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Lenard (726 KP) rated The Farewell (2019) in Movies

Aug 19, 2019  
The Farewell (2019)
The Farewell (2019)
2019 | Comedy, Drama
9
8.9 (7 Ratings)
Movie Rating Watch
In the West, families celebrate each other in death. If someone is dying, the news is shared and every one comes together to tragically revere their family member. In the West, they celebrate their family member in life. They do not let someone know that they are dying instead bringing a sense of joy by coming together. This culture clash between the New World ideas and Old World ideas populate Lulu Wang's new film "The Farewell." The family matriach has stage 4 cancer, but rather than tell her that she is dying, the two brothers and their families stage a wedding. One son emigrated to America and raised a liberal arts educated daughter who struggles to make ends meet. One son went to Japan and raised his son. Left behind, the sister and a niece took care of their mother. It is revealed how much the sister has sacrificed for this matriach, but she is happy to give her sister the joy to live. Is it wrong to tell a lie if it makes a person's life better? Which idea of death do you follow? Awkwafina gives a surprising performance as Billi, the Asian-American artist who loves her grandmother and struggles to understand how this lie is good. Shuzhen Zhao plays Nai Nai, the family matriach, with spirit and style, the kind of performance Oscar would notice if they gave notice to Asian performances.
  
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Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2395 KP) rated Murder in an English Village (Beryl and Edwina Mystery #1) in Books

Mar 9, 2018  
MI
Murder in an English Village (Beryl and Edwina Mystery #1)
Jessica Ellicott | 2017
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
When Edwina’s funds get low enough, she starts advertising for a boarder. Fortunately for her, Beryl sees it. The two women, though very different, are boarding school friends, and this new living arrangement suits them both. But Beryl’s presence in Edwina’s small village creates some gossip, which Beryl fuels by hinting that the two women are actually employed by His Majesty. When someone tries to kill Edwina, the two realize there is a secret to uncover. What might it be?

This book perfectly transports us back to 1920 and the English countryside. The repercussions of World War I are still there, and it is a fascinating look at how the war affected the rest of life. The British Edwina and American Beryl are very different, and their differences can be fun, yet they make a good detecting pair, and we feel the depth of their friendship. The plot is strong, keeping us surprised until the end.

NOTE: I received an ARC of this book.

Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2017/10/book-review-murder-in-english-village.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
  
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ClareR (5950 KP) rated How Beautiful We Were in Books

Jan 25, 2022  
How Beautiful We Were
How Beautiful We Were
Imbolo Mbue | 2021 | Contemporary, Fiction & Poetry
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
How Beautiful We Were is the story of an African village (Kosawa - it’s fictitious) and its environmental destruction and pollution by an American oil company. Their water and land is contaminated. Children die from drinking poisoned water, they can no longer grow crops as their farmland is infertile. Thinking that they can get some help from the government, some men go to appeal their leader in the capital city, but they disappear after being arrested. The country’s dictator is only out for the money and profit, and these uneducated villagers are expendable.

It’s not until American citizens see the slaughter of the villagers that action is taken. However, even after promises of reparation, the oil company doesn’t pay up, and more deaths follow.

Thule is a fascinating character. She leaves to study in the US for the sake of her village - even though she doesn’t want to leave. But she wants to learn as much as possible so that she can help her friends and family. She studies, she gets involved in similar campaigns in America, and then comes home to use that knowledge. She’s so selfless: she has the opportunity to make a life in New York and never return to a place where her life will be in danger, but she goes home.

I really liked the way that this novel was set out, and it worked so well on audiobook. The Children, The Young Men and Thule chapters were read by different people, and it really helped to put me in their situation. Listening to the reactions of the children and young men in ‘their’ voices, and Thule’s experiences in ‘her’ voice, was what made this all the more special and affecting for me.
Recommended.