Black Coffee discussion
This topic is about
Roots
Archive BBR
>
ROOTS - read it? watch it? Let's talk about it!
date
newest »
newest »
I've read all of Alex Haley's books and saw all of his films. He was a prolific historical fiction author. I did a lot of research on him. Roots delves into a very painful chapter in African-American history.
People read books of this size all the time. Stephen King's The Stand, is a very long book as well. I read it, too, as a teenager. The length is inconsequential. I think the books are better than the miniseries.
Mod
Mod
Hey LULU, KISHA and STEPHANIE- so great that's 4 of us so far interested. Is anyone interested in READING the book again? (I have not yet) - we would have to do it per chapter or something- i know it would take a little time. OR is anyone interested in watching the MINI SERIES and having a discussion? Looking forward to hopefully getting a read or view and upmost a DISCUSSION going on this.
(In fact- In the banned and controversial book group that KISHA AND I run, I think one of our controvery discussions will be on ROOTS....there is SO MUCH controversy surrounding it.)
(ie: it bing 'fiction' and not 'non fiction' the plagerism, the lineage etc etc...sooo soo much
There is a lot of controversy over the plagiarism issue, but it was resolved legally. He admitted to using The African Queen as a source for parts involving Kunta. The only people that have accurate depictions are Chicken George and his descendants.
I'd like to discuss the mini-series.
I have the movie on DVD and I have the book. Have not read the book in many years, but would be willing to join a discussion on either.
Mod
Hey Londa! great 5 of us. I'm happy to do the mini series discussion and even start the book too...Whatever you ladies would like to do..I'm so glad to have some girls for a discussion!
Stephanie wrote: "I've read all of Alex Haley's books and saw all of his films. He was a prolific historical fiction author. I did a lot of research on him. Roots delves into a very painful chapter in African-Americ..."Stephanie: does that mean Mr Haley has since passed on?
I'm about to start researching him...he did Malcolm X (shamefully i know nothing of malcolm x) and he has done other work too...I will like to research him and get to know this dedicated author more so
Yes, unfortunately, he's with the ancestors. I've been an historian and genealogist for over 20 yearsand used Queen as a reference point. Both of my parents had ancestors who lived around Henning, TN. And my great great grandma's father was a White slave owner. I found a printed interview of her oldest son. He goes into detail about the fact that his White grandpa always claimed her and she was his favorite child.
Stephanie wrote: "Yes, unfortunately, he's with the ancestors. I just finished the whole mini series.(wonderful) and will be ordering the book as well as downloading 'The next generation' to see what it's about. I just checked out
and have added to my list.That's amazing stephanie about being a historian! That interview you found of your family lineage sounds AMAZING btw!
It seems like STEPHANIE/LONDA/LULU and myself are all happy to discuss the mini SERIES...What about You KISHA on this thread? Who would like to soon start the book with me?
MINI SERIES DISCUSSION
PART ONE FIRST
Mod
I agree, Kisha. That's the main reason for me, too. Maybe we could start a board for discussing other films and miniseries in the historical fiction genre.
kisha wrote: "Of couse I'm done for the mini series. The book is so long I don't think I can commit to it so soon with the other books I'm reading."Sounds good to me!!!! :) (when you want to read let me know I'll read along with you :)
PART ONE: 1750 – 1767(Synopsis taken from wiki) Colonial times[edit]
In The Gambia, West Africa, in 1750 Kunta Kinte is born to Omoro Kinte (Thalmus Rasulala), a Mandinka warrior, and his wife, Binta (Cicely Tyson). When Kunta (LeVar Burton) reaches the age of 15, he and a group of other adolescent boys take part in tribal manhood training, ending with a ceremony, after which they become recognized as men and Mandinka warriors. While trying to carry out a task to catch a bird and take it home unharmed, Kunta sees white men carrying firearms, along with their black collaborators. Later, while fetching wood outside his village to make a drum for his younger brother, Kunta is captured by black collaborators under the direction of white men. He is then sold to a slave trader and placed aboard a ship under the command of Capt. Thomas Davies (Edward Asner) for a three-month journey to Colonial America.
What did everyone think? You know who I really liked in part one (and 2) was the wrestler man who was teaching young Kunta in his man hood journey. That guy was boss! Such an amazing man with a warrior spirit. I really admired the Captain aswell for sticking true to his morals- even though he were to be the only white man who did not agree with the idea or slavery and the mistreatment of human kind.
I really enjoyed watching the young Kunta and his kin in their village. I thought it depicted the ideals of normal african village life well for the time period. It's so interesting to see how diffrent tribal life is from our own. I really enojyed it.
What did you think of the actor who played Young Kunta Kinte?
Levar Burton is a great actor. I think he did an amazing job. The depiction of village life wasn't realistic. We came from a matriarchal society and most of the costumes were wrong. It reminded me of the stereotypes that WB showed in their cartoons. I loved Maya Angelou and Cicely Tyson's performances.
Stephanie wrote: "Levar Burton is a great actor. I think he did an amazing job. The depiction of village life wasn't realistic. We came from a matriarchal society and most of the costumes were wrong. It reminded me ..."I didn't even realize Maya Angelou was in it til the end!To be honest she was good but nothing that stood out to me personally. Yes Levar Burton I think was wonderful(especially in prt2 i thought) I'd love to know more about your thoughts regarding the controversy surrounding the inacuracy of the script/set - i will be setting up roots controversy in Kisha and I's banned/controversial book/film group of you ladies would like to join when you are ready.
Hello All!! I love Roots! I have the book and mini-series. I've watched the mini-series a couple of times. Once when I was younger and most recently maybe two years ago; however, I have not read the book. But I've been wanting to... Like some of you, I can't read it now because of what I have already committed to reading this month and February but I would love to join in on a buddy read of it sometime soon.
Kanita wrote: "Hello All!! I love Roots! I have the book and mini-series. I've watched the mini-series a couple of times. Once when I was younger and most recently maybe two years ago; however, I have not read t..."
HARAY THAT WOULD BE AWESOME!!! when you are up for it i'm in too! (I will get a copy)
Great ,Kerry!!!! Looking forward to it! :) Well, I forgot to add that I'd love to discuss the mini-series as well. I'll likely need to refresh myself on some details of the movie but I will do my best to catch-up and keep up!
GREAT - do we all go have a watch? how shall it go for everyone?
I can get a copy from the library.
Mod
LULU AND STEPHANIE. I am ordering this book tomorrow.shall we start the read in MARCH?
Mod
awesome LULU.... WHO ELSE IS IN?In March we should start a brand new 'reading thread ' correct?
Kanita, Londa, Stephanie, Lullu?
Mod
Mod
Sorry, not gonna make a March read, but I will join in a Movie Watch whenever you all do that.
Oh wow! I REALLY want to read this but I'm not sure if I can commit to March just yet. It may take me a bit more than 4 weeks to complete this one so count me in as a maybe if we're considering March. I may just join you all by reading as I can and joining in the conversation when I can. I can definitely join a watch group though.
awesome. my copy is on its way. March would be great, should we wait then til april so we can include everyone
Mod
Mod
Roots the movie series airs this Monday 17th on Centric.
Got my book copy and excited to read for april..awesome Lee!! Its amazing.
Black Coffee
Books mentioned in this topic
The African (other topics)Roots: The Saga of an American Family (other topics)
The book is almost 800 pages long! Has ANYONE actually READ the book? AND who has SEEN the MINI SERIES?
(I'm talking about the original series ROOTS and not 'The next generation mini series which I only just found out there was!)
I'm at the last hour of the mini series and would LOVE to GET SOME OF US TOGETHER TO DISCUSS IT...
either the show OR book....and maybe even put up a buddy READ of the book or Buddy VIEW of the series (550mins long)
Anyone up for it?
or have watched/read it?
:)