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Sassy Brit (97 KP) rated Anatomy of a Scandal in Books
Jun 5, 2019
Anatomy of a Scandal is based around three central characters. First there’s James, the suave, charismatic family man and politician who is also good friends with the Prime Minister. He’s wealthy and over-privileged. Then we meet Kate, the young, ruthlessly ambitious prosecutor, who’s determined to see James get the guilty verdict he deserves. She’s also good at her job and made her name prosecuting the very worst sexual assault cases. Finally we meet Sophie, James’ wife who has been dating James since college and knows him better than anyone else. All have a vital part to play in this psychological, legal drama, which starts with a shocking scandal being revealed, which is then dissected in court.
James is accused of rape one of his assistants, but did he do it? While his wife Sophie is seemingly supportive on the outside, on the inside her mind is going crazy thinking about his alleged crimes and what he could in fact be capable of. Just how long can she remain loyal as the story unfolds?
We travel from the court case, back in time to Oxford in the 90s and into the current murky goings on within the privileged political world, where money, corruption and power rule the day.
This is an extremely well written and cleverly plotted, insightful story, which I can easily see adapted into a BBC drama, very much like Louise Doughty’s Apple Tree Yard.
Sarah Vaughan has mastered a treat for us with Anatomy of a Scandal, a sharp, engrossing and poignant political drama, which highlights some shocking hard-hitting facts with sensitivity and realism. Terrific!
James is accused of rape one of his assistants, but did he do it? While his wife Sophie is seemingly supportive on the outside, on the inside her mind is going crazy thinking about his alleged crimes and what he could in fact be capable of. Just how long can she remain loyal as the story unfolds?
We travel from the court case, back in time to Oxford in the 90s and into the current murky goings on within the privileged political world, where money, corruption and power rule the day.
This is an extremely well written and cleverly plotted, insightful story, which I can easily see adapted into a BBC drama, very much like Louise Doughty’s Apple Tree Yard.
Sarah Vaughan has mastered a treat for us with Anatomy of a Scandal, a sharp, engrossing and poignant political drama, which highlights some shocking hard-hitting facts with sensitivity and realism. Terrific!
Zuky the BookBum (15 KP) rated In a Dark, Dark Wood in Books
Mar 15, 2018
Also find my review here: http://bit.ly/28MAUwP
DNF at around 80%
I was so ready to love this book! I'd been wanting it <b>forever!</b> So when I finally got my hands on it I got straight to it and starting reading, but oh dear god, how wrong I was to be excited about this.
Now I'm not saying this is a badly written book, or the characters are boring etc etc, I actually find the writing style of Ware really nice to read <i>but</i> I thought the plot was so incredibly predictable it was honestly hard to keep my eyes from rolling every 5 pages. I know I'm not the only one who thought this because I spoiled the ending for myself by reading some of the answered questions relating to the book just so I wouldn't have to put myself through the last 20%.
The ending is the biggest load of crap ever (sorry to be so harsh). It's ridiculous! Plus I totally guessed it as soon as we found out about Clare & James.
Personally, my recommendation to you is don't waste your time or money on this. If you're looking for a thriller go read <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1509092035">Behind Closed Doors</a> instead. It's so much more tense and thrilling than this novel that I can assure you, you've probably read 5 times already because it's plot is so over done.
You might be wondering why I gave this 2 stars when all I seem to be doing is hating on it, but Ware is a good writer and her characters are well developed and interesting.... she just needs to work on her plot development.
DNF at around 80%
I was so ready to love this book! I'd been wanting it <b>forever!</b> So when I finally got my hands on it I got straight to it and starting reading, but oh dear god, how wrong I was to be excited about this.
Now I'm not saying this is a badly written book, or the characters are boring etc etc, I actually find the writing style of Ware really nice to read <i>but</i> I thought the plot was so incredibly predictable it was honestly hard to keep my eyes from rolling every 5 pages. I know I'm not the only one who thought this because I spoiled the ending for myself by reading some of the answered questions relating to the book just so I wouldn't have to put myself through the last 20%.
The ending is the biggest load of crap ever (sorry to be so harsh). It's ridiculous! Plus I totally guessed it as soon as we found out about Clare & James.
Personally, my recommendation to you is don't waste your time or money on this. If you're looking for a thriller go read <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1509092035">Behind Closed Doors</a> instead. It's so much more tense and thrilling than this novel that I can assure you, you've probably read 5 times already because it's plot is so over done.
You might be wondering why I gave this 2 stars when all I seem to be doing is hating on it, but Ware is a good writer and her characters are well developed and interesting.... she just needs to work on her plot development.
Maya Flowers sees a new commuter on her train, and knows that he’s The One, so she becomes obsessed, imagining what his life is like and who he is until she plucks up the courage to give him a note.
When I realised that this was based on a true story, I decided to read it, thinking that because it was meant that it wouldn’t to be too pink and fluffy. And I was quite glad that I picked it up because it was entertaining.
I really liked Maya, the fact that she seemed so normal. I loved that her obsession with James was so obvious, it made her such a relatable character.
I did struggle a bit with the pace of the novel. It was quite slow all the way through, when I’m more into novels that jump straight into a good juicy plot. But I should have expected this from a book that’s about missed chances.
It was definitely an enjoyable read, with some funny parts. It also definitely made me smile. However I did definitely struggle with it, and to say that it’s only short, it took me a bit longer to read than I thought it would. It just seemed to be missing something.
But since it’s based on a true story, I’m not sure I can really comment much on the plot.
It’s definitely worth reading if you like Jojo Moyes, and I did enjoy it. My only comment is that the pace seemed to let it down.
When I realised that this was based on a true story, I decided to read it, thinking that because it was meant that it wouldn’t to be too pink and fluffy. And I was quite glad that I picked it up because it was entertaining.
I really liked Maya, the fact that she seemed so normal. I loved that her obsession with James was so obvious, it made her such a relatable character.
I did struggle a bit with the pace of the novel. It was quite slow all the way through, when I’m more into novels that jump straight into a good juicy plot. But I should have expected this from a book that’s about missed chances.
It was definitely an enjoyable read, with some funny parts. It also definitely made me smile. However I did definitely struggle with it, and to say that it’s only short, it took me a bit longer to read than I thought it would. It just seemed to be missing something.
But since it’s based on a true story, I’m not sure I can really comment much on the plot.
It’s definitely worth reading if you like Jojo Moyes, and I did enjoy it. My only comment is that the pace seemed to let it down.
Screwed (Dad Bod Contracting #4)
10.0
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Book
“He has to be ready for it, Jess,” I say, my voice low and quiet. Jesse nods. “I know....
Deborah (162 KP) rated A Kiss at Midnight (Fairy Tales, #1) in Books
Dec 19, 2018
I always feel I should like James' books more than I actually do. The first one I read, Much Ado About You, wasn't bad, but since that nothing of hers that I've read has quite hit the spot. I picked A Kiss at Midnight up as part of a 3 for £5 deal in the publishers outlet bookshop, and for that it was OK, but I'm glad I didn't pay any more for it.
For me, the whole thing doesn't hang together comfortably. The hero didn't feel that developed and it was hard to see what the heroine saw in him - obviously when he started getting his shirt off, it gave you a bit more of an idea, but I want something a bit less superficial... You expect the heroine to have more backbone than she really does. She's not going to sleep with him - and then she capitulates. She likes as a virtual slave to her nasty stepmother for seven years and then puts her foot down over impersonating her stepsister.
Entertainment enough for a quick read, but definitely not a keeper for me. A shame, as I usually have a weakness for heroes named Gabriel (Gabriel Cynster, Gabriel Jones....).
For me, the whole thing doesn't hang together comfortably. The hero didn't feel that developed and it was hard to see what the heroine saw in him - obviously when he started getting his shirt off, it gave you a bit more of an idea, but I want something a bit less superficial... You expect the heroine to have more backbone than she really does. She's not going to sleep with him - and then she capitulates. She likes as a virtual slave to her nasty stepmother for seven years and then puts her foot down over impersonating her stepsister.
Entertainment enough for a quick read, but definitely not a keeper for me. A shame, as I usually have a weakness for heroes named Gabriel (Gabriel Cynster, Gabriel Jones....).
The British Knight
10.0
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When I’m offered the chance to leave New York to live in London for three months, I can’t pack...
romance
Elizabeth (1521 KP) rated Split (2016) in Movies
Jul 11, 2019
Contains spoilers, click to show
I didn't realize this was an M. Night Shyamalan film when I watched it. In true M. Night Shyamalan fashion, you get a surprise twist at the end and find out that Kevin (James McAvoy) exists in the same world of hero and villain, David Dunn (Bruce Willis) and Mr. Glass ( Samuel L. Jackson) from Unbreakable.
James McAvoy had to play several different characters in this movie, as Kevin has 23 different personalities, some not so nice, and others, pure evil. A few of these personalities kidnap and hold 3 girls hostage and you watch as they learn the gravity of their situation and try to plan their escape. One of their captor's personalities is a kind and simple soul, Hedwig, that the girls try to exploit to help them escape.
All the while, Kevin is seeing a therapist to try to keep his darker personalities in check. But a new, more terrifying 24th personality begins to emerge and take over. It is this 24th personality known as the Beast that catches the attention of Dunn and Mr. Glass, along with the rest of the world. The Beast is superhuman, able to scale walls and seemingly invulnerable.
Of the 24 personalities, only a handful are fully developed characters portrayed in the movie. It could not have been an easy role, but McAvoy does it so well, that you believe the different personalities. I have long been a fan of McAvoy's and he does not disappoint in this film.
James McAvoy had to play several different characters in this movie, as Kevin has 23 different personalities, some not so nice, and others, pure evil. A few of these personalities kidnap and hold 3 girls hostage and you watch as they learn the gravity of their situation and try to plan their escape. One of their captor's personalities is a kind and simple soul, Hedwig, that the girls try to exploit to help them escape.
All the while, Kevin is seeing a therapist to try to keep his darker personalities in check. But a new, more terrifying 24th personality begins to emerge and take over. It is this 24th personality known as the Beast that catches the attention of Dunn and Mr. Glass, along with the rest of the world. The Beast is superhuman, able to scale walls and seemingly invulnerable.
Of the 24 personalities, only a handful are fully developed characters portrayed in the movie. It could not have been an easy role, but McAvoy does it so well, that you believe the different personalities. I have long been a fan of McAvoy's and he does not disappoint in this film.
Car Fever: The Car Bore's Essential Companion
Book
When I'm in power there are going to be some changes around here, I can tell you. May's Britain is...
Bostonian916 (449 KP) rated The Double (2014) in Movies
Aug 16, 2020
Jesse Eisenberg has definitely paved his own path. The Double is another in what is becoming a long string of movies that are pretty far off the beaten path and outside the normal route of Hollywood stardom.
Jesse actually stars in two different roles, Simon James and James Simon. There were quite a few elements of the movie that reminded me of Fight Club, but not in physical form. More in regards to the mental aspect than anything else. The notion of "creating" an alter ego to live a world you formerly only dreamed of without consciously realizing that it's happening.
Bit of a mind bender, but in a good way. I love the stylistic approach to sets and costumes that the film employs. I've never seen a combination quite like it.
Jesse actually stars in two different roles, Simon James and James Simon. There were quite a few elements of the movie that reminded me of Fight Club, but not in physical form. More in regards to the mental aspect than anything else. The notion of "creating" an alter ego to live a world you formerly only dreamed of without consciously realizing that it's happening.
Bit of a mind bender, but in a good way. I love the stylistic approach to sets and costumes that the film employs. I've never seen a combination quite like it.
Matthew Krueger (10051 KP) rated The Purge (2013) in Movies
Apr 14, 2020 (Updated Apr 18, 2020)
Would You Participate
The pruge- the idea of which all criminal activity including murders is legal for 12 hours is really intesting. Like whould happen, if this really happen. I mean, its kinda of happen, but with tolet paper, paper towels, napkins and food. That their is nothing left, and if their is people are rushing to the stories just to get it. Survival of the finest thats the saying. Surviving just to see anethor day/tomorrow. I like ethan hawke, i think he is a underrated actor and he is really good in this. The bad guy is soo laughable, thats hes good but bad.
The plot: In an America ravaged by crime and overcrowded prisons, the government sanctions an annual 12-hour period during which all criminal activity -- including murder -- is legal. James Sandin (Ethan Hawke) and his family face the ultimate test when an intruder drags the vicious outside world into their home. James, Mary (Lena Headey) and their two children struggle to survive the night while trying not to turn into monsters like the ones they are striving to avoid. Also this takes place in the year 2022, so maybe it still might happen, who knows.
For me, i perfer the 2nd and 3rd one, but this one was a good start, to a good horror franchise.
The plot: In an America ravaged by crime and overcrowded prisons, the government sanctions an annual 12-hour period during which all criminal activity -- including murder -- is legal. James Sandin (Ethan Hawke) and his family face the ultimate test when an intruder drags the vicious outside world into their home. James, Mary (Lena Headey) and their two children struggle to survive the night while trying not to turn into monsters like the ones they are striving to avoid. Also this takes place in the year 2022, so maybe it still might happen, who knows.
For me, i perfer the 2nd and 3rd one, but this one was a good start, to a good horror franchise.