South Riding
Much enjoyed the TV version though had the feeling they changed and added a few things at the end. I recently read the original novel by Winifred Holtby, good but rather long-winded for my liking with too many characters and too many viewpoints. The actors did a brilliant job of bringing them to life. Not sure if Robert Carne's love of horses, his land and his mad wife was fully developed though. (Others in the Cornflower reading group enjoyed the book more than I did.)
Later: On reflection, the problem with the book as far as I was concerned was that none of the characters was particularly appealing. In the book Miss Burton appeared earnest and priggish (apart from the Moment in Manchester) and the author writes some scenes so dispassionately that the reader judges the events at a distance, rather than being particularly involved. I believe WH was attempting to emulate Middlemarsh, but I remember caring much more about Dorothea and Lydgate than the characters in South Riding. That's why for me the TV adaptation was more successful as Sarah was depicted as a real heroine.
12 comments:
How fortunate to have a literary pup! :-) I'm anxious to see South Riding but we'll have be patient for quite some time in the U.S. Glad to know about the book.
Otto is adorable! Agree about it being good, but rather long-winded. Glad I re-read it recently though and did enjoy the TV version.
Lovely puppy!
I don't know if your reading group might be interested in reading a particular Iris Murdoch novel? I'm doing a research project on "The Bell" and book groups and I'm still looking for groups to read the novel and fill in a simple questionnaire about the book group and their reaction to the book. More info at http://libroediting.wordpress.com/irismurdochproject
Thanks for reading!
Liz
Yes, kitchen getting more and more bare as I remove gear out of pup's reach.
Thanks for kind words about pup's beauty!
I don't choose books, sorry, Libroediting, but gd luck with yr project.
I read and enjoyed 'South Riding' back in the sixties but feel sure I have seen a television adaptation as well. Is it a recent production you saw?
LLM, yes, it's a new TV production of South Riding, very good. But not nearly as absorbing as The Killing, a subtle Danish thriller on BBC4. If you can hire the dvd or boxed set in Italy am sure you will be as gripped as the rest of us. But it is in 20 episodes so takes time.
Otto is utterly adorable. I hope you'd read that newspaper before he got his paws onto it.
I wish there'd been more of David Morrisey's character too, although I enjoyed South Riding very much.
Hello Susie,
I watched South Riding in one go last night and still can't decide how much I liked it. I think my problem was Anna Maxwell Smith, she jsut wasn't very convincing, all the other characters were much stronger and they saved the series.
I haven't read the book but the programme has inspired me to give it a go.
Why would you watch TV when you have such a CUTE puppy ?
Anna May x
Oh I liked Anna Maxwell Martin. Ireckon she's a good actress. In the book Sarah is depicted as plain and earnest!
Hi Susie,
I was a bit dissapointed in South Riding. It was billed as better than it turned out to be I think. Love those pictures. What a cutie.
I found South Riding compelling viewing but am wondering if reading the book would be a bit of a let down now.
Do keep updating us on Otto's progress. He is gorgeous!
Thanks, Sandy and Suzy for comments - yes, Otto is v.cute though rather naughty. We shall have to work harder at training!
As for South Riding, I enjoyed it but wasn't totally gripped.
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