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Title: Big Fish
Author: Daniel Wallace Currently on page: Finished |
Sadly, this is another book I started a while back (1/2 year or so ago, whenever the movie came out) that I did not finish until today. The book is written beautifully - and the imagery and compassion of the book is infectious. I had a slight issue with it because it was not consistent with the imagery and stories of the movie.
You're thinking - "this guy's criticizing a BOOK for not being like the MOVIE?!?!?! YOU ASS!" But look, before I watched the movie I wasn't a Tim Burton fan. After the movie and my withheld tears (bawling, actually), I completely was swept off my feet with the aesthetic and the fantasy of the story. The legends, the myths, the metaphors all represented in the movie were perfect for the characters and stories- I wanted to read the outlandish FANTASY like in the movie, but the book does not have that - not as much at least. There are stories, in fact it's all stories. BUT, there was this domestic fantasy in the movie that engulfed you into the story - into Edward Bloom's life - so much that anything less outlandish would seem dull. The book is far from dull and actually a fun and touching read. I think my other issue was that there was a clearly overstated conflict in the movie that is not evident in the book. That conflict had a blunt dramatic effect - while the subtleties of it in the book get lost until the end. OR AGAIN, maybe it's my obvious lost skill of reading comprehension. Either way, the book is good. Read it first before the movie. |
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Title: Catcher in the Rye
Author: JD Salinger Currently on page: Finished |
It seems as though my reactions to Holden are quite expected for those who read the book. I am very glad I did not end up skimming the last chapters of the book in the midst of my impatient criticism of the book because they were the most poignant and effective chapters in my opinion.
As it turns out, according to internet based ClassicNotes (aka CliffsNotes substitute), I have quite the lacking skill for reading comprehension - placing 2 1/2 year between attentive reads did not help much. There were themes that were highlighted in the classnotes essays that I completely did not pick up on. I love the book though. As I read more analyses of the book, I really fall in love with the intricate craftsmanship of the story and the lasting effect Holden has had on many movie characters now. Ahh, classic literature is so inspiring - though sometimes difficult to read or maintain interest in - I am fully in love with the culture of literature. Quoted by Salinger in the book: "The mark of the immature man is that he wants to die nobly for a cause, while the mark of the mature man is that he wants to live humbly for one." - Wilhelm Stekel |
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Title: Catcher in the Rye
Author: JD Salinger Synopsis: coming soon Currently on page: 160 of 214 |
Lemme just tell you - I'VE HAD IT UP TO HERE with Holden's bullshit whining. hahah. I was about to skip the rest of the book, but I realize that Holden's finally getting to talk to someone he really wanted to talk to. Bleh.
I've forgotten what the hell the plot is. Hmm. |
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Title: Catcher in the Rye
Author: JD Salinger Synopsis: coming soon Currently on page: 126 of 214 |
"So i don't know about bores.
Maybe you shouldn't feel too sorry if you see some swell girl getting married to them. They don't hurt anybody, most of them,
and maybe they're secretly all terrific whistlers or something. Who the hell knows? Not me."
pg. 124 |
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