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David McK (3204 KP) rated Sharpe's Honour in TV
Nov 14, 2021 (Updated Nov 14, 2021)
The fifth episode in the TV adaptations of the novels by Bernard Cornwell (which are well worth a read), based on the book of the same name.
I say 'based on' as, because while the main thrust of the storyline is the same, the TV movie of necessity abbreviates the novel somewhat: most noticeably (I felt) watering down quite substantially the role of El Matarife in the proceedings.
As this starts, Sharpe is still mourning the death of his wife Teresa, while Napoleon - in his first appearance in the series - is in retreat from Russia, and with Major Pierre Ducos hatching a plan to drive a wedge between the Spanish and British allies while also getting his revenge on Sharpe by provoking a duel between Sharpe and a Spanish nobleman who he (Ducos) later murders, with Sharpe then taking the rap for said murder (until he is later able to prove his innocence).
I say 'based on' as, because while the main thrust of the storyline is the same, the TV movie of necessity abbreviates the novel somewhat: most noticeably (I felt) watering down quite substantially the role of El Matarife in the proceedings.
As this starts, Sharpe is still mourning the death of his wife Teresa, while Napoleon - in his first appearance in the series - is in retreat from Russia, and with Major Pierre Ducos hatching a plan to drive a wedge between the Spanish and British allies while also getting his revenge on Sharpe by provoking a duel between Sharpe and a Spanish nobleman who he (Ducos) later murders, with Sharpe then taking the rap for said murder (until he is later able to prove his innocence).
David McK (3204 KP) rated Backwards (Red Dwarf #4) in Books
Jan 28, 2019 (Updated Sep 17, 2019)
The third Red Dwarf book, picking up from where the previous entry ('Better Than Life) left off, with Dave Lister on earth in an alternate reality where time runs backwards.
More so than either of the previous two books, this novel has a plot all of its own, with that plot containing elements of the TV show on which it is based. Nowhere is this more obvious than in the final portion of the book, which takes the episode 'Gunmen of the Apocalypse' as it's basis. The novel also has a role to play for 'Ace' Rimmer, tracing how his life differed from Arnold Rimmer's back to a single event in his childhood.
Written by only one of the two authors responsible for the previous books, this is also not quite as funny as either of those books.
More so than either of the previous two books, this novel has a plot all of its own, with that plot containing elements of the TV show on which it is based. Nowhere is this more obvious than in the final portion of the book, which takes the episode 'Gunmen of the Apocalypse' as it's basis. The novel also has a role to play for 'Ace' Rimmer, tracing how his life differed from Arnold Rimmer's back to a single event in his childhood.
Written by only one of the two authors responsible for the previous books, this is also not quite as funny as either of those books.
Lucy L (0 KP) rated The Essex Serpent in Books
Mar 9, 2018
Intriguing gothic drama
I’d wanted to read this for a while based purely on the glorious cover. It was a very pleasant gothic Victorian novel with the very intriguing mysetery of the Fabled Essex serpent weaving it’s way through. However it’s main focus is the interactions between the main characters and the enormous impact that each has on the others lives over the course of a year, predominantly for the worse.
It is a beautifully written novel and the detail is gorgeous, but at times it felt slow with little to hold my attention. I found myself skimming ahead sometimes. The characters weren’t always relatable and I didn’t feel any great connection to any of them. The promises of the Essex serpent itself is handled well and used expertly to draw out everyone’s heightened fears feeding off their own misdeeds.
I would still recommend this book. Just maybe not for anyone looking for a rousing novel. However a calm afternoon with a pot of tea to yourself it’s worth giving it a go.
It is a beautifully written novel and the detail is gorgeous, but at times it felt slow with little to hold my attention. I found myself skimming ahead sometimes. The characters weren’t always relatable and I didn’t feel any great connection to any of them. The promises of the Essex serpent itself is handled well and used expertly to draw out everyone’s heightened fears feeding off their own misdeeds.
I would still recommend this book. Just maybe not for anyone looking for a rousing novel. However a calm afternoon with a pot of tea to yourself it’s worth giving it a go.
David McK (3204 KP) rated Sharpe's Enemy (1994) in Movies
Oct 17, 2021 (Updated Oct 17, 2021)
TV movie from 1994, based on the Bernard Cornwell novel of the same name.
This is the one that has Elizabeth Hurley in it (proving she can't act), and that has the second - and last - appearance of Sergeant Obadiah Hakeswill, alongside the first appearance of the French spymaster Pierre Ducos.
it's also no as polished as the previous entry in the series, with the shocking moment towards the end failing to really hit home, and with the entire thing feeling, maybe, half an hour longer than it needed to be.
This is the one that has Elizabeth Hurley in it (proving she can't act), and that has the second - and last - appearance of Sergeant Obadiah Hakeswill, alongside the first appearance of the French spymaster Pierre Ducos.
it's also no as polished as the previous entry in the series, with the shocking moment towards the end failing to really hit home, and with the entire thing feeling, maybe, half an hour longer than it needed to be.
David McK (3204 KP) rated Sharpe's Eagle (1993) in Movies
Jul 31, 2021 (Updated Jul 31, 2021)
The second of the early-to-mid 90s TV adaptations of Bernard Cornwell's Sharpe series, based on the first published of those novels and starring Sean Bean in the title role.
And, already, the restrictions of a TV budget are beginning to show somewhat: The Battle of Talavera, for instance (which occurs at the end of both the novel and this made-for-TV movie) is a decidedly small-scale affair, for instance!
Still, for all that, this is still an enjoyable enough adaptation of the source material.
And, already, the restrictions of a TV budget are beginning to show somewhat: The Battle of Talavera, for instance (which occurs at the end of both the novel and this made-for-TV movie) is a decidedly small-scale affair, for instance!
Still, for all that, this is still an enjoyable enough adaptation of the source material.
Sarah (7798 KP) rated The Shell Collector in Books
Aug 27, 2017
Promising but ultimately disappointing
I've loved some of Hugh Howey's other works and I had high hopes for his take on a romantic novel, but sadly this was pretty disappointing. It had promise, with an interesting plot based around a romance taking place in a near future where the sea levels have risen and shells are becoming extinct. Howey writes very well and I can't fault him for that, I just felt he concentrated too much on the predictable romance side than developing the scientific future aspect. The characters too were nothing special, and the whole book just felt very rushed.
This outstanding novel covers Adolf HitlerÕs meeting with Neville Chamberlain in 1938. The grave shadow of Chamberlain, deeply opposed to another conflict only twenty years after the Great War that had killed a generation of men. Against Hitler, 'the madman' ready to 'smash the Czechs' and blaze through new territories. This meeting in Munich is the focal point of the novel and Harris rewrites real events using two bystanders, one German, one English. Based on fact, Harris skilfully interweaves the lives of Hugh Legat and his English wife, rich, beautiful and unfaithful. Paul Von Hartmann and his lover, a secretary in the German foreign ministry, someone he may not entirely trust. It's Harris' attention to detail that makes this version of history so credible, right down to the description of the swastikas on the taps. A tightly woven thriller mixed with historical fact that will appeal to a lot of readers.
David McK (3204 KP) rated Isard's Revenge (Star Wars: X-Wing, #8) in Books
Jan 30, 2019
If, by and large, books can be compared to food - the classics being haute cuisine; the terrible books being dog-food - then the X-Wing series of Star Wars books (all written pre-Episode One, and based on the popular LucasArts games) could probably be best described as fast food: enjoyable enough in small doses but you wouldn't want to live on them and not always that memorable.
With regard to this book, which picks up from the end of Timothy Zahn's "The Last Command" (with the ending of that novel shown from a different perspective), it's also more than half way through before the jacket blurb begins to make sense.
With regard to this book, which picks up from the end of Timothy Zahn's "The Last Command" (with the ending of that novel shown from a different perspective), it's also more than half way through before the jacket blurb begins to make sense.
Douglas Hart recommended Billy Liar (1963) in Movies (curated)
Kimmic (814 KP) rated The Tattooist of Auschwitz in Books
Feb 21, 2018
Well written (3 more)
Likeable characters
Good story line
I like the fact that its a true story
Not sure how accurate some parts are (1 more)
At some points it seems to downplay the severity of the camp and the treatment of the prisoners
A Novel based on a true story
This book has received a massive hype about being amazing. So much so that I went over my usual budget on the purchase of a book to get a new hardback copy.
Although I read this book in a day, and did enjoy it, I hoped for a better insight into the life at the camp, and often found myself questioning whether certain things claimed in the book were true.
This was a good book, and I understand that some adaptations were made when converting it into a novel, but I think this has either been slightly overdone to play up the romance in the novel, or the lead character genuinely had a huge advantage over the other prisoners due to his role?
All in all, I am giving this a 7 because it was good, but doesn't quite reach the huge hype that it seems to have been given.
Although I read this book in a day, and did enjoy it, I hoped for a better insight into the life at the camp, and often found myself questioning whether certain things claimed in the book were true.
This was a good book, and I understand that some adaptations were made when converting it into a novel, but I think this has either been slightly overdone to play up the romance in the novel, or the lead character genuinely had a huge advantage over the other prisoners due to his role?
All in all, I am giving this a 7 because it was good, but doesn't quite reach the huge hype that it seems to have been given.