Watching an adaptation rather than reading the book always feels like cheating, but sometimes I can't resist. There are just too many great stories out there and so many different ways to tell them well. Besides, when the screenwriter is Anthony Horowitz and he's adapting his own novel, 'Magpie Murders', you know you're in safe hands. Or as safe as they can be when there's a villain on the loose...
Showing posts with label drama. Show all posts
Showing posts with label drama. Show all posts
18 April 2023
08 February 2021
Bromin' in the Gloamin
'Clanlands: Whisky, Warfare, and a Scottish Adventure like No Other' by Sam Heughan and Graham McTavish, with Charlotte Reather
Everyone has their favourite box set, and, if nothing else, lockdowns I, II, and III have given us plenty of opportunity to drink our fill of our favourite shows. One of mine is the time-travel romance 'Outlander', and I've just finished 'Clanlands: Whisky, Warfare, and a Scottish Adventure like No Other' by two of the show's stars, Sam Heughan and Graham McTavish.
19 November 2017
Only the Lonely
Now, I know that I should be focussed and just read books that I already have, but sometimes Twitter gets so over-excited about something that I have to find out more. A great example of this is 'Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine', Gail Honeyman's debut novel. Twitter, you were right!
Eleanor Oliphant is completely fine. Since university, she's lived in the same flat, worked in the same job and kept the same regular routine, encompassing the crossword every lunchtime and the vodka each weekend. As far as she sees it, Eleanor has everything she could practically need and there is no point in acquiring more than that. The workings of her clockwork existence are interrupted however when Eleanor and a colleague, Raymond, help a pensioner who has collapsed in the street. The rhythm of her life has changed, but can she change it back again? And does she really want to?
I really wasn't sure about this book when I started reading it. We've all gone through periods of loneliness - as awkward teenagers, after disappointing relationships or when starting out in a new city or town - so it felt awkward and almost intrusive to be sticking my nose into Eleanor's space. As the story progressed and I got to know more about how trapped she actually was, however, I felt I couldn't leave her to her own, unwittingly self-destructive devices. I'm so glad I stuck with 'Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine'.
I think this a brilliant piece of work and I still can't quite believe that it's Gail Honeyman's first novel. I really can't wait to see what she does next. 'Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine' is a story of the corners we can think ourselves into, and how even little things can make all the difference. It's heartbreaking, compassionate, touching and hopeful. I can't recommend it enough. Go read it. Go read it now!
Now, what next...
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| 'Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine' by Gail Honeyman (HarperCollins Publishers. 2017) |
I really wasn't sure about this book when I started reading it. We've all gone through periods of loneliness - as awkward teenagers, after disappointing relationships or when starting out in a new city or town - so it felt awkward and almost intrusive to be sticking my nose into Eleanor's space. As the story progressed and I got to know more about how trapped she actually was, however, I felt I couldn't leave her to her own, unwittingly self-destructive devices. I'm so glad I stuck with 'Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine'.
I think this a brilliant piece of work and I still can't quite believe that it's Gail Honeyman's first novel. I really can't wait to see what she does next. 'Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine' is a story of the corners we can think ourselves into, and how even little things can make all the difference. It's heartbreaking, compassionate, touching and hopeful. I can't recommend it enough. Go read it. Go read it now!
Now, what next...
30 September 2017
Dark Side of the Moonstruck
This post is likely to prove a challenge. It's always tough to talk about tales with twists. After all, you're effectively saying that something's great without being able to tell anyone why! Anyway, let's give it a go...
I recently finished the latest book by the superlative thriller writer, Erin Kelly, 'He Said / She Said'.
'He Said / She Said' is a story of trust, truth and perspectives. During a festival celebrating the 1999 solar eclipse in Cornwall, Laura witnesses a brutal assault. But was it rape? The victim Beth is silent while her attacker Jamie says it was consensual. As Laura sends her boyfriend Kit to fetch help, she can't begin to imagine the terrible events that have been set in motion and how all their lives are about to change forever.
As the title implies, this is a story about viewpoints in relationships. What the title doesn't tell you is that you can't trust Erin Kelly! She lets you view the constellations and get your bearings, before re-aligning the stars and fortunes of everyone involved. Can't help but think of her as more conjurer than writer, deftly playing on your expectations and misdirecting you, ready for the big reveal, when pieces you didn't even know were missing slot into place.
It would be easy to assume that this novel is a courtroom drama, but that's only one part of it. 'He Said / She Said' is a taut, gripping and chilling tale of how far people will go to protect themselves and their reputations. By degrees, each character becomes more than what they appear, until you find yourself wondering how far you too would go in those circumstances.
If you enjoy thrillers and crime novels, I thoroughly recommend this book. For a while, 'He Said / She Said' was available far too cheaply (99p as an ebook via Amazon and £5 as a hardback in a number of shops, for goodness sake.), but don't let that, or anything else, deceive you. Put simply, it is absolutely brilliant.
Now, what next...
Related Links
'The Poison Tree' by Erin Kelly
BBC Radio 2 Book Club
I recently finished the latest book by the superlative thriller writer, Erin Kelly, 'He Said / She Said'.
 |
| 'He Said / She Said' by Erin Kelly (Hodder & Stoughton, 2017) |
As the title implies, this is a story about viewpoints in relationships. What the title doesn't tell you is that you can't trust Erin Kelly! She lets you view the constellations and get your bearings, before re-aligning the stars and fortunes of everyone involved. Can't help but think of her as more conjurer than writer, deftly playing on your expectations and misdirecting you, ready for the big reveal, when pieces you didn't even know were missing slot into place.
It would be easy to assume that this novel is a courtroom drama, but that's only one part of it. 'He Said / She Said' is a taut, gripping and chilling tale of how far people will go to protect themselves and their reputations. By degrees, each character becomes more than what they appear, until you find yourself wondering how far you too would go in those circumstances.
If you enjoy thrillers and crime novels, I thoroughly recommend this book. For a while, 'He Said / She Said' was available far too cheaply (99p as an ebook via Amazon and £5 as a hardback in a number of shops, for goodness sake.), but don't let that, or anything else, deceive you. Put simply, it is absolutely brilliant.
Now, what next...
Related Links
'The Poison Tree' by Erin Kelly
BBC Radio 2 Book Club
31 December 2016
Secrets and Lies and a Man to Despise
I've now read six of Winston Graham's twelve Poldark novels, the latest being 'The Four Swans' and I'm already chomping at the bit for both the next book and BBC series.
Still waters run deep in 'The Four Swans'. While his mine's prosperity should mean the end of all Ross Poldark's worries, instead the political machinations of others and a naval officer's infatuation with his wife Demelza give him much cause for concern. George Warleggan looks like he's reaching the heights of power and influence, but Aunt Agatha's final curse has made him doubt the woman he prized and married. Meanwhile, Demelza's unfortunate brothers Sam and Drake are naively trying to live quiet lives and the lecherous Rev. Osborne Whitworth is failing to practise what he preaches. As truth, love and lies tangles each relationship, will anyone break free to find happiness?
By its very nature, a series of books must be populated by a swathe of characters otherwise there just aren't enough plot lines to go around. But it does make summarising what happened in one particular novel quite challenging! The paragraph above barely hints at what's going on, but, to be fair, all you really need to know is that if you enjoyed the previous books, you'll enjoy this one.
Although... If you thought Rev. Whitworth couldn't get any worse, it turns out he can. Never have I wanted a character to come to a sticky end as much as Rev. Whitworth. I keep being told by people who've read the whole series that he'll get his comeuppance, but I'm not sure how much longer I can wait for it to happen! I know that Graham is representing 18th century attitudes to women, but rarely has a character made me so angry. Goodness knows how the BBC are going to cope with his plot line in series three bearing in mind what happened with 'that scene' in series two!
Anyway, overall, 'The Four Swans' is of the same, high quality as the previous Poldark novels and will give fans much to mull over. It's as engrossing as the other books and progresses the stories of all the key characters. I ended it wanting more, but that's fine because there are another six books to go!
Now, back to the shelves!
Related Posts
'Ross Poldark' (Book One)
'Demelza' (Book Two)
'Warleggan' (Book Four)
'The Black Moon' (Book Five)
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| 'The Four Swans' by Winston Graham (2008, Pan Macmillan) |
By its very nature, a series of books must be populated by a swathe of characters otherwise there just aren't enough plot lines to go around. But it does make summarising what happened in one particular novel quite challenging! The paragraph above barely hints at what's going on, but, to be fair, all you really need to know is that if you enjoyed the previous books, you'll enjoy this one.
Although... If you thought Rev. Whitworth couldn't get any worse, it turns out he can. Never have I wanted a character to come to a sticky end as much as Rev. Whitworth. I keep being told by people who've read the whole series that he'll get his comeuppance, but I'm not sure how much longer I can wait for it to happen! I know that Graham is representing 18th century attitudes to women, but rarely has a character made me so angry. Goodness knows how the BBC are going to cope with his plot line in series three bearing in mind what happened with 'that scene' in series two!
Anyway, overall, 'The Four Swans' is of the same, high quality as the previous Poldark novels and will give fans much to mull over. It's as engrossing as the other books and progresses the stories of all the key characters. I ended it wanting more, but that's fine because there are another six books to go!
Now, back to the shelves!
Related Posts
'Ross Poldark' (Book One)
'Demelza' (Book Two)
'Warleggan' (Book Four)
'The Black Moon' (Book Five)
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