Firstly ladies I need to say I was unaware when I chose The Water Diviner that the novel was written from the screenplay, this worries me a little. Let us hope the novel can show us some depth that the movie cannot.
Our story is’ loosely' based on true accounts from returned Gallipoli veterans and their families so I guess some more war horrors are in store for us.
I haven’t watched the movie.
Have either of you?
Let’s hope for an interesting read.
Hello Ladies!
ReplyDeleteHope you both are well! Things are going great here.
I was a little apprehensive to start this novel. As you said Nancy, I assumed that war horrors were in store. But I actually got through this pretty quickly. The war atrocities were much more mildly depicted in this novel than in the Deep Road we just finished. So that made things much more bearable. In addition, the playful Orhan and the budding love between Connor and Ayshe also softened the war’s sting.
One part that really stood out to me was when Hasan tells Connor of the saying in his country, “May you out live your children”. I like how Hasan says it sounds like a blessing but is really a curse. How true? I work with cancer patients, including pediatric patients. While there are many success stories here, there aren’t always happy endings. And it’s often that I grieve less for the lost child, and more for the aching parents.
I didn’t really understand what was the purpose or significance of Connor’s water divining power. Henry and Edward were not made of water. His water divining should not have aided his finding their bodies. Why couldn’t Mr. Anastasios have just used a parental intuition sense to cause Connor to find the boys? Is it merely the idea that Connor is able to find the unseen? Or this “gimmick” helps draw in readers to the novel? The title certainly peaked my curiosity.
To answer your question Nancy, no I haven’t not seen the movie. It seems that many of the books we have read have become movies or already were movies. Honestly out of all we’ve read, I’ve only watched Life of Pi. Have either of you watched any of the other movies our novels have become?
-Katie
Hello ladies,
ReplyDeleteThe weather here is warming up and spring is glorious our days are warm and beautiful. I hope you both are enjoying your Autumns and all the changes in weather it brings. Katie it seems you had a wonderful and well deserved family holiday, they are special times. Hope all is well with you Sue and all the family. I often think about our time in Yorkshire and how much we enjoyed it.
I also found I read this book quickly and easily Katie, and considering its basis I found that a little disconcerting. However it was probably time for us to have an easier read ! Our last few books have been quite harrowing and I also was apprehensive of more war tragedies . While these were present in the story they were glossed over in typical hollywood style and while I’m sure they would have made impact on the big screen didn’t translate as disturbing in print. The book seemed to me to be hastily written to coincide with the movie launch and add to the gross takings more so than a carefully planned novel. The character development seemed scarce and sadly I spent a lot of time trying to imagine Connor as anyone other than Russell Crowe.
The story would have filmed beautifully, from the vast landscapes of the Australian outback to the crush and hustle of Istanbul, to the Turkish countryside and Gallipoli Cove.
Did any of the descriptions of Turkey bring back memories of your recent visit there Sue ?
Were they realist?
I am also at a loss to explain Katie, why a water diviner was chosen, perhaps because it made the opening scenes of the movie pretty dramatic! I agree with you perhaps as the only parent to come looking for the bodies of his boys [this is apparently based on a true story] his deep devotion and intuition could have played a part.
What I did find interesting and thought provoking was it was the first time I have read anything on the battle of Gallipoli from the Turkish side and I also was unaware of the atrocities that occurred in Anatolia after the war.
The other people I had not thought about before were those poor souls on both sides of the conflict that remained and found and buried their dead. What a tortuous experience to endure.
I’m a little embarrassed to admit how much Hollywood taught me in this film !!
I found the story of Ayshe dubious, I don’t feel in 1919 any Arab woman would have been allowed her freedoms, but the romance between her and Connor certainly lightened the story.
I haven’t seen the movie, a friend of mine has and her comment though strange I understood, she said it was beautifully filmed but considering the content it seemed a bit ‘fluffy’.
The only other film I have seen on our book list is The Divine Secrets Of The YaYa Sisterhood and was so disappointed at the changes I decided in the future if I read the novel not to see the film and vice versa.
much love,
Nancy
Hello Ladies
ReplyDeleteThis particular autumn has already made the countryside look really beautiful. We’ve had glorious days of sunshine, which was very timely as we had a visitor over these last few days. My family is well, though I do not look forward to winter.
Katie, I hadn’t realized just how harrowing your job could be. I admire your strength in dealing with it.
I watched the film on which the book is based on a recent flight. It was, indeed, beautifully set, Nancy. The first part, showing Connor’s life as a water diviner with his wife and sons, really defines Connor’s character. Very much enjoyed the film, as much as anything because I think Russell Crowe is a wonderful actor. It was also a timely viewing as we were going to Turkey. So, reading the book now was perhaps a different experience. For example, I could visualize what was happening. We stayed in Sultanahmet and it hasn’t changed much. I could see the places Orhan and Connor ran/walked. The scene with Omer’s wife, Fatma, does not appear in the film (unless I fell asleep) but the place in which it occurred is nonetheless well described.
Central to the success of the book is whether the reader can accept that Connor is able to divine both water and his dead sons. It speaks volumes for Russell Crowe that his gift was absolutely credible. Not sure how I’d have responded to the novel without his performance. I very much enjoyed the portrayal of the British – the insistence on observing rules as compared to the Australian refusal to accept what was plainly foolish – and the duplicity of British policy: caricatured but based entirely on truth.
The tragedy and stupidity of Gallipoli is described through its impact on the living and the dead. We’ve enjoyed better-written war books, but this one was very readable - action packed, some stereotypical characters (for example, Natalia, Hasan, Omer) – very accessible.
There was one problem for me: in a discussion with a honeymooning Turkish couple we learned about the tradition of coffee being laced by the potential bride to indicate her feelings towards the suitor. However, the coffee is laced with salt. The man we spoke to had to drink a cup full of disgusting liquid. Had he not done so, he would have indicated he wasn’t interested in the proposed match. It’s a dying tradition, it seems, and, in the case of the couple we met, a formality sealing a pre-arranged engagement.
Apart from that, really enjoyed the novel – and great timing after our holiday. Thank you, Nancy.
I’ve been lucky enough to see the film version of many of the books we have read: Atonement, The Kite Runner, Possession, Life of Pi, the T.V. series of Case Histories, Memoires of a Geisha and, upcoming, The Reader. Generally, it’s much better to see the film after the book – though it can be very disappointing – but in this case, I’m glad I saw the film first.
I was thinking about future books. What about:
The Miniaturist – Jessie Burton
Elizabeth is Missing – Emma Healey
On Canaan’s Side – Sebastian Barry
Healey’s book may be a little difficult, Nancy, so be honest and if you don’t fancy it I’ll find something else. I’m suggesting it to make myself read it.
Much love to you both and your families
Sue
Hello Ladies,
ReplyDeleteGreat to hear all is well with you both and for the most part we all enjoyed this month’s story. Your descriptions of the movie Sue, encourages me to see it.
I am all good with your new selections Sue. I have thought long and hard about the Healy story and in the end I decided if you’re brave enough…..so am I !! A challenge is a good thing.
I have a few suggestions also, please let me know what you both think.
The Beach by Alex Garland
Fried Green Tomatoes At The Whistle Stop Cafe by Fannie Flagg
The Illuminations by Andrew O'Hagan
cheers,
Nancy x
A wonderful mix of books, Nancy. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteSue
I had forgotten that we had read Memoirs of a Geisha. I did see that movie, loved it and the book. Maybe I will try and watch The Water Diviner. Franklin doesn't tend to want to see these movies with me. Maybe I will watch it on my own. I am open to your suggestions and I would like two recommend a few too!
ReplyDeleteEverything I Never Told You- Celeste Ng
The Goldfinch- Donna Tartt
Land of Love and Drowning- Tiphanie Yanique
Are these suggestions ok with you both?
On an unrelated note, just some happy news. The Chong family is growing by one more! We are expecting in March. :-D
Such wonderful news Katie, all our best wishes to you, Franklin and Benjamin. Hope you're feeling well.
ReplyDeleteall our love,
Nancy and Ivars xx
ps, all book suggestions sound great.
Congratulations, Katie. So happy for you all. So much to look forward to - very exciting. Jay sends his love and best wishes - I join him in that, and also Nancy's hope that you are well.
ReplyDeleteActually, Jay's first response to the news was to stand stock still, then say cautiously, "Haven't they just had a baby?" A problem of age - time passes so quickly. We hope it's going slower for you in such wonderful days.
And the books and authors sound wonderfully exotic - Tiphanie Yanique in particular.
Lots of love
Sue and Jay