Read: Baudolino
My 2nd read of Umberto Eco is one I would highly recommend to anyone that loves historical fiction; particularly of the sort that comes from a mind that is mind-bogglingly versed on that particular slice of history (European Crusades, in this case). With the sort of lush backdrop, as well as luscious mixture of veneration and mockery of the history of Western religion, this book is superbly crafted. A fictitious character; behind the scenes and with the ear of the Emperor and a gift of language and lies, plays a significant and in pretty much all the major happenings between the 3rd and 4th Crusade. All the historical events are right on (I Wiki'd many of them), but the details are pulled out of an ass. And then - after it has been, if a bit far-fetched, quite realistic; the final third of the book takes the reader on a fantastical journey beyond the world known to Europeans at the time in search of a mythical far-Eastern Christian Emperor, Prestor John. A fun, rollicking adventure. Tales in a backdrop of cataclysmic war has never been so light and playful. Great 2000 interview on Baudolino with the brilliant Eco, here.
Watched: Suspicion
Directed by one A. Hitchcock and starring Cary Grant & Joan Fontaine, this 1941 suspense flick (woman woo'd by rascally man-about-town, only later to suspect he is planning to kill her) had all the pieces in place for me. Blast it, but I just didn't think the writing was all that great. I enjoyed it, but not nearly as much as I was expecting to; fine performances (particularly, by Fontaine) and the hand of The Master couldn't elevate it to classic status for me. If I could have given it 3 1/2 on Netflix, I would have.
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5 comments:
Of all the Eco I've read, I have not read Baudolino. I'll have to add it to my list.
Did you finish it before Children of Hurin, or did you somehow whiz through CoH and return to finish Baudolino? The latter seems surprising...
I think I've seen Suspicion, but I can't conjure up any images of it. I know I've mentioned it before, but for an odd twist to Hitchcock check out The Trouble With Harry - a delightful little dark comedy.
Will add it. I'm in Children of Hurin right now. Surprisingly short book, and surprisingly accessible and fast read (written more like Lord of the Rings or one of the appendices at the end of Return of the King than one of those ponderous, scholarly, footnoted 'Lost Tales' books. So far: INCREDIBLE, but more on that when I finish, which should be on the bus ride home tonight or sometime tomorrow.
I have not seen Suspicion, but I will add it to my que in Netflix. I have currently North by Northwest on my que. I have not seen a lot from A.H., but hopefully that will change now that I have Netflix.
I'd add other Alfred Hitchcock movies long before I'd add Suspicion, if I were you. Consider Strangers on a Train or Rope.
For that matter, I'd recommend reading 'Children of Hurin' before adding ANYTHING else to your Netflix queue, but I realize that may be too much to ask.
Much too much.
Jumping into the middle of the First Age seems too much for young Samwise.
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