Skip to main content

Posts

Showing posts from December, 2016

Prisoners of Geography: Russia

Russia.  Marshall makes the point that the Russians are vulnerable in a number of ways.  European plain provides no protection.  Their ports freeze over. Their land mass is huge but their numbers are relatively small--smaller than Nigeria and Pakistan, for example.  The annexation of the Crimea totally predictable--Putin sees loss of Crimea as an existential threat.  Geopolitics pre-eminent. Very interesting book.  A gift from Marian for Christmas, and a perfect book for my tastes!

American Tragedy 95%

The trial is over. Clyde is on death row.  Appeals. Mom comes out and gives lectures to help defray the cost.  Sort of an early GO FUND ME.  Nothing, naturally, from Sondra or his uncle.  It's all a bit tedious.  You can tell the book is based on a real event, because otherwise there would be no reason for all this. Clyde toys with religion, relives his acts.  I'll be glad to finish!

American Tragedy 85%

Clyde's trial.  His defense team decides to present him as a moral and physical coward.  He won't do the right thing by Roberta--at least not at first.  He saves himself when she falls in the water, fearful  she might pull him down. Dreiser very cynical regarding the trial.  Clyde is rehearsed thoroughly and lies fairly convincingly. He says, for example, that he didn't plan for what happened.  Technically correct.  It all happened in a  different way than he had planned, but he did plan on killing her.  The prosecutor wants to make a political name for himself.  Sondra's family heads way out of the area.  Sondra becomes Miss X so that her name is not besmirched in the press. Clyde's uncle pays for the lawyers, but he stays completely away as well. So many problems with Clyde's story:  Two hats (one floating in the water; one for his escape . . . leaving her luggage and bringing his own . . . lying about owning a camera . . . going to an ugly part of the lak

Goldfinger

Third movie in the series.  MUCH better than Dr. No.  Pacing, story move along.  Goldfinger is oddly cast. Chubby redhead who seems like a realtor, not a dastardly villain. Music really moves this one.  The score creates drama in mundane scenes of driving here and there. Honor Blackman as Pussy Galore--odd character with no discernible motivation for anything she does or doesn't do.  Two Masterson girls are both killed. James gets over it with amazing alacrity. It is very unclear why they don't just kill him--they have innumerable opportunities. Oh, well.  The genre.

American Tragedy 80%

The plan is to present Clyde at a trial as a morally weak character who thought about murder but decided against it, then accidentally killed Roberta, then (morally weak) tried to hide the crime.  The Griffiths name is to be kept out as much as possible.  All the rich are running from him like he's a rat (which he is). The defense team is hoping to get him off with 20 years.  Big problem--he will have to testify.

Factual basis of American Tragedy: Wikipedia

Dreiser based the book on a notorious criminal case. On July 11, 1906, resort owners found an overturned boat and the body of 20-year-old  Grace Brown  at  Big Moose Lake  in the  Adirondack Mountains  of  Upstate New York .  Chester Gillette  was put on trial and convicted of killing Brown, though he claimed that her death was a suicide. Gillette was executed by electric chair on March 30, 1908. [1] The murder trial drew international attention when Brown's love letters to Gillette were read in court. Dreiser saved newspaper clippings about the case for several years before writing his novel, during which he studied the case closely. He based Clyde Griffiths on Chester Gillette, deliberately giving him the same initials.

American Tragedy -- odd fact from Wikipedia

In the 1940s the novel inspired an episode of the award-winning  old-time radio  comedy  Our Miss Brooks ,  an episode known as "Weekend at Crystal Lake" and sometimes known as "An American Tragedy." The episode revolved around the characters' misinterpreting the intentions of biology teacher Philip Boyton (played by  Jeff Chandler ), Connie Brooks's ( Eve Arden ) high school colleague and love interest. The characters fear that Boynton plans to kill Miss Brooks during a leisurely weekend at their boss's lakeside retreat. The episode was broadcast twice, on September 19, 1948, and — with very minor changes — on August 21, 1949. The episode was also repeated in 1955, at a time when the show was a hit on both radio and  television . [3]

American Tragedy 75%

Clyde arrested. Themes:  Clyde as confused semi-victim of the American dream. Not a murderer, but not innocent. Rich:  Most (Sondra's family, for example) looking for ways to distance themselves from any and all scandal, though the elder Griffiths makes a point that he will not do anything to protect a guilty man. Poor:  Eager to get at the ways of the rich through general hatred of Clyde who killed a poor girl because he wanted to cavort with the upper class. Politicians:  Looking for a way to turn the trial into a political asset for upcoming elections. I'm guessing the remaining 25% will be all pre-trial and trial.

Sorcerer, Movie 2.5 stars

Roy Scheider, based on Wages of Fear. Scheider is involved in a robbery in USA.  He robs a church connected to the mob--the mob puts out a contract to kill him.  He flees to Nicaragua.  Poor, miserable . . . and a contract killer shows up.  He takes his chance--driving a cargo of plastic explosives over a mountain to put out an oil well fire. His would-be killer, though a series of events, becomes his co-driver.  The other truck has a Frenchman involved in a financial scheme who has had to flee France. He, too, needs money to get out of the miserable little town. Driving the trucks is the focus of last half of movie.  Explosion at every turn is possible.  Frenchman and his co-driver blow up when wheel comes off.  Scheider's co-driver killed by bandits (Scheider and he have become respectful of one another.) Scheider carries the explosives in. He will get 40,000 pesos.  He's about to fly out of the little town, with some hope, when a car pulls into the town.  A new set of

American Tragedy 70%

Clyde, trying to climb the social ladder, being pulled down by Roberta's pregnancy.  Fails in all ways to "handle" the pregnancy. Sondra more enamored with Clyde all the time.  He decides to be rid of Roberta after reading of the drowning of a couple in Pittsfield. He plans the perfect crime--and it's riddled with problems.  He "sort of" does Roberta in--part accident, part murder--and is quickly identified and then arrested. Dreiser as newspaper reporter--there is an element that feels based on an actual crime.  The bumbling self-deception.  Dreiser as windbag--many scenes are great, but need to be edited. I could turn this into a 500 page book that is better than this 1000 page novel. Social distinctions are wonderfully described.  Sondra loving sports at least partly because she likes to dress in a bunch of different outfits. Politics:  the murder gives the D.A. a chance to shine in an election year, and he is eager to turn the trial to his advantag

American Tragedy 40%

Clyde is moving in two worlds.  Roberta -- lower class working girl with whom he is having an affair.   Sondra -- upper class girl who is infatuated for a number or reasons.  She's slumming it, a little. Clyde is handsome, though, and it's possible he has more money than it seemed at first.  Clyde is like water--he slips back and forth between these two worlds.  His goal, though, is clear.  Sondra . . . money . . . prestige

American Tragedy 33%

Clyde, promoted, is restless. Is this one promotion the beginning and end. He has promised his cousin to stay away from "common" girls, but if he has no access to "upper class" girls, then what does he do?  New girl on the shop floor catches his eye.  A canoe adventure, and now a meeting at th end of her block.

American Tragedy 27%

 Clyde promoted because he is family. Staying at low job is unsuitable and makes his uncle look bad.  Also the uncle likes him. This is not true of his cousin Gilbert who sees Clyde as a rival and makes it clear that Clyde is not really "fit" to be in the family. Clyde wants to divorce himself from dis "low " friends, but the sex appeal of girls like Rita will be hard to defeat. He is put in charge of the "stamping" part of the factory, a room peopled entirely by young girls.  Clyde tries not to be interested, but he is young and male and girls are throwing themselves at him.  So . . . 

American Tragedy 23%

Clyde involved in death of little girl via car accident.  Flees KC and goes to Chicago, then on to Lycurgus--the hometown of his uncle. He works in the basement of the collar factor of his uncle.  His cousin Gilbert is jealous of him.  Tough line:  If he throws his lot in with his fellow workers, then he loses his chance to be part of the upper crust.  But--if he doesn't throw his lot with his fellow workers, then he is lonely and bored.  Meets Rita.  She encourages his advances.  Dreiser knows the power of sex. At this point Clyde has been invited to dinner with his uncle--his chance to become part of the family.  Gilbert is gone, and his uncle and his female cousins are predisposed in his favor.  Looks good for Clyde.

American Tragedy 15%

Clyde is in a bind. His mother wants money from him to give to his pregnant sister. Hortense wants money from him for a fur coat. ($125--expensive!). Clyde wants to give the $ to Hortense for the implied sexual favors it will gain for him, but he feels obligated to his mother. He goes out with the guys and gals to a club outside KC.  Some drinking, dancing, playing on ice. Hortense flirts outrageously with others. Clyde morose, but she plays him back.  He's hopeless.  They need to get back to work by six. Snow . . . traffic . . . stolen (borrowed without permission) car . . . the driver, urged by all the bellboys, races through the streets of KC in snow.  Comes around corner, hits and kills little girl.  Instead of staying, driver races off.  He goes to side streets, turns off his lights to avoid detection, smashes into lumber for a new home.  Car tips over.  Clyde manages to get out.  Someone has called the police.  He runs for it! End of Book One

American Tragedy 8%

Clyde is now settled at the fancy hotel.  He goes with the guys for a night of drinking that ends up at a brothel.  His religious background wars with his sensuality; not a clear victory for either.  He spends more money on himself, feels a desire for freedom from his parents in many ways--mentally, spiritually, physically--but can't quite sever the ties. He sees his mother in a poor section of town inquiring about a room.  His mother asks him to help her raise $100.00.  Some mystery here--I think it has to do with his sister Esta who fled the household and who is probably now back, pregnant?, disgraced. Excellent book

Big Eyes (Movie) Tim Burton,

Walter and Margaret Keane story.  Walter stealing his wife's art work and selling posters, prints, postcards, paintings.  Big-eyed little children.  She gets tired of his theft of her work.  He is frustrated artist but great con salesman.  They make millions before she says enough/ Divorce follows, then she sues him for rights to her work.  Court scene where judge demands both paint for him.  Walter can't paint; Margaret produces a "big-eyed" child.  She wins court case. Strange story to film . . . the art isn't good, and various commentators in the movie say so loudly and clearly.  So, a weird plagiarism of bad art by a good salesman who makes millions for both of them.

Dr. No (First James Bond)

Enjoyable . . . like a pretty good TV show.  Sean Connery with his gadgets for the first time.  Ursula Andress as Honey, his girl sorta. Dr. No is a Chinese/German who is planning on shooting down a US space launch.  Radioactivity, sleeping potions, Jamaican black who gets vaporized by a dragon.  Lots of plot holes--who would have ever predicted that this okay film would lead to the series that followed?

Ice Twins completed

Spoilers:  Mom did it.  Sex with casual stranger while her two girls are running around large house unsupervised. Worse, she screams at them to go away just before Lydia (not Kirstie) dies.  Dad isn't a daughter abuser. Mom is on medication to fight depression and she also suffers from selective amnesia.  Dad, though, in a fit of anger, tells her to go to his chest of drawers and READ THE LETTER FROM THE DOCTOR THAT DESCRIBES HER SICKNESS.  SHE DOES. Mom dies out in the sucking mud (trying to escape her house) on a stormy night, while Dad rescues (or at least returns to) Kirstie.  Beany the dog is okay too.  Ghosts????? Dad thinks he sees mom and child on the mud/tidal area.  If the mom is his wife Sarah, and Kirstie is back in the house, then who is that second child?  Could it be the ghost of Lydia . . . Kirstie snaps out of it all quickly.  She regains her own personality and becomes the belle of her new school with all her lively tales. Excellent writing throughout.  Go

American Tragedy 4%

Kindle book--free; Audible narration $0.99   Really like the start.  Clyde's parents are evangelicals.  He's put off by the shabbiness of their life.  His older sister, unbeknownst to him, is also chafing.  At the first opportunity, she runs off with an actor who promises to marry her.  Clyde starts as an assistant at a soda shop.  He has just been hired as bellboy at 5 star hotel in Kansas City.  The money (tips) and the glamor of the hotel thrill him. Side notes:  He looks down on being a plumber, mason, etc.  He believes being a clerk in a bank would be much more classy.  I'm guessing that this book is before labor unions made plumbing, masonry etc. into trades that paid a living wage.

Ice Twins 90%

I'm guessing this book won't make it on a feminist top ten list.  So, plot turns galore.  Kirstie/Lydia tells Mom that Dad was always hugging Kirstie. Mom hears sexual abuse . . . for good reason.  So she hates Angus.  Kirstie/Lydia continues to strike fear into her classmates. She talks to her dead sister, so the kids think she's nuts and haunted. Mom is, naturally, pained by the rejection her daughter faces. But then.  Beany the dog gets lost and almost drowns, or does drown. Angus maybe saves the dog and he almost drowns. Storm coming.  Sarah tells Gus she wants him off the island.  He goes.  He calls. She accuses him of being a daughter molester. He denies it, tells her to read the letter in his bottom drawer, to talk to Kirstie/Lydia again.  Sarah does, and not Kirstie/Lydia tells her that the affection wasn't sexual.  "No, not like the way you kiss daddy. No!"  Sarah, who had a knife in her hand and contemplated murdering Angus, goes upstairs to the dr

Dark Horse--Film

Welsh villagers--coal mines all closed--decides to breed a horse.  Dream Alliance.  Against all odds, the horse has some success, winning the Wales Grand National.  The horse suffers an injury, is nearly put down, but returns to race again.  Doesn't win anything, but still alive, and still a source of pride for the village.  Nice story, David and Goliath, with a small victory for David.  Also a class warfare tale.  The Welsh villagers taking on the superwealthy of the racing world and holding their own.

Ice Twins p 200

So:  Angus's version.  Mom preferred Lydia. Kirstie jealous. Kirstie kills Lydia, tells Dad, who tells her to keep it to herself.  Now Kirstie is assuming Lydia's personality because she wants Mom to love her.  Kirstie basically becoming both twins.  Mom (Sarah) is becoming afraid of Angus's temper. She discovers Angus has had an affair with her best friend.  Kirstie/Lydia is predictably having trouble at school. I found it slightly boring for a bit, but these new twists have definitely upped the pace.  The visit of Emily Durrant was terrific.  Lydia, in the midst of the play date, starts talking to Kirstie--totally terrifying Emily who never wanted to come in the first place.  There was the definite hint that Emily might be killed by Lydia/Kirstie and, why not, if Kirstie did in fact kill Lydia--which seems likely.  Sarah going through Angus's private chest of drawers, then hearing a sound downstairs, was also nicely scary/tense/supernatural.

Ice Twins

Kirstie lived; Lydia died.  Or is it the other way around?  The survivor is taking on the personality of the dead girl. Mom "tests" the girl by throwing her into a panic and listening to her scream.  The scream of fear was the only thing that distinguished the girl.  And yes, Mom decides, the parents got it wrong. Lydia lived; Kirstie died. Marital tension. Drinking. Mom has short affair.  Did Dad have one also? Is the identity resolved.  Somehow I don't think so.  Still very enjoyable, but I'm reminded of the commercial:  Which twin has the Tony?

Ice Twins

Two little girls, identical twins.  One dies falling off balcony at grandparent's house.  The parents traumatized as is surviving daughter.  Dad punches boss (architect) and loses job.  Mom, writer, is depressed.  Daughter (survivor) tells Mom she is the other twin, that they have it backwards as to who died and who lived.  Mom can't be sure.  Now they've all moved to a lighthouse on an island in Scotland.  Page turner, great fun so far.  Reminds me a little of Turn of the Screw.

Blood Defense finished

Dale Pearson, Samantha's father, is innocent. No surprise.  But the guilty parties--the reporter Edie and her politician husband--come out of nowhere.  Not satisfying.  Neither did I find the very end (spoiler coming) satisfying.  Both Dad and Daughter have killed for the better of the world, and neither regrets it.  Okay, I guess, for Dad--though killing a prostitute out of fear seems a bit over the top.  Isn't there a chance she's all talk.  Samantha's killing--mowing down the tormentor of her buddy Michelle--is even more forced. Yeah, she's tough.  But a killer?  Doesn't fit with her personality up the then. So, weak ending.  But everything else was really good.  I liked the tone of Samantha; Alex, her investigator, had personality; even Michelle had some.  The descriptions of LA were good.  The tension in the climactic scenes was excellent.  Just a little weak in the plot. I'd definitely give Marcia Clark another read.

Blood Defense

Marcie Clark, author, was prosecutor on O.J. trial.  This has the feel of an insider's book.  Enjoying the sassy style as well. Smart talking female defense lawyer.  Good plot.  Double murder of two young females.  Police detective suspected.  Our young lawyer, looking to make a name for herself, throws herself into the fray.  But the cop turns out to be . . .  her father.  The cop is also accused of raping a prostitute who later turns up dead.  The prostitutes friend also turns up dead.  What's going on?  Fun! (Mom is a great character.  No love for anyone but herself, and daughter feels better when she breaks all ties with mom.  Unusual, but convincing.)

Medicus concluded

Amazingly, I was right.  Tilla did come back to our Medicus.  They are sorta married at the end--our Medicus was a good boy throughout the book, never once falling to the temptation of the many slave girls about him.  Tilla's arm is in good shape, and they are ready to become a good English couple. Ruth Downie's ending was masterfully handled--really well plotted and executed. The book, however, provides nothing regarding early Britain/Roman era, so not for me.  A big part of the reason I chose to read the book turned out to be non-existent.

Medicus continued

Well, the pot is boiling!  Tilla thinks Ruso will sell her so she runs away.  She is sheltered by Britons, then tries to return to her village.  Romans capture her.  Returned to (evil) Priscus who will probably kill her.  I was right, he is the murderer.  Ruso spends all his money to retrieve a boy who is being torn from his mother and sold into slavery.  But wait . . . he now needs the money to keep Priscus from selling Trilla into slavery.  And there's more.  One of the other girls is giving birth -- and only Trilla can save her (she's a midwife.)  But Trilla has a poison acorn in her mouth that she will chomp down on if anyone invades her territory.  So, Ruso talks her into being a midwife.  Baby born successfully, of course.  Mom alive, of course.  Now can Ruso talk her into being his wife. (Turns out she's the daughter of a centurion, so not really of slave stock.)  I'll know tomorrow, but my guess is that all will work out well.  Fun, but hardly historical fiction