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Tag Archives: books made into films
The Hobbit
The Hobbit by J R R Tolkien Post by Kyla. It’s nowhere near as long as any of the Lord of the Rings novels, so please try and read The Hobbit before you see the movie or the DVD! The … Continue reading
Posted in Book reviews
Tagged Bilbo Baggins, books made into films, classic fiction, Hobbit, Lord of the Rings, Tolkien
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War Horse
War Horse by Michael Morpurgo. Post by Sharon Barclay. War horse, inspired by a painting by Captain James Nicholls, is a poignant story of one horse’s experience in the First World War and the unbreakable bond he forms with a … Continue reading
Posted in Book reviews
Tagged books made into films, horses, Terrific teen reads, World War I
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“I saw something nasty in the woodshed”
Cold Comfort Farm Stella Gibbons “I saw something nasty in the woodshed” This has to be one of the most known quotes but I’m guessing a lot of people would have no idea, or forgotten, that it comes from this wonderful 1930’s … Continue reading
Posted in Book reviews
Tagged 1930's, Award winner, book club selection, books made into films, British literature, humour, parody, satire
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Chris Gardner’s The Pursuit of Happyness
Chris Gardners’ mother told him when he was a young boy “If you want to, one day you could make a million dollars” and her advice stayed with him and helped to steer Chris through the years of his tumultuous … Continue reading
The delectable Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
“Everything in this room is eatable. In fact even I am eatable, but that is called cannibalism my dear children and is frowned upon in most civilizations” (Willy Wonka). Five golden tickets are hidden within five "Wonka Bars" to be … Continue reading
Bridge to Terabithia
Bridge to Terabithia, by Katherine Paterson. Winner of the Newberry Medal 1977. Post by Shirley Williams. Bridge to Terabithia is Katherine Paterson’s first realistic fiction and is an outstanding novel for young adults. It’s inspiration grew out of the authors … Continue reading
Posted in Book reviews, Distractions
Tagged books made into films, children's books, Death, fantasy, friendship, Terabitia
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Elanora 1st Thursday Bookclub hit pick
Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen. The “First Thursday of the Month” bookclub at Elanora Branch Library recently read and discussed this book. This is an overview of what they thought of the book. They were all in agreement about the … Continue reading
Brighton Rock – a gangster crime mystery
Brighton Rock is a multi-layered crime story written by Graham Greene in 1938. I discovered it after seeing a preview of the newly released dvd. I believe this dvd is the second time the novel has been adapted into film. While this year’s movie is set in 1960′s Britain the novel depicts a late 1930′s Brighton. It’s a totally absorbing read, an excellent mystery in which good versus evil battle it out.
It’s the story of Pinkie Brown, a teenage gangster & rookie member of one of Brighton’s infamous mobster gangs. When the gang murders a journalist one night, Pinkie sees this as his chance to prove his manhood & establish a reputation as a serious player of the Brighton underworld. Pinkie does everything & anything to glorify the act & avoid the law & the possibility of ever being caught.
Two female characters, Rose & Ida, enter into his life, adding further complications as each posses strong but different personality traits. Rose is a waitress who captures Pinkie’s eye. They quickly become inseparable but their relationship is very destructive. Ida was a friend of the murdered man and has taken it on herself to investigate his death. Through her investigations she uncovers disturbing details of the Brighton gangster culture & of Pinkie’s violent agenda. She becomes increasingly disturbed by Pinkie & Rose’s volatile relationship & fears for Roses’ life. Both female characters display moments of great strength which I particularly find appealing in a crime story.
The story is complex and the main characters (Pinkie, Rose & Ida) are very interesting as you get to know them. While reading I had to wonder whether Pinkie is a crazed sociopath or a confused young man striving for self-worth and struggling to fit in? I will leave anyone who wants to read this book to make their own judgement. It’s a pessimistic and very dark read but it will have you turning the pages right until the very end. I have not seen this years movie but am looking forward to seeing how it has made the transition. Continue reading
