Jutta Swietlinski's Blog, page 4
March 8, 2023
Happy International Women’s Day!
Today, we celebrate women* all over the world and call people’s attention to female issues, which means that literarily, it’s the perfect day to draw attention to female (especially feminist) writers and their works and to spread their word!
As for me, I watched some films and series dealing with famous lesbian writers lately and would like to write some things about them on this festive occasion.
1) “Loving Highsmith“ – Documentary film (2022)
A very interesting film about the life of novelist Patricia Highsmith, with its main focus on her love life. The Swiss filmmaker Eva Vitija approaches her object of investigation with a lot of empathy and a lot of Highsmith’s relatives are given the opportunity for comment on her, as well as some of her former lovers.
In the course of the documentary, we get to know the writer in her role as a lover. We learn that Patricia Highsmith had many dates and sexual / love relationships with women, but based on her upbringing, she never really felt comfortable being a lesbian and so tried to suppress and hide her sexual orientation. As a result, even though she actually loved women, she didn’t really like them – and finally ended up being alone.
This ambivalence is clearly reflected in her books, where men are usually more interesting and complex than women, which are portrayed in a much more superficial and negative way.
For that reason, what was left after I had watched the film was a feeling of pity and the question what (more) could have become of Patricia Highsmith if she’d had a different background.
A well-investigated, well-made, empathetic film well worth seeing, about a complicated and controversial personality.
2) “Vita & Virginia“ – Biographical romantic drama film (2018)
The biopic “Vita & Virginia“, set in the 1920s, tells the story of the loving relationship between the English writers Vita Sackville-West and Virginia Woolf.
The movie shows the changeful relationship between the two enigmatic women from the beginning of their turbulent love affair until its end.
Although the film is a visual, aesthetical delight and it’s interesting to see the (love) life of these two famous women, I think it’s a little confusing to watch if you don’t know much about the two writers. Some aspects of the plot are not really explained, which might well and truly lead to confusion among the audience. Moreover, it does nothing more than scratch the surface of these two colorful personalities portrayed here – in my opinion, you never really see, let alone get, the attraction and relation between Vita and Virginia, who were in fact very different.
So for me, “Vita & Virginia“ was okay to watch (once, I guess), but everything but fascinating.
3) “Dickinson“ – Dramedy series (2019 – 2021)
Now, that is a show which can be called exceptional, and rightly so! That doesn’t mean that it’s always good in every respect, but at least it usually boldly goes where no series has gone before.
First of all, “Dickinson“ is about the life of a famous historical figure, but even though many people and events that really existed appear in the series, hugs parts of the plot are completely made up – and that intentionally!
The series deals with the life of the young and aspiring poet Emily Dickinson in the middle of the nineteenth century in Amherst, Massachusetts, her struggle to be taken seriously as a writer in a restrictive world, as well as her changeable relationship with other people, especially her family and her childhood friend, sister-in-law and love of her life, Sue.
The makers of “Dickinson“ delve into their project with relish, using a modern tone, unusual stylistic devices and a lot of very unorthodox approaches to their series – which is the perfect way to show its protagonist, a lively, visionary, maladjusted young woman in search of her path of life. Some ideas, for example Emily’s encounters with death incarnate or dance numbers of today, turn the show into an extraordinary experience.
“Dickinson“ is often funny, but it also tackles darker personal and sociopolitical subjects like sexism, racism, poverty and much more.
It’s only a pity that it sometimes appears a bit incoherent – developments take place too slowly or too erratically and sometimes personalities and relations between people change so fast and thouroughly that it’s not comprehensible anymore.
It especially annoyed me that the freethinker Emily, who used to be eternally and irrevocably in love with Sue in season 1, is drooling over the attention of her would-be publisher almost throughout the whole second season, while Sue all of a sudden turns into a fashionable society woman and isn’t really interested in Emily anymore.
But fortunately, the series gets its act together eventually in the third season. And it’s very interesting to watch how the young poet might have gotten her ideas for her poems, which actually provided the show with its episode titles.
So all in all, I can say that „Dickinson“ is very interesting, original and fun to watch.
4) And then there is “Gentleman Jack“ (2019-2022) – the successful British series about the life of “the first modern lesbian“ Anne Lister (1791-1840), who was not a novelist or poet, but wrote down almost every detail of her life (including her countless lesbian encounters) in several diaries (7720 pages and more than five millions of words) and can therefore justifiably be counted as a writer as well. A fresh, lively, funny show with a sometimes surprisingly disagreeable main character and subtle social criticism. Intriguing!
So much for today. :-)
Have a great day – and have a good time reading and watching films and series about literature!
As for me, I watched some films and series dealing with famous lesbian writers lately and would like to write some things about them on this festive occasion.
1) “Loving Highsmith“ – Documentary film (2022)
A very interesting film about the life of novelist Patricia Highsmith, with its main focus on her love life. The Swiss filmmaker Eva Vitija approaches her object of investigation with a lot of empathy and a lot of Highsmith’s relatives are given the opportunity for comment on her, as well as some of her former lovers.
In the course of the documentary, we get to know the writer in her role as a lover. We learn that Patricia Highsmith had many dates and sexual / love relationships with women, but based on her upbringing, she never really felt comfortable being a lesbian and so tried to suppress and hide her sexual orientation. As a result, even though she actually loved women, she didn’t really like them – and finally ended up being alone.
This ambivalence is clearly reflected in her books, where men are usually more interesting and complex than women, which are portrayed in a much more superficial and negative way.
For that reason, what was left after I had watched the film was a feeling of pity and the question what (more) could have become of Patricia Highsmith if she’d had a different background.
A well-investigated, well-made, empathetic film well worth seeing, about a complicated and controversial personality.
2) “Vita & Virginia“ – Biographical romantic drama film (2018)
The biopic “Vita & Virginia“, set in the 1920s, tells the story of the loving relationship between the English writers Vita Sackville-West and Virginia Woolf.
The movie shows the changeful relationship between the two enigmatic women from the beginning of their turbulent love affair until its end.
Although the film is a visual, aesthetical delight and it’s interesting to see the (love) life of these two famous women, I think it’s a little confusing to watch if you don’t know much about the two writers. Some aspects of the plot are not really explained, which might well and truly lead to confusion among the audience. Moreover, it does nothing more than scratch the surface of these two colorful personalities portrayed here – in my opinion, you never really see, let alone get, the attraction and relation between Vita and Virginia, who were in fact very different.
So for me, “Vita & Virginia“ was okay to watch (once, I guess), but everything but fascinating.
3) “Dickinson“ – Dramedy series (2019 – 2021)
Now, that is a show which can be called exceptional, and rightly so! That doesn’t mean that it’s always good in every respect, but at least it usually boldly goes where no series has gone before.
First of all, “Dickinson“ is about the life of a famous historical figure, but even though many people and events that really existed appear in the series, hugs parts of the plot are completely made up – and that intentionally!
The series deals with the life of the young and aspiring poet Emily Dickinson in the middle of the nineteenth century in Amherst, Massachusetts, her struggle to be taken seriously as a writer in a restrictive world, as well as her changeable relationship with other people, especially her family and her childhood friend, sister-in-law and love of her life, Sue.
The makers of “Dickinson“ delve into their project with relish, using a modern tone, unusual stylistic devices and a lot of very unorthodox approaches to their series – which is the perfect way to show its protagonist, a lively, visionary, maladjusted young woman in search of her path of life. Some ideas, for example Emily’s encounters with death incarnate or dance numbers of today, turn the show into an extraordinary experience.
“Dickinson“ is often funny, but it also tackles darker personal and sociopolitical subjects like sexism, racism, poverty and much more.
It’s only a pity that it sometimes appears a bit incoherent – developments take place too slowly or too erratically and sometimes personalities and relations between people change so fast and thouroughly that it’s not comprehensible anymore.
It especially annoyed me that the freethinker Emily, who used to be eternally and irrevocably in love with Sue in season 1, is drooling over the attention of her would-be publisher almost throughout the whole second season, while Sue all of a sudden turns into a fashionable society woman and isn’t really interested in Emily anymore.
But fortunately, the series gets its act together eventually in the third season. And it’s very interesting to watch how the young poet might have gotten her ideas for her poems, which actually provided the show with its episode titles.
So all in all, I can say that „Dickinson“ is very interesting, original and fun to watch.
4) And then there is “Gentleman Jack“ (2019-2022) – the successful British series about the life of “the first modern lesbian“ Anne Lister (1791-1840), who was not a novelist or poet, but wrote down almost every detail of her life (including her countless lesbian encounters) in several diaries (7720 pages and more than five millions of words) and can therefore justifiably be counted as a writer as well. A fresh, lively, funny show with a sometimes surprisingly disagreeable main character and subtle social criticism. Intriguing!
So much for today. :-)
Have a great day – and have a good time reading and watching films and series about literature!
February 14, 2023
Happy Valentine’s Day!
Einen schönen Valentinstag allerseits!
Wem es zu diesem Anlass nach romantischer Lektüre zumute ist, dem/der möchte ich meine lesbischen Liebesromane Fließen und Heimkehr zu ihr ans heiße Herz legen.
Eine Liebesgeschichte der mal zarten, mal harten Gangart ist mein Buch Die Nacht hinter mir - für diejenigen, die auch, aber definitiv nicht nur rosa Herzchen mögen ...
Ich wünsche euch einen liebevollen Tag und viel Spaß beim Lesen!
Wem es zu diesem Anlass nach romantischer Lektüre zumute ist, dem/der möchte ich meine lesbischen Liebesromane Fließen und Heimkehr zu ihr ans heiße Herz legen.
Eine Liebesgeschichte der mal zarten, mal harten Gangart ist mein Buch Die Nacht hinter mir - für diejenigen, die auch, aber definitiv nicht nur rosa Herzchen mögen ...
Ich wünsche euch einen liebevollen Tag und viel Spaß beim Lesen!
January 7, 2023
Meine Rezension zum Roman "Der Ringeltaubenmantel" von Maike Claußnitzer
Es ist immer etwas Besonderes, ein Werk einer Person zu lesen, deren Bekanntschaft mensch schon vor der Lektüre gemacht hat.
So ging es mir mit dem Fantasyroman von Maike Claußnitzer.
Die Lektüre der Geschichte war für mich ein besonderes Vergnügen, nachdem ich die Autorin (zumindest schriftlich) schon eine ganze Weile vorher kennengelernt habe.
Zu meiner großen Freude hat sie mir großzügigerweise ihr Buch ohne jede Bedingung sozusagen zu Weihnachten geschenkt.
Es ist mir wichtig, hier noch einmal zu betonen, dass ich meine Kritik zu ihrem Roman vollkommen freiwillig (und gern ... :-)) verfasst habe.
Meine Rezension ist hier zu finden (bitte aufs Buchcover klicken!):
Viel Spaß beim Lesen!
So ging es mir mit dem Fantasyroman von Maike Claußnitzer.
Die Lektüre der Geschichte war für mich ein besonderes Vergnügen, nachdem ich die Autorin (zumindest schriftlich) schon eine ganze Weile vorher kennengelernt habe.
Zu meiner großen Freude hat sie mir großzügigerweise ihr Buch ohne jede Bedingung sozusagen zu Weihnachten geschenkt.
Es ist mir wichtig, hier noch einmal zu betonen, dass ich meine Kritik zu ihrem Roman vollkommen freiwillig (und gern ... :-)) verfasst habe.
Meine Rezension ist hier zu finden (bitte aufs Buchcover klicken!):
Viel Spaß beim Lesen!
January 1, 2023
HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!
I wish everyone a peaceful, wonderful, colorful, healthy and Happy New Year with lots of fascinating, life-enhancing old and new books!
December 30, 2022
Radiolesung an Neujahr!
Wie ließe sich das neue Jahr besser anfangen als mit Literatur? ;-)
Beim Radiosender Radio 889 FM Kultur.de gibt es zum wiederholten Mal die Aktion "Literatur zwischen den Jahren" mit Lesungen unterschiedlicher Autor*innen aus ihren Werken. Dieses Neujahr bin auch ich dabei.
Wer mich aus meinem ersten Roman FLIESSEN
lesen hören möchte, schaltet am ersten Januar 2023 zwischen ca. 12.00 und 13.00 Uhr das Radio ein: 889fmkultur.de.
Allen ein wundervolles, gesundes und glückliches 2023 mit vielen literarischen Neu- und Wiederentdeckungen!
Beim Radiosender Radio 889 FM Kultur.de gibt es zum wiederholten Mal die Aktion "Literatur zwischen den Jahren" mit Lesungen unterschiedlicher Autor*innen aus ihren Werken. Dieses Neujahr bin auch ich dabei.
Wer mich aus meinem ersten Roman FLIESSEN
lesen hören möchte, schaltet am ersten Januar 2023 zwischen ca. 12.00 und 13.00 Uhr das Radio ein: 889fmkultur.de.Allen ein wundervolles, gesundes und glückliches 2023 mit vielen literarischen Neu- und Wiederentdeckungen!
December 18, 2022
HAPPY HOLIDAYS!
Hello everybody,
Holiday season is the time for nice surprises and giving presents.
That's why it's the perfect time to announce that ... drumroll ... my novel Heimkehr zu ihr is going to be released also in English next year!
Stay tuned ... :-)
For now, Merry Christmas & Happy Hanukkah
with lots of books and leisure time for reading!
Peace & Love,
Jutta
Holiday season is the time for nice surprises and giving presents.
That's why it's the perfect time to announce that ... drumroll ... my novel Heimkehr zu ihr is going to be released also in English next year!
Stay tuned ... :-)
For now, Merry Christmas & Happy Hanukkah
with lots of books and leisure time for reading!
Peace & Love,
Jutta
November 27, 2022
Lektüre im Advent
Ihr Lieben,
ich wünsche euch einen schönen ersten Advent!
Jetzt fängt die besinnliche (?) Vorweihnachtszeit an, in der allen hoffentlich genügend Zeit und Muße bleibt, um sich eine spannende Lektüre zu schnappen und in einem warmen Eckchen gemütlich darin zu lesen.
Besonders gut dafür geeignet wären beispielsweise meine beiden romantischen Liebesromane:
Viel Spaß beim Schmökern und eine schöne Adventszeit!
ich wünsche euch einen schönen ersten Advent!
Jetzt fängt die besinnliche (?) Vorweihnachtszeit an, in der allen hoffentlich genügend Zeit und Muße bleibt, um sich eine spannende Lektüre zu schnappen und in einem warmen Eckchen gemütlich darin zu lesen.
Besonders gut dafür geeignet wären beispielsweise meine beiden romantischen Liebesromane:
Viel Spaß beim Schmökern und eine schöne Adventszeit!
November 24, 2022
Vorstellung auf Sheenas creativ Bookworld
Wer noch mehr über mich und meine Bücher- und Schreibwelt erfahren möchte, kann seit heute gerne einen (oder auch mehr als einen) Blick in Sheenas creativ Bookworld werfen, wo mir die nette Bloggerin Sheena einen Platz auf ihrem virtuellen Sofa freigeräumt hat :-):
https://sheenascreativworld.blogspot....
Vielleicht findet ihr ja das eine oder andere Buch, das euch persönlich interessiert!? ;-)
Viel Spaß jedenfalls beim Stöbern auf der interessanten Bücherblogseite - und viel Vergnügen beim Schmökern in den vorgestellten Werken!
https://sheenascreativworld.blogspot....
Vielleicht findet ihr ja das eine oder andere Buch, das euch persönlich interessiert!? ;-)
Viel Spaß jedenfalls beim Stöbern auf der interessanten Bücherblogseite - und viel Vergnügen beim Schmökern in den vorgestellten Werken!
October 24, 2022
Happy Halloween!
Liebe Leseratten und Bücherwürmer,
es ist Halloweensaison! Das heißt nicht nur Süßes oder Saures, Kürbisfratzen und Horrorfilme, sondern es ist auch die perfekte Zeit, um sich beim Lesen angenehm zu gruseln. Schauerromane und Horrorliteratur sind angesagt!
Wer Blut geleckt und Lust hat, mal abseits der Klassiker wie "Dracula", "Frankenstein" oder auch "Es" von Stephen King zu schmökern, denen möchte ich meine Kurzgeschichte "Stunden der Dunkelheit" sowie meinen Roman "Die Nacht hinter mir" wärmstens ans kalte Herz legen. Vampirische Bissspuren könnten enthalten sein ...
Trick or Treat?!?
Happy Halloween und schaurige Schmökergrüße!
Die Nacht hinter mir
P.S.: Meine Bücher gibt's hier:
https://www.amazon.de/Jutta-Swietlins...
es ist Halloweensaison! Das heißt nicht nur Süßes oder Saures, Kürbisfratzen und Horrorfilme, sondern es ist auch die perfekte Zeit, um sich beim Lesen angenehm zu gruseln. Schauerromane und Horrorliteratur sind angesagt!
Wer Blut geleckt und Lust hat, mal abseits der Klassiker wie "Dracula", "Frankenstein" oder auch "Es" von Stephen King zu schmökern, denen möchte ich meine Kurzgeschichte "Stunden der Dunkelheit" sowie meinen Roman "Die Nacht hinter mir" wärmstens ans kalte Herz legen. Vampirische Bissspuren könnten enthalten sein ...
Trick or Treat?!?
Happy Halloween und schaurige Schmökergrüße!
Die Nacht hinter mir
P.S.: Meine Bücher gibt's hier:
https://www.amazon.de/Jutta-Swietlins...
September 3, 2022
"Heimkehr zu ihr" im Kindle Deal des Monats!
Es gibt Neuigkeiten:
Mein Roman "Heimkehr zu ihr" ist nicht nur in der Kategorie "LGBT" bei Amazon Audible ziemlich erfolgreich, sondern nun auch als E-Book im Kindle Deal des Monats für die Hälfte des normalen Preises erhältlich: 3,99 Euro statt für 7,99 Euro!
Ihr habt noch den ganzen Monat September Zeit, um mein Buch vergünstigt zu kaufen ... :-) Jetzt zugreifen: Heimkehr zu ihr
https://www.amazon.de/Heimkehr-zu-ihr...
Mein Roman "Heimkehr zu ihr" ist nicht nur in der Kategorie "LGBT" bei Amazon Audible ziemlich erfolgreich, sondern nun auch als E-Book im Kindle Deal des Monats für die Hälfte des normalen Preises erhältlich: 3,99 Euro statt für 7,99 Euro!
Ihr habt noch den ganzen Monat September Zeit, um mein Buch vergünstigt zu kaufen ... :-) Jetzt zugreifen: Heimkehr zu ihr
https://www.amazon.de/Heimkehr-zu-ihr...
