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Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2611 KP) rated Talking God in Books

Aug 4, 2026  
Talking God
Talking God
Tony Hillerman | 1989 | Mystery
5
5.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Weak Plot Didn’t Quite Work for Me
Joe Leaphorn has been asked to help with a dead body that was found near the train tracks just outside the Navajo reservation. While he is only asked to help find any evidence around the body, he can’t help but work more on the case when no one can come up with the identity of the victim. Meanwhile, Jim Chee is asked to arrest Henry Highhawk for desecration of a grave and then fleeing across state lines. It should have been as simple as arresting Henry at the ceremony where he shows up. But Chee feels something else is going on. Is he right?

This book didn’t completely work for me. Leaphorn and Chee spent too long on parallel paths when we knew their stories were going to intersect. Additionally, the action moves from the Navajo reservation to Washington DC, but the reservation location is a big factor in what works well for these stories. Finally, I’m really hoping we’ve put this particular part of Chee’s romantic life to bed once and for all. Don’t get me wrong, I do still like Leaphorn and Chee here, and when the stories combine, we get a great climax. But this is a book strictly for fans of the series.
  
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Suswatibasu (1703 KP) rated Loving (2016) in Movies

Nov 8, 2017 (Updated Nov 8, 2017)  
Loving (2016)
Loving (2016)
2016 | Drama
9
7.7 (3 Ratings)
Movie Rating
Rather stunning, poignant film
What makes this beautiful story so wonderful is the fact that it crosses boundaries in an unpretentious way. Based on a true story, there were ample chances to go over the top. However, there is no civil rights action, or major protestations, as portrayed in some other Hollywood films, keeping court scenes to a minimum.

The plot follows the real case Loving Vs. Virginia, in which a white man marries a black woman in the 1950's. At that time, interracial marriages were deemed illegal under segregation laws, and even the constitution. And in 1958, the couple were arrested after they secretly wed in Washington. They pleaded guilty and were forced to leave the state, banished for 25 years. But five years later, they return vowing to fight for their right to stay with each other, and now their three young children in the place which they call home.

The entire movie is quiet, and it is all conveyed through quite fantastic acting, subtle facial expressions, sounds, cinematography and minimal dialogue. The director makes the portrayal as accurate as possible - even posing scenes from real photographs posted in Life magazine at the time. And the tension from constantly keeping an eye out for authorities is palpable in Joel Edgerton's (Richard Loving) demeanour. It is a rare mainstream film that provokes frustration and rage without resorting to monologues or melodrama.