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Phil Leader (619 KP) rated Letters to the Pianist in Books
Nov 19, 2019
War is hell. Sometimes that hell can be a little closer to home.
14 year old Ruth Goldberg lives with her family in the East End of London during the Second World War with her parents and younger sister and brother. Her life isn't perfect by any means but at least she has her family. When their house takes a direct hit from a German bomb, the children are orphaned and cast adrift to live with strangers.
Meanwhile a man is found in the rubble following the bombing, suffering from total amnesia, who is given the name Edward because cannot even remember his own. He does discover that he is an enormously skilled pianist and soon becomes famous and also rich after marrying the daughter of a well-connected aristocrat millionaire.
The story follows Ruth, her siblings and Edward through the war years and beyond as that one bombing raid changed all their lives forever. Some will find their new lives hold unexpected - even deadly - dangers and all will come to know love and friendship as well as loss and betrayal.
Mayes writes this novel with confidence, moving smoothly between the story lines as they unfold and intertwine. She makes the reader really feel the emotions the characters are going through, good or bad. Edward's story is particularly effective as his previous life slowly starts to come to light and the man he was isn't the person either those around him or Edward himself is comfortable with.
As with her previous book, Stop The World, although very different in subject matter this story is just as deeply affecting and once again I'm sure it will stay with me for some time.
14 year old Ruth Goldberg lives with her family in the East End of London during the Second World War with her parents and younger sister and brother. Her life isn't perfect by any means but at least she has her family. When their house takes a direct hit from a German bomb, the children are orphaned and cast adrift to live with strangers.
Meanwhile a man is found in the rubble following the bombing, suffering from total amnesia, who is given the name Edward because cannot even remember his own. He does discover that he is an enormously skilled pianist and soon becomes famous and also rich after marrying the daughter of a well-connected aristocrat millionaire.
The story follows Ruth, her siblings and Edward through the war years and beyond as that one bombing raid changed all their lives forever. Some will find their new lives hold unexpected - even deadly - dangers and all will come to know love and friendship as well as loss and betrayal.
Mayes writes this novel with confidence, moving smoothly between the story lines as they unfold and intertwine. She makes the reader really feel the emotions the characters are going through, good or bad. Edward's story is particularly effective as his previous life slowly starts to come to light and the man he was isn't the person either those around him or Edward himself is comfortable with.
As with her previous book, Stop The World, although very different in subject matter this story is just as deeply affecting and once again I'm sure it will stay with me for some time.
Merissa (13389 KP) rated Azure (The Silver #5) in Books
Mar 5, 2020
Azure is the fifth book in the Silver series and we start off with a pack that isn't Jaze Carso's! Instead, Vance is the Alpha of Two, a hideaway retreat that rich parents can send their alpha sons to, supposedly to protect them. From the way we read about Vance, that protection comes at a cost. Things are going okay for Vance until they are ambushed and he has to protect his pack. Then, he falls for Nora, one of the Hunters who attacked them. No good can come from this, surely?!
Although this book didn't tick as many boxes for me as the others (and I have absolutely NO idea why!!!) I still thoroughly enjoyed the story. I think, for me, it was the love triangle between Nora-Vance-Gem. I'm really not a big fan of them so that may be why. However, I will say, in this situation, it is oh so believable! No matter how much you love someone, to go through what Vance and Gem did, gives you a bond that may be confused with love. I thought it was really well written and perfect for the story.
This is such a fantastic series and I really am loving every book. Yes, even this one! đ Cheree Alsop writes in such a spectacular way as to show the emotions of what her characters are going through. The limelight is also shared amongst the characters. Absolutely amazing and highly recommended by me.
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Although this book didn't tick as many boxes for me as the others (and I have absolutely NO idea why!!!) I still thoroughly enjoyed the story. I think, for me, it was the love triangle between Nora-Vance-Gem. I'm really not a big fan of them so that may be why. However, I will say, in this situation, it is oh so believable! No matter how much you love someone, to go through what Vance and Gem did, gives you a bond that may be confused with love. I thought it was really well written and perfect for the story.
This is such a fantastic series and I really am loving every book. Yes, even this one! đ Cheree Alsop writes in such a spectacular way as to show the emotions of what her characters are going through. The limelight is also shared amongst the characters. Absolutely amazing and highly recommended by me.
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Up is a beautifully crafted film that is full of childâs play and adult in jokes. The magicians at Pixar have again triumphed and added another winning film to a growing list of previous hits.
Carl Fredrickson (Edward Asner) is a 70s something old man who has spent his life in love with Ellie, an aspiring day dreaming adventurer he met when he was a small boy. The pair marry and seem to live happily ever after. When Ellie dies (shown in a tear jerking montage) Carl loses the biggest piece of his life yet but must battle on and keep a promise he made to her years before â to reach a set of falls deep in the South-American jungle.
The opening is extremely moving. It shows Ellie and Carl growing up together and facing lifeâs troubled times and happiest moments. Even for the most hardened film critic Pixar knows how to tap into our emotions. As with any Pixar film itâs the characters that make it. Up is no different. Russell (Jordan Nagai) is an over enthusiastic wilderness scout who teams up with Carl on his adventure. Russell also harbours a secret in his life which is not that dissimilar to Carlâs. Dug (Bob Peterson) is a loveable but slightly dimwitted talking dog, and as for Kevin, his (or should I say her) inclusion is the icing on the cake.
The moment Carl unleashes the balloons from his house in a explosion of colour you know that youâre in for the ride of your life. What follows is a true adventure story. The humour flows right from the beginning and the quirky simplicity of the jokes are brilliant. There are more tear jerking moments and of course a happy ending. Up may surely be Pixarâs finest work yet!
Carl Fredrickson (Edward Asner) is a 70s something old man who has spent his life in love with Ellie, an aspiring day dreaming adventurer he met when he was a small boy. The pair marry and seem to live happily ever after. When Ellie dies (shown in a tear jerking montage) Carl loses the biggest piece of his life yet but must battle on and keep a promise he made to her years before â to reach a set of falls deep in the South-American jungle.
The opening is extremely moving. It shows Ellie and Carl growing up together and facing lifeâs troubled times and happiest moments. Even for the most hardened film critic Pixar knows how to tap into our emotions. As with any Pixar film itâs the characters that make it. Up is no different. Russell (Jordan Nagai) is an over enthusiastic wilderness scout who teams up with Carl on his adventure. Russell also harbours a secret in his life which is not that dissimilar to Carlâs. Dug (Bob Peterson) is a loveable but slightly dimwitted talking dog, and as for Kevin, his (or should I say her) inclusion is the icing on the cake.
The moment Carl unleashes the balloons from his house in a explosion of colour you know that youâre in for the ride of your life. What follows is a true adventure story. The humour flows right from the beginning and the quirky simplicity of the jokes are brilliant. There are more tear jerking moments and of course a happy ending. Up may surely be Pixarâs finest work yet!
Gareth von Kallenbach (980 KP) rated Shaun the Sheep Movie (2015) in Movies
Aug 6, 2019
Shaun the Sheep is a spin-off from the popular British stop-motion animation show Wallace and Gromit. This one of a kind, smart, and loveable sheep burst on to the small screen nearly twenty years ago in the short âA Close Shave.â Winning the hearts of millions, itâs no surprise a movie was in the works.
This film starts off with a silent monologue of how Shaun, the rest of flock of sheep, and Bitzer, the loyal and always âby the bookâ sheepdog, came to live with the Farmer. Fast forward a few years, sick and tired of the redundant life of waking up early, being herded throughout the farm, shaved, and fed the same food every day, Shaun brilliantly devises a plan to give him and the flock the day off. Unfortunately, the plan of tricking the Farmer to fall asleep in an RV trailer goes awry when the trailer wriggles loose from its tire wedges sending the Farmer off on an out of control trip and ending up in the Big City with amnesia. Stuck on the Farm with no one to tend to their needs, the Sheep and Bitzer panic and set off to the Big City to bring the Farmer back home. And, so begins the adventure into unchartered territory.
Itâs remarkable that a movie with no dialogue manages to convey so many messages and emotions-from anger, comic relief, sadness to gratitude and joy. My hats go off to writer-director duo, Mark Burton and Richard Starzak, and the rest of the animation team for paying such wonderful attention to detail with the characters, the vibrant scenery, and also being on point with the comedic timing.
Every generation will love this movie and it definitely proves that silence is golden.
This film starts off with a silent monologue of how Shaun, the rest of flock of sheep, and Bitzer, the loyal and always âby the bookâ sheepdog, came to live with the Farmer. Fast forward a few years, sick and tired of the redundant life of waking up early, being herded throughout the farm, shaved, and fed the same food every day, Shaun brilliantly devises a plan to give him and the flock the day off. Unfortunately, the plan of tricking the Farmer to fall asleep in an RV trailer goes awry when the trailer wriggles loose from its tire wedges sending the Farmer off on an out of control trip and ending up in the Big City with amnesia. Stuck on the Farm with no one to tend to their needs, the Sheep and Bitzer panic and set off to the Big City to bring the Farmer back home. And, so begins the adventure into unchartered territory.
Itâs remarkable that a movie with no dialogue manages to convey so many messages and emotions-from anger, comic relief, sadness to gratitude and joy. My hats go off to writer-director duo, Mark Burton and Richard Starzak, and the rest of the animation team for paying such wonderful attention to detail with the characters, the vibrant scenery, and also being on point with the comedic timing.
Every generation will love this movie and it definitely proves that silence is golden.
Gareth von Kallenbach (980 KP) rated Tonight You're Mine (2012) in Movies
Aug 7, 2019
Indie music sensation Adam (Luke Treadaway) is interrupted from shooting his bandâs new music video by a childish fight with punk rock girl Morello (Natalia Tena). In a moment of binding conflict resolution the two characters are handcuffed together starting a concert-filled night of adventure and romance for the two musicians and their variety of hipster friends.
Like a sharply cut YouTube video, âTonight Youâre Mineâ is quick-paced, jostled, and deeply impacted by the music in the background. The film is scattered with songs to represent all musical genres found at the giant Scottish music festival that serves as the filmâs sole environment. Moreover, this continual musical metamorphosis helps to skirt the fatigued plot: of a boy who dislikes a girl until they fall in love.
But the film avoids the image of squeaky-clean new lovers by literally marching the leads through the muddy grounds of the festival. The expansive habitat invites the characters to be odd and open to rapidly changing experiences, sounds, and obstacles. The empowered characters take advantage of the freedoms offered by the concerts, filling the scenes with gritty honest language that pokes fun, sling insults, and express emotions directly. The result is a film that is as hip and likeable, just like Adam and Morello.
While you know better than to root for a perfect ending, âTonight Your Mineâ has the draw of an indie âHigh School Musicalâ; the love story is so far-fetched that you canât help but hope it will all turn out in end.
The single night adventure film spun around, âTonight Youâre Mineâ provides audiences with characters who are more engaging, slightly darker, and quickly established as too cool to care what their critics think. The result is a film that is honest and very likeable even when the plot is one you already know by heart.
Like a sharply cut YouTube video, âTonight Youâre Mineâ is quick-paced, jostled, and deeply impacted by the music in the background. The film is scattered with songs to represent all musical genres found at the giant Scottish music festival that serves as the filmâs sole environment. Moreover, this continual musical metamorphosis helps to skirt the fatigued plot: of a boy who dislikes a girl until they fall in love.
But the film avoids the image of squeaky-clean new lovers by literally marching the leads through the muddy grounds of the festival. The expansive habitat invites the characters to be odd and open to rapidly changing experiences, sounds, and obstacles. The empowered characters take advantage of the freedoms offered by the concerts, filling the scenes with gritty honest language that pokes fun, sling insults, and express emotions directly. The result is a film that is as hip and likeable, just like Adam and Morello.
While you know better than to root for a perfect ending, âTonight Your Mineâ has the draw of an indie âHigh School Musicalâ; the love story is so far-fetched that you canât help but hope it will all turn out in end.
The single night adventure film spun around, âTonight Youâre Mineâ provides audiences with characters who are more engaging, slightly darker, and quickly established as too cool to care what their critics think. The result is a film that is honest and very likeable even when the plot is one you already know by heart.
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