Jane Eyre 2006

      I am embarrassed to say I have never read Jane Eyre. I tried. Lord knows I tried. I just couldn't get through the dry reading. After my fifth attempt, after I graduated high school, I gave up.

      Just before Christmas I was watching some movies with my girls and Jane Eyre popped up. The girls had gone to bed and I decided to see if it was as dry as the book. The actors in the movie are Toby Stephens and Ruth Wilson. Well the movie began and I suddenly found myself absorbed in  it. This was good, I thought. I kept watching and I found the movie to be outstanding!  I couldn't break away from it.  The actors gave such life to the characters. You could believe Mr. Stephens was indeed Rochester and Ms. Wilson truly Jane Eyre.  Until Mr. Stephens and Ms. Wilson accepted these parts, they were but dead characters between the pages of a book. Mr. Stephens and Ms. Wilson are the ONLY ones to make Rochester and Jane real. I could believe they were the people they portrayed.

     If you want to see a Jane Eyre movie that will stick with you, this is it. This movie has found it's place in my mind and continues to haunt me. I've watch parts of the movie so many times I know the words by heart. The pain, the romance and the love will stay buried in your heart for a very long time.  Do yourself a favor and watch this one!

      Before you read below let me give you a warning. My thoughts on Church and Christianity aren't what most folks agree with.

     

     I now know why I couldn't get through the book. The broad use of sin, Christianity and good Christians was more than I could take. I lived a little of Jane's early life. I was subjected to it by my grandparents on The Carrico side. I learned less than they would have liked because of the slaps in the mouth. The spankings and other such fun tricks.

 I thought I'd share this before I forget!

The Potter's Wheel by Mark Scheel

      Melvin graduated high school and now all he wanted to do was explore his world. Before he finished high school he was involved in an accident on his family's farm. It was pretty serious and they weren't sure he'd come out the other side. Melvin felt like he missed life because of the accident. He spoke to a friend and then to his parents. He'd made the decision to go to California. Melvin didn't know what would happen but the need to be there was strong.

     This book is set in the 1960's. Things were different during that time. It gives the reader an snapshot of a time and place. Nothing is held back. I love the  characters! It's as though the characters welcomed the author to their little slice of heaven. The book is eye opening. If you don't know much about the 60's you may find this book a little more tough to digest. The writing is on par with some of the greatest authors of our time. Mr. Scheel definitely knows how to capture the reader and then hang on to them through the whole book. This is one man's search for home. Mel reminds everyone of the accident he had and how it left part of his brain unusable at best. 

I found no issues here.

I gave this one 4 cheers out of 5 because it reads too slowly.

Alice in Dreamland by Roland S. Jefferson

      Taylor's life changed the day he got shot. Yeah, being a cop was something he loved, but a creep shot his left arm and it just sort of hangs there. Taylor was definitely bitter. He was also old school. Real old school. You know, racist, hateful and thinkin' women have one job. Take care of the menfolk.  He was about to get a wakeup call and wow would it wake him up.

     At first reading of this book, I wasn't sure I could finish it. Oh, it's extremely well written and the characters draw you out. You will have an opinion of the characters whether you want to or not. This book is told in a unique way. It creeps up on you. Even though you know it's 2021, you keep eyeing that calendar as you read. Surely this kind of behavior couldn't be so blatant.  But it is. This book is really a wakeup call for all Americans. It's real story is right there in front of you. It isn't hidden. No one has to point it out. I found this book eye opening and a bit scary. I think you will too. I know some won't make it through the first chapter. Others will read the entire book and their mouths will hang open in shock. It's amazing what can happen right before our eyes as we go through each day. Yes, those people we trust in Washington D.C. will only do what's best for us, right?  I read this book twice. Parts of it had to really sink in. I had to make sure I really read what was there in this book. It's magnificent and thought provoking. It's fun and sometimes a bit silly. I enjoyed the entire book.

     I didn't find any issues.

     I gave this one 5 cheers out of 5 because it's gonna blow you away when you read it.