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Hazel (1853 KP) rated The Followers in Books

Dec 17, 2018  
TF
The Followers
Rebecca Wait | 2015
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
My rating: 3.5
<i>I received this book for free through Goodreads First Reads.

The Followers</i> is the compelling second novel of the British author Rebecca Wait. Stephanie is living a mundane life with her daughter, making what little money she can at a local coffee shop. But then she meets Nathaniel, a man who says he wants to love her, look after her and make her happy. Stephanie and Judith move in with Nathaniel at a place known as the Ark, with a bunch of other people who are part of a religious cult. Nathaniel, who proclaims himself as a prophet, is determined for Stephanie to forget about her past and turn herself to God. Judith, however, is not so easy to persuade. However a turn of events raise questions as to whether Nathaniel should really be trusted.

The story begins with Stephanie in prison where she is serving her sentence for a crime the reader has no knowledge of. It then switches between “before” and “after” with “before” being when Stephanie meets Nathaniel and “after” involving the prison scenes. From the very start the reader knows something bad is going to happen, that Stephanie is going to break a law bad enough for her to be imprisoned. The following chapters keep readers guessing what exactly that offence would be.

The novel gets darker and darker as the truth about the running of the Ark is revealed. With violence and punishments being doled out, Nathaniel is no longer the man he originally appeared. As the book climaxes it is shocking when the reader realizes what it is that Stephanie is going to do.

As well as Judith there are other children living in the Ark, but the difference is they were born there and have known nothing else except doing things in the name of God. Judith on the other hand was not sheltered from the “evils” of the outside world and thus has a different opinion about the way Nathaniel treats his followers. As it turns out, Judith is right to distrust the ways of this man, but there is nothing she can do about her situation.

Although containing a strong religious theme, <i>The Followers</i> is not a piece of Christian fiction. The behaviour of Nathaniel and the members of the Ark does not reflect the average Christian, and everyone, whether religious or not, will be shocked by the happenings in this book.

It took a while to get into the storyline and the first few chapters did not feel particularly well written, however readers will quickly be sucked into the plot and will want to keep reading to find out what happens. <i>The Followers</i> is not a happy story and there are a few sad and distressing scenes, which make the reader really feel for some of the characters. Overall it is a very interesting read.
  
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Gareth von Kallenbach (980 KP) rated Hercules (2014) in Movies

Aug 6, 2019  
Hercules (2014)
Hercules (2014)
2014 | Action, Sci-Fi
6
6.2 (9 Ratings)
Movie Rating Watch
Dwayne “no longer the Rock” Johnson shares his acting skills with the world again.

Action star, sure; drama star, not so much.

 

In this graphic novel adaptation Hercules is made out to be a questionable

demi-god. With a spectacular retelling of his legendary labors, the story begins

showing Hercules as a sword-for-hire. His band of mercenaries helps him use the fame

to intimidate enemies and garner business.

 

Haunted by his past, the loss of Alcmene and 3 children, Hercules is offered his

weight in gold to save a kingdom from a tyrant.

 

Hercules sets off on his quest, hoping soon to be done with it all and retire on a

remote island to live out his days.

 

This star studded cast lends some great acting skill, Johnson withstanding, to the

big screen. The action will entertain, and the humor will grant a chuckle.

 

I found the story compelling, but I also feel like humor and the main actor were

 

Worth seeing but probably better suited for an at-home viewing.
  
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Fatoumata Diawara recommended Wari by Coumba Sidibe in Music (curated)

 
Wari by Coumba Sidibe
Wari by Coumba Sidibe
(0 Ratings)
Album Favorite

"This song is very blue, it makes me cry a lot. The bass line is very heavy. It's like facing yourself, facing your problems and your issues: Who are you? What are you looking for? What would you like to achieve? This is song is very important to me. I still listen to it, when I'm not feeling good. 'Wari' means 'money'. When you make money, you can really forget your past. You can forget your mum, you can forget your father. You can become someone else. The lyrics are very deep. It's advising you: money is good but never forget where you come from, never forget your soul, never forget your spirit, your family. Be yourself.
 Women are used to talking about society, children, our husbands, emancipation, money. They teach you to be humble, to go back to your roots. Never be somebody else, fight to be yourself. It's a good message for what we're doing, always being in a different hotel, taking the plane everyday. I needed those women."

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