Day: August 8, 2022

Movie adaptation: ‘We Have Always Lived in the Castle’ by Shirley Jackson

Movie poster for the movie adaptation of ‘We Have Always Lived in the Castle’ by Shirley Jackson Photo: google

Shirley Jackson was one of the most brilliant and influential authors of the twentieth century. She is widely known for her supernatural stories and novels, including the well-known short story The Lottery and the best-selling novel “The Haunting of Hill House.” (Shirley Jackson, 2022)

“We Have Always Lived in the Castle” is a 1962 mystery novel by American author Shirley Jackson. The novel is written in the voice of eighteen year old Mary Katherine ‘Merricat’ Blackwood who lives with her sister and uncle on an estate in Vermont. Six years before the events of the novel, the Blackwood family experienced a tragedy that left the three survivors isolated from their small village. It is the story about a perverse, isolated, and possibly murderous family and the struggle that ensues when a cousin arrives at the estate. The movie adaptation is available to stream on Peacock, Amazon Prime, and Roku, among other services. (amazon, Wikipedia, 2022)

We Have Always Lived in the Castle is an American mystery thriller directed by Stacie Passon and written by Mark Kruger. It stars Taissa Farmiga, Alexandra Daddario, Crispin Glover, and Sebastian Stan. The arrival of a cousin with ulterior motives threatens the claustrophobic and isolated world of two sisters and their uncle.

 

Photo: amazon

Television adaptation: Heartstopper by Alice Oseman

The television adaptation of Alice Oseman’s Heartstopper graphic novel is now on Netflix. Photo: amazon

Heartstopper is a young adult LGBTQ+ ongoing graphic novel and webcomic series written and illustrated by British author Alice Oseman. The novel follows the lives of shy and softhearted Charlie Springs and rugby player Nick Nelson who sit next to each other in class one morning. A warm and intimate friendship follows, and that soon develops into something more for Charlie, who does not think he has a chance. Nick is struggling with feelings of his own and as the two grow closer and take on the ups and downs of high school, they come to understand the surprising and delightful ways in which love works. This coming-of-age story has been adapted into a television series and is now streaming on Netflix. It has received critical acclaim and has already been renewed for a second and third season. (amazon, 2022)

Heartstopper is a British coming-of-age romantic comedy television series on Netflix. Written by Alice Oseman herself, the series primarily tells the story of Charlie Spring, a gay schoolboy who falls in love with classmate Nick Nelson, whom he sites next to in school. Starring Joe Locke, William Gao, Yasmin Finney, Corinna Brown, and Kizzy Edgell, it also explores the lives of Tao, Elle, Tara, and Darcy.

New book release: ‘Shattered’ by James Patterson and James O. Born

Detective Michael Bennett is back in ‘Shattered,’ the new novel in the series. Photo: amazon

James Patterson is one of the best-known and biggest-selling writers of all time. His books have sold in excess of 375 million copies worldwide. He is the author of some of the most popular series of the past two decades – the Alex Cross, Women’s Murder Club, Detective Michael Bennett and Private novels – and he has written many other number one bestsellers including romance novels and stand-alone thrillers. Inspired by his own son who was a reluctant reader, he also writes a range of books for young readers including the Middle School, I Funny, Treasure Hunters, Dog Diaries and Max Einstein series. James has donated millions in grants to independent bookshops. James O. Born is an award-winning crime and science-fiction novelist with over twenty published novels and a career law-enforcement agent. They are co-authors of the new Michael Bennett novel “Shattered.” In the 14th novel in the series, nothing can tear Detective Michael Bennett away from his new bride, except the murder of the woman who was his partner and best friend. (amazon, 2022)

“Shattered” – NYPD master homicide investigator Michael Bennett and top FBI abduction specialist Emily Parker have a history. Working case after case, each can predict the other’s next move. So when she fails to show at FBI headquarters in Washington, DC, Bennett risks venturing far outside his jurisdiction. The investigation he undertakes is the most brilliant detective work of his career and the most intensely personal. A portrait begins to emerge of a woman as adept at keeping secrets as forging powerful connections. A woman whose enemies had both the means and the motives to silence the real Emily Parker—and her protectors.