Burial Rites

Despite being a constant reader it isn't often that I find a book that keeps me up reading at night. That was until I read Burial Rites by Hannah Kent.

Burial Rites tells the tale of an Icelandic murderess and is based on the true story of murderess Agnes Magnúsdóttir. This is a story that has been written multiple times, sometimes protraying her as innocent and sometimes as guilty. Hannah Kents attempt was to tell a more ambigous tale which I think she managed quite well.

The story is told from Agnes's perspective as she relates her tale and surrounding events to the family forced to host her and her priest. Hannah Kent utilises translations and adaptations of letters and manuscripts in order to bring you out of the story at vital moments. She also portrays Agnes as guilty but gives her innocent reasons for commiting her crime.

This is a brilliantly written book that is well worth the hype. Have you found any addictive  books lately? Until next time,
Catherine.

Best and worst movie adaptations

This week I thought I'd change things up a bit by talking about my best and worst movie adaptations. Interestingly enough these actually come to be the same movie for me. I'm talking about 'Practical Magic' written by Alice Hoffman.

I started off watching the movie, oblivious that there was even a book. Being one of my favourite movies I decided to read the book once I found it. The book itself was one of the most horrible pieces of literature I have ever read. I do know that a lot of people really enjoyed it and that it did get a lot of high reviews but it just wasn't my cup of tea. I found the writing to be very simple and the plot to be jumpy. Years would pass without any warning and leave a lot of the story untold. Important characters were pulled in without any prior warning, even when they should have been mentioned before and the overall book was very dark.

In regards to the movie I think it is one of the few adaptations I have seen that changed the story to make it better. I think that the movie added in more detail to make the plot a bit more understandable and introduced important characters when it was meant to. I don't often see a movie that is better than the book but this was definitely one of them.

On the other hand the movie did not stick to the original plot line at all. It completely changed a lot of the story and a lot of the characters personalities. Even destinations were changed so that when characters were meant to move they stayed intead. This all makes it the worst adaptation I have ever seen as it did not follow the book at all.

It is rare that a movie can change a book's plot completely and end up making it better but this is one instance in which it happened. I highly recommend 'Practical Magic' to anyone who has not seen it as it is a wonderfully terrific movie. Until next time,

Catherine

A bookworms wish list

With Christmas coming up rapidly the time has come to start asking people for their holiday wish lists, and to benefit friends and family and perhaps even some of you looking for ideas I've decided to compile mine. 

My first pick interestingly enough is the 'V for Vendetta' graphic novel. Six months ago I would have never even looked at a graphic novel but over the past couple of months I've really gotten into them. I was reading this online but I enjoyed it so much that I would really love a copy of my own.

'The Princess Bride', William Goldman. I have loved this movie for years, in fact I had to study it when I was in year 7 which was one of the best assignments ever. I keep forgetting that there is a book but it is one that I am very eager to read.

'Heaven', Virginia Andrews. Due to my unfortunte luck I purchased the second novel in this series and I have my heart set on the first in order to correctly begin the series. I am a big Virginia Andrews fan and I do already have several of her novels.

'Time and Chance' and 'When Christ and His Saints Sleep', Sharon Penman. Once again I have the third book in this series and would prefer to begin with the first two. This is my favourite kind of historical fiction, absolutely packed with detail.

'The Mayan Prophecy', Steve Alten. I purchased the sequel to this not to long ago not realising that it wasn't a stand alone novel. I told you all I have bad luck with buying sequels!!

'Tournament', Matthew Reilly. Not only is this the very new Matthew Reilly novel (which makes it a must buy already) but this is set in the year 1546. Matthew Reilly and historical fiction, my dream combination. Naturally I am incredibly excited to see this come out.

Well that's all. Let me know, what is the one book you would love to recieve this Christmas? Until next time,

Catherine