyment of the film, which I had seen before, probably many times.
So , on to the next book. Mary Shelley's Frankenstein.
I seem to be stuck in the Gothic period, but I must be honest I loved Hammer Horror when I was a kid.
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
50 Books to read before you die No 4. Moby Dick
Some thoughts on Moby Dick.
I am about half way through the book now and I must admit, it has really surprised me in the sense of the style of writing. I guess I expected a book that would be written in a more simple style, probably because of my memories of the film and knowledge of the story. Well I couldn't have been more wrong!
In one sense this is an encyclopaedia of all things Whaling. Detailed accounts of species and equipment, all things nautical, of which I can only imagine how these amazing sailing ships worked.
I love the writer's short chapters, especially when describing the Crew which represents the Human race.
Clearly recognised as a classic novel, it is more than obvious that this will jump to number one of my top 50, when I have finished it!
I am about half way through the book now and I must admit, it has really surprised me in the sense of the style of writing. I guess I expected a book that would be written in a more simple style, probably because of my memories of the film and knowledge of the story. Well I couldn't have been more wrong!
In one sense this is an encyclopaedia of all things Whaling. Detailed accounts of species and equipment, all things nautical, of which I can only imagine how these amazing sailing ships worked.
I love the writer's short chapters, especially when describing the Crew which represents the Human race.
Clearly recognised as a classic novel, it is more than obvious that this will jump to number one of my top 50, when I have finished it!
Voces inocentes.
Thanks to the amazing Dvd library at Durham University, I can now access material I would never have found.
This week I found a Mexican film directed by Luis Mandoki.
This film called Voces inocentes, is set in El Salvador in the 1980s. Politically, the film comments on the American involvement in the Civil war. But the message for me was the shocking use of children in the guise of Child soldiers.
More worrying probably to me is, what the Hell did I know about it at the time and to be honest, did we really care?
This week I found a Mexican film directed by Luis Mandoki.
This film called Voces inocentes, is set in El Salvador in the 1980s. Politically, the film comments on the American involvement in the Civil war. But the message for me was the shocking use of children in the guise of Child soldiers.
More worrying probably to me is, what the Hell did I know about it at the time and to be honest, did we really care?
Sunday, March 06, 2011
50 books to read before you die, No 3 Life of Pi
Total genius!
The next time we get a cat, he will be called Richard Parker. This book is going to be made into a film 2012 ?
It will have to be a hell of a film, to represent this amazing story!
What a story, I couldn''t put it down. Surely that' s a sign of a really good book. I took it everywhere with me, it is so good to have a good book to take out of your bag and read with a coffee, for example in a cafe.
Definitely my favourite so far, so this is the rating.
1 = Life of Pi
2 = The Catcher in the Rye
3 = Money
Now a total classic, that I have never read!
The great leviathan himself.
MOBY DICK. Even in the first few pages, it seems to me that another book on the list needs to be read. The Bible! Immediately, references to the Old testament are a really important part of understanding the text. Could be one of my most interesting reads?
The next time we get a cat, he will be called Richard Parker. This book is going to be made into a film 2012 ?
It will have to be a hell of a film, to represent this amazing story!
What a story, I couldn''t put it down. Surely that' s a sign of a really good book. I took it everywhere with me, it is so good to have a good book to take out of your bag and read with a coffee, for example in a cafe.
Definitely my favourite so far, so this is the rating.
1 = Life of Pi
2 = The Catcher in the Rye
3 = Money
Now a total classic, that I have never read!
The great leviathan himself.
MOBY DICK. Even in the first few pages, it seems to me that another book on the list needs to be read. The Bible! Immediately, references to the Old testament are a really important part of understanding the text. Could be one of my most interesting reads?
Friday, March 04, 2011
50 books to read before you die, no. 2 Money. Martin Amis
Ummm
Not quite sure what to make of this book?
I must admit it was quite funny in places, the main character John Self, reminds me of a few people. It also reminds me of the 1980s Bloody awful decade!
Anyway, I am well into a much better book now.
The Life of Pi.
Not quite sure what to make of this book?
I must admit it was quite funny in places, the main character John Self, reminds me of a few people. It also reminds me of the 1980s Bloody awful decade!
Anyway, I am well into a much better book now.
The Life of Pi.
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