I took a class this spring which is one of the reasons I didn't write as much for this as I had hoped. But one of the books they had me read for the class was this one. I started off finding it difficult to get into because I really didn't like the main character, but that was the point. We follow him on his redemptive journey through China's modern history. Starting with the civil war and finishing after the Cultural Revolution, To Live describes the desperate struggle to survive of one family in rural China. By the end I was thoroughly involved in the story.
The film is also very good although the setting is moved to the city.
Saturday, June 30, 2007
Ira Levin's Rosemary's Baby
Finished June 30.
I've been a fan of Ira Levin for a while, having read A Kiss Before Dying and Stepford Wives before. I enjoy the way he drops hints and clues that are subtle in themselves but build a real tension. Rosemary's Baby does this very well. A lot of minor things like a lost glove and a swapped tie are mundane in themselves but pieced together bring Rosemary to the realization of the plans laid for her.
I found the suspense a little undermined just because I know the story from the movie, but still found it wonderful.
I've been a fan of Ira Levin for a while, having read A Kiss Before Dying and Stepford Wives before. I enjoy the way he drops hints and clues that are subtle in themselves but build a real tension. Rosemary's Baby does this very well. A lot of minor things like a lost glove and a swapped tie are mundane in themselves but pieced together bring Rosemary to the realization of the plans laid for her.
I found the suspense a little undermined just because I know the story from the movie, but still found it wonderful.
Ian Fleming's Casino Royale
Finished June 23.
This was the first James Bond book written by Fleming and was of course the most recently adapted into a film. I have always had a soft spot for some of the Bond movies, notably On Her Majesty's Secret Service and Live and Let Die. I have also read two of the Young Bond novels by Charlie Higson which are just great.
I really enjoyed this. Misogyny notwithstanding. It's tightly plotted and credible enough to keep a layman convinced. I also just loved the movie and found the most salient plot features are well followed.
This was the first James Bond book written by Fleming and was of course the most recently adapted into a film. I have always had a soft spot for some of the Bond movies, notably On Her Majesty's Secret Service and Live and Let Die. I have also read two of the Young Bond novels by Charlie Higson which are just great.
I really enjoyed this. Misogyny notwithstanding. It's tightly plotted and credible enough to keep a layman convinced. I also just loved the movie and found the most salient plot features are well followed.
Alan Clarke's Diaries
So, I finished this book some months ago, but have not been posting lately. This book was a pretty big deal when it came out because Clarke was so indiscreet. He was a member of Parliament from Plymouth at this time and a minister in Thatcher's government. I certainly enjoyed it, but found it far more interesting when he discussed the defence review he was attempting to get adopted. I have read quite a lot of political memoirs and this is one of the more readable. I'm glad I read it at some distance removed from the hype.
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