Reading Challenge - #4. The Horse Whisperer

I'm getting better at reading these books faster! This one, The Horse Whisperer by Nicholas Evans, was really quick because, to be honest, I wanted to watch the movie more. Much to my dismay though, I was disappointed with the movie on several fronts. More on that below.

My copy of this book is a hand-me-down from my grandmother, and boy, has the poor thing seen a rough time. The binding of the pages is split in one spot, so the book kind of opens in half with a large gap. I always try and post the cover photo of the book that matches my own, and when I was looking up The Horse Whisperer I found out that my copy might actually be a First Edition. I can't confirm that it is for sure, but a neat thing to find out nonetheless.

The novel itself is quite good and follows a number of characters after a tragic accident and their "recovery". The opening scenes were hard to read as it details the accident that sets the premise for the rest of the book. Personally I thought it was horrific because I LOVE horses and reading the details was really upsetting. After that the story most closely follows the mom, Annie, and her daughter Grace, and their thoughts and feelings about the horse Pilgrim, their situation and the people around them.

In hopes to mend the horse Pilgrim and in turn, her daughter's heart and spirit, after the accident, Annie takes them to Montana to get help from Tom Booker; "The Horse Whisperer". I was surprised that the story focused more on Annie, than Grace, for the majority. It covers a lot of aspects of their strained mother-daughter relationship. Annie is a hard-working mom (no problem with that), but it has alienated her daughter Grace who has more of a bond with her father, Robert. It delves a lot into Annie's past, her life before the she met Robert, her present situation and desires for the future.

As the story unfolds, you don't get the same perspectives from Grace. In addition, you also get the perspective of Tom Booker as well, which makes the novel more focused on Annie and him than anyone else. Which was odd for me, because I thought the book was to be about Grace and the horse, but I enjoyed the direction it went anyway.

The ending was absolutely NOT what I had expected. And to avoid giving away too many spoilers, I will only say that the happy ending Annie wanted in the beginning, to mend Pilgrim and at the same time, Grace, does come to fruition, but that isn't even the end of the book. A must read if this post intrigues you.

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The movie adaptation of The Horse Whisperer was released in 1998, three years after the book was published. Frankly, it fell short for me. Despite being almost 3 hours long, and starring a great cast which includes Robert Redford, Kristin Scott Thomas, Sam Neill, Chris Cooper and a young Scarlett Johansson, I just couldn't get into it. To make my point clear on how much I wasn't diggin' it; I cross-stitched while I watched it. I don't cross stitch during movies I either like or haven't seen before. Yeah.

The relationships, which were well thought out and backed up by each character's past in the book, seemed very forced in the movie. The only performances I enjoyed were Robert Redford as Tom Booker and Scarlett Johansson as Grace. And the slow-building, but enticing romance between Tom and Annie (Redford and Thomas) which is the core story line of the novel, was completely lack-luster for me. It seemed the most forced of all the interactions in the movie.

All, except for a few, of the core plot points of the novel were in the movie, so in that aspect it was pretty faithful. The one big one that was missing was what happens between Annie and Tom that made the end such a surprise to me. The movie ending was drastically different and I really wish it hadn't been. It might have salvaged the movie as a whole for me if it was true to the book at least in some fashion. My husband watched the ending with me and asked how the book ended. I told him and he said: "Well considering the main actor also directed and produced the movie, I'm not surprised it didn't end the same way as the book." I totally agree with him!

Next Book: The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky

Reading Challenge - #3. Me Before You [B1]

I got totally engrossed in the third book of my reading challenge, Me Before You by Jojo Moyes. I read it in much less time than The Time Machine.

This novel covers a wide variety themes under the over-arching story of a girl who falls in love with a disabled man. It touches on topics of sexual assault, low income economic situations, love, intimacy, suicide, physical and mental health, living with a disability, loss, grief and acceptance. The list could go on. That is why I think I snapped it up so quickly, it was very real and relate-able. 

However, one of the looming themes in the book that caught the most of my attention was the controversial topic of doctor-assisted suicide. The author did a great job of trying to cover all the sides and reactions that come with it. At the time the book was published in 2012, six countries were on record as having legal euthanasia or physician-assisted suicide (PAS), or in some countries, both options. Since then, Canada, Germany and six United States have joined the list. (Source: ProCon.org articles) Moyes writes each main character's stance from a very human perspective and the varying reactions and beliefs cover on all sides.

DISCLAIMER: If you don't agree with my following feelings and statement, then don't read the next paragraph.

I personally agree with legal availability of physician-assisted suicide (PAS). If the patient is of sound-mind and understands their condition and the quality of life they're going to have or have to endure, then I wholeheartedly believe they should have the option to end their own life with the help of a doctor. I understand there could be religious restrictions or family disagreement, but if you're of legal age, you should be able to make the decision on your own.

I could absolutely write more on this topic and bunch of the other ones that the book touches on, but I will leave it at that. Feel free to do your own research and have your own opinion.

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Now, for Me Before You, I actually did watch the movie from 2016. First of all, THE CAST! I had not looked at the cast prior to watching the movie, other than knowing Emilia Clarke and Sam Claflin played the leads. I was blown away! Charles Dance, Brendan Coyle, and Jenna Coleman; all fantastic. But I have to say, Matthew Lewis as Patrick was by far the best! He's come a long way from little Neville Longbottom in Harry Potter.

The film stayed really true to the novel, but there were a few things that were definitely not as developed as in the book: the intimate shaving scene was WAY better on the page; she didn't move in with Patrick, which I think is an important part in the book; and there was no mention of Louisa's past and what happened to her in the maze. Which is a key part in her and Will's relationship development.

However, I REALLY liked the movie! I think they did a great job of bringing Louisa's fashion sense to the screen and her awkwardness. Unfortunately, I do think they could have done a better job of the filmed climactic argument that takes place near the finale of the novel. Overall, definitely worth the watch. OH! And the best quote of the movie: "You know what, Sharon, you can stick your premier badge right up your relaxed dining area." Emilia Clarke's delivery of the line is, in a word: brilliant!

UPDATE: Book #4 has already been started - The Horse Whisperer by Nicholas Evans