Never judge a book by its movie...

Anyone who knows me will know that I always insist on reading a book before going to see the film adaptation - it is very rarely the case that the film is better than the book, so I like to read the story for myself first and visualise the characters, interpreting it in my own mind before watching it unfold on screen. I then enjoy pointing out all of the details that have been omitted from the film that I feel would have been important to include - as you can imagine, my friends love this!

Sometimes the filmmakers get it absolutely right, and rather than coming away from the cinema detailing what is missing, I come away reliving all of the things that I loved about the book upon my first reading, having seen the characters come to life.

With this in mind, I have chosen to focus this post on books where I feel the film adaptations have completely done them justice, and as with the books, moved you more than you thought possible. The purpose isn't to encourage you to just watch the film if you haven't already read the book, but hopefully to do both!

The books that I have chosen are; The Silver Linings Playbook by Matthew Quick, Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro, and, Atonement by Ian McEwan.

"Most people lose the ability to see silver linings even though they are always there above us almost every day."
The Silver Linings Playbook, Matthew Quick

At the beginning of The Silver Linings Playbook we meet Pat Peoples as he is being discharged from a mental health facility, into the care of his parents. We quickly learn of Pat's obsessive behaviour, and the driving force for his recovery which is the hope that he will be reconciled with his estranged wife, Nikki, after what Pat refers to as their 'Apart Time'. Pat has lost all concept of time, and what he believes to have been months has in fact been years, so we join Pat as he tries to piece together lost moments and move forward with his life.

Throughout the book we learn about Pat's personal struggle, his relationship with his family, and events that have brought him to this point. Witnessing his journey to discovering more about himself and his relationship with others, we feel as if his personal struggle is also our own. I really grew to love Pat, and cared deeply about what happened to him and how he was treated by others.

Pat's relationship with his father is complex, and throughout the book we see how Pat connects with his father through their love of football, and it is through this that Pat feels he is a part of something. Pat's developing relationship with Tiffany, who is overcoming issues of her own, also plays a central part within the story.

This is an endearing and thoughtful story, touching upon serious issues in a sensitive and heartwarming way, adding a touch of humour where appropriate. Above all, this is a story of unwavering hope with Pat never losing his belief that everything in life can have a happy ending if we look hard enough for the silver lining.

The film adaptation has a brilliant cast; Bradley Cooper as Pat, Robert DeNiro as Pat's father, Jennifer Lawrence as Tiffany. The film was nominated for eight Academy Awards, with Jennifer Lawrence winning Best Actress. A number of changes were made within the film adaptation,  however the message and the spirit of the book remains; we all struggle with life at some point, in many different ways, and Pat's story will inspire hope for us all.

"Memories, even your most precious ones, fade surprisingly quickly. But I don't go along with that. The memories I value most, I don't ever see them fading.'
Never Let Me Go, Kazuo Ishiguro

Never Let Me Go is narrated by Kathy H, who tells us that she is now working as a carer, visiting recovery centres to care for recuperating donors. As a carer, she has time to reminisce about her childhood at Hailsham; a residential institution for children, preparing them for their lives as carers and donors. Through Kathy's recollections, we learn of her relationship with close friends Ruth and Tommy, and the complexities that both connect them and tear them apart. For Kathy, this time for reflection is clearly also an attempt for her to come to terms with all that has happened in the past, and to an extent what lies ahead in her future.

From the start of the book, Kathy gives away very little detail or background information, meaning that life at Hailsham is to a degree shrouded in mystery, however the reader gets the sense that something sinister is on the horizon, despite the descriptions of an idyllic, countryside setting. Indeed, it is a sinister and tragic story; for the children at Hailsham their life plan has been determined for them and lies completely outside of their control.

There are a number of themes explored; childhood, innocence, a willingness to accept your fate, relayed in Ishiguro's beautiful prose, which doesn't attempt to be flamboyant or dramatic, but is instead written in a relatively calm and matter of fact manner. It encourages you to consider life, and to concentrate more on the little things that will create lasting memories; friendship, a song, a gift.

This story will stay with you for a long time, it is harrowing and unsettling, and you will be thinking about it long after you have finished the last page.

The film adaptation stars Carey Mulligan, Andrew Garfield and Kiera Knightley as Kathy, Tommy and Ruth. It remains very true to the book, with a very simplistic, stripped back approach to storytelling, enabling us to make our own interpretations from what is implied within.

"From this new and intimate perspective, she learned a simple, obvious thing she had always known, and everyone knew; that a person is, among all else, a material thing, easily torn, not easily mended."
Atonement, Ian McEwan

Atonement begins on a summer's evening in the 1930s at the home of the Tallis family, where thirteen year old Briony Tallis has been eagerly awaiting the arrival of her elder brother Leon and his friend, along with her cousins who have come to stay. Briony's sister Cecilia has also returned from studying at Cambridge, and is reacquainted with her childhood friend Robbie Turner, whose mother works on the Tallis family estate.  It soon becomes clear that new feelings have developed between Cecilia and Robbie, which is not lost on Briony.

In response to a number of interactions that Briony witnesses between Robbie and her sister, along with a draft letter that Robbie unwittingly sends to Cecilia via Briony, Briony draws her own misconstrued conclusions on Robbie, and his intentions with her sister. This is presented as being partially due her naivety and innocence in relation to adult feelings, however there is also a more calculating self-serving element, where Briony doesn't want to see her world as she knows it to be threatened by any significant change.

Later that night a terrible incident occurs, and due to the misconceptions that Briony has formed in her imagination about Robbie, she falsely accuses him of a crime he didn't commit, thereby committing a crime herself in the process. Briony's actions set in motion a chain of events spanning decades, where the lives of those present on that summer evening are consequently changed forever.

You will experience a roller coaster of emotions while reading this book; anger, frustration, heartbreak, sadness, confusion, hope. Each of the characters will stay with you for some time, as will the vision that McEwan creates of the Second World War and the impact on both those who fought in the war, and the families that were left behind.

The film adaptation is truly beautiful and poignant, perfectly capturing the plot and and the feelings conjured by the book. One particular stand out scene from the film is a shot from the beach at Dunkirk, that would bring even the hardest person close to tears. The film is brilliantly cast with both James McAvoy's portrayal of Robbie Turner and Keira Knightley as Cecilia Tallis, being outstanding.


I strongly believe that films should never replace books, and that to truly appreciate a film it is important to first read the story upon which it is based. However there are film adaptations that can reignite your love of a story, enabling you to develop different interpretations and to place a different emphasis on certain story lines or characters.

Are there any film adaptations that you feel were better than the book? I would love to hear about them!

It's so much fun to write about lawyers, but I never enjoyed being a lawyer." John Grisham

Before we start I should explain that this post is going to be quite niche. I have chosen to focus on one of my favourite authors who inspired me when I was a teenager…John Grisham. I have to thank an old school friend, Ellie, for lending me The Rainmaker when I was 13, it was the first John Grisham book I read, which to some extent has shaped my studies and career from that point on.

Before becoming a writer, John Grisham was a lawyer specialising in criminal defence and personal injury litigation. He wrote his first novel, A Time to Kill, after hearing the testimony of a 12 year old rape victim at trial, and since then has published over 20 books and been hailed as 'master of the legal thriller'. 

As with previous posts, I have selected three books to focus on…this has proven to be a very difficult task given that there are so many incredible ones to choose from, but I have decided upon The Rainmaker, The Chamber, and, The Confession. 

"I'm alone and outgunned, scared and inexperienced, but I'm right."

John Grisham, The Rainmaker

When we meet Rudy Baylor, he is a law student preparing to sit the bar exam. As part of his studies, Rudy undertakes pro bono work at a local community centre where he meets Dot and Buddy Black, who go on to become one of Rudy's first clients and are set to have a massive impact on his future. 

Dot and Buddy have a terminally ill son, Donny Ray, who has leukemia and could have been saved with a bone marrow transplant, his twin brother having provided a match. Prior to Donny Ray's diagnosis, the family had taken out a life insurance policy with a company called Great Benefit; a large, wealthy insurance firm. 

Their claim for a bone marrow transplant is denied a number of times, ultimately resulting in the death of Donny Ray. Great Benefit treat the family with complete disrespect, sending out company correspondence that describes them as being 'stupid, stupid, stupid' which will no doubt provoke a strong reaction with the reader, as it does with me each time I read it! 

A legal battle ensues, with newly qualified Rudy leading the case for the Black family, with the help of sidekicks Deck Shifflet and Bruiser Stone, who use less than conventional methods to assist Rudy in practising the law. 

Throughout The Rainmaker, Grisham highlights the injustices that people can suffer due to their perceived social standing, however with determination and support can make a difference, fighting back against those who feel they are invincible.

"Look at me…A wretched old man in a red monkey suit. A convicted murderer about to be gassed like an animal."
John Grisham, The Chamber

Sam Cayhall is a man on death row for the murder of two Jewish children who died when their father's law firm was bombed 20 years earlier. Sam is not a nice man; he is bitter, bigoted and racist, having been a dedicated member of the Ku Klux Klan for many years before his confinement. After many years of appeals, Sam's time is nearly up and the gas chamber is ever increasingly becoming a reality.

Here we meet Adam Hall; a a newly qualified lawyer starting out at Chicago law firm, Kravitz and Bane, and desperate to be involved in taking on Sam's case. The reason for this is tied to his family history, and much of the book focuses on their developing relationship, as well Sam's impending execution.

It is clear early on that Grisham has written this book with his own views on capital punishment very much at the forefront of his mind, highlighting the impact of death row not only on those convicted, but also on those around them. The way in which Grisham develops the characters, particularly Sam, has a profound effect on the reader, and will leave you thinking about their story long after it ends. I know it certainly has that effect on me, and it is a book I have returned to many times. 

"Death row is a nightmare to serial killers and axe murderers. For an innocent man, it's a life of mental torture that the human spirit is not equipped to survive."

John Grisham, The Confession

Donte Brumm has been on death row for nine years, and is now four days away from his execution. We learn from the offset that Brumm is innocent and has spent most of his adult life incarcerated for a murder that he didn't commit. In fact, we know that Travis Boyette is the man who has committed the crime; he murdered a high school cheerleader, hid the body where no one would find it, and sat back and watched an innocent man be convicted and sentenced to the death penalty.

However, now Boyette has discovered that he has a brain tumour and is close to death himself, therefore choosing to confess his crime to a pastor, starting a race against time to prevent the imminent execution of an innocent man.

The Confession is heartbreaking and thought provoking, at times very frustrating, but if nothing else it will force you to consider the issue of capital punishment and the system upon which it is built, providing a somewhat alarming insight into the American legal system.

Given that this book focuses so heavily on the death penalty, with Grisham's views strongly conveyed as they were in The Chamber, you may wonder why I chose to feature such similar books from Grisham's wide ranging back catalogue. The truth is that both are very important to me, and having read The Chamber at a relatively young age it made me question whether I would want to live in a country that felt it was right to kill.

If you have read any of the books mentioned above, I would love to hear your thoughts on them. If not, I hope that this blog has encouraged you to give one a try.

More information on John Grisham and his books can be found at www.jgrisham.com.

The Rule of Three...

It is often said that things happen in three's…it is not clear exactly where this comes from, however if you have seen The Craft (great film!) you will know that in witchcraft the 'Rule of Three' is a widely held belief that whatever energy a person puts out into the world - good or bad - it will be returned to that person three fold; 'by the power of three make them see, make them see'. If bad things happen, we often have an expectation that they will happen in three's, waiting for the next thing to go wrong.

Rather than concentrate on the bad, I thought I would focus on the good things that come in three's and had some interesting responses when I asked my friends; three wise men, three wishes, Hanson, Destiny's Child (the final line-up obviously!), gammon, egg & pineapple, the Batman trilogy, Three Times a Lady. Even though this list is small, it probably provides quite an insight into the minds of me and my friends!

The 'rule of three' is also a writing principle that suggests that things that come in three's are funnier or more effective than any other numbers of things; Goldilocks and the Three Bears, The Three Little Pigs, Three Billy Goats Gruff. This leads me on nicely to the theme for this post; the trilogy.

The books within a trilogy are all connected in some way, whether it is by the characters, setting or theme. The reader is able to invest more in a story and a character, and it is often upon completing the final instalment of a trilogy that I feel most bereft!  I must say here that it is extremely frustrating to finish a book which is part of a trilogy and have to wait a year until the next one is published. Before you read on, I can confirm that all of the books featured in this post are available to buy!

The trilogies that I will mention in this post are; the Delirium trilogy by Lauren Oliver, the Millennium trilogy by Stieg Larsson, and, His Dark Materials trilogy by Philip Pullman.

Delirium
Pandemonium
Requiem 

"Love: a single word, a wispy thing, a word no bigger or longer than an edge. That's what it is: an edge; a razor. It draws up through the centre of your life, cutting everything in two. Before and after. The rest of the world falls away on either side."
Lauren Oliver, Delirium

The Delirium trilogy is a young adult dystopian story set in the future. I read the first book after it was recommended on Twitter, and subsequently recommended it to all of my friends. The power of social media! The story centres around a strong female lead, Lena, who lives in a society where love is considered as being a disease - amor deliria nervosa - which will eventually result in death. In order to 'save' people from this disease, every child must have the 'Cure' upon reaching the age of 18 through a surgical procedure. We learn relatively early in the story that Lena's mother committed suicide rather than have the Cure, and that as a result Lena and her sister are brought up by her aunt and uncle.

Throughout the three books there are many twists and turns, including a complex love triangle, with each book ending on a cliffhanger. The concept of love being a disease is an intriguing one that will really make you consider the consequences and the importance of all kinds of love, and how we often take it for granted.

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo,
The Girl Who Played with Fire,
The Girl Who Kicked the Hornets' Nest

"Friendship - my definition - is built on two things. Respect and trust. Both elements have to be there. And it has to be mutual. You can have respect for someone, but if you don't have trust, the friendship will crumble." 
Stieg Larsson, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo

I am certain that even if you haven't read this you will have heard people talking about it. The Millennium trilogy starts with The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo where we meet the central characters; Lisbeth Salander, a computer hacker, and Mikael Blomkvist, a journalist, who are brought together to undertake a private investigation on the case of a missing woman who has not been seen for thirty six years. Salander is not your conventional heroine, in fact initially she is not very likeable at all, however I think that this is part of her charm. Throughout the course of the trilogy we gradually learn of Salander's past and how this has influenced the woman she has become.

Do not let the length of the books put you off, they are a gripping read and trust me, you will not be able to put these books down until you have reached the conclusion. The Millennium trilogy is unpredictable, violent, dark and in places sadistic. These elements can make for difficult reading at times, but are needed to achieve the overall effect which is explosive. The one thing that will remain consistent will be your admiration and desire for justice for Salander, for whom you will route for throughout.

Northern Lights
The Subtle Knife
The Amber Spyglass

"Every little increase in human freedom has been fought over ferociously between those who want us to know more and be wiser and stronger, and those who want us to obey and be humble and submit."
Philip Pullman, His Dark Materials

I have referred in previous posts to books that will stay with you long after you have finished them, and that you will wish to revisit time and time again. For me, this trilogy is certainly one of them. In the first book, Northern Lights, we are introduced to Lyra who has been raised as an orphan in an alternate world to our own. Lyra is given an alethiometer, or truth teller, which is said to answer any question that is asked of it by a skilled user. Throughout the course of the story it appears that no one is able to read the alethiometer as well as Lyra, and it is indeed this instrument which plays a key part in her destiny. Lyra displays many admirable qualities such as strength, courage and loyalty, also using deceit and manipulation where necessary.

Throughout the story we move between alternate worlds, meeting weird and wonderful characters, considering issues of justice and morality. Although the trilogy is cited as children's fiction, it touches upon very adult themes. I won't say any more than - to do so would ruin the experience for a first time reader!


It proved difficult to narrow it down to just three trilogies, I have read so many good ones…I would love to hear your thoughts on any of the above if you have read them, or any that you would recommend.

"You know you’ve read a good book when you turn the last page and feel a little as if you have lost a friend"

The title of this post expresses a feeling that I have experienced many times; when I have truly loved a book I am always sad to finish it and it takes me a little while to be able to start another. I thought it was an apt title for this post as it coincides with the week during which World Book Day falls, and will focus on books that have inspired both me and my friends.

The Oxford Dictionary definition of the word 'inspire' is "To fill (someone) with the urge or ability to do or feel something…" It is always useful to have a dictionary definition, however if you were to ask each person what 'inspire' means to them, there would be many variations. When I asked this question of my friends and fellow readers, I received the following responses:

"Makes you feel like you want to or can do anything; it gives you hope"

"Encourages you to try harder/be better. Makes you want to achieve"

"Something that changes my outlook on life usually by giving me an insight into something I don't tend to come across on a day to day basis"

"Inspire means to recognise what's achievable through another's achievements"

For me it can mean a number of things: something that encourages you to make a change; a message that stays with you, giving you the will to make a difference and to speak up when you know that something isn't right.

Usually I would provide a synopsis of each book mentioned within the blog, however I have decided not to do this so much this time. I am hoping that the words of other readers will be enough to encourage you to read the inspiring stories mentioned, if you haven't already done so.

There are so many books that have inspired me; books that have stayed with me long after I've finished the last page. It has been difficult to settle upon just one for the purposes of this post, but I am sure that those of you that have read my chosen book will agree that it has a lasting effect on the reader. I have chosen The Book Thief by Markus Zusak.

"When she came to write her story, she would wonder when the books and the words started to mean not just something, but everything"
Markus Zusak, The Book Thief

I will only tell you two key details about The Book Thief; it is set in Nazi Germany and narrated by Death. This probably gives the impression that the story is going to be a rather bleak one, and elements of it must be given the time during which it is set, however it is also beautifully written and uplifting. We are introduced to many inspirational characters throughout the book, however for me Hans Hubermann is the hero throughout, quietly exerting a positive influence and inspiration on those around him. For me, The Book Thief portrays three key ideals; that a small act of kindness can give someone a reason to live; the importance of friendship; and, where we see injustice we should speak up and not simply be bystanders to it. Words can be as powerful as any physical act, and it is important that we are therefore careful about how we use them, and equally as careful as to how we interpret and use the words of others.

That is enough from me…below are some thoughts from friends about the books that have inspired them and why (in some cases I have added a very brief synopsis):


"You gave me a forever within the numbered days, and I'm grateful"
John Green, The Fault in Our Stars

The Fault in Our Stars tells the story of two teenagers, Hazel and Augustus, who meet at a cancer support group. Hazel has terminal cancer and Augustus is a cancer survivor. The story focuses on their developing relationship, whilst also providing a realistic insight into the impact of their illness on themselves, each other and those around them.

"It has inspired me to not waste time on problems, but to find solutions, to love life to the full and to embrace new opportunities".


"You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view…Until you climb into his skin and walk around in it"
Harper Lee, To Kill a Mockingbird

"It is one of the most inspirational books I have ever read. It makes you realise that everyone is equal and deserves a chance. The quote above is so true to everyday life and something I always try to remember when I go to judge someone before taking time to know them."

"I love how it's written from the perspective of a child. The simplicity and innocence of how everything is described makes it all the more powerful when as a reader you interpret the meaning behind things and realise what is actually going on. The book deals with many themes including racial injustice, class, loss of innocence, gender roles, understanding and compassion. Of all the themes within the story, the one that stands out for me the most is the idea that people aren't always what they seem to be. A person may be better, worse, just different or could have redeeming characteristics that offset other less pleasant aspects of their personality. This is something that has always stuck with me and an idea that I'm sure everyone can relate to or had some experience with." 

"I hate to hear you talk about all women as if they were fine ladies instead of rational creatures. None of us want to be in calm waters all our lives"
Jane Austen, Persuasion

"It is set in Autumn in Bath, is beautifully written and I love it because it's about second chances, love and loss. Anne Elliott is my heroine because she's able to rise above what is naturally expected and get what she wants…I always think how impossible it seems that an 18th century very poor woman could have time to even write a book, let alone get it published and then stand the test of time. Jane Austen was a genius no question but she was also doggedly determined - and that makes me think how could I ever say I 'couldn't' do something when she did that…not that I think I could do what she did, but her determination inspires me to think that potentially I could and should do what's important to me, and not stop for anything."

"Hoping for the best, prepared for the worst and unsurprised by anything in between"
Maya Angelou, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings

"It has without a doubt inspired me although I can't really pinpoint how. It is the autobiographical work of Maya Angelou and at 16 I must have studied every line of the book. Growing up in Neath I honestly can't say I ever came across racism and the book is so raw in its account of what growing up in Southern America was like for a young girl in the 1930s that even at 16 it made me think how incredibly lucky I was in my life and my upbringing. It's so hard to believe that one person made it through everything that Maya Angelou did and at the end turned turned out to not just be normal but truly inspirational."

"None of us ever know all the possible courses our lives could have and maybe should have taken. It's probably just as well. Some secrets are meant to stay secret forever. Just ask Pandora".
Liane Moriarty, The Husband's Secret

The story centres around Cecilia and a letter that she finds addressed to herself, written by her husband and only to be opened upon his death. Needless to say that Cecilia reads the letter, and throughout the book we see the consequences of that decision for both her and the other women whose lives it has altered.

"The Husband's Secret has inspired me with the premise that one moment can determine our entire lives. It reminds me that actions have consequences and that you should always try to be your best self."


I hope that you have enjoyed reading this post as much as I enjoyed writing and researching it. I hope that it reflects a love of reading and if nothing else encourages you to read one of the books mentioned, or prompts you to revisit a book that has inspired you.

I did say I wouldn't name names but I must say thank you to the friends that have contributed to this blog…their words have inspired me and their writing ability has certainly put mine to shame…you know who you are!