(gasp... gag... "Bridges of Madison County", the book... oh my... AWFUL!)
(I haven't seen the movie, but Meryl Streep and Robert Redford, right? HAS to be better.)
sozobe, it was Meryl Streep and Clint Eastwood, and Eastwood directed. You don't see many middle-age romances at the movies - it was a refreshing change. (I didn't read the book either, so I can't help with that comparison.)
Right, right, Clint Eastwood. If anyone could counteract the enormous saccharine factor in the book, it would be Clint.
As far as movie adaptations, THE GODFATHER was improved upon as a movie. TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD and FROM HERE TO ETERNITY were well adapted and caught the excellence of the books--which does not happen too often. THE MALTESE FALCON is another example. But in general, first-rate novels do not make first-rate movies.
hazlitt
i agree with you - i read a wide range of literature - because i read Jane Austen doesn't mean i don't like Terry Pratchett (which I DO) - good writing is good and just like music, people will relate differently.
Has anyone read Dorothy Dunnett? my all time favourite author.
sozobe
Oh yes! i too love to read books that way -trouble is reality arrives with husband/family who want dinner - dinner???? oops!
Have you read any of Dorothy Dunnett's books? They are superby - The Lymnond series - set in England/Scotland/France/Mediterranean, Arab countries/Russia in the time when Mary Queen of Scots was a child.
Her writing ability, incredibly complex plot, characters, knowledge of morals, manners, politics of the age are wonderful - it all unrolls in front of your eyes and you are there.
Your description sounds very interesting, Vivien, I'll have to look for Dunnett at the library.
piffka - try The Game of Kings by Dorothy Dunnett. then the next 5 thick books in the series.
She is a superb writer. Dickens/le Carre/Dumas - heaven knows who else all rolled into one - but better!
I love to read everything in sight I am not really picky...
