Lit Flick Challenge: Horton Hears a Who

Yes, I am cramming them in, so this is a nice, easy one to choose. I actually did mention it when I first started the challenge in December, so it’s only a little slack of me. Besides it allows me to make another public service announcement.

As far as children’s literature, it is hard to argue with Dr. Seuss’ prominence in our culture. He, Theodore Geisel, contributed more than just a Cat or a Grinch; he pretty much revolutionized the way we teach our children to read. This Monday, March 2 is Read Across America Day, which just happens to be Dr. Seuss Day too [it's his birthday!]. In honor of the great man of words, parents and teachers (and anyone with 15 minutes to spare), are encouraged to read to children. The National Education Association through kidthing.com is even offering four free e-book downloads of classic Dr. Seuss books, including Horton’s own tale. So celebrate everyone’s favorite rhymer and make a kid’s day. You could even make a day of it with Horton in book form and his full-length animated film. If you want to eat green eggs and ham too, that’s entirely up to you.

Personally, I was glad to hear that Horton was going to get his chance at a revival. These days a film version is a guarantee of related merchandise and what better gift to get than a book, I ask you? His story, seriously now,  is such a good one for children of all ages. If you think about it, the Cat and the Grinch really are scoundrels. Horton the elephant, however, is a good guy, who speaks out for what he believes in and for people who cannot speak for themselves. To summarize: Horton discovers another world within his own larger world, a subculture if you will. He defends their rights to exist, despite resistance and attacks from others in his community, including a couple of rude kangaroos. In the long run, he helps the little Whos find their own voices and he teaches the others a lesson in equality and tolerance: “A person’s a person, no matter how small.”

Of course the film has its own script to follow, and it is probably not too surprising to learn that they changed the story more than a bit. They did have to try to stretch it out to the standard 90 minutes. So, the Mayor of Whoville gets a wife and many kids, there is some added drama and even a dose of social satire. The main plot is maintained, but sometimes it is hard to tell. In this case, though, I say “So what?” It is silly enough for kids and parents will enjoy some of comedy’s biggest names as the voices of Horton (Jim Carrey), the Mayor (Steve Carell) and the Kangaroo (Carol Burnett). The cast is full of other great comic voices too. The animating team, which also worked on Ice Age, has done a wonderful job of creating modern Whos and also maintaining the classic Seuss look.

I have to admit that there have been problems with Seuss adaptations in the past. I was not impressed at all with The Cat in the Hat starring Mike Myers, and though it has become a holiday standard and I have found the kids watching it in July, The Grinch version which Carrey did is way over the top, and at times grates the nerves to a fine point. I like both actors, but they both seem to have forgotten that one of  Dr. Seuss’ universal appeals is that it is clean fun. Kids really do not need to add extra potty-humor to their lives. Maybe Horton is saved by being animated instead. Not only does it mean we are not seeing Carrey in an elephant costume, but it also maintains a little more of the Seuss whimsy.  Though it could definitely use a few more rhymes.

Lit Flick Challenge: Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day

I’m excited to be included on the Bookworm Carnival hosted by Jessica at bluestockings.com. She posted my last entry for the Lit Flick challenge on Inkheart. I almost didn’t make it because of my chronic procrastination problem, which you might think I would have worked on more by now. I hadn’t checked her blog for awhile out of guilt because I still have 3 posts to do by Feb 28! Of course, I did start late, but that’s only one excuse So, with no further babble, let me present #3…and expect 2 more in the next week!

Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day (Persephone Classics) by Winifred Watson

I picked this one up at the library upon the recommendation of my blogger friend Dy, at Dy’s Mind’s Eye, way back in December. I actually started and stopped and renewed and paid late fees, but once I got back into it, it really was a fun, quick read. The plot actually follows the protagonist’s life-changing adventures for one day, and the chapters are in time intervals.

Miss Guinivere Pettigrew is an average woman who has little pleasure in life, working unsuccessfully as a governess and choosing to watch other people enjoy life in high-society and on film. In one day, she makes a series of choices that completely change her life. Though a lot of the plot centers on parties and romance, there really are underlying themes about women’s roles, society’s mores, and joie de vivre. It is the kind of book that can actually inspire one to look at life a little differently. The simplistic view is that life can be fun, but not if you live it according to other people’s expectations. We should make our own choices and enjoy it. Though it is from another era, the story is timeless.

First of all, I love finding new-to-me books  by unsung writers from literary history. A lot of women writers especially, like Winifred Watson, from past generations have been forgotten or ignored, though some groups and companies like Persephone Books are remedying that by reissuing books and reintroducing them to the world. They republished this book in 2000, two years before the author passed away. I hope she got some sense of closure in her life, rather than being completely forgotten [for fellow writers this may give us added hope too! It's never too late to be discovered!] Reading the biography included in the new edition was an extra bonus, to learn about Ms. Watson. She wrote a few books, and did enjoy recognition in her lifetime, but completely stopped writing after becoming a mother…[!]…Knowing how hard it is to juggle mommyhood with work/house/life and add writing to the mix, I can only imagine how Ms. Watson came to such a decision. She is quoted as saying “You cannot write when you are never alone.” How well I know the feeling. She also had tragedies from WWII to contend with and I am sure that there was some sense of duty to family and country, rather than writing  novels… all the more reason to be glad for the reissue.

That being said, I am almost glad that she did not live to see the film, though it is beneficial in promoting the book and, on its own, is a very fun film. So, that sounds confusing. Let me clarify: The film Miss Pettigrew Lives For a Day, directed by Bharat Nalluri and starring Oscar-winner Frances McDormand (Fargo) as Miss Pettigrew, is based on the novel, but not true to it. It is really its own entity, and for most viewers who don’t read the book, it will delight as a charming story about living life and finding love. There are great Thirties costumes, music {Amy Adams co-stars as Delysia LaFosse, Miss P’s new BFF and a nightclub singer} and yes, a happy, romantic ending.

However (gripe, gripe), they changed the story; even though the book was practically begging to be a screenplay, apparently it had to be adjusted for modern audiences. So, Dy saw the film first, loved it and ran to get the book. I read it first and probably ruined my own viewing pleasure, because then I found myself ripping it apart at the loose plot-seams. Maybe I would have felt differently if I had watched the film first, but I am a firm believer that the book is always better and I cannot help my critical self. It just drives me nuts when the perfectly good plot gets realigned so much. And it just seems to happen more often than not. Maybe next time I should wait to read the book after seeing a film.

I don’t want to spoil the story, but I will state that the most annoying change, to me, is that of the character of Miss Edythe DuBarry. In the book, she is a friend and an ally. She is a delightfully crass, independent businesswoman. She rocks. In the film, she is manipulative, kind of tacky, and well, a bitch. I love the actress who plays her {Shirley Henderson, who is awesome in everything, but will always be Moaning Myrtle to me}, and she does a fine job presenting the role written for her, but I cannot help but wonder if she read the book and noticed the discrepancy too, because she doesn’t look too happy about it. The other thing I kept noticing while watching the film was that the screenplay puts a lot more emphasis on the looming war with Germany than Ms. Watson did at all. Of course, she was writing while events were unfolding and the references do help set the time and setting better, but still, I think Hollywood and associates have an obsession with war and like to add it in as a theme even where it does not need to be. The story of a woman discovering herself in a tumultuous era and breaking out of a mundane shell of propriety and boredom really is a good enough story without war and pain. At least to me it is.

FYI: The Carnival also comes with a meme, which I think I answered above …and I pass on to you below… so the debate is on-TAG!

The Carnival Meme

To help spread the word about this edition of the carnival, answer the following question on your own blog: Do you prefer to read the book first or see the movie first?

Upcoming Editions of the Carnival

Edition 24 hosted by: Tracy at Book Room Reviews
Deadline for submission: February 27, 2009
Theme: Young Adult Literature
To submit a post, email: bookroomreviews at hotmail dot com

Edition 25 hosted by: Jennifer at Quiverfull Family
Deadline for submission: March 13, 2009
Theme: Parenting (fiction or non-fiction)
To submit a post, email: jennifer at quiverfullfamily dot com

Edition 26 hosted by: 1MoreChapter
Deadline for submission: March 27, 2009
Theme: Book Awards
To submit a post, email: 3m.michelle at gmail dot com

BTW: I am also posting this on the companion Lit Flick challenge at Bitchin Film Reviews, the blog run by Jessica’s bro, Blake. The emphasis there is more on film than lit, and he has tons more movie reviews and info for film buffs. And I will have 2 more posts soon! They are already written in my head

Psych 101 for Writers [or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love My Muse]

So my SAD seems to be affecting my flow…and it can’t be good for my Chi either. I have been procrastinating so much with my work writing that I don’t feel I can justify fun writing…but I miss it and have to remind myself that the blog does help my flow. I was contemplating how ironic my blog name is considering how little flow I have to show…when I began this blog, I was coming out of a long block and needed an outlet to write my never-ending opinions. I was also trying to learn more about the blog form and can say I have definitely achieved that goal.
I cannot say I am exactly blocked these days. I am writing [for-profit!] and still working on various creative projects. But I am at more of a trickle than a flow. Naturally, when I am struggling with work and rejection, I am not going to be at my peak creative performance, but the muse is still THERE…giving me dirty looks and whispering in asides. Quite aggravating. So why don’t I just get back into the flow already, what is holding me back? These are the kind of things I contemplate when I am internally berating myself for not finishing the novel or not submitting more often…not writing what I really want to write…
Anyway, I do not want to get to deep into the self-pity stage, but rather want to share yet another fab resource I have found for anyone who understood everything I just wrote.

I was attracted by this site’s offer to help fiction writers with their characters’ psychological needs. I plan on sending my YA heroine to group therapy, and boy, does her mom have issues. So I want to get it right, right? Archetype [The Fiction Writer's Guide to Psychology] offers just such a resource and then some: writing prompts, advice for submissions and agent searches, even worksheets to help newbie writers. There is also a Media Portrayals section [essays on psychology of characters] which looks interesting and will hopefully expand.

What I did not expect was to find answers to my own psychological needs (or at least the ones linked to writing). The site also has articles about creativity and the psyche, beating the dreaded block, even-and this floored me because it was like finding the answer to life-what is “writer’s flow”- no kidding: here’s the link

http://archetypewriting.com/articles/articles_ck/muse_block_ckFlowArticle.htm

It explains so much in such a succinct way. I read a few other pieces before I found that one, and I am going back for more. If you have any need to diagnose your protagonist, are looking for key characteristics of a disorder, or need a boost to your own flow, head on over. There is an Archetype Writing blog worth checking out too, and the site does accept article submissions as well. Frankly, I think they could add a forum and offer online therapy for those of us loony enough to love our writing lifestyles. Sign me up!

The answer to “Which book should I read?”

I ran across this link on a “research surf” and thought I would share. Whichbook.net offers a fun and easy search program for finding the book you might enjoy. You can choose based on your mood, what type of characters you like, etc. The site is British, so the “Borrow” feature only works if you are in the UK, which I am not. I have not actually read my choices, so I cannot say whether they matched my data exactly, but I did get some interesting looking titles. I do recommend using the “how to use” tutorial as it helped me.

Confession: I Judged a Book by Its Cover (Lit Flick Challenge)

Lit Flick Challenge

Inkheart by Cornelia Funke

New Line Cinemas film Directed by Iain Softley

I have to admit that I pretty much ignored this trilogy at first. Not completely, because I did buy the first book for my bookworm son when it was on special through his book club, drove him to the library to get #2 [Inkspell] and pre-ordered #3 [Inkdeath] (yes, now we need a copy of #2 at home). He is a great reader, so I knew that the series had to have some good points. I often read YA books, because it is what I like to write and because they appeal to the YA that is still in me somewhere, [and also- some of the world's great books have been considered children's/Young Adult literature] but I did not pick this set up until late last year. I confess, I did not check closely enough to see what it was all about and for some reason I thought it was yet another dragon/quest/ fantasy book much like the several dozen my son had previously read. I committed the unpardonable offense of book lovers everywhere. I judged a book by its cover.

Not to say that is necessarily a bad thing all of the time, nor that this was a bad cover. I knew it looked like my son would dig it. I just did not think I needed to add yet another book to my large pile when the story has been done and done again. I mean, I am still trying to get through Brisingr because my son says I just have to. For the record, I like dragon/quest/fantasy books…but this fantasy book has so much more than most in the genre, and there are no dragons in it, [though I do standby "Inkheart" being a cool name for a dragon- if I ever have one to name].

Actually, Inkheart [and its sequels] is a book lover’s fantasy, which is primarily why I feel so ashamed of my conclusionary leap. The author, Cornelia Funke, obviously loves literature [like all good writers do] and she has essentially created a tribute to the books she loves, the passion of readers and the magical world of writing. Real book lovers will relate to the characters’ personalities and quirks. Fantasy lovers will thrill to the idea of fictional creations stepping out of their books and into our world. Think about how many times you wished [whether you were 8 or 38] that you could walk into a magical wardrobe or meet your favorite character, just once. What if they came to meet you?

To summarize: Our tween heroine, Meggie Folchart, discovers that her quirky-yet-boring father is not just an ordinary bookbinder. Rather, he has a rare talent which is the ability to bring what he reads to life. For some, this would be a gift and blessing, but to Mo Folchart it is only a curse. It has brought him misery and danger and taken away one of the joys of parenting-reading to a child. He has raised Meggie alone, and raised her to respect and appreciate books too, without reading aloud to her. Their life is interrupted when a mysterious man named Dustfinger arrives one evening with news that another shady figure, Capricorn, is trying to hunt down Mo, a.k.a. Silvertongue. They both want him to read their book, Inkheart, for different reasons. Mo also wants the book, for his own purposes. He tries to protect Meggie by taking her to her Great-Aunt Elinor’s home, but that only drags them closer to Capricorn’s trap. They are joined in their quest/adventure by other characters including Senor Fenoglio, the author of the book within the book.

Funke is listed as a producer of the film, but not on the screenplay. I can assume she approved all changes, though. Most of them are minor, but there are enough of them to make my 12 yo spend the evening after the film pointing out all discrepancies. He did concede, however that he thinks the movie was somewhat “better”. I do not know about better, because changing unnecessary factors bothers me to no end. But I do think that most of the adjustments in the screenplay do make the film work well and some are kind of cool. I am trying very hard not to give any major points away because the film is in theaters now, and I do recommend it. If you are a hardcore by-the-book fan, be prepared [though hardcore fans probably already saw it], but if you haven’t read it yet, do not be concerned about seeing the film first. You will be able to enjoy both independently.

Brendan Fraser is the unlikely book-binder turned magical hero, and I think he does it well, but it’s a little weird seeing him be so serious. There isn’t as much of the usual charming humor [some may say "goofy"] that he brings to most roles. Frankly, most of the “supporting” cast are actually superior in their acting and awards, but he is the big box-office draw and my favorite on the list [he had me at School Ties]. It’s probably good for him to do some more serious roles and I have to say this role is better than the recent Journey to the Center of the Earth was. The rest of the cast is full of some of Britain’s best actors,  from Oscar-winners Helen Mirren and Jim Broadbent, to the young stars Eliza Hope Bennett and Rafi Gavron.

I was really impressed by the portrayal of Dustfinger, the fictional fire-juggler come-to-life played by the very-fine Paul Bettany, as well as the villain, Capricorn, played by Andy Serkis of Lord of the Rings fame. One of the ‘conflicts’ of the novel is centered around how the characters that come to life are almost independent from what the reader or even the writer expects them to be. I think this idea is epitomized in film adaptations when characters are not quite what we pictured in our minds. These 2 actors managed to exceed my expectations. In fact, I think they made the characters better on some level. Of course, they had a lot of help from the special effects crew. Some of the movie magic and photography is stunning, but at the same time some of it is overload. The magic in the book is really about the magic of the written word, and the power that books can offer us, and it is a lot simpler than the computer- enhanced images imply. But, it looks good on the big screen, that’s for sure.