Misery-Review

***CONTAINS SPOILERS.

 

I heard many good things about Misery, both book and film, so I decided to check them both out. So far my only King experience had been Carrie and the film version of The Shining only. It was time to broaden my King Horizon. As custom, you must read the book and then see how much the film messes it up, so that’s what I done.

This book is honestly amazing. So interesting, style wise and story wise. At first it takes some time to get used to the italic writing, the voices in Sheldon’s head, but once you follow them you almost look forward to them. Also the addition of ‘Misery’s Return’ within ‘Misery’ without the N’s and then the T’s and then the E’s… He really made use of formatting in this one. The story itself was also interesting and really gripping. How he mentioned things early on that came up again later and you are just waiting for it, like the Denver trial. I both didn’t want to put it down and didn’t want to pick it up, afraid of the next Wilkes horror I would read.

Mostly I found this book amazing from a writers point of view. How both characters mention little things about writing, like Annie says how she doesn’t like cheating, yet King has Sheldon back in his chair in his spot, the door locked just in time for her entry… King mentions these techniques, even critiques them, and then uses them! I mean he is such a talented writer and I will definitely be going even deeper into the King archives now. Please give me recommendations if you are a fan.

 

Okay so this is one of them rare times when the film doesn’t mess up the whole book. Although I don’t think it was better than the book, the things they done different, actually worked really well. For example, the addition of the sheriff. The book is told in close third person, we only see what Paul Sheldon can see. The film took advantage of the fact that it had a wider scope, and added in a whole new character. Although I was sad that his death was a lot less gruesome than the police officer in the book. There was a whole lot that happened to that one and this one only gets a gunshot?

The other thing I think the film done well was breaking his feet. In the book she cuts off one of his feet and I was waiting for the scene to come up in the film. BUT then she just bashes them both with a hammer instead?? I couldn’t even look at the screen. Also how the presented his legs in general was hard to look at. Throughout the whole book, I could never picture his legs as bad as the film made them.

Overall it was an excellent film. I loved the opening titles, which seems to be a theme with King films, as The Shining also has an amazingly dramatic scenery shot to open with. Also the acting was next level. Kathy can do no wrong to be honest. I’m glad they included a close up of her screaming cockadoodie.

Horror has never really been my thing, film and books both, but I would like to explore more King for sure. I’m feeling The Shining book next? Even though custom is pre-broken as I’ve already saw the film.

 

Charlotte.

The Miniaturist- Review

The Miniaturist- Jessie Burton 

An Autumn day in 1686, eighteen-year-old Nella Oortman arrives at the grand house in Amsterdam to begin her new life as the wife of wealthy merchant Johannes Brandt. Though curiously distant, he presents her with an extraordinary wedding gift: a cabinet-sized replica of their home. It is to be furnished by an elusive miniaturist, whose tiny creations ring eerily true.

   As Nella uncovers the secrets of her new household she realises the escalating dangers they face. The miniaturist seems to hold their fate in her hands- but does she plan to save or destroy them?

 

One of the first books I read this year was ‘The Muse’ by Jessie Burton, and I automatically fell in love with her writing style. I think after just that one book I considered her a writing idol, and that has not changed after the second. In ‘The Muse’ she created a beautiful fusion of two strangers lives (set years apart), while also taking us on a journey and solving a mystery. In some ways ‘The Miniaturist’ does the same things. Though we stay in one time throughout, she still manages to blend so many different lives into one story, one world where you may not see them belonging together. This book is also full of mystery and secrets, and honestly, it wasn’t easy to solve the mysteries of her stories in either book (even the maid is in the dark in this one!). You really are brought on a journey with your protagonists.

As stated already, we do stay in one time and place throughout this book, though many other places are mentioned. It is set in 1686, Amsterdam, and to be very honest, its a time and place I would have known nothing about, so if any of her facts were wrong, I most likely wouldn’t have picked up on them. However, you get the sense it was very thoroughly researched, from the use of language to the actual presentation of the places and characters. She also adds a little glossary of Dutch words at the back, and gives a breakdown of costs of items at the time, as money is a big theme in this book so it was good to be given an idea of how it worked at the time.

It’s rare to read book and have no dull characters, but I really believe every character in this book had a very specific purpose. Nella wasn’t a constantly likeable character, but as I said at the beginning, you are brought on a journey. She starts out a very naive girl, who thinks of life and marriage only as she has been taught by her mother. It is a while before she really comes into her own, but she discovers a lot about her new family, herself and that the way of the world is not always black and white.

I don’t want to give any spoilers, because there really is a tone of secrets in this book and I wouldn’t want to ruin any of them. But I would really recommend this book, if you are interested in historical fiction at all this is a definite read. Also, if you are a writer, it’s full of really great techniques so I’d also recommend it for that too!

5* for sure.

 

Charlotte.