THE JAMES MASON COMMUNITY BOOK CLUB discussion
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WHAT ARE YOU READING AND WHY!!
Walker did play a man on the edge in that movie, as I recall. As far as Jennifer Jones abandoning him. I saw a documentary on her, and it didn't play like that. I guess people have differing viewpoints on this.
Mod
from wiki
"Jones's first marriage produced two sons, Robert Walker, Jr. (born April 15, 1940; Jones's only child who would not predecease her), and Michael Walker (March 13, 1941 – December 27, 2007). Both later became actors. Jones had an affair with film producer David O. Selznick, which eventually led to her separation from Walker in November 1943 and divorce in June 1945."
Robert Walker
http://image2.findagrave.com/photos25...
David O Selznick
http://imagecache5.art.com/p/LRG/37/3...
NOW- UM...Jones and Walker were married when both unknowns- had kids, struggled to make a living..and once she had an affair with Selznick- suddenly she was in all his films- often miscast (Remake of A Farewell to Arms)- as he tailored each film for her.
Look at the two pics- and you ask....would a beautiful young actress have an affair with Selznick if he was an asst. plumber and not a Studio Chief?
I'm currently reading "The Host" by Stephenie Meyers. I read the Twilight books, with the exception of "The Short Second Life of Bree Tanner" and I like them very much. I will most likely read the Bree Tanner story at some point. I like Stephenie Meyer's style of writing. I personally find her style of writing easier to read than some authors, although I've seen mixed reviews on that with other readers. So I will pretty much read anything from Stephenie Meyers.
Gerald, I've read The Short Second Life of Bree Tanner and quite enjoyed it. If you were curious about Bree's character in the Twilight series, this book will interest you. I'm still reading War and Peace. I can see the light at the end of the tunnel! I'm in Vol. 4 now and am still enjoying the story a lot.
I've also started White Coat, Black Hat: Adventures on the Dark Side of Medicine. It starts out being really interesting.
I just finished
, it was okay. I'll read more of the series, but not for awhile.
Rick wrote: "Jill wrote: "Rick wrote: "Timothy wrote: "Hi Rick,I notice you have two of Sue Rule's books on your to read list, they are definitely not my genre, but Sue is a better writer than I am, b..."
Rick....I have not seen the UK version of Strangers On A Train.....will have to look for it. I agree with you on Walker....it was his role of a lifetime that could have taken him on to other villain/psychopath parts but for his early death. The book by Patricia Highsmith had an additional twist which was not present in the film and the screenwriter had to modify the Guy Haines character in order to make him a "good guy"; nevertheless, I liked the film, especially Walker's performance.
Jill wrote: "Rick wrote: "Jill wrote: "Rick wrote: "Timothy wrote: "Hi Rick,I notice you have two of Sue Rule's books on your to read list, they are definitely not my genre, but Sue is a better writer ..."
Is the UK version different from the preview version? The two-disc dvd of it has the release version and the preview version.
I thought it had the UK version but I think I was mixing it up with The Big Sleep dvd I have which has the American release and the Canadian release where there are some differences.
I just finished The Affair of the Poisons: Murder, Infanticide, and Satanism at the Court of Louis XIV a non-fiction book that was fascinating in some parts. The chapters about Louis XIV were really interesting and have led me to look into more books about his reign. Some of the chapters about the investigation into "the affair of the poisons" were a little dry however. This book was very well researched but it just felt like the author crammed everything that she found into the book, and it made some portions "skimmable."Still reading The Name of the Rose and The Portrait of a Lady, both are more readable than I thought they would be
Mod
I notice you have two of Sue Rule's books on your to read list, they are definitely not my genre, but Sue is a ..."
Jill wrote: "Rick wrote: "Jill wrote: "Rick wrote: "Timothy wrote: "Hi Rick,
I notice you have two of Sue Rule's books on your to read list, they are definitely not my genre, but Sue is a better writer ..."
The UK was not so hung up about the gay angle of the film and hence the version was more true to Hitchcock's intent- Walker even told friends he was playing a gay character, and Granger (Openly gay in real life) was of the same belief
I'm half way thru The Secret of Lost Things and really like it so far. I'm also 1/4 of the way into Tehanu
Just began reading Monica Ali's Brick Lane, which I've been wanting to read for some time. This story of two Bangladeshi sisters and their varying fates on the marriage market - the one accepting an arranged marriage, the other pursuing a love marriage - is fascinating and reminiscent of Jane Austen, an edgier version. Split between an ethnic ghetto in London and an ever vanishing sense of "homeland," the heroine's plight reminds me of my great grandmother's, according to stories my grandmother told me (she also had an arranged marriage after being sent to Oregon from Japan and her life has caught hold in my imagination....)Ex Lit Prof
www.the-reading-list.com
I have been eyeing off 'Brick Lane' for a while, it looks really interesting.But I have nearly finished the first novel in the The Gormenghast Trilogy, 'Titus Groan'. Oh My God, I have never read anything like it in my life. I have never read a novel that is so organic. All the characters are fully formed from the beginning so very little development is needed. This surreal novel may even be bordering on genius.
Started Water for Elephants last night and so far I'm hooked!
Mod
But I have nearly finished the first novel in the The Gormenghast Trilogy, 'Titus Groan'. Oh My God, I ..."
I have been considering reading that, Lindz- but is it a coherant plot?
Jane wrote: "Started Water for Elephants last night and so far I'm hooked!"I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.
Lindz wrote: "I have been eyeing off 'Brick Lane' for a while, it looks really interesting.But I have nearly finished the first novel in the The Gormenghast Trilogy, 'Titus Groan'. Oh My God, I ..."
Titus Groan is one of my absolute, all-time favorite books. It's tedious in it's detail, describing to the fullest extent every little thing that is done in this heavily ritualistic society, and it's glorious because of it. It took me forty evers to read through that book (but then I've always been a pretty slow reader), but I chewed up every word of it. For all it's wordiness, I don't know what I would cut out of it.
Rick wrote: "Lindz wrote: "I have been eyeing off 'Brick Lane' for a while, it looks really interesting.But I have nearly finished the first novel in the The Gormenghast Trilogy, 'Titus Groan'..."
That is a very good question rick, is the plot coherent? Yes, as in the sense you do follow different character's strands and if you follow the likes of Steerpike, Fushia and Flay. But the novel is like a doll house you can see every room and what everyone is doing, and in that sense not so coherent.
I agree with Micah it is tedious in detail, but I am loving every word. The long winded rituals seem at this stage keep the novel together. And I could not pick any comma or full stop to take out of this novel.
The only author I can think to compare him to is Tolstoy, only because of the maze you find yourself in and the kaleidoscope of characters.
Finished Water for Elephants last night. On the one hand I'm glad it's done. The animal brutality was getting a bit much for me. But on the other hand it was such a great story.Starting The Weird Sisters today by Eleanor Brown next. And still slogging through Shipping News. I really like the story but the writing - all short choppy sentences - is giving me a headache.
Jane wrote: "Started Water for Elephants last night and so far I'm hooked!"Love this book!
Rick wrote: "Lindz wrote: "I have been eyeing off 'Brick Lane' for a while, it looks really interesting.But I have nearly finished the first novel in the The Gormenghast Trilogy, 'Titus Groan'..."
Definitely worth reading - one of the few books I've read several times (about eight or ten). The first time I picked it up I found it really difficult -I was about twelve - and by the end of the first chapter was ready to flag it away but, as I'd heard so much about it, I instead started again at the beginning and it all slotted into place.
Peake's writing is highly descriptive and in many ways reflects his painting - very detailed and almost grotesquely exaggerated. Rather than run with the flow you need to step back and take in the whole picture - but it's well worth the effort.
I would note that Titus Alone is rather different and I confess I often stop reading at the end of the second book even though this leaves the story up in the air. Peake's personal history explains the sudden change in the 'feel' of the narrative.
Finished Outpost of Jupiter today so my two books at this time are The Picture of Dorian Gray and Brighton Rock.
Mod
But I have nearly finished the first novel in the The Gormenghast Trilogy, 'T..."
Pat wrote: "Rick wrote: "Lindz wrote: "I have been eyeing off 'Brick Lane' for a while, it looks really interesting.
But I have nearly finished the first novel in the The Gormenghast Trilogy, 'T..."
Micah wrote: "Lindz wrote: "I have been eyeing off 'Brick Lane' for a while, it looks really interesting.
But I have nearly finished the first novel in the The Gormenghast Trilogy, 'Titus Groan'..."
very very interesting info- I feel farmore informed about this most unusual of books- thank you!!
Bill wrote: "Finished Outpost of Jupiter today so my two books at this time are The Picture of Dorian Gray and Brighton Rock."Bill, I swear that we must be related!!!! You are reading all my favorites.....now you are going to read
Brighton Rock....it is a very disturbing book and was another book that translated well to the screen, with a very young Richard Attenborough as Pinky.
Bill wrote: "Jane wrote: "Started Water for Elephants last night and so far I'm hooked!"I hope you enjoy it as much as I did."
Water for Elephants is being made into a movie. The promos have been on television in Chicago and there is a trailer out. The young man who played in the TV Twilight movie is one of the actors. Can't remember his name.
I'll see if I can find the trailer and get back to you.
Mod
I hope you enjoy it as much as I did."
Water for Elephants is being made into a movie. The promos have..."
id you can remember the name of the actor- then thats a good thing because the film will focus on the wonderful book and not on some Hollywood star
Reading The Imperfectionists for a F2F book club. It's okay, more like short stories than a novel. The book got rave reviews but I am not seeing why. It just reinforces why I prefer to read classics, the writing in many critically acclaimed and bestseller books just doesn't measure up. I'm also reading The Portrait of a Lady and The Name of the Rose and this book pales in comparison.
Right now, I'm working on Zero: The Biography of a Dangerous Idea, and I'm not really sure why. I'm finding it fascinating, though.I'm also reading Lone Star Planet on a recommendation from a coworker. I've not gotten very far into this very short book, but the concept sounds kind of fun.
Minnie wrote: "Bill wrote: "Jane wrote: "Started Water for Elephants last night and so far I'm hooked!"I hope you enjoy it as much as I did."
Water for Elephants is being made into a movie. The promos have..."
Here is the link to the trailer.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1067583/
Jill wrote: "Bill wrote: "Finished Outpost of Jupiter today so my two books at this time are The Picture of Dorian Gray and Brighton Rock."Bill, I swear that we must..."
I'm not sure if I've ever seen the original movie, Jill. There is a new version of Brighton Rock coming out with Helen Mirren. It might be worth going to see.
Minnie wrote: "Minnie wrote: "Bill wrote: "Jane wrote: "Started Water for Elephants last night and so far I'm hooked!"
I hope you enjoy it as much as I did."
Water for Elephants is being made into a movie. ..."
Minnie - I know Reese Witherspoon is in it. I hope it can live up to the book. Thank you for the link to the trailer.
My pleasure, Bill. The guy playing Reese's lover is Robert Pattinson from the vampire series.Here's more
Trivia
Sara Gruen wrote the novel 'Water for Elephants' as part of National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo).
I just started and finished A Beggars Purse by Toni Nelson I could not put it down. It was charming and lovely. Enjoyed every morsel of it. Really easy and wonderful uplifting book.
s•u•n•s•h•i•n•e «§KENZ§» wrote: "Rick wrote: "s•u•n•s•h•i•n•e §KENZ§ «mickey» wrote: "I'm trying to memorize one of his poems by tomorrow morning. (bleh, English). It's called "Dream-land"."Good luck!!! memorizing a Poe Poem! ..."
I think Poe is almost too easy to memorize-he keeps a relentless beat & rhyme going on:
Once upon a midnight dreary
as I pondered weak and weary
or
Helen thy beauty is to me
like those Nycean ships of lore
(I think yore-or maybe lore)
Anyway, I had to memorize those in high school-40 years ago-& they're still stuck there.
I too write it out a few times & then get a print-out & underscore rhymes and scan it.
Then it's a game of fill in the blanks.
:)
thanks for the tip about the trailer for Water for Elephants. It does look like it will follow the book from what I saw but still doubtful about casting. It's probably because I pictured them differently - except for Waltz who is perfect.
Carmel wrote: "Sonia wrote: "I just started and finished A Beggars Purse by Toni Nelson I could not put it down. It was charming and lovely. Enjoyed every morsel of it. Really easy..."
Carmel, she deserves it. I also bought two copies to give to friends. Loved it. So easy and so simple chock full of heart. Cried a lot too. :)
Carmel, she deserves it. I also bought two copies to give to friends. Loved it. So easy and so simple chock full of heart. Cried a lot too. :)
I just finished Tehanu which I absolutely loved. I'm gonna try to drag myself thru the rest of Kraken, I was told it would be worth the effort, and then I am gonna start The Wise Man's Fear
Reading Greybeard by Brian Aldiss, an apocalyptic science fiction story in which there are no more children being born after a war. As a result the world is populated by the elderly.
Pat wrote: "Rick wrote: "Lindz wrote: "I have been eyeing off 'Brick Lane' for a while, it looks really interesting.But I have nearly finished the first novel in the The Gormenghast Trilogy, 'T..."
As I've said in another thread in the Book Club, I could never work up enough interest to read beyond the first book in the trilogy. Might try once again, as it has been over thirty years since the last time I tried.
Currently reading Riders of the Purple Sage by Zane Grey. I enjoy westerns and it's pretty much considered one of the classic novels, along with THE VIRGINIAN, that influenced later writers.Although I'm only a half dozen chapters in it is easy to see why Grey was so popular. Secondly, also easy to see why there is still some controversy over the book. The Mormon religion and those of that faith that settled Utah are all but demonized in the novel, especially the Elders of the church. Grey does on the other hand, sympathetically portray the Mormon women.
Bernadette wrote: "Reading The Imperfectionists for a F2F book club. It's okay, more like short stories than a novel. The book got rave reviews but I am not seeing why. It just reinforces why I prefer ..."I agree with Bernadette that it's hard to beat something like "The Name of the Rose"--which is simply masterful in terms of styling and plot. I'm sorry to hear that "The Imperfectionists" isn't that wonderful, especially given the reviews. It's on my ever-growing Kindle list, but I haven't pulled the trigger yet. Bernadette, have you read "Olive Kitteridge?" It's told in that multiple perspectives/short story style, and I'm wondering if "The Imperfectionists" is similar.
Mod
sad that two stars...one a common TV star.. are the leads- the book is so good- it doesnt need a star- I mean this is not Ironman 2!!!
Mod
Al..."
I believe Gary Cooper was in the 1929 film of THE VIRGINIAN
Mod
I recall reading a classic- in which the heroine was deeply influenced by The Mysteries of Udolpho- cannot think of the title!
Rick wrote: "Sonia wrote: "Reading The Mysteries of Udolpho; Madame Bovary; Lord Jim and Bridges - A tale of Niagara"I recall reading a classic- in whic..."
Northanger Abbey.
Mod
I recall reading a class..."
right!!! thanks
Rick wrote: "Jane wrote: "thanks for the tip about the trailer for Water for Elephants. It does look like it will follow the book from what I saw but still doubtful about casting. It's probably because I pict..."But, Rick that's what happens to a newbie that's picked up by a movie studio. They won't go all out using big stars who will demand big money for a gamble. She probably won't recognize her novel when she views the clips. The company is afraid to wade into the water, so they stick their toe in.
I'm still struggling with The Island of Dr. Moreau.I'm half way through the book and think I heard enough to know Prindick is not going to change Moreau's mind about his "beast people," but H.G. Wells is spot on when he wrote he's puzzled what others haven't done what he [Moreau] has.
Prindick protested that "these animals can talk."
He said that was so, and proceeded to point out that the possibilities of vivisection do not stop at a mere physical metamorphosis. A pig may be educated. The mental structure is even less determinate than the bodily. In our growing science of hypnotism we find the promise of a possibility of replacing old inherent instincts by new suggestions, grafting upon or relaceing inherited fixed ideas.
Man! I will never allow myself to hypotized!
On another note, the crazy thing is they are changing the body today. Last year it was reported that doctors had successfully grafted an entire face on a woman. In my opinion, she looks hideous. But what was her choice? And who am I to judge.
I just started reading The Reluctant Fundamentalist by Mohsin Hamid for an upcoming literature class with a religious theme. I am also listening to the audiobook of The Lake Shore Limited by Sue Miller, because I like to have an audiobook going and I remembered that I found her novels interesting.
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THE JAMES MASON COMMUNITY BOOK CLUB
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I am going to disagree with our esteemed moderator, WHAT! SHOCK, HORROR! I hear the cry!.
Thanks for the plaudits, but I'll take issue on me being as good a writer as Sue Rule. ..."
I think that all of you are nifty!