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4.03 AVERAGE
4.03 AVERAGE
It was a good book and beautifully written. However, I actually preferred the movie which is rare.
I'd seen the film a few months back, which introduced me to Christopher Isherwood. And it was promptly bought on kindle and placed in my reading list.
The film is definitely worth seeing and reminded me of a story I wrote at university, so I felt a little connection with it, due to the familiar theme. It was watching BBC's Christopher and His Kind that urged me to start reading sooner than previously planned.
I really enjoyed the writing style. Occasionally (and intentionally) muddled, it was easy to keep going without taking any breaks. Although towards the end it was a little too muddled, but still perfectly manageable.
I do wonder, though, if a lot of my feelings for this book were drawn originally from the film, as I could picture a few scenes and characters from it and the two intertwined nicely. I think both can stand alone as great pieces of (slightly melancholy) entertainment and in some ways I preferred aspects of one to the other.
The book deals more with some social and racial issues and is less glamorous, physically, emotionally and in terms of their homes and clothes. It was very interesting, going back to the racial and social issues, to read. Certain terms being used easily (part of the times) but a really interesting look at the gay community as a minority that is similar to but entirely separated from racial minorities. They're outside the outside, but there is a slight touch of.... something else. not brotherhood...vague support? Understanding.
In terms of the film, I felt this dealt with the relationship theme in a more sentimental manner and it was a bigger part of the story and what had initially attracted me to the film, the way of dealing with loss. The film really handled this better,made it more important than the book had. And the thread of George's difficulty in simply carrying on is clearer and darker.
I definitely think both should be experienced for their slight difference in tones.
The film is definitely worth seeing and reminded me of a story I wrote at university, so I felt a little connection with it, due to the familiar theme. It was watching BBC's Christopher and His Kind that urged me to start reading sooner than previously planned.
I really enjoyed the writing style. Occasionally (and intentionally) muddled, it was easy to keep going without taking any breaks. Although towards the end it was a little too muddled, but still perfectly manageable.
I do wonder, though, if a lot of my feelings for this book were drawn originally from the film, as I could picture a few scenes and characters from it and the two intertwined nicely. I think both can stand alone as great pieces of (slightly melancholy) entertainment and in some ways I preferred aspects of one to the other.
The book deals more with some social and racial issues and is less glamorous, physically, emotionally and in terms of their homes and clothes. It was very interesting, going back to the racial and social issues, to read. Certain terms being used easily (part of the times) but a really interesting look at the gay community as a minority that is similar to but entirely separated from racial minorities. They're outside the outside, but there is a slight touch of.... something else. not brotherhood...vague support? Understanding.
In terms of the film, I felt this dealt with the relationship theme in a more sentimental manner and it was a bigger part of the story and what had initially attracted me to the film, the way of dealing with loss. The film really handled this better,made it more important than the book had. And the thread of George's difficulty in simply carrying on is clearer and darker.
I definitely think both should be experienced for their slight difference in tones.
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Says precisely what it intends to about life, sexuality, grief, and human nature in the short space of a single man's day. Impressive. (Unfortunately the casual sexism prevents me from giving it a 5 star)
Amazing writing , sad story , I just felt like I wanted more development of the story
challenging
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Saw the movie first and loved it. Finally got to read the novel, which was beautiful as I expected it would be with writing that was both fluid and truthful. Some quotes that struck me...
In continuing to live, through grief, and forcing himself to go to work ..."With the skill of a veteran he rapidly puts on the psychological make-up for this role he must play."
Describing sleep, "Partial surfacings, after this. Partial emergings, just barely breaking the sheeted calm of the water. Most of George remaining submerged in sleep."
In continuing to live, through grief, and forcing himself to go to work ..."With the skill of a veteran he rapidly puts on the psychological make-up for this role he must play."
Describing sleep, "Partial surfacings, after this. Partial emergings, just barely breaking the sheeted calm of the water. Most of George remaining submerged in sleep."
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Don't like this because it hits too close to home. The miracle of discovering someone to love who loves you, only to lose them and be left unmoored, virtually alone... I can't stand it!!! It's too much!!!