After watching the film for years (maybe a dozen views), I have just finished the novel; there are pros and cons to the film and the book: the film haAfter watching the film for years (maybe a dozen views), I have just finished the novel; there are pros and cons to the film and the book: the film has a beautifully melodic soundtrack and creative cinematography, which create a somber mood; however, the book depicts chaos and havoc and focuses on emotional details and the variety of smells that film has such a hard time depicting. Furthermore, the book is much more graphic in its depiction of violence, whereas the film is rated PG. I equate this book to others where both the film and the novel are equally powerful such as Dr. Zhivago, All Quiet on the Western Front, and the YA novel Because of Winn Dixie. I thoroughly enjoyed J.G. Ballard's writing style, and I am so glad I finally read the book....more
This is a beautifully written book but incredibly dense--it took me a very long time to get through it because there is so much detail within the narrThis is a beautifully written book but incredibly dense--it took me a very long time to get through it because there is so much detail within the narrative that I found myself rereading several passages. I think because I read it as an older reader (early 50s as opposed to my 20s), my reading style has changed (slower and more detailed oriented), hence my problem. It is worth reading,...more
Here is a story that follows the old adage that truth is stranger than fiction. If someone had written this book as a fictional account of World War THere is a story that follows the old adage that truth is stranger than fiction. If someone had written this book as a fictional account of World War Two, I would not believed half of it. William Ash, along with Brendan Foley, tells the astonishing story of a native Texan (Ash) who moves to Canada to escape the Great Depression, joins the Royal Canadian Air Force before America enters the war, is shot down over France, and spends the next three years in German prison camps where he tries to escape several times. We meet a variety of characters who do their best to still participate in the war effort by keeping the Germans busy chasing escaped POWs.
Occasionally, it gets confusing with all the names and places and dates, but if you stick with it, the final third of the book is beautifully moving and poignant with some excellent writing. I am glad that I started reading this while William Ash was alive (he died in April 2014 at the age of 96). Indeed, he is part of the Greatest Generation and so many of us owe a debt of gratitude to William Ash and the unsung heroes that he writes about....more
I bought this book in my early 20s, and I am now 59. I have read these poems over and over, and every year they get more meaningful and more beautifulI bought this book in my early 20s, and I am now 59. I have read these poems over and over, and every year they get more meaningful and more beautiful. Some are very sentimental, but hey we are talking about Hesse. The poems will make more of an impact if you have read at least a couple of his novels....more
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