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Dinner Party: A Tragedy
Book
A MAJOR 2021 DEBUT FICTION LAUNCH, THIS REMARKABLE IRISH NOVEL ABOUT THE MESSINESS OF MODERN FAMILY...
Rickey A. Mossow Jr. (689 KP) rated Pet Sematary (2019) in Movies
May 19, 2019
Twists on the original keep viewers guessing (1 more)
Visually better
Characters are skeletal with little development (1 more)
Filmmakers add so much it changes the concept of the story
Good if you don't know the source material or the original film.
The keys to a good remake are to not forget the original or the source material, update the story, and hold true to the values of the predecessors. While this remake captures the basic outline of King's novel and the original movie, it also makes several changes. Firstly, it adds several twists to the original plot line, which are excusable to keep viewers guessing and to separate the movie from the original. What frustrates, however, is that the filmmakers added so much. These additions skewed the very deep and visceral meanings and themes of King's book and the original movie. Rather than being a horror-filled contemplation on the complexity of loss and grief, it settled on jump scares, gore, and the creepiness of violent kids and animals. The characters are skeletal at best with no real depth or development in the film. In 2019, when you try to remake things, they have to be great. While this was a decent film if you ignore the book and the previous film, this effort fell far short of anything near great.
Billie Wichkan (118 KP) rated The Heart Keeper in Books
May 22, 2019
How do you mend a broken heart?
It's been three months since Alison Miller-Juul's world fell apart when her six-year-old daughter, Amalie, died in an accident. Three months of sympathy cards, grief counselling and gritting her teeth, but it's still only the vodka and pills that seem to help.
Across town, Iselin Berg's life is finally looking up. Her seven-year-old daughter, Kaia, has survived a life-changing operation. After years of doctors, medication and hope, they can now start thinking about the future.
When Alison uncovers a dangerous secret, she is left in turmoil. She can now see a way to heal her broken heart, but will she risk everything to do so?
This is an intense family drama, it is being told from the viewpoints of two mothers.
Both of their stories start off separately but the they do become connected dramatically.
This such an emotional read, very intense and realistic.
The emotional turmoil was heartbreaking; as a mother could totally relate.
The characters were complex and very believably written.
The ending had me on the edge of my seat.
Totally gripping and magnificent story.
Recommend reading!!
Thank you so much to NetGalley, Victoria Joss at Aria / Head of Zeus and Alex Dahl for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of this book.
It's been three months since Alison Miller-Juul's world fell apart when her six-year-old daughter, Amalie, died in an accident. Three months of sympathy cards, grief counselling and gritting her teeth, but it's still only the vodka and pills that seem to help.
Across town, Iselin Berg's life is finally looking up. Her seven-year-old daughter, Kaia, has survived a life-changing operation. After years of doctors, medication and hope, they can now start thinking about the future.
When Alison uncovers a dangerous secret, she is left in turmoil. She can now see a way to heal her broken heart, but will she risk everything to do so?
This is an intense family drama, it is being told from the viewpoints of two mothers.
Both of their stories start off separately but the they do become connected dramatically.
This such an emotional read, very intense and realistic.
The emotional turmoil was heartbreaking; as a mother could totally relate.
The characters were complex and very believably written.
The ending had me on the edge of my seat.
Totally gripping and magnificent story.
Recommend reading!!
Thank you so much to NetGalley, Victoria Joss at Aria / Head of Zeus and Alex Dahl for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of this book.
Merissa (13329 KP) rated Broken Girl vs Fix-It Boy (Forever Love #2) in Books
Oct 21, 2019
Broken Girl vs Fix-It Boy is the second book in the Forever Love series, and is a continuation from their first book.
Written mainly from Harper and Tane's point of view, but also with some from Bianca, this book details the struggles Harper is facing, with how her grief is affecting her ways the others don't really see as they are too busy trying to sort out their own feelings. Tane and Harper's road is definitely a bumpy one but I am hoping they will work things out together. As for Bianca, I really can't wait for her story. I'm still not a big fan of Stacy, but I can see she is trying. She just needs to realise (which I think she has at the end of this book) that Bianca is a different person. I also can't wait for Stacy to open her eyes, but that's another story.
This is a touching, emotional book that is excellently written as expected, with no editing or grammatical errors that disrupted my reading. An excellent addition to the series that will definitely leave you wanting more. 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!
Written mainly from Harper and Tane's point of view, but also with some from Bianca, this book details the struggles Harper is facing, with how her grief is affecting her ways the others don't really see as they are too busy trying to sort out their own feelings. Tane and Harper's road is definitely a bumpy one but I am hoping they will work things out together. As for Bianca, I really can't wait for her story. I'm still not a big fan of Stacy, but I can see she is trying. She just needs to realise (which I think she has at the end of this book) that Bianca is a different person. I also can't wait for Stacy to open her eyes, but that's another story.
This is a touching, emotional book that is excellently written as expected, with no editing or grammatical errors that disrupted my reading. An excellent addition to the series that will definitely leave you wanting more. 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!
James Koppert (2698 KP) rated Black and Blue: How Racism, Drugs and Cancer Almost Destroyed Me in Books
Nov 28, 2019
Even if you hate football or Chelsea, READ THIS
Wow. What a book. Sadly because this is a sports book non football fans may ignore this book. It doesn't matter what you are into you can't deny Paul Canoville's incredible journey. The first black player for Chelsea this incredible player came in to football at a very ugly time and endured abuse of sickening racism from his own supporters. That alone would make a good book in itself but Paul lost his career, turned to drugs, suffered grief, battled with cancer, fathered children, danced to lots of music and so much more. Paul has had an incredible life and is on the other side fighting against racism and educating the kids. The man is adorable, he's made some big mistakes but he learns from them.
You can HATE football and still find this book very special indeed and it deserves to be made into a movie. Every person i have persuaded to read it has thanked me for the recommendation. It one the best sports book the year it was released and would be a contender for one of the greatest ever.
You can HATE football and still find this book very special indeed and it deserves to be made into a movie. Every person i have persuaded to read it has thanked me for the recommendation. It one the best sports book the year it was released and would be a contender for one of the greatest ever.
ClareR (5991 KP) rated The Animals at Lockwood Manor in Books
Apr 3, 2020
The Animals at Lockwood Manor is a creepy, gothic tale, set during World War Two. Hetty Cartwright is unusual, in that she has been put in charge of the Natural History Museums mammal collection, and the task of removing it from London to Lockwood Manor. She is expected to keep the collection safe, and to keep it in good condition. She is well aware that she only holds the post because the men who would have had the post have all gone to war. Hetty knows that the role will be challenging, but she hasn’t counted on Lord Lockwood, who is bullish, overbearing and opinionated. His daughter, Lucy, is another matter. She seems to be completely controlled by him, and is constantly reminded about her delicate mental health by her father. Hetty feels drawn to Lucy, and tries to help her with her anxiety and her grief at the loss of her mother and grandmother.
This is no fast-moving thriller, but it is creepy, haunting (in fact, is Lockwood Manor haunted?) with a malevolent undercurrent. It’s like the Manor itself is alive. It’s also a story of secrets: family secrets and secret love.
This was a pleasure to read; it’s richly descriptive language described the house, people and the time in history beautifully. If you enjoy a creepy, slow burner, you’ll love this book. I did.
This is no fast-moving thriller, but it is creepy, haunting (in fact, is Lockwood Manor haunted?) with a malevolent undercurrent. It’s like the Manor itself is alive. It’s also a story of secrets: family secrets and secret love.
This was a pleasure to read; it’s richly descriptive language described the house, people and the time in history beautifully. If you enjoy a creepy, slow burner, you’ll love this book. I did.
Six Weeks of Blenheim Summer: An RAF Officer's Memoir of the Battle of France 1940
Alastair Dyson Panton and Victoria Panton Bacon
Book
Six Weeks of Blenheim Summer is a vivid and lyrical memoir of life as an RAF reconnaissance pilot in...
Soul Rider: Facing Fear and Finding Redemption on a Harley
Book
This is the story of a woman who went on an incredible journey. Carolyn Fox was a single mother and...
Joy: Poet, Seeker, and the Woman Who Captivated C. S. Lewis
6.0
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Book
Joy Davidman is known, if she is known at all, as the wife of C. S. Lewis. Their marriage was...
Dark Tourism: Practice and Interpretation
Glenn Hooper and John J. Lennon
Book
Dark Tourism, as well as other terms such as Thanatourism and Grief Tourism, has been much discussed...