Stephen’s review of The Rainmaker > Likes and Comments
100 likes · Like
Richard wrote: "Wow, that's a rare statement to hear from a bookaholic. Really liked the review, of course, though I won't be reading the book since I've seen the movie."
I know. It doesn't happen all that often, but there have been a handful. I thought the movie version of Fight Club was better than the book and also preferred the movie versions of the LOTR trilogy to the novels. I'm sure there are a few more that are not springing to mind.
Stephen wrote: "I'm sure there are a few more that are not springing to mind."
For me, as heretical as it is to say it, The Maltese Falcon and The Thin Man were better movies than books. At the risk of driving you away from friendship forever, I also think the movie of To Kill a Mockingbird packed more wallop and had more going for it than the book did.
I must have some major character flaw.
I don't see any character flaws there. I haven't seen or read The Thin Man (that is a flaw on my part) but can't quibble with prefering the movie version of MF. It's Bogie after all. I preferred the novel but not by so wide a margin as you might think. I also preferred the book to the movie version of To Kill a Mockingbird but Gregory Peck was so, so good that, again, the margin is not that great. Those are truly exceptional adaptations.
There are a number of "on the fence" books that I think both the source book and the movie are within a narrow margin. The Grifters and The Silence of the Lambs to name two.
Stephen wrote: "I don't see any character flaws there. I haven't seen or read The Thin Man (that is a flaw on my part) but can't quibble with prefering the movie version of MF. It's Bogie after all. I..."
I'd add another fencer, then: The Dead, the story's good and the movie's extraordinarily good. Oh, and Babette's Feast...the movie was so so beautiful, and the story a lot more gritty, like badly washed spinach.
CERTAINLY agree on The Grifters! I can't read Silence because Thomas Harris scared me out of ten years' growth when I read Red Dragon. Can't even pick his books up now.
I haven't yet read Schindler's List but I would be shocked if the movie didn't represent it incredibly well. As far as our good buddy Sai King, I would say that Stand by Me The Body , The Shawshank Redemption and The Green Mile were equally pleasing both in print and the screen.
Howards End the movie is better...the "LOTR" movies were a travesty - sometime someone should try adapting the books...
I haven't read Howard's End yet, but I loved the movie. Disagree on the LOTR though. I think I give the edge to the book in the first one because I love Tom Bombadil and was sorry not to see him in it, but I thought movies 2 and 3 were better than the books (especially the director's cuts).
Haha - I was winding you up! I am EBIL!
Robert wrote: "Haha - I was wnding you up! I am EBIL!"
You got me full on with that one, Robert. I should have guessed but I didn't. EBIL you are.
Lea wrote: "I won't be reading this book, but I might look up the movie -- I love the picture of Mickey Rourke, and I'd like to see him in this role!"
I think you'll like it, Lea. Good cast (Matt Damon, Mickey Rourke, Danny DeVito, Claire Danes, Jon Voight and John Glover) and directed by Francis Ford Coppola.
Oh yeah - I agree about Fight Club movie better than book - but I saw the movie first so I don't really know if the MPD was telegraphed in the book.
Stephen wrote: "Lea wrote: "I won't be reading this book, but I might look up the movie -- I love the picture of Mickey Rourke, and I'd like to see him in this role!"
I think you'll like it, Lea. Good cast (Mat..."
Wow Likewise I don't know why I haven't seen this movie yet. Definitely will look it up.
The Godfather movie is way better than the book. (Both parts one and two, but especially part one).
Jaws is way better than the book, not even close.
The Shining is also better than the book, but I can understand how people might disagree.
A Clockwork Orange is a close call. Both are equally amazing.
I haven't read The Godfather but I have to believe the movie wins that one hands down. One of the best series ever (I'm one of the few who even liked Part III, though Parts I and II were basically perfect).
Same for Jaws...haven't read the book but agree with you in the dark on that one.
Shining, I liked both but do think I give the nod to the movie. Jack Nicholson is just too good in that one.
Clockwork Orange was one of the best adaptations I've ever seen. I don't know that I would rate it better than the novel, but man did Kubrick do a great job capturing the tone of the book. Great film making.
I stopped reading Grisham when he opened his mouth and proclaimed his politics. I want authors to write and entertain me, not pontificate at me, especially when I dislike the celebrity's politics and made to feel like an idiot because I don't agree with said celebrity.
LOL, Stephen I just started a re-read of
!
I hear you, Anne. I assiduously avoid the politics of every author I read because I agree with so few of them. I love reading too much to allow "off the page" issues to dampen my reading variety.
Stephen wrote: "I hear you, Anne. I assiduously avoid the politics of every author I read because I agree with so few of them. I love reading too much to allow "off the page" issues to dampen my reading variety."
I hear you my friend, BUT Grisham did it TO MY FACE at a book signing 2 years ago...Not Cool!
No way...what an ass. That is very not cool. Now THAT would get me to permanently avoid said writer.
Stephen wrote: "No way...what an ass. That is very not cool. Now THAT would get me to permanently avoid said writer."
God's honest truth! Grisham will never get 1 second of my time nor 1 more cent from me. He's an ass in person, Stephen.
Vince Flynn and Brad Thor are SUPER NICE! I met both men :)
This book is one of Grisham's early works and definitely one of his best. I somehow find his books written pre-2000 to be drastically different that the later ones, the former being so much better - A Time to Kill, Pelican Brief, Chamber, Rainmaker, Runaway Jury and so on. And Grisham must have probably seen one of the highest book to movie conversion rates too! Enjoyed the movie... loved the book. Good review (should have given a 4, mate! :P).
Abhishek wrote: "Good review (should have given a 4, mate! :P)..."
Thanks, Abhishek. It was very close to 4 stars for me but I ended up being stingy and calling it 3.5.
Nice one Stephen! What is your second favorite Grisham then?
Stephen wrote: "I think it would be A Time to Kill but I've only read three of them (the other being The Firm)."
You gotta get hold of Runaway Jury. It's my favourite of the lot! So fast that it blows the mind away... Nice movie too with the likes of John Cusack, Rachel Weisz, Dustin Hoffman & Gene Hackman (wow!)
Definitely my favotire so far, Tilly.
Abhishek wrote: "You gotta get hold of Runaway Jury. It's my favourite of the lot! So fast that it blows the mind away... Nice movie too with the likes of John Cusack, Rachel Weisz, Dustin Hoffman & Gene Hackman (wow!)."
I saw the movie and really enjoyed it. Glad to hear the book is excellent as well.
This is the 2nd review I've read by you, Stephen. I also gave Rainmaker 3 stars, but mine are a solid 3. I'd say primarily entertainment value stars, and readability. I was much less generous in my review, and found certain story-line tactics in the book unpalatable. (Feel free to see my review, but beware I don't have the superb writing style you do!).
Just here to say that I haven’t heard anyone say “vis a vis” since around the time this book was written. Thank you for the flashback!
back to top
date
newest »
newest »
Richard wrote: "Wow, that's a rare statement to hear from a bookaholic. Really liked the review, of course, though I won't be reading the book since I've seen the movie."I know. It doesn't happen all that often, but there have been a handful. I thought the movie version of Fight Club was better than the book and also preferred the movie versions of the LOTR trilogy to the novels. I'm sure there are a few more that are not springing to mind.
Stephen wrote: "I'm sure there are a few more that are not springing to mind."For me, as heretical as it is to say it, The Maltese Falcon and The Thin Man were better movies than books. At the risk of driving you away from friendship forever, I also think the movie of To Kill a Mockingbird packed more wallop and had more going for it than the book did.
I must have some major character flaw.
I don't see any character flaws there. I haven't seen or read The Thin Man (that is a flaw on my part) but can't quibble with prefering the movie version of MF. It's Bogie after all. I preferred the novel but not by so wide a margin as you might think. I also preferred the book to the movie version of To Kill a Mockingbird but Gregory Peck was so, so good that, again, the margin is not that great. Those are truly exceptional adaptations.There are a number of "on the fence" books that I think both the source book and the movie are within a narrow margin. The Grifters and The Silence of the Lambs to name two.
Stephen wrote: "I don't see any character flaws there. I haven't seen or read The Thin Man (that is a flaw on my part) but can't quibble with prefering the movie version of MF. It's Bogie after all. I..."I'd add another fencer, then: The Dead, the story's good and the movie's extraordinarily good. Oh, and Babette's Feast...the movie was so so beautiful, and the story a lot more gritty, like badly washed spinach.
CERTAINLY agree on The Grifters! I can't read Silence because Thomas Harris scared me out of ten years' growth when I read Red Dragon. Can't even pick his books up now.
I haven't yet read Schindler's List but I would be shocked if the movie didn't represent it incredibly well. As far as our good buddy Sai King, I would say that Stand by Me The Body , The Shawshank Redemption and The Green Mile were equally pleasing both in print and the screen.
Howards End the movie is better...the "LOTR" movies were a travesty - sometime someone should try adapting the books...
I haven't read Howard's End yet, but I loved the movie. Disagree on the LOTR though. I think I give the edge to the book in the first one because I love Tom Bombadil and was sorry not to see him in it, but I thought movies 2 and 3 were better than the books (especially the director's cuts).
Haha - I was winding you up! I am EBIL!
Stephen wrote: "I haven't yet read Schindler's List but I would be shocked if the movie didn't represent it incredibly well. As far as our good buddy Sai King, I would say that [book:Stand by Me The..."
Spot on with King (and Fight Club, as well)!
I won't be reading this book, but I might look up the movie -- I love the picture of Mickey Rourke, and I'd like to see him in this role!
Spot on with King (and Fight Club, as well)!
I won't be reading this book, but I might look up the movie -- I love the picture of Mickey Rourke, and I'd like to see him in this role!
Robert wrote: "Haha - I was wnding you up! I am EBIL!"You got me full on with that one, Robert. I should have guessed but I didn't. EBIL you are.
Lea wrote: "I won't be reading this book, but I might look up the movie -- I love the picture of Mickey Rourke, and I'd like to see him in this role!"I think you'll like it, Lea. Good cast (Matt Damon, Mickey Rourke, Danny DeVito, Claire Danes, Jon Voight and John Glover) and directed by Francis Ford Coppola.
Oh yeah - I agree about Fight Club movie better than book - but I saw the movie first so I don't really know if the MPD was telegraphed in the book.
Stephen wrote: "Lea wrote: "I won't be reading this book, but I might look up the movie -- I love the picture of Mickey Rourke, and I'd like to see him in this role!"I think you'll like it, Lea. Good cast (Mat..."
Wow Likewise I don't know why I haven't seen this movie yet. Definitely will look it up.
The Godfather movie is way better than the book. (Both parts one and two, but especially part one). Jaws is way better than the book, not even close.
The Shining is also better than the book, but I can understand how people might disagree.
A Clockwork Orange is a close call. Both are equally amazing.
I haven't read The Godfather but I have to believe the movie wins that one hands down. One of the best series ever (I'm one of the few who even liked Part III, though Parts I and II were basically perfect). Same for Jaws...haven't read the book but agree with you in the dark on that one.
Shining, I liked both but do think I give the nod to the movie. Jack Nicholson is just too good in that one.
Clockwork Orange was one of the best adaptations I've ever seen. I don't know that I would rate it better than the novel, but man did Kubrick do a great job capturing the tone of the book. Great film making.
I stopped reading Grisham when he opened his mouth and proclaimed his politics. I want authors to write and entertain me, not pontificate at me, especially when I dislike the celebrity's politics and made to feel like an idiot because I don't agree with said celebrity.LOL, Stephen I just started a re-read of
!
I hear you, Anne. I assiduously avoid the politics of every author I read because I agree with so few of them. I love reading too much to allow "off the page" issues to dampen my reading variety.
Stephen wrote: "I hear you, Anne. I assiduously avoid the politics of every author I read because I agree with so few of them. I love reading too much to allow "off the page" issues to dampen my reading variety."I hear you my friend, BUT Grisham did it TO MY FACE at a book signing 2 years ago...Not Cool!
No way...what an ass. That is very not cool. Now THAT would get me to permanently avoid said writer.
Stephen wrote: "No way...what an ass. That is very not cool. Now THAT would get me to permanently avoid said writer."God's honest truth! Grisham will never get 1 second of my time nor 1 more cent from me. He's an ass in person, Stephen.
Vince Flynn and Brad Thor are SUPER NICE! I met both men :)
This book is one of Grisham's early works and definitely one of his best. I somehow find his books written pre-2000 to be drastically different that the later ones, the former being so much better - A Time to Kill, Pelican Brief, Chamber, Rainmaker, Runaway Jury and so on. And Grisham must have probably seen one of the highest book to movie conversion rates too! Enjoyed the movie... loved the book. Good review (should have given a 4, mate! :P).
Abhishek wrote: "Good review (should have given a 4, mate! :P)..."Thanks, Abhishek. It was very close to 4 stars for me but I ended up being stingy and calling it 3.5.
Nice one Stephen! What is your second favorite Grisham then?
Stephen wrote: "I think it would be A Time to Kill but I've only read three of them (the other being The Firm)."You gotta get hold of Runaway Jury. It's my favourite of the lot! So fast that it blows the mind away... Nice movie too with the likes of John Cusack, Rachel Weisz, Dustin Hoffman & Gene Hackman (wow!)
Definitely my favotire so far, Tilly.
Abhishek wrote: "You gotta get hold of Runaway Jury. It's my favourite of the lot! So fast that it blows the mind away... Nice movie too with the likes of John Cusack, Rachel Weisz, Dustin Hoffman & Gene Hackman (wow!)."I saw the movie and really enjoyed it. Glad to hear the book is excellent as well.
This is the 2nd review I've read by you, Stephen. I also gave Rainmaker 3 stars, but mine are a solid 3. I'd say primarily entertainment value stars, and readability. I was much less generous in my review, and found certain story-line tactics in the book unpalatable. (Feel free to see my review, but beware I don't have the superb writing style you do!).
Just here to say that I haven’t heard anyone say “vis a vis” since around the time this book was written. Thank you for the flashback!
Wow, that's a rare statement to hear from a bookaholic. Really liked the review, of course, though I won't be reading the book since I've seen the movie.