August's book choice is Heartburn by Nora Ephron. It's a semi-biographical novel about the break up of her second marriage. It's a fairly quick read, funny, sad and thought provoking.
As usual I'll post some questions on or around the 20th.
Just discovered I can get this as an e-book from our library and as I'm between books right now, this seems like a good time to read it! I will join the discussion.
@stetson I only learnt about the movie when I looked up info on the book. I will try and see if I can watch it somewhere. I like most of Ephron's movies that I have seen, except I really disliked John Travolta as the angel in 'Michael'. Although doing some more googling I realise I sometimes get that movie mixed up with 'City of Angels', which I like even less.
I watched the movie last night. It was fun, though I thought the book was better. I also think Jack Nicholson was a bit miscast, thought Meryl Streep was about right. I'd forgotten what she looked like when she was young.
@stetson I only learnt about the movie when I looked up info on the book. I will try and see if I can watch it somewhere. I like most of Ephron's movies that I have seen, except I really disliked John Travolta as the angel in 'Michael'. Although doing some more googling I realise I sometimes get that movie mixed up with 'City of Angels', which I like even less.
I liked Michael, and I'm not usually fond of mystical whimsy. One thing I thought was amusing about it was that the reporters are tabloid writers, and had no hesitancy about accepting Michael was an angel. Whereas in a world where angels were so easily accepted as a fact of life, tabloids likely wouldn't report on them as they do now.
I have finished the book and decided to watch the movie - I was able to rent it from Youtube. I enjoyed both, but agree that Jack Nicholson is not quite right for playing Mark. I thought he was a bit too old and not charming or good looking enough. Though I first saw Nicholson in his terrifying role of the Joker, so find it hard to see him as anything but a villain. Meryl Streep was much more like I imagined Rachel in the novel.
...I first saw Nicholson in his terrifying role of the Joker, so find it hard to see him as anything but a villain.
In The King Of Marvin Gardens he's anything but a terrifying villain; he plays a nerdy public-radio host. Also, see his pre-transformation scenes in Wolf. Not to mention The Pledge, though there he's at least a cop, so a slight association with violence.
Comments
You know there is a movie of Heartburn?
I'm also a fan of some of Ephron's stuff. I think the only person who liked Lucky Numbers.
I liked Michael, and I'm not usually fond of mystical whimsy. One thing I thought was amusing about it was that the reporters are tabloid writers, and had no hesitancy about accepting Michael was an angel. Whereas in a world where angels were so easily accepted as a fact of life, tabloids likely wouldn't report on them as they do now.
In The King Of Marvin Gardens he's anything but a terrifying villain; he plays a nerdy public-radio host. Also, see his pre-transformation scenes in Wolf. Not to mention The Pledge, though there he's at least a cop, so a slight association with violence.