No. Just No.

Christen Meade, please don't hate me for what I'm about to say....

I picked up PRIDE AND PREJUDICE AND ZOMBIES by Seth Grahame-Smith only because a student recommended it to me. In fact, she was so excited for me to read it, she brought a copy for me to borrow. Since I love it when others read books that I recommend, I felt that I owed it to her to read a book she so obviously loved. 

I have to tell you that I'd heard about this book years ago when it was first released. I scoffed at such a thing and wondered how in the world anyone would even want to read it. Then I learned that they were making a movie!!! We discussed the movie among ourselves in my department at school and my co-worker and I (she more than me because she LOVES Mr. Darcy) were teased mercilessly about how we were going to be forced to watch the movie. We both vehemently protested. And we both meant it.

In spite of all that, I allowed myself to be talked into reading it....and let me tell you, I wish I had more power and control to say No. I have no idea if the story is meant to be a dark comedy or not. Whether it is or not, I found the so-called humorous scenes ridiculous rather than funny. I posted a bunch of such ridiculous lines/scenes on facebook simply because I didn't want to be the only one having to read such atrocities.

For those of you who love this book, I'm sorry, but I DON'T. This story is simply AWFUL and I was right when I had no desire whatsoever to read it. (Please don't hate or be mad at me, Christen!!!)

Works Cited

Shen, Jean. "Series 1: Healing of Wounds of the Bride and Growing Intimacy with the Lord." Invitation to His Garden. Prophetic Art. Web. 6 Sept. 2014. <http://www.jbrushwork.com/html/paintings.html>.

Inconceivable!!!!

The idea of someone surviving a horrific bear attack such as Hugh Glass did is fascinating beyond the norm. When I first saw the previews for the movie version of THE REVENANT, I was intrigued. If the bear attack was even half as bad as described, I wondered how in the world anyone could possibly survive. And then the men who had been left behind to care for him rob him and leave him for dead! Honestly, though, I found myself empathizing with Bridger and Fitzgerald (the two men who rob and leave Hugh for dead). Think about it: The man they are taking care of has been through a SEVERE bear attack--he has deep gashes on his neck, shoulder, and back--his throat has been laid open--his scalp has been ripped off--there is no way that anyone should have survived such an attack, especially considering the fact that they were out in the wilderness with no doctor and no way to help heal Hugh's wounds. And that brings up another point--they are in the untamed wilderness of the mid-west, hundreds of miles from any civilization. Food was scarce. They couldn't have real fires because fires drew the attention of the local hostiles--typically Indians. It's actually not until Fitzgerald sees Indians while he's hunting that he takes everything he can from Hugh and tells Bridger that they have to run because they'll be killed by the Arikara. If I had seen Hugh's wounds in person, I would have believed that there was no way in the world he could possibly survive. I don't know that I would have left him to die alone. There's a part of me that wonders if it might have been a mercy to kill Hugh and be done with it. The poor man was suffering something awful and there was no way to relieve or help in any way to alleviate his pain. 

Don't hate me for my comments. When you read about the bear attack and Hugh's injuries and the circumstances surrounding the whole situation, tell me that you don't at least have a small bit of understanding why and how anyone might believe that Hugh was DEFINITELY at death's door. 

How in the world did Hugh survive? Against all odds, he survives!! As someone who has had major surgery that opened me up from navel to privates, I know that it is impossible to move around with any level of comfort or ability for WEEKS after. Hugh begins crawling to safety within days of his attack. And less than a month later, he is walking upright and moving as if the bear attack had never even happened. It's his scars that reveal the severity of the bear attack. Worst of all, within just a few short days of having maggots cleaned out of the wounds in his back, he is up and about and even getting on a horse by himself and riding!

How?! What kind of man is able to do that?! Wouldn't he have done more harm than good in moving too much too soon?! 

I guess that's what fascinates me so much about Hugh's story. I've been "torn open" from belly button down and another about six inches across my belly. I KNOW what it's like to have an "open" wound....the pain, how every single movement brings fresh unbearable pain. And I had extreme pain medication to help me get through mine. Hugh has a poltice and a few rough stitches!

Maybe it's just me. Maybe I had such a difficult time healing because my body was already in a weakened state where Hugh was a man of the wilderness--whole, hale, muscular, and quite healthy.

I am going to watch the movie today. I'm honestly wondering if I'm going to be able to watch it. Reading about maggots in a man's back is bad enough; seeing them on screen (or, God forbid, in real life) might be more than I'm able to handle....

Addendum: in just looking at the trailer and other images for the movie version, I am anticipating being disappointed with the movie. The story is incredibly descriptive concerning Hugh's bear attack. In looking at the images of Leonardo Dicaprio, I don't see the scalping or scars running through his beard that are supposed to be there......Was the director more concerned with keeping Leo handsome than he was with following the true story?!

This time, the movie is better than the book

I decided to read BIG FISH:  A NOVEL OF MYTHIC PROPORTIONS by Daniel Wallace when I first realized that the movie BIG FISH was actually based on a book!  I saw the movie years ago and loved it!  I love Ewan McGregor, you know!  But I had no idea it was a book first.  A few weeks ago, we had a free movie weekend with HBO or something like that and there was a preview, I think, that mentioned the book.  I decided that I wouldn't watch the movie again until I read the book, so I immediately ordered the book and now I've finished reading it!  So I can finally watch the movie again!  

The movie varies from the book quite a bit.  It keeps the essence of the overall story--what Wallace does with this beautiful story of a man who is an amazing story-teller (on his deathbed) and his son, attempting to connect with the man he doesn't know.  

In some ways, I like the book better, but a part of me feels that I'm only saying that because as a book lover, I'm kind of supposed to say that.  It is a really good book and I am very glad that I read it, but yet I have to admit that with this one, I think the movie is better.  I don't know if it's because I'm prejudice towards Ewan McGregor or what, but I just find that the movie is much more fun.  The book is cute, but I didn't laugh or smile or even cry while reading the book.  I did all of those when I watched the movie.  Of course, again, that might be because I watched the movie first, but that isn't going to change my opinion.  

In this instance, the movie BIG FISH is better than the book BIG FISH by Daniel Wallace.  (*Don't hate!)

BTW:  did you know that there is also a stage musical?!  I didn't!

Time to DO some serious writing.....

This book by Michael Hyatt is exactly what the title says it is:  WRITING A WINNING NON-FICTION BOOK PROPOSAL.  Michael clearly and concisely states what creates a non-fiction book proposal that will get noticed by agents.  He even clearly tells the reader how to avoid the slush pile.  Of course, writing a book proposal following Michael's plan does not guarantee me--the writer/author--acceptance by said agents, but he does indicate that the qualities he explains help at least get the writer noticed rather than in the slush pile.  I, for one, hope and pray that I am not denied access to an agent just because I haven't done my homework and I don't (can't or won't) follow the simple instructions/expectations as provided by the experts--those who either are current agents or are past agents--or even those who have successfully written, sold, and published a book!

Here's hoping and praying all this homework is going to pay off.....!!!!