Basically, the movie is better. Its writer/director, David O. Russell, took the basic structure of the novel and2.5ish stars. (Movie: 4.5 ish stars).
Basically, the movie is better. Its writer/director, David O. Russell, took the basic structure of the novel and turned it into something special. The book is a sporadically entertaining but strange story about a man whose TBI and repressed memories cause him to act and think like a teenager, and the unkind, manipulative, but well-meaning woman who is into it for some reason.
The movie is a nuanced, sometimes hilarious picture of mental health seen through the eyes of two relatable, struggling individuals who match each other’s crazy in a way that might just save both of them. Tiffany in particular is given life in the movie (as embodied by Jennifer Lawrence) in a way that rises above the caricature she’s painted as in the book. But all of the characters and their relationships make more sense and are much more likable as envisioned by Russell.
He also makes several changes to the story that elevate it from humdrum into an exciting culmination of football juju, high-stakes sports betting, and a climactic dance performance at the Benjamin Franklin hotel. He manages to accomplish in two hours what Quick wasn’t able to in 300 pages.
What I’m saying is, this is one of those times you really can skip the book and just watch the movie.
The movie adaptation is one of my all-time faves. Of course, while this book is an unnecessarily expanded version of what was originally an3ish stars.
The movie adaptation is one of my all-time faves. Of course, while this book is an unnecessarily expanded version of what was originally an article written by Krakauer, the movie turns it into an epic, dramatized, stranger-than-fiction, based-on-a -true-story biopic of Christopher McCandless.
McCandless in the book is still an enigmatic, magnetic, fascinating man, but would I have felt the same if I hadn't already loved Emile Hirsch's portrayal of him? Would I have been affected as much by the touching, powerful relationships he shared with Jan Burres, and Ron Franz if I hadn't been picturing the incredible cinematic performances of Catherine Keener and Hal Holbrook in my mind?
McCandless's story is awe-inspiring regardless, but Krakauer stretches it far past the breaking point by including narratives of other, similarly ill-fated explorers (including his own experiences), among other frivolous details that I honestly could have done without.
One of the uncommon instances where the movie surpasses the book, but I'm not disappointed I read it. Makes me want to get out and go hiking or backpacking; my wife and I have a goal to visit each of the 59 U.S. National Parks (we've been to 10/59 so far, a long way to go). Or if nothing else, to watch the movie again. :)
Another one of the books I had to read because everyone else was and, as such, it exceeded my expectations. While it lacks the descriptive 4ish stars.
Another one of the books I had to read because everyone else was and, as such, it exceeded my expectations. While it lacks the descriptive prose and visual imagery required to make it a "great" novel, it's still well written and provides an emotional punch, eliciting both positive and negative emotions. It's equally frustrating, heart-wrenching, and compelling making it a page-turner, especially for a non-genre novel.
Initially it felt to me like a lesser version of The Light Between Oceans, but after finishing, I feel like it distinguishes itself sufficiently. It may not take place in such an exotic setting, but its recognizable suburban-ness makes it more relatable and easier to swallow the central conflict (although it does have its implausible moments (view spoiler)[some rich guy stalks Mia, a random lady, and asks her to bear his child solely because she happens to have an uncanny resemblance to his wife?) (hide spoiler)]. There are too many convenient coincidences and narrative parallels to make it completely believable, but it succeeds as a scathing commentary of a recognizable era. (tangent) Also, is it just me or is it just now becoming acceptable to set books in the '90s since it's been long enough to feel nostalgic without feeling "dated" like a story set in '07 might feel today? :) There's enough distance now to adequately analyze that period of time. I feel like, beginning recently, a lot of books have suddenly been taking place in the Clinton era. Not that this book is even close to reaching this distinction, but at what point does work set in a certain period of time become "historical fiction?" I'm almost 30, my life is flashing before my eyes, I can feel a panic attack rising. (/tangent)
Adoption is something that has a very important place in my heart right now and Ng raises a lot of good, worrying conflicts surrounding the topic. The whole time the "correct" answer to the story's central issue seemed so obvious to me, and I feel like Ng makes it pretty obvious where she stands, preventing the opportunity for a true moral examination, so I'd be interested to discuss with someone of the opposite viewpoint, maybe there is some justification in it? In that sense it's basically tailor made to be a "book club" book. As such, it's pleasant for me that I enjoyed it so much because that's typically not my style.
Jennifer Lim does a fantastic job as the audiobook performer!
(view spoiler)[It basically ends how I expected, wrapping up all the loose ends, a little too pat. I mean it's satisfying in that we get a "happily ever after" but I think it kind of undermines Ng's willingness to take chances and breach difficult subjects in a semi-realistic manner. (hide spoiler)]
This is lots of fast-paced, escapist fun. Very hard to put down (or stop listening in my case). On the surface it seems like sci-fi, b3.25ish stars.
This is lots of fast-paced, escapist fun. Very hard to put down (or stop listening in my case). On the surface it seems like sci-fi, but let's be honest, it's really just Ernest Cline's nerdgasm fantasy of his perfect life. Can't you imagine him brainstorming, "It's too bad I can't make a living out of playing video games and winning random '80s trivia contests... let's make it happen." Every geek ever born has had the same fantasy, thus the huge fan base of this book. Cline just so happened to put it on paper in such an accessible way, while simultaneously reminding us that he knows more random '80s trivia than us anyway.
Wade, the protagonist, is pretty much an obnoxious know-it-all. But at the same time he's a tragic, orphaned, unloved, penniless, overweight, friendless, sob story virgin. But then he’s also an impossibly well-read, endlessly clever prodigy with a photographic memory, a perfect knowledge of every detail of an entire decade, unbeatable hand-eye coordination, and, of course, a stockpile of the best comebacks and yo momma jokes in history. How could anyone dislike him? Because he's an obnoxious know-it-all. And remember his tragic sob story? It's okay because he happens to make friends with the four other most brilliant humans in the universe, and within the course of like four pages of training montage he levels up from 3-99 and becomes rich and famous in the process. Overweight you say? It's okay, he just locks himself out of the OASIS, insert training montage, he’s now a gorgeous sex pot. Because who really wants an overweight, homeless loser for a hero, right?
We can forgive Wade's character faults, he's a teenager, he can't help it. However, it's hard to look past how easy the story is. I can't even count the number of times Wade says something like, "Somehow my ridiculously stupid plan just happened to work perfectly again!" or "Good thing I happened to spend eight months of my life mastering the exact video game required to win this quest! Oh wait! I've mastered every video game ever!" At no point is there any question that Wade will succeed at everything. The only point of true conflict or tension takes place when he's this close to completing a perfect game of Pac-Man, and all of a sudden something distracts him at the worst possible moment! Tragedy! Honestly, that part gave me massive anxiety, and I would have been absolutely devastated had that happened to be the moment his perfection cracked. Anyone who has ever spent that much time and come that close to beating pac-man, perfect game or not, and ended up losing can sympathize.
Anyway, I'm nit-picking. This isn't the kind of story you're supposed to pay close attention to. You just go along for the ride because it's cool, and fast, and fun, and because you know the good guys will win. It works incredibly well as cool, fast, fun fantasy the same way a Marvel movie does. Just don't go into The Avengers 5 expecting The Godfather and you will be perfectly satisfied.
Moral of the story: "True happiness and fulfillment originate online but you can’t get online without a functioning planet so don't take real life for granted, I guess, and also because sex. "
The adorable, feel-good kind of YA that, to be honest, I prefer over the angsty, end-of-the-world, sex-charged drama that saturates the gen4ish stars.
The adorable, feel-good kind of YA that, to be honest, I prefer over the angsty, end-of-the-world, sex-charged drama that saturates the genre. I like my endings happy and my conflicts resolved sometimes, sue me.
In a lot of ways I'm reminded of R.J Palacio's Wonder (except with a bunch of f-bombs), or Rainbow Rowell's novels, particularly Carry On (with maybe not quite as many f-bombs). Whereas Wonder is straight up snorting pixy stix level on the sweetness scale, this is more like a banana split with extra sprinkles and a big glop of Cool Whip.
Simon's parents are the new-age, uber-chill, extremely supportive parents we all wish we had. "My dad has this hilarious idea that he's a hipster." They are a perfectly united pair at all times, they’re cool to talk about oral sex with, and still implement consequences when the occasion arises because they also have boundaries for safety and to teach valuable life lessons, like all good parents do. Their only weakness? They care too much.
Spoiler alert: So yeah, Simon's gay, basically everyone's cool with it, there's a mean bully and a friend who gets butthurt, but it's all good by the end. Bully sees error of his ways and begs for forgiveness. Simon and friend come to mutual understanding and their relationship strengthens in the process. Simon's anonymous pen pal boyfriend turns out to be the cute kid he sits by at lunch, "of the soft eyes and soccer calves" and "cute, knobbly hands." ??? Arthritis fetish?
Something that bugged me: Bully outs Simon by posting something dumb on the anonymous "creeksecrets" tumblr about being open for butt sex or something. Who would take that seriously.. As an old man, back in my day, I feel like that would be the equivalent of someone writing "MAX IZ GAYYY" in the bathroom stall. I'm certain Max's friends wouldn't sensitively ask him if he had something he wanted to tell them. Becky Albertalli is not a gay teenage boy, and is even farther removed from high school than I am (even if she's worked at one), and it kind of shows. I mean I'm not a gay teenage boy either, but I'm not writing a novel about one.
Regardless, this is life-affirming and heart-warming. Now if only it didn't bring up all my own high school PTSD........
Call me an idiot if you like, but I didn't realize this book existed until a week ago. I ended up seeing the theatrical adaptation at a3.5 ish stars.
Call me an idiot if you like, but I didn't realize this book existed until a week ago. I ended up seeing the theatrical adaptation at a free screening when it first came out in 2013 not really knowing what I was getting myself into (except, of course, a movie theater- for free) but the movie affected me and I fell in love with it because it immediately connected to my experience as a young adult without resorting to terminal illnesses or similar plot devices to get me invested into the lives of the characters. It's embarrassing for me to admit that I chalked it up to the screenwriters as being the brilliant masterminds behind the story, when really it's Tim Tharp who gave them the prime material to work with. It wasn't until good ol' Goodreads suggested the book to me that I realized my life had been a lie. I immediately started reading and was affected all over again in the best way.
It's kind of hard for me to separate the book from the movie after having seen it and my review would probably be a little different if I were able to differentiate them adequately. For example, my perception of Aimee might be a little different if I hadn't already fallen in love with Shailene Woodley's portrayal of her. Without her filling in the gaps, would I find book Aimee and her relationship with Sutter as believable? I don't know, but I think probably not. Or not as much.
And that ending... Would I hate it if I didn't supplement it with the ending of the movie? I mean, I like to tell myself that I respect "realist" endings- ones that don't need to end happy and tie up all loose ends. But deep down I'm a sentimentalist, dang-it! I choose to hold on to hope, just like Aimee, and for that reason, I love this book. Or maybe just the book/movie hybrid. There's no way to know anymore.......more
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