Jun 1st Ben Hur bk 4 chap 5 to bk 5 end of chap 14

[[deleted user]]

Comment as soon as you like but please hide any spoilers.

[[deleted user]]

About half way through the second instalment - not sure if I'm going to get much further with it - it's ok, but I'm finding it a bit dull.

[[deleted user]]

I'm afraid I've abandoned this - is anyone still ploughing through?

[Laurel]

I never started - couldn't get a copy from the library and was waiting for the verdict from you guys before spending my hard-earned cash - so I don't think I'll bother now and will just skip straight to Buddenbrooks which looks better ;)

[[deleted user]]

Yes - Ben Hur is just a bit stodgy.

[Cleo]

That's too bad. I've read the whole book and it's one of my favourites. I love how we get a view into Jewish life at that time and also the flavour of Roman occupation. The portrayal of the magi was very interesting too, and who can forgot that exciting chariot race between Messala and Ben-Hur? Did you know that this is the book that gets Anne of Green Gables in trouble in school? She was reading it to find out the outcome of the chariot race when she should have been studying her history. :-)

So, as you see, my experience with it was very different.

This book surpassed Uncle Tom's Cabin as a best-seller. Gone With the Wind surpassed it in sales until the Ben-Hur movie came out and then it surpassed Gone With the Wind again. So there must have been something people loved about it for it to be able to compete with those two classics. Hopefully if you get the chance to try it again you might have a different experience …?

[Laurel]

Thanks for a different take on it Cleo - I'm glad at least someone enjoyed it! I still don't think I will spend any money on it as I didn't particularly enjoy the film but if the library ever gets it in I will give it a go ;)

[Cleo]

Laurel wrote: "Thanks for a different take on it Cleo - I'm glad at least someone enjoyed it! I still don't think I will spend any money on it as I didn't particularly enjoy the film but if the library ever gets …"

I haven't ever seen the film but perhaps I should. I just tried to watch the film version of Frankenstein but it was soooo different from the book I ended up turning it off. I have a hard time watching a film after reading a book because often the filmmakers completely miss the purpose of the book. However I am still planning to watch The Big Sleep and am looking forward to it!

[Laurel]

The Big Sleep is a very good adaptation of that book so if you enjoyed Chandler's novel you will probably like it.

[[deleted user]]

Which Frankenstein adaptation did you watch Cleo? I love the Boris Karloff film - though it does differ from the book.

[Cleo]

Lee wrote: "Which Frankenstein adaptation did you watch Cleo? I love the Boris Karloff film - though it does differ from the book."

I did watch the Boris Karloff version. Sorry! I don't mind when movies take creative liberties but when they completely miss the whole point the author was trying to make, I have a hard time watching. I wish they would make the movie and call it something completely different!