Book Review - Of Mice and Men.

Having never read this book and finding that my partner's youngest is studying this currently I decided to finally read it. It's only around a hundred pages and this was a task long overdue. I'm glad that I did.

George and Lennie are travelling manual workers in California. The plot is set during the Great Depression. Work is hard to find. Things are tough. Very tough.

George is smart and slight. Lennie is large and less bright. He relies on George to guide him through life and to keep him out of trouble. George has taken pity on him.

The book takes us through their attempts at getting work on yet another ranch after yet another "incident" which was caused by Lennie's childlike behaviour. They have been forced to run from their last job and George hopes that they can make enough cash this time to buy a small holding and settle down.

They find work and are hopeful of making it this time. Sadly, things get out of hand yet again and without spoiling the tragic ending the deal is off.

You will be moved and shocked both at once by John Steinbeck's writing. His descriptions of the landscape of California and character development are incredible. I was amazed at how much emotion and imagery was packed into a mere 100 pages. You feel that you know the characters and care for them in this short time. You can almost taste the coolness of the falling evening by the river as Steinbeck paints a mental watercolour.

Just because a book is heaped in praise it doesn't always follow that is a good read. I'd always wondered why this was such a talked-about tome. For me the importance is in the writing of Steinbeck and his mastery of language. I'm sure others will argue that the historical importance is utmost. The underlying message that we are ultimately all in the same boat and need to understand each other in order to get along is admittedly important in this work. However, I still gained most from the ability of man to describe a world imagined so vividly.

I was left feeling that I had done myself a favour by reading this short story.

If you love the English language as I do then this book is well deserving of the praise in my opinion.

9/10

Review by Mark Woods, LordBeanpod@GMail.com, 2008.

adventure,worker,tramps,tramp,giant,retarded,mentally challenged,head wound,horse,bindle,rough sleeper,countryside,looking for work

Amazing Grace - film review.

Amazing Grace is the story of the abolition of the slave trade through the efforts of the Member of Parliament William Wilberforce and John Newton, a former slave ship sailor who later turned to Evangelical Christianity to help atone for the 20,000 Africans he had transported to America. these he calls his "ghosts". It is set in the late 18th century and the film follows the factual course of events that lead to this great breakthrough in justice.

The director Michael Apted has done a truly wonderful job here in keeping the viewer's interest. Some historical films can end up being either confusing or failing to provide the pathos that the subject matter deserves. This film succeeds in presenting an interesting and important story and keeping it so.

Visually the film is beautiful....the locations are by turns grand and squalid..Parliament or slave ship, the feel of the scenes is very authentic.

The acting is superb - there are many big names here; Albert Finney, Michael Gambon, Ioan Gruffudd, Rufus Sewell.......but to single individuals out would be wrong. The whole cast put in fine and moving performances.

The soundtrack swells and compliments the story fantastically. It could hardly fail to. The hymn "Amazing Grace" was written by John Newton and features throughout..

I feel that this film is so strongly made that it would interest even those who at first might feel that they are not concerned about factual historical dramas. I would strongly urge them to "give it a go". They won't be disappointed.

I seem to be watching films with a sombre tone recently...I watched the Boy in the Striped Pyjamas in the last fortnight (see my other review - plug!)..Sadly these are true events and it won't do to shy away from them.

Go on.....educate yourself and enjoy doing it!

I know I'll keep coming back to this......a GREAT work of art.

9/10.

Review: Mark Woods, 2009 (LordBeanpod@GMail.com)

ship,slave trade,africa,slave trader,slave,black,misery,gospel,salvation,freedom,emprisoned,below decks,tied up,hogtied,rope,illness,disease,atlantic,voyage,crossing,trailer,amazing grace trailer,amazing grace clip,amazing grave movie,amazing grace film