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218 reviews for:
Philomena (Movie Tie-In): A Mother, Her Son, and a Fifty-Year Search
Martin Sixsmith
3.49 AVERAGE
218 reviews for:
Philomena (Movie Tie-In): A Mother, Her Son, and a Fifty-Year Search
Martin Sixsmith
3.49 AVERAGE
I had seen the movie prior to reading this book and was concerned the book would be ruined for that reason. Instead, the book provides greater detail about the life of Anthony Lee, whereas the movie delves into a mother's search for her son. Together, I feel like I know the whole story.
Not quite what I was expecting, but a good read, anyway. I suppose I should see the film. now.
A friend of mine suggested I read this and another friend of mine had told me she loved the movie, and I thought I'd better read it before seeing it. This was absolutely heartbreaking and riveting material. It exposes the history of Irish adoptions to the United States in the 1950s by following one remarkable story. I was especially engrossed because my late father in law was adopted around the same time, born to an unwed Irish Catholic mother. I will say that although I really loved this book, I wish there was more of Philomena's story included. We follow her for the first quarter of the book or so, and then don't hear from her again until the very end. Now to watch the film...
Like most people, my impetus to read this book was the outstanding film version, and many people have found the book a disappointment in that the majority of it is about the life of Philomena's son in America, and does not at all cover the events depicted in the film (except for the three years between his birth and adoption, which are related in the first of the four sections of the book) However, I found the story of how Anthony/Michael fared intriguing and helped fill in the gaps very cursorily given in the film. The book is brisk and involving; however, as others have pointed out, there are many re-imagined, or in some cases, wholly invented conversations that Sixsmith includes, which deter from the veracity expected of a non-fiction book.
I enjoyed this, it's sad but not too sentimental. However I would have liked a bit more about the search for Anthony.
From IMDb:
A world-weary political journalist picks up the story of a woman's search for her son, who was taken away from her decades ago after she became pregnant and was forced to live in a convent.
A world-weary political journalist picks up the story of a woman's search for her son, who was taken away from her decades ago after she became pregnant and was forced to live in a convent.