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[danuv]

I am reading End of the Affair right now. It has made me realize I was in a reading rut. Everything I'd read of late was sci-fi. While I certainly enjoy it there seems to be something in EotA that is lacking in everything else I've read recently. The words seem weighted. All the subtle pain and emotion that came across so beautifully in the movie through the actors (and Neil Jordan's directing) hang in the words. It's all so very clear and aching. I am really enjoying it but it is not something I can cope with reading large chunks of at once. I would rather read a paragraph or two and then ruminate for a while. It just seems better that way. I'm finding myself glad that the book is as short as it is. I'm not certain I could handle it being much longer. The other night the movie was on tv and just watching a clip of it made my insides knot up. I need to buy the blasted thing so that when I next feel like sobbing wretchedly I can just pop it in.

Comments

I agree

[scottopic.livejournal.com]

Graham Greene is one of my top three authors of all time, and The End of the Affair was my second favourite work by him. I thought the movie production was great and the actors involved, as you said, portrayed the emotion and tension very well.

As far as your chosen style of reading: if it works for you, do it! When I was doing my grad school work, I had so much material to cover that I didn't have enough time to appreciate it - I could read it, understand it and comprehend what themes were, etc. in relation to papers I would have to produce, but would often miss the soul of the piece (for lack of a better term).

Also - if you want a insta-cry, I can also suggest Dancer in the Dark starring Bjork, the only movie that ever made me sob.

Scott

Re: I agree

[danuv.livejournal.com]

Dancer in the Dark is on my rental que at Netflix I believe. :) We would have seen it in the theatre had we been able to.
I don't often read books this way. Normally I swallow them as quickly as I can. . . not rushing just very absorbed. This book is just something I want to feel a little more deeply I think. It's very good. If this is your second favortite book by him which is your first?

Re: I agree

[scottopic.livejournal.com]

While in my opinion, most movies are best viewed at a theater, DitD isn't one that all-but requires it (like big production movies, such as Gladiator). But it's well worth seeing. I loved it, but I don't think I'll watch it again for a while...it's very emotionally jarring.

My favourite work by Graham Greene is Heart of the Matter. It spoke to me at a particular point in my life and touched upon many of the same issues (spirituality, love, loss, sacrifice, etc.) but at an angle with which I identified more closely.

Scott