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ClareR (5996 KP) rated The East Indian in Books
Jul 13, 2023
I loved The East Indian by Brinda Charry, but boy did it make me mad!
“Tony” (so named because a British man couldn’t pronounce his real name, and we never find out what that is) comes from the Coromandel coast. He travels to London with a white man in order to be his servant, but the man dies on the voyage. In London, Tony has to fend for himself, a child alone in a big city that takes advantage of the vulnerable. Unsurprisingly, Tony is kidnapped, transported to America, and becomes an indentured servant. It looks as though his dreams of becoming a medicine man will never come to pass. But he does make friends with some of the boys on the voyage. When he arrives in America, he is mistaken for a native Indian - he isn’t as black as the Africans - and he’s often referred to as a ‘Moor’.
There’s little wonder that Tony has so many friends, he’s a likeable boy. He hates to see the maltreatment of his fellow indentured servants and slaves.
This book illustrates the lives of indentured servants and the beginning of slavery under British rule in the colonies. It’s not a nice way to live; seen through the eyes of a child it’s both less and more horrific. Tony doesn’t necessarily see how bad things are, because he has no comparison until he starts to get older.
The most infuriating part for me (it’s a long list!), was how Tony and the Africans were ‘othered’ by the white man: they weren’t to be trusted, their ways of life were seen as primitive, they were seen as a belonging or little better than animals.
This book predates slavery as it was to become, but you can see the beginnings of it. As an indentured servant, you belonged to your master.
Jamestown is described so well (sights, sounds and smells) as are the wilder areas: the forests, mountains and rivers. It sounded beautiful, kept that way by Native Americans who were already being driven from their homeland.
It’s a sobering, beautiful story, and I’m so glad that I got the chance to read it - thanks Pigeonhole!
“Tony” (so named because a British man couldn’t pronounce his real name, and we never find out what that is) comes from the Coromandel coast. He travels to London with a white man in order to be his servant, but the man dies on the voyage. In London, Tony has to fend for himself, a child alone in a big city that takes advantage of the vulnerable. Unsurprisingly, Tony is kidnapped, transported to America, and becomes an indentured servant. It looks as though his dreams of becoming a medicine man will never come to pass. But he does make friends with some of the boys on the voyage. When he arrives in America, he is mistaken for a native Indian - he isn’t as black as the Africans - and he’s often referred to as a ‘Moor’.
There’s little wonder that Tony has so many friends, he’s a likeable boy. He hates to see the maltreatment of his fellow indentured servants and slaves.
This book illustrates the lives of indentured servants and the beginning of slavery under British rule in the colonies. It’s not a nice way to live; seen through the eyes of a child it’s both less and more horrific. Tony doesn’t necessarily see how bad things are, because he has no comparison until he starts to get older.
The most infuriating part for me (it’s a long list!), was how Tony and the Africans were ‘othered’ by the white man: they weren’t to be trusted, their ways of life were seen as primitive, they were seen as a belonging or little better than animals.
This book predates slavery as it was to become, but you can see the beginnings of it. As an indentured servant, you belonged to your master.
Jamestown is described so well (sights, sounds and smells) as are the wilder areas: the forests, mountains and rivers. It sounded beautiful, kept that way by Native Americans who were already being driven from their homeland.
It’s a sobering, beautiful story, and I’m so glad that I got the chance to read it - thanks Pigeonhole!
Haley Mathiot (9 KP) rated Heartless in Books
Apr 27, 2018
This book is devastating.
first of all, listening to the audio, it was a bit silly. The accent switched between American and British, and it was weird. The story itself was bonkers (which is to be expected, this is Hearts we're talking about).
What killed me is there's no way for this story to turn out happy. And I am 100% sure of it, so I quit right after the meadow scene. I'll let it work itself out happily in my head. Because I don't feel like having to explain to my boss why I'm crying about a YA novel.
So in my head, Jest took Cath to the Hatter, who made her a hat to make her brave. She marries the king, kills him, kills the jabberwock, and partners with the white queen in Chess to save their kingdom. And she marries Jest and becomes the happiest girl in the world.
EVEN THOUGH I KNOW WHAT HAPPENS AND THAT'S NOT IT. Here, Marissa Meyer, just take my heart and stomp on it already.
first of all, listening to the audio, it was a bit silly. The accent switched between American and British, and it was weird. The story itself was bonkers (which is to be expected, this is Hearts we're talking about).
What killed me is there's no way for this story to turn out happy. And I am 100% sure of it, so I quit right after the meadow scene. I'll let it work itself out happily in my head. Because I don't feel like having to explain to my boss why I'm crying about a YA novel.
So in my head, Jest took Cath to the Hatter, who made her a hat to make her brave. She marries the king, kills him, kills the jabberwock, and partners with the white queen in Chess to save their kingdom. And she marries Jest and becomes the happiest girl in the world.
EVEN THOUGH I KNOW WHAT HAPPENS AND THAT'S NOT IT. Here, Marissa Meyer, just take my heart and stomp on it already.
Awix (3310 KP) rated Witchfinder General (1968) in Movies
May 10, 2018
Famously nasty cult horror movie looks a bit like another Poe-Corman-Price adaptation (and was marketed as such in the States) but is really the work of a much darker sensibility. No actual supernatural elements, just people being sadistic to each other in the middle of a vicious civil war.
The story is a pretty standard revenge melodrama, made distinctive by the sheer bleakness of tone throughout the movie. At a time when pretty much every Hammer movie concluded with the defeat of the forces of evil (at least until the next sequel) the sheer amoral nihilism of Witchfinder General is distinctive.
Notable for the closest thing to a completely straight performance you will ever find Vincent Price contributing as the star of a horror movie, and also for the censor-troubling levels of violence and general grisliness. As is standard for British horror films of this period, fun is also to be had spotting youthful appearances by people who went on to have rather distinguished appearances in less extreme material.
The story is a pretty standard revenge melodrama, made distinctive by the sheer bleakness of tone throughout the movie. At a time when pretty much every Hammer movie concluded with the defeat of the forces of evil (at least until the next sequel) the sheer amoral nihilism of Witchfinder General is distinctive.
Notable for the closest thing to a completely straight performance you will ever find Vincent Price contributing as the star of a horror movie, and also for the censor-troubling levels of violence and general grisliness. As is standard for British horror films of this period, fun is also to be had spotting youthful appearances by people who went on to have rather distinguished appearances in less extreme material.
Sarah (7800 KP) rated Sliding Doors (1998) in Movies
Mar 30, 2019
An enjoyable romcom
I’m ashamed to admit that despite this film coming out in 1997, I’ve never seen it until now. Probably with good reason, as it had me bawling my eyes out by the end. This is your typical British romcom, with a lot of heart, humour and some seriously sad moments. It has a great cast, I adore John Hannah and it’s always good to see him in a lead role in a romcom, especially as he isn’t your typical leading man. But who can resist a charming, funny Scot? I also realised that I've not really seen many Gwyneth Paltrow films and she’s actually a lovely and very engaging lead, even though her English accent is a little dodgy at times.
The plot itself isn’t that of your usual typical romcom and I love the unique way of telling two versions of the same story, set apart simply by the small act of missing a train. It’s a great heartwarming and smart film, even if it is sadly showing it’s age now!
The plot itself isn’t that of your usual typical romcom and I love the unique way of telling two versions of the same story, set apart simply by the small act of missing a train. It’s a great heartwarming and smart film, even if it is sadly showing it’s age now!
Lindsay (1779 KP) rated The Last Plane out of Paris in Books
Apr 9, 2019
This story starts out slow at first. Though once things get going it non stop action. It felt like what going to happen to these two agents. Though it was something. British Airmen have a mission to do but we are not told until they reach the France Resistance Though though out the whole thing they spect one person and they hold the spies with them think it the other person.
Things to got from bad to worse but how are the German getting the information Though things are getting more execting has the book goes on. Their original mission is failed though they get a new mission. The new mission is to save a person that is to land in England. I am so in to this book for it give you sence of what happening before the United States enter the WWII.
I am looking forward to find out more about this even though it part fiction and part fact. I am waitting to see if there another book to follow.
Things to got from bad to worse but how are the German getting the information Though things are getting more execting has the book goes on. Their original mission is failed though they get a new mission. The new mission is to save a person that is to land in England. I am so in to this book for it give you sence of what happening before the United States enter the WWII.
I am looking forward to find out more about this even though it part fiction and part fact. I am waitting to see if there another book to follow.
drapedindarkness (1 KP) rated Hellraiser (1987) in Movies
Jan 20, 2018
Classic British Horror with a deviant slant
We'll tear your soul apart. With these words my mind was made up.
Move over Freddy, stand aside Jason because there is a new literal hellraiser and he cannot stand to see such a waste of good suffering.
Despite a very limited screentime, the Cenobites with their defacto leader Pinhead are at once both utterly terrifying and completely entrancing, they defy you to look away or even dislike them, they are beyond good and evil and are neither villain nor hero, what they are is absolutely right, you cannot cheat them or escape them.
I don't need to summarise the plot or detail anything about the other characters, they are really only there as window dressing for the real draw, the Cenobites, Chatterer, She, Butterball and Pinhead invite you to join them and you must not say no!
Move over Freddy, stand aside Jason because there is a new literal hellraiser and he cannot stand to see such a waste of good suffering.
Despite a very limited screentime, the Cenobites with their defacto leader Pinhead are at once both utterly terrifying and completely entrancing, they defy you to look away or even dislike them, they are beyond good and evil and are neither villain nor hero, what they are is absolutely right, you cannot cheat them or escape them.
I don't need to summarise the plot or detail anything about the other characters, they are really only there as window dressing for the real draw, the Cenobites, Chatterer, She, Butterball and Pinhead invite you to join them and you must not say no!
Awix (3310 KP) rated The Day the Earth Caught Fire (1961) in Movies
Mar 3, 2018 (Updated Mar 3, 2018)
Weather Forecast says 'Sun Everywhere'
Apocalyptic British SF movie shows how this sort of thing should be done. Nuclear tests shift the Earth on its axis, send it closer to the sun: civilisation struggles to cope with the prospect of looming extinction. Story is told from the point of view of the journalists of the Daily Express (don't laugh, it was a newspaper back in the 60s).
Very similar in its downbeat tone to the Quatermass movies Val Guest had previously made for Hammer - no B-movie this, but a serious, hard-edged naturalistic drama. Personal story of romance between lead journo Edward Judd and met office secretary Janet Munro is woven into the main plot with considerable skill; scenes of devastated London are well-mounted. A bit dated in some of its attitudes, but its concerns with the disastrous effects of climate change and its political cynicism mean it still feels surprisingly relevant today. Much better than any of the Roland Emmerich movies which have arguably ripped it off.
Very similar in its downbeat tone to the Quatermass movies Val Guest had previously made for Hammer - no B-movie this, but a serious, hard-edged naturalistic drama. Personal story of romance between lead journo Edward Judd and met office secretary Janet Munro is woven into the main plot with considerable skill; scenes of devastated London are well-mounted. A bit dated in some of its attitudes, but its concerns with the disastrous effects of climate change and its political cynicism mean it still feels surprisingly relevant today. Much better than any of the Roland Emmerich movies which have arguably ripped it off.
Awix (3310 KP) rated The Quatermass Xperiment (1955) in Movies
Mar 4, 2018 (Updated Mar 4, 2018)
The original Hammer horror movie; the studio did actually know how to spell 'experiment', but the title refers to the 'X' certificate that all self-respecting horror films had at the time this was made. Astronaut comes back from space a changed man; the rest of his crew mysteriously vanished - just what went on out there? Professor Q must figure it out before the mutation afflicting the astronaut reaches its final form.
Actually really, really tame as a horror movie by modern standards, obviously, but also of great historical interest as the birth of a legend in British cinema. One can't help suspecting the TV show was a lot more thoughtful, but this still works pretty well as an SF movie, and an influential one at that, and the juxtaposition of B-movie SF ideas and images with post-war Britain is interesting. Imported American star Brian Donlevy is not very good as Professor Q (original writer Nigel Kneale claimed he was on the sauce all the time); Richard Wordsworth is mesmerising as the doomed astronaut.
Actually really, really tame as a horror movie by modern standards, obviously, but also of great historical interest as the birth of a legend in British cinema. One can't help suspecting the TV show was a lot more thoughtful, but this still works pretty well as an SF movie, and an influential one at that, and the juxtaposition of B-movie SF ideas and images with post-war Britain is interesting. Imported American star Brian Donlevy is not very good as Professor Q (original writer Nigel Kneale claimed he was on the sauce all the time); Richard Wordsworth is mesmerising as the doomed astronaut.
Awix (3310 KP) rated Quatermass and the Pit (1967) in Movies
Feb 13, 2018
The best of the Quatermass films keeps all the unsettling ideas of Nigel Kneale's original TV scripts and adds Hammer's talent for coming up with smart casting and polished production values. Weird projectile turns up buried under London; the authorities initially assume it's an unexploded bomb from the Second World War, but the presence of fossil ape skeletons in and around the object indicates otherwise, as does a history of hauntings in the area going back hundreds of years. Professor Quatermass begins to suspect that this is a relic of a highly unusual alien invasion that happened before man had even evolved...
Pretty much a perfect fusion of horror and science fiction, giving a convincing extraterrestrial rationale for various paranormal and demonic phenomena; thoughtful and disturbing rather than actually scary. Andrew Keir rocks the joint as Professor Q but is well-supported by everyone else. The sequence in which London is transformed in the final reel is also very well done. Sets the standard for intelligent British SF movies; rather influential in its own way, too.
Pretty much a perfect fusion of horror and science fiction, giving a convincing extraterrestrial rationale for various paranormal and demonic phenomena; thoughtful and disturbing rather than actually scary. Andrew Keir rocks the joint as Professor Q but is well-supported by everyone else. The sequence in which London is transformed in the final reel is also very well done. Sets the standard for intelligent British SF movies; rather influential in its own way, too.
Lindsay (1779 KP) rated Journey to Munich (Maisie Dobbs #12) in Books
Feb 15, 2018 (Updated Apr 9, 2019)
What a journey this book takes you on. This book takes you back to WW2 a bit and Nazi time. What will happen to Maisie Dobbs? The story gets even better as you read.
Why is everything a secret? They need to get a British man home from Munch. Will that happen? Maisie got to go to Germany as a family member of the man who being held by Hitler.
Maisie needs to be careful and Also protected. Will she return back home safe or will she be caught?
Jacqueline Winspear has become one of my favorite authors with the first book that I got to review. I will be looking for more of her books. I love to finish off the rest of the books in this series. She captured my attention the min you start reading. It takes a bit before getting to the story of a book. She gives a little background about Maisie Dobbs from the earlier book and continues on in this book.
Why is everything a secret? They need to get a British man home from Munch. Will that happen? Maisie got to go to Germany as a family member of the man who being held by Hitler.
Maisie needs to be careful and Also protected. Will she return back home safe or will she be caught?
Jacqueline Winspear has become one of my favorite authors with the first book that I got to review. I will be looking for more of her books. I love to finish off the rest of the books in this series. She captured my attention the min you start reading. It takes a bit before getting to the story of a book. She gives a little background about Maisie Dobbs from the earlier book and continues on in this book.