I've made a writing journal about Atonement once already, but I am currently rereading the novel and I have to make a new spiel about it. Because it is just that amazing and enchanting and trainwreck-y.
First of all: the novel is fantastic and so is the movie. So go read/watch.
I read the novel for the first time around December 28 (just around the new year... I updated my LiveJournal about it). It was rivetting and I finished it in two days. And I was finishing it before I went to bed but the ending was so unexpected and surprising and heartbreaking that I couldn't go to sleep for another two hours. It was devestating and moving.
I then saw the movie in... January/February (?) with my mom. It was perfect and stunning. The characters came alive in the most magnificent ways and the emotions were stark and believable. I was crying through most of the second half of the film... no joke.
So now, as I reread this masterfully written novel, I find myself reading with a heavy heart. I already know the fates of the characters and McEwan teases with little bits such as:
"If she had, she would not have committed her crime. So much would not have happened, nothing would have happened, and the smoothing hand of time would have made the evening barely memorable: the night the twins ran away."
I already know what happens after Briony leaves the window, looking in at her mother, and instead of going inside joins the search party for the twins. And I know about her misunderstanding and everyone's misconceptions and the depth of the situations of the day. But the characters can't see it. And the most frustrating part of rereading this amazing novel is knowing that they never will. As I reread, I look farther into Lola's reactions to Briony's soothing and her questions by the lake. As I reread, I look for a deeper meaning, to find deceptions and cruelties and true intentions because I know they must be there - somewhere - for me to find.
But the truth is that the book is a printed work of fiction and will never change, no matter how much I search for clues that lessen the heartbreak. As much as I wish things would change - because the characters are captivating and wholly developed and you can understand the workings of each of their minds (except for a select two... *cough*LolaandPaulMarshal*cough*) - I know they can't. The novel is beautifully written but then again devestating to read because it is like watching a train wreck: you know what is coming and are helpless to stop it.
Nevertheless, I am sure that I will read Atonement time and time again... and even backed with the film adaptation's beautiful soundtrack, because it fits the mood of the entire novel seamlessly.
Thursday, March 6, 2008
Research topics
+Holocaust denial
+Drug addiction (look here or here)
+Haunted houses (see here?)
I am really torn between the second topic and the third topic. The Holocaust might be too depressing and I'd probably be really frustrated with all the deny-ers. And drug addiction is a fascinating topic, despite the fact it's not exactly the prettiest topic to research. And haunted houses would just be really fun and interesting. So I don't know.
+Drug addiction (look here or here)
+Haunted houses (see here?)
I am really torn between the second topic and the third topic. The Holocaust might be too depressing and I'd probably be really frustrated with all the deny-ers. And drug addiction is a fascinating topic, despite the fact it's not exactly the prettiest topic to research. And haunted houses would just be really fun and interesting. So I don't know.
Tuesday, March 4, 2008
O, Vampire Novel (where art thou?)
So I'm a total fan of vampire novels. I first got into the whole vampire literature scene in seventh grade when, at a state National History Day competition, I wandered into a used bookstore and was compelled to buy a $2 copy of Interview with a Vampire (by the legendary Anne Rice). I've now read that book five times since that spring five years ago.
The summer before freshman year, I found the book Sunshine by Robin McKinley. I immediately fell in love with the novel. I went out and bought myself a copy and have since read it four times by now. It was a new twist on vampire stories and I loved it.
I've also read some little-known vampire novels as well as the famous Twilight series. Needless to say, I've loved (nearly) all of them. I'm a sucker for the suckers, so to speak.
But I can't seem to find any really good vampire novels anymore. I'm anxiously waiting the fourth installment by Stephenie Meyers for her Twilight series but I've given up on Anne Rice (I read up to her sixth Vampire Chronicles novel, "The Vampire Armand" but I found there was too much sex between men and sex with minors for my taste...) and Robin McKinley doesn't show any signs of extending the story of Sunshine and Constantine (though I desperately wish she would). I could check out the classics, such as Dracula but I want to read a fresh twist or a fresh face or a fresh novel. I'm too lazy to carve my way through nineteenth century literature (that's for next year... in AP Literature).
Yet as much as I've read up on my vampire lit, I still can't solidify my own vampire writing style. I'd love to write a vampire story - whether a short story or more of a novel-length - but I can't seem to start it, make it realistic or keep my interest going. All my vampire stories are dark(ish), romantic(ish) and shallow-sounding. So I need someone who can manage to make a fantastic novel featuring vampires in some way. Preferablly Neil Gaiman... because he's amazing... but I am sure anyone could do it.
And David Archuleta (on American Idol) is fantasic and amazing!
By the way: I hate the stupid url-html system on Blogger. I want to type in my OWN html links, but it won't let me. I have to do its dumb links instead. It's frustration-making.
The summer before freshman year, I found the book Sunshine by Robin McKinley. I immediately fell in love with the novel. I went out and bought myself a copy and have since read it four times by now. It was a new twist on vampire stories and I loved it.
I've also read some little-known vampire novels as well as the famous Twilight series. Needless to say, I've loved (nearly) all of them. I'm a sucker for the suckers, so to speak.
But I can't seem to find any really good vampire novels anymore. I'm anxiously waiting the fourth installment by Stephenie Meyers for her Twilight series but I've given up on Anne Rice (I read up to her sixth Vampire Chronicles novel, "The Vampire Armand" but I found there was too much sex between men and sex with minors for my taste...) and Robin McKinley doesn't show any signs of extending the story of Sunshine and Constantine (though I desperately wish she would). I could check out the classics, such as Dracula but I want to read a fresh twist or a fresh face or a fresh novel. I'm too lazy to carve my way through nineteenth century literature (that's for next year... in AP Literature).
Yet as much as I've read up on my vampire lit, I still can't solidify my own vampire writing style. I'd love to write a vampire story - whether a short story or more of a novel-length - but I can't seem to start it, make it realistic or keep my interest going. All my vampire stories are dark(ish), romantic(ish) and shallow-sounding. So I need someone who can manage to make a fantastic novel featuring vampires in some way. Preferablly Neil Gaiman... because he's amazing... but I am sure anyone could do it.
And David Archuleta (on American Idol) is fantasic and amazing!
By the way: I hate the stupid url-html system on Blogger. I want to type in my OWN html links, but it won't let me. I have to do its dumb links instead. It's frustration-making.
Monday, March 3, 2008
On the Dark Side of the Rainbow
This weekend, I watched The Wizard of Oz backed by the "Dark Side of the Moon" album by Pink Floyd. And it was basically one of the most intense movie-watching experiences I've ever had. It was so amazing.
I started the music right after the third roar of the MGM lion (and again, when the Cowardly Lion roars for the third time, because you can do that). At first, some of the music wasn't exactly together but once Dorothy fell off the fence by the pig pen, everything fell together. When Dorothy was singing "Over the Rainbow," it looked like she was following war planes and bombs with her eyes because of the Pink Floyd soundtrack. The music to Professor Marvel was perfect, all the cyclone bits were astounding and the song "Money" with Munchinland was amazing. The saxophones were the dialogue between Dorothy and Glinda the Good Witch and it was mind-blowing. I couldn't believe how well it all fit!
The second play through of the CD with the second half of the movie was just as amazing as the first part. The bit when they met the Wizard and Dorothy and the gang were all afraid and he told them to get the Broomstick was perfect. I was so shocked how well it all flowed together.
I've heard that Pink Floyd didn't mean to make the album synchronized with Oz, and even that one song on the album was improvised, but I can't honestly believe that. It was way too perfect. I find it impossible to believe that the match-ups were a coincidence --> there are too many to count (though if you google it, people have)!
I would recommend that the curious give it a try. It's really cool. Even if some of the spots don't match up the way you might think they should, it gives the movie a whole new dimension and I can assure you that you'll never listen to "Dark Side of the Moon" the same way again. You'll be seeing scenes from Oz instead!
I started the music right after the third roar of the MGM lion (and again, when the Cowardly Lion roars for the third time, because you can do that). At first, some of the music wasn't exactly together but once Dorothy fell off the fence by the pig pen, everything fell together. When Dorothy was singing "Over the Rainbow," it looked like she was following war planes and bombs with her eyes because of the Pink Floyd soundtrack. The music to Professor Marvel was perfect, all the cyclone bits were astounding and the song "Money" with Munchinland was amazing. The saxophones were the dialogue between Dorothy and Glinda the Good Witch and it was mind-blowing. I couldn't believe how well it all fit!
The second play through of the CD with the second half of the movie was just as amazing as the first part. The bit when they met the Wizard and Dorothy and the gang were all afraid and he told them to get the Broomstick was perfect. I was so shocked how well it all flowed together.
I've heard that Pink Floyd didn't mean to make the album synchronized with Oz, and even that one song on the album was improvised, but I can't honestly believe that. It was way too perfect. I find it impossible to believe that the match-ups were a coincidence --> there are too many to count (though if you google it, people have)!
I would recommend that the curious give it a try. It's really cool. Even if some of the spots don't match up the way you might think they should, it gives the movie a whole new dimension and I can assure you that you'll never listen to "Dark Side of the Moon" the same way again. You'll be seeing scenes from Oz instead!
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