tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2856065630155928814.post7545592938182545156..comments2023-10-06T20:40:16.011-07:00Comments on Scientist Gone Wordy: The Constant Gardener by John le CarreRachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12471937819219493034noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2856065630155928814.post-41126591856840742712013-07-05T22:44:11.248-07:002013-07-05T22:44:11.248-07:00Hi M. (aka AW) - If you're sticking with GR fo...Hi M. (aka AW) - If you're sticking with GR for reviews I'd second that. I like your format (stealing is the highest form of compliment right? or was that something else?:).<br /><br />If you do try a le Carre you'll have to tell me what you think. This is the only one I've finished and, as you can see, it was a chore. Definitely give the movie a view; it's really good and Weisz is excellent as usual.<br /><br />Can I bequeath that line to you? I doubt I'll have a use for it as I don't tend to write situations that would entail characters needing such a line. Not that you do necessarily but knowing I won't I hate to keep a line you like so much to myself. Have you been writing lately or is your program keeping you too busy? I haven't been writing lately (no excuse) but a few scenes are bubbling up in the ole brain so I think I'll be opening some dusty files soon.Rachelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12471937819219493034noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2856065630155928814.post-3917203773197824712013-07-05T10:39:00.158-07:002013-07-05T10:39:00.158-07:00Oh, I'm flattered! I think maybe I should sta...Oh, I'm flattered! I think maybe I should start applying the format to my GR reviews now that I'm not so blogerific anymore.<br /><br />I haven't read any LeCarre, and will heed your rec not to start with this one. But I'll try to take a look at the movie which I haven't yet seen despite my love for Rachel Weisz. But commenting now mainly to say:<br /><br />".....one dark hallway away from being a rapist." Very good. Put that in a short story somewhere.<br /><br />M.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2856065630155928814.post-1254820031833395702013-07-04T04:02:39.596-07:002013-07-04T04:02:39.596-07:00jmc - ah, I see. Yes, that rug gets jerked out qui...jmc - ah, I see. Yes, that rug gets jerked out quite early. Regarding the end; I've never fully understood why Justin chose to die the way he did. I don't quite buy the tessa is my home argument but I do buy that he was a dead man walking so that might have informed the choice. dunno, that's the part of the ending that doesn't totally jive for me.<br /><br />Christine - *clink* thanks! Great to hear from you. Hope all is well. This movie is one of my favorites, as well. Great to meet another fan. I think it is sadly under-seen. I think you're making the right choice on skipping the novel. The movie is one of the best (if not the best) adaptations I've ever seen so you get the majority of what is great about the book without all the unreadable baggage. And thanks so much for the link! btw, we take suggestions so if you have any other book/movie pairings you think worth it send it our way. :)Rachelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12471937819219493034noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2856065630155928814.post-72971805204359899892013-07-03T11:35:40.317-07:002013-07-03T11:35:40.317-07:00First of all, Cheers to you and Michael on three y...First of all, Cheers to you and Michael on three years of great duo posts! *clinks glass*<br /><br />Second of all, I agree with you about the cover art. That was my first thought when I was investigating the book after watching the film, which has become a favorite of mine. So much to love about the movie: the acting, the story (scarily plausible, if not probable), Africa...<br /><br />Thirdly, I'm so glad I got yours and Michael's takes on reading the novel. I think I'll skip it. During my Googling after seeing the movie, I came across this article by John le Carré regarding his inspiration that became Tessa. http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2001/feb/25/fiction.features2<br />I was disappointed to see that Yvette Pierpaoli's book, Woman of a Thousand Children, is not translated into English. That could be interesting.<br /><br />Like I said in my comment to Michael's post, I was thrilled to see you guys tackle The Constant Gardner. Thank you!Christinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17404052490491044727noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2856065630155928814.post-73747155860322833332013-07-02T09:46:44.780-07:002013-07-02T09:46:44.780-07:00Hate may be too strong a word. I really like the ...Hate may be too strong a word. I really like the flashbacks and time shifts as narrative devices, and I thought Fiennes and Weisz did good jobs with their roles. But as a romance reader, I hated knowing that there would be no HEA/HFN since the film opens with Tessa's death. And being a pessimist (which is sort of incongruent with the rom-reading sometimes), I knew that Justin's search for the truth was not going to end well, even if he found it all out. So my "hate" is really more :( about content than anything.jmcnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2856065630155928814.post-55814595998111221762013-07-01T19:26:24.300-07:002013-07-01T19:26:24.300-07:00Michael - Glad you enjoyed a trip down memory lane...Michael - Glad you enjoyed a trip down memory lane. I did, as well. Interesting that both you, me, and jmc want to like this author but can't get through his work with any satisfaction. Craft only gets you so far, got to be invested in the story to keep going, yes? <br /><br />jmc - "alienated and not engaged" is a perfect description of my feelings, too, when reading his work. Looks like a little club could be formed of those who admire his craft but don't actually like his work. <br /><br />Would you be willing to detail some of your movie hate? I'd definitely be interested in hearing your thoughts.<br /><br />Thanks for the Goldacre tip; I actually tend away from clinical/human science when I'm out there looking for sciencey tid bits to read so I miss a lot of that type of community.Rachelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12471937819219493034noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2856065630155928814.post-34732464882229473372013-07-01T17:43:36.487-07:002013-07-01T17:43:36.487-07:00I haven't read The Constant Gardener, but I lo...I haven't read The Constant Gardener, but I love/hate the film. le Carre is an author whose work I struggle with: I want to like it but just feel alienated and not engaged by it.<br /><br />On the pharmaceutical industry, have you read Ben Goldacre?jmchttp://jmcbks.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2856065630155928814.post-77771263688832326082013-06-30T14:43:12.213-07:002013-06-30T14:43:12.213-07:00Well, first off, I do think this series has bloome...Well, first off, I do think this series has bloomed into a wonderful little garden (using the book/film you selected as an analogy ). We've tilled it rather nicely, I think. So glad you included that post from three years ago, Rachel. Brings a good frame of reference on how it all began. Thanks for that, and this ;-).<br /><br />Good to know we both appreciate this author, but as I admitted in my review, I've had a time trying to read him. I recognize his way with the language, and what he concocts on the page, are superb. I wish that would translate into something I could get through. A hundred pages through the character of Woodrow? I couldn't do it.<br /><br />It's a great plot and shows a spotlight on something I don't doubt. Wonderful review, as always, Rachel. Again, many thanks.le0pard13https://www.blogger.com/profile/09421175808461787862noreply@blogger.com