no country for old men

A complete wash out of a May Day meant a very nice breakfast with friends, a slightly damp walk in the park, followed by a quick retreat home to watch this film on DVD. Bobby the Preacher was visiting, and a very nice afternoon it turned out to be too.

As to the book-vs.-film debate, I would say that although the film managed to build up the atmosphere, that from the book was stronger, though admittedly McCarthy had a whole 423 pages to create the layers, as opposed to 122 visual minutes for the film. The overall message of the book was also much darker and apocalyptic than the film (you’ll have to read it yourself to see why and how).

Finally, our worst fears about Anton Chigurh were confirmed: hair or otherwise, he is absolutely, definitely, the most frightening person any of us has seen for a long time.

fun home

My journey to this book was a long one. I followed the paper trail for almost two years from this article all the way to the comic book library. The build-up of Alison Bechdel’s story is subtle, but a disturbing and sad undertone runs through it.

I won’t spill any more beans than to say that her father killed himself just weeks after she came out to her parents as being lesbian, but that quick synopsis barely does justice to her story and this beautiful book. The literary thread and references became a little too much for me towards the end, but the bookworms amongst you may really enjoy it. Tell me if you get to read it!

Edit: Not such a happy ending to his book – Alison Bechdel tells the Guardian about the aftermath of publishing her family’s story.

the rock, parai, bangka

It’s a little more than a month since I was here. It feels like I am miles away, yet at the same time I left a little piece of myself there, so at the back of my mind I’m always there. Not only the swimming in the sea while eating getes, but the seafood barbeque afterwards and strolling back over the walkway with the waves lapping gently alongside. As I believe someone once said, I’ll be back. And hopefully bring Mr. Snow with me too!