The Trouble with Harry by Jack Trevor Story

"The dead man lay just as young Abie had seen him. The face, the moustache, the wavy hair, the blood. Everything."

The trouble with Harry is that he is dead. Who knew a dead body could be the source of so many romantic entanglements? The film version of this story is one of my favourites and I've watched it so many times, so I was keen to investigate the source.

Surprisingly the adaptation is almost an exact reflection of the book and perhaps that is a testament to how delightfully it is written. Mind you, it is so hard for me to not imagine the characters from the film while reading the book. The young Jerry Mathers ( TV's the Beaver) as the adorable young Abie is particularly hard to forget.

Enjoy this cute short story for yourself, you won't be disappointed. 

5 out of 5 get ready for lots of digging.

A Woman of No Importance by Oscar Wilde

"All Americans lecture, I believe.  I suppose it is something in their climate."

I have located the source ladies and gentlemen. The mother load of Oscar Wilde quotes that don't spring from The Importance of Being Earnest  or  Lady Windermere's Fan. A scandalous secret, a beautiful American, and a weekend in the country for the Upper class.
The text is a delight and I can't understand why this particular play gets relegated in relation to some of Wilde's more famous works.

Difficult to provide a lengthy response here, the play is a mere ninety pages or so, just eminently enjoyable and quotable.


 5 out of 5 "Every woman is a rebel, and usually in wild revolt against herself." - I love Oscar Wilde. 

Deep Water by Patricia Highsmith

“The fact that Melinda had been carrying on like this for more than three years gave Vic the reputation in Little Wesley of having a saint like patience and forbearance, which in turn flattered Vic’s ego.”

Take a deep dive, you will not be disappointed!  Apparently, this awesome read is due for translation into celluloid soon and I for one think it will make for an entertaining story. My five minutes of research online uncovered an earlier French cinematic exploration,  Eau Profondes ,  which I’m keen to check out. The new film (currently in production) will, according to IMDB star Ben Affleck and is directed by Adrian Lyne of Fatal Attraction fame, so we shall see the results sometime in 2020. I'm glad I read the novel first because Affleck was far from the man I imagined Vic to be, I envisaged someone weedier and less Hollywood.

The perfect family is often far from perfection. Vic and Melinda Van Allen live in Little Wesley with their daughter, Trixie. The couple inhabit separate bedrooms with Melinda continually flirting with other men, to Vic’s annoyance. Despite being well regarded by the locals and part of the local ,social scene, Vic is somewhat of an unusual character. He appears nonchalant to the locals in relation to his wife’s flagrant misbehaviour. He is a dedicated father to his daughter and somewhat obsessed with his collections of snails.

** SPOILERS LAY AHEAD**

When Melinda’s latest paramour ends up dead in the pool at a party, we are already well aware of who is at fault. As readers we are almost complicit because we’ve dwelt in the recesses of Vic’s mind and witnessed exactly what happened. The relationship between Vic and Melinda deteriorates in such a fashion that the air is thick with suspicion, distrust, hatred and scheming. Not to mention the jumpiness you’d imagine a successful murderer would be plagued by at the thought of being caught out.

When one murder isn’t enough, well that’s when things start to spin out of control and the journey is a wild ride that is a total page turner. The moral of the story, it seems, is that you should avoid sleeping with the wife of a quiet and strange husband, or you might end up in the drink.

5 out of 5 unhappy marriages can get you into deep water.

On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft by Stephen King

"I washed motel sheets and kept writing one-reel horror movies"

I happen to think The Shining is possibly the best horror novel I've ever read. While I might not love everything Stephen King has delivered in his prolific career, there's no denying, when he is on fire, no-one can top him. He creeps around the corner of the everyday to the lingering menace that hides just under the surface. You are always one unexpected breeze or sound away from sheer terror. Almost implausibly, with that air of menace, he delivers emotionally, fully fledged character's whose lives, feelings and aspirations are easy to recognise in our own.

So many people have recommended this book and it has really taken me an age to read it. That's on me and I regret not diving in sooner. Perhaps what I found most intriguing was the fleshing out of all those inner worries that plague us as writers made real by someone recognised as a master of the craft.

I'm not getting any younger - and possibly watching a TV show at the moment about Elizabeth Taylor's cause of death is making me a little sentimental. In any case 2020 is going to have to be that year where I write about more than just other people's work. I've certainly read a lot and have a good base to work from. I've lived a bit too and if this book is anything to go by, I think you need to do both to be a successful writer. 

Did I mention there is an extensive list of books to read at the end? You know how I love a list.

5 out of 5 times this young Paduan listens to her Master.

Silver Screen Fiend by Patton Oswalt

"Now it was the evening, and I was watching Citizen Kane, for what had to have been the tenth time (so far)."

Dear Patton Oswalt, 

I too am addicted to the silver screen. We should form a self help club. I feel we have similar outlooks on some of the films you've discussed with some caveats. As partial as I am to a footnote, I feel you could perhaps limit them slightly, as I got a little distracted. Some of your ideas for unmade films are genius and you should push for their development  and a part at least.

Blade's entrance at the rave is truly inspired, I 100% agree.

In closing, I'd like to say you are a great writer, which makes you an impressive 'slashie'.

Keep up the good work sir.

I commend this book to other readers.

Yours Truly,

This Celluloid obsessed blogger.

 4 out of 5 cinemas are my favourite hiding places.

Half of a Yellow Sun by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

"Richard was surprised when he heard the announcement that the federal government had declared a policy action to bring the rebels to order. Kainene was not."

I have to admit to being completely oblivious to this period of history. I was unfamiliar with Nigeria's history and I always admire a book that enlivens otherwise hidden periods of history to my sheltered world. I'd previously read Americanah  by the same author and enjoyed it immensely, so I was intrigued to explore her Bailey Women's Prize winning novel.

There are some harrowing scenes in this novel which are not easily erased. A particular rape scene comes to mind and it is all the more disturbing because both the transgressor and the victim seem like victims - no-one is innocent in war. This is a world gone mad and the insanity has a body count.

Sadly, this could be anywhere in the world.We are always one step away from being educated and informed and then regressing into violence. Even when the ideals are revolution for better conditions, the outcomes can be catastrophic. The pacing here is masterful and you will be drawn in despite your reservations about much of the action.

5 out of 5 - If we don't learn history we are doomed.

Fake by Stephanie Wood

"There were three of us in the relationship: Joe, me and Joe's intriguing, unfolding narrative."

This was an excruciating read for me. Who hasn't been on a date with an unreliable narrator? Yet, who could foresee the extent of what Stephanie Wood went through. Her writing is compelling and you will be flicking pages with a mixture of horror and intrigue. 

Perhaps this is what every single gal needs in her stocking this year as a warning to keep their eyes open. I realise how some of my friends may scoff at me making that statement.

What is even more interesting is the way Wood combines her own stories with those of others, along with research and input from experts. It makes for a well balanced, journalistic exploration of the traps of today's dating world and the disreputable behaviours that abound.

You will google search any potential dates as a minimum before taking anything at face value after reading this. 

5 out of 5 - no such thing as romance.