Wow the trailer to “The Martian” came out this week and Matt Damon is Mark Watney! For those who read Andy Weir’s 2014 bestselling book, you know what I’m talking about … The red planet. The astronaut left behind. The rescue plans he comes up with. With Ridley Scott directing, the movie adaptation, coming out at Thanksgiving time, is going to rock! I reviewed the novel “The Martian” in April 2014 and was sure it’d make a heck of a movie. I just didn’t realize how quickly it would be made. Check out the preview
and let me know what you think.
Also this past week, congrats to Scottish author Ali Smith for winning the Baileys Women’s Prize for Fiction for her 2014 novel “How to Be Both,” which the New York Times describes as “an innovatively structured novel about a young girl in modern-day England and a painter in Renaissance Italy.” I’ve heard mixed things about the book, which apparently is poetic and challenging and not for everyone. Author Sarah Waters was the odds-on favorite to win the prize for her bestselling novel “The Paying Guests,” but alas didn’t win it, which surprised me.
Also congrats to Jack Livings for winning the PEN/Robert W. Bingham Prize for Debut Fiction for “The Dog,” a collection of short stories set in China. New York Times writer Michiko Kakutani says the collection opens a “prismatic window on China, showing us how part of the country is rushing to embrace the 21st century, even as its history continues to exert a magnetic hold over people’s thinking and expectations.” Hmm. I haven’t heard if many bloggers have read this collection yet, but it sounds like one to behold.
Meanwhile though it seems I’ve been away from the blog for a while, it’s just that summer has become busy and I was up to my eyelids in Anthony Doerr’s 2014 Pulitzer Prize-winning novel set during World War II “All the Light We Cannot See.” Need I say more? It’s a long war. Awful. I was on the sixth floor of the house in Saint-Malo, France, hiding with blind 14-year-old girl Marie-Laure and hoping she was going to make it. She was at her reclusive uncle’s house so close to the sea, where she liked to visit a nearby grotto that had barnacles and snails on its walls, which I could see blind Marie running her hands over. I was also imagining 16-year-old orphan, German soldier Werner in the Opel truck driving across the Occupied countryside tracking the resistance through his radio receiver. But the toll the results take on him, sets him off on a different course. I knew these two protagonists’ paths would cross towards the end, but heck what would happen to them then?
I had to hurry to find out, but it took awhile to get there. Anthony Doerr’s book is quite an epic read (530 pages) that goes back and forth in time and alternates Marie-Laure’s story with that of Werner’s into short chapters. There’s also a storyline about a large valuable diamond — apparently cursed — that Marie finds from her father after he is arrested and a Nazi who is pursuing the gem.
I liked the book quite a bit (though maybe didn’t love, love, it) and found it vivid and visual of the historical time period. It’s excellently weaved together with some elegant prose. I felt for the characters and finished the book as if I had endured the war too — emaciated, sleepless, and a mess from death, bombs, and trying to avoid Nazi capture. I particularly liked the radio aspects of the story — how radio transmitters were used by both sides — and how Werner’s passion for radios and science and Marie’s passion for Jules Verne’s “Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea” eventually brings them together. It’s wonderfully imagined. I liked how it transported me to these young characters lives behind enemy lines. Although I think it could have been cut 80+ pages shorter and put into longer chapters. I’m still wondering too about the ending — was it enough? It feels quite fleeting and maybe not what you want but perhaps that’s exactly the way pivotal things in life go sometimes.
What about you have you read “All the Light We Cannot See,” and if so what did you think?
I’ve borrowed All the Light We Cannot See from the library twice now and never got a chance to read it – ridiculous! Think I may use an audible credit and listen to it this summer.
Still have to read The Martian, too…
Hi JoAnn: the audio version might be good!
My club DID discuss All The Light We Cannot See but I have to say, it was a low turnout. Only a few people showed up. Most loved it to pieces and a couple, including myself, liked it but had some issues with it. I liked that we saw both sides of the war. The jumping back and forth in time didn’t bother me at all. I thought it was very visual, given that one of the main characters was without sight. Perhaps that was the point. I have to write up my review. As usual, I am a little behind with that part. My biggest issue was that some of it seemed so convenient. The wardrobe, the grotto, which in my mind was like this hidden oasis and really, I doubt there would be such a place with the city so ravaged.
Yeah I guess some of the implausibility didn’t bother me too much. I could see her trapped in the house etc. and the too young German soldier. But while I liked it, I didn’t totally love it. So I know what you’re saying. I’ll watch for your review. Thanks Ti.
Wow they did a movie for the Martian already? Where have I been? LOL
Yeah they must have made it fast! I’ll see it come Thanksgiving.
I know it’s a huge hit that I haven’t read, but geez. Guess they’re cashing in while the iron is still hot. Makes sense. I like Matt Damon.
Oh I think Matt Damon will be good in this role! I’m hoping
The Martian has been on my nightstand for far too long – the movie trailer may entice me to read it soon. I bought All the Light We Cannot See – who knows when I’ll get to it.
Yeah Kathy, I liked the adventure tale of The Martian but in places it bogs a bit with its techno blitz. The movie though could be good action.
I’m so glad you posted on this one. I read it about 2 months ago and just haven’t been able to review it. Like you, I really enjoyed it. It didn’t rip my heart out or leave me reeling, but it was good. I think I just don’t have too much to say about it. The ending was good, but it did feel like it built for so long and then ended quickly. I am really glad I read it, but I don’t know if I’ll post about it.
Yeah I agree Melissa. The ending was sort of anti-climatic. But I’m glad I read it. thanks for stopping by.
I am still uncertain about Matt Damon as Mark. I saw the trailer but am not certain I like how they focused on the action portions. To me, that book wouldn’t be half as amazing without Mark’s humor and ingenuity. If they don’t make that the focus, then I’m not certain I want to see it.
I loved All The Light We Cannot See. I listened to it via audiobook though, so I feel into the spell of the story-telling. I can see how reading it might make it feel too long, but the narrator was just outstanding in the audio version. I thoroughly enjoyed every moment of that story. It was just so vivid and intensely emotional.
Yeah Michelle, I can see where All the Light We Cannot See would make an excellent audio book. It’s visual. A good narrator can really make a book stand out too. With Ridley Scott directing The Martian I’m sure it’ll focus more on the action-packed survival tale — so you’ll probably want to skip if you’re not into that. I’m not sure it can capture the nuance of the book. That book was different and interesting in that way!
The Ali Smith book looks intriguing…but I’m a little wary. I didn’t enjoy the one book I read by this author: The Accidental. Maybe I wasn’t in the right frame of mind for it…LOL.
I haven’t read The Martian, either; reading the synopsis, though, it sounds like a suspenseful story. Maybe I’ll see the movie first.
Thanks for sharing…and here are MY WEEKLY UPDATES
Thanks Laurel. Yeah I’m quite wary about the Ali Smith book as well. Just from what I’ve heard. The Martian should be an exciting movie. Wait for it perhaps.
I read about two pages of the new Ali Smith novel before I realized I didn’t understand a thing and put it down.
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Ha Deb. Thanks for the feedback. It’s likely above and beyond me.
I probably will see The Martian but I doubt I’ll rush to the theaters to see it. It takes a lot anymore to get me to a theater and this probably isn’t it. However, it will be interesting Damon in another space movie, after being in Interstellar, which I enjoyed, although my wife didn’t.
Yeah Bryan I enjoyed Instellar too though I’m sure others might not have. Damon is good in space so I think The Martian will be action-packed, especially with Ridley Scott directing. I’ll be seeing it.
Wow, you’ve been reading a lot. I’m reading ALL THE LIGHT WE CANNOT SEE right now. The first chapter gave me nightmares so I put it away until the summer and am enjoying the fine writing.
Sarah, I will look forward to what you think of it by the end. It’s quite a tale.
I read & reviewed All the Light this week as well.
I found it a very sensory experience, & like you, was hiding under the bed with Marie-Laure.
The ending felt weak and hurried compared to the rest of the story. I don’t need to have my characters lives wrapped up in a neat bow at the end and the whole technology discussion at the end felt contrived as I thought the story was more about communication and connections rather than technology per se.
I’ve heard lots of chatter about The Martian but it’s not my usual kind of read….but the movie looks exactly like Mr Books type of thing…so I suspect we will be seeing it at some point soon! Thanks for the heads up 🙂
Hi Brona, I’ll check out your review on Doerr’s book. I agree the ending felt a bit less than I was hoping for. The novel builds for so long that I really thought the ending or the meeting between the two characters might add up a bit more. I found it a bit abrupt too.