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Debbie W.'s Reviews > Lion
Lion
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Debbie W.'s review
bookshelves: literature-south-asian, own, literature-oceania, memoir, 2021-reads
Feb 28, 2021
bookshelves: literature-south-asian, own, literature-oceania, memoir, 2021-reads
After recently watching the movie Lion for the 4th time (and crying my eyes out each time), I decided right then that it was time to pull the book off my shelf and read it!
Previously published as A Long Way Home, the book gives greater insights into Saroo's journey, both physical and emotional, than the movie could, given its time constraints. I learned more about Saroo: his birth and adoptive parents' backgrounds (including his birth father), his blood siblings (he has another older brother!), Mantosh, his adoptive brother's story, his first days in Kolkata, his life in Tasmania, his trips back to India, and of his memories in greater detail. I could feel Saroo's fears, frustrations, despair, excitement and joy throughout the story. Even though I knew the outcome of Saroo's story, I would still get goosebumps whenever he made a major discovery.
The inclusion of 16 pages of captioned black and white photos, as well as a 2-page spread of a map of India titled "My Journey Across India", which indicates two possible routes Saroo may have took to Kolkata, added much-appreciated information to his story.
I do have to admit that although the book was a little more informative than the movie, it didn't stir as much emotion in me as the movie did. Overall, I recommend this heartwarming story about survival, perseverance, luck, hope and love.
Previously published as A Long Way Home, the book gives greater insights into Saroo's journey, both physical and emotional, than the movie could, given its time constraints. I learned more about Saroo: his birth and adoptive parents' backgrounds (including his birth father), his blood siblings (he has another older brother!), Mantosh, his adoptive brother's story, his first days in Kolkata, his life in Tasmania, his trips back to India, and of his memories in greater detail. I could feel Saroo's fears, frustrations, despair, excitement and joy throughout the story. Even though I knew the outcome of Saroo's story, I would still get goosebumps whenever he made a major discovery.
The inclusion of 16 pages of captioned black and white photos, as well as a 2-page spread of a map of India titled "My Journey Across India", which indicates two possible routes Saroo may have took to Kolkata, added much-appreciated information to his story.
I do have to admit that although the book was a little more informative than the movie, it didn't stir as much emotion in me as the movie did. Overall, I recommend this heartwarming story about survival, perseverance, luck, hope and love.
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Tamoghna
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Feb 24, 2021 07:49AM
Have you watched the movie, Debbie? I'm really excited as to what you think about it...I've the novel yet to read, the movie has some fascinating details from India...also from my hometown! :)
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Tamoghna wrote: "Have you watched the movie, Debbie? I'm really excited as to what you think about it...I've the novel yet to read, the movie has some fascinating details from India...also from my hometown! :)"I've watched the movie 4 times! I love it so much that I have it saved on my PVR! I just watched it again a few days ago, and that's what made me go to my bookshelf and pull out the actual book to read. When I was watching it this last time, I actually thought about you and that Kolkata is where you are from! It was nice to have that connection with you! I will let you know when I've finished the book and written my review!
SheAintGotNoShoes wrote: "I absolutely loved this film. So sad yet so touching."Exactly!
Debbie wrote: "Tamoghna wrote: "Have you watched the movie, Debbie? I'm really excited as to what you think about it...I've the novel yet to read, the movie has some fascinating details from India...also from my ..."I have finished the book and wrote a review, Tamoghna! I learned more about Kolkata after reading the book. Fascinating!
I loved the movie too. I would appreciate the photos and map in the book, and getting more details so I guess I'll be reading this one too. Thanks for a terrific review, Debbie!
Jenna wrote: "I loved the movie too. I would appreciate the photos and map in the book, and getting more details so I guess I'll be reading this one too. Thanks for a terrific review, Debbie!"Thanks, Jenna! Because it's written simplistically, it is a quick read. The only thing that disappointed me was that I was expecting an "ugly cry" which didn't happen, and I love books that make me cry!
Debbie wrote: "Debbie wrote: "Tamoghna wrote: "Have you watched the movie, Debbie? I'm really excited as to what you think about it...I've the novel yet to read, the movie has some fascinating details from India...."I had shelved it when it was "A Long Way Home", Debbie...but soon after that I watched the movie and a few of the reviews said the book was rather 'unemotional'...but from what I gather from your splendid review it's not quite the same. I may give it a read soon! Thanks for the review again! :-)
Terrific review Debbie. The movie really was exceptional in portraying the emotion. I too had watery eyes. Saroo was so young. While reading the book, I could not imagine being in his shoes those first months that turned into years.
Tamoghna wrote: "Debbie wrote: "Debbie wrote: "Tamoghna wrote: "Have you watched the movie, Debbie? I'm really excited as to what you think about it...I've the novel yet to read, the movie has some fascinating deta..."Those reviews may be correct. Although quite informative, I was hoping for more emotion from the book, at least like the movie! All in all, I think you may enjoy the book since a good portion is about your hometown!
Great review Debbie!
Ron wrote: "Terrific review Debbie. The movie really was exceptional in portraying the emotion. I too had watery eyes. Saroo was so young. While reading the book, I could not imagine being in his shoes those f..."Thank you, Ron! Yes, his experiences as a lost 5-year-old in one of the most populated cities in the world are extremely harrowing. It's mind-boggling how many children go missing in India every year!
NILTON wrote: "Great review Debbie!"Thank you, Nilton!
The movie broke me - especially the scene at the train yard when he was just a boy. 😭 It sounds like a good book, even if it didn't have the same emotional impact. Great review, Debbie. :)
Kat wrote: "The movie broke me - especially the scene at the train yard when he was just a boy. 😭 It sounds like a good book, even if it didn't have the same emotional impact. Great review, Debbie. :)"Thanks, Kat! Sunny Pawar is a wonderful actor! He stole my heart! I really lost it at the end with the real-life scenes and the afterword, especially explaining what his real name, Sheru, means! I did enjoy the book and the movie!
At least it was happy tears at the end when you could see him with his mom. You've made me want to re-watch this!
I need to watch this movie and read the book! Sounds emotional but so good! A lovely review Debbie!!
Kat wrote: "At least it was happy tears at the end when you could see him with his mom. You've made me want to re-watch this!"Yes! Happy tears! Like I've said, I have watched this movie 4 times AND have it saved on my PVR!
Tina wrote: "I need to watch this movie and read the book! Sounds emotional but so good! A lovely review Debbie!!"Thanks, Tina! If you like emotional books and movies, then you will most likely love this story, in print and on film! I pretty well like anything starring Dev Patel (adult Saroo), and Sunny Pawar (young Saroo) really steals the show! I would love to hear your thoughts on either the book or movie!
Great review Debbie!!! I had the same feeling as yours at the end of the movie, emotionally uplifting...
Great review Debbie. Have been wanting to read this since a few weeks after coming across it. Hopefully soon.
Krishna wrote: "Great review Debbie!!! I had the same feeling as yours at the end of the movie, emotionally uplifting..."Thank you, Krishna! It IS a wonderful movie that won several awards!
Bharath wrote: "Great review Debbie. Have been wanting to read this since a few weeks after coming across it. Hopefully soon."Thank you, Bharath! I hope you get to read it soon as well! Have you seen the movie?
Haven’t seen the movie yet Debbie. Maybe after the book!
I loved the movie! Great review, Debbie. Now I want to read this and re-watch the film.
Bharath wrote: "Haven’t seen the movie yet Debbie. Maybe after the book!"Sounds good!
Nancy wrote: "I loved the movie! Great review, Debbie. Now I want to read this and re-watch the film."Thanks, Nancy! I hope you enjoy the book as well!
Awesome review Debbie. I forgot about this movie and I wanted to watch it. Glad about the reminder :)
Annette wrote: "Awesome review Debbie. I forgot about this movie and I wanted to watch it. Glad about the reminder :)"I hope you get to see it soon, Annette!
