Do you enjoy reading retellings of, or 'sequels' to, classic novels? Why or why not?
I do enjoy them if they are well done. Unfortunately, there are some appalling sequels and retellings out there too. (I still shudder at the memory of reading the 'sequel' to Les Misérables.) On the plus side, there are excellent works like Wide Sargasso Sea, and amusing ones like Pride and Prejudice and Zombies. So, overall, I would say it's a mixed bag and I try to pick and choose carefully.
Opening sentence:
Richard Strickland reads the brief from General Hoyt. He's at eleven thousand feet.
From page 56:
Even the word jungle makes Richard set down the newspaper or turn the channel.
The Shape of Water
Daniel Kraus / Guillermo del Toro
The Shape of Water is set in Cold War-era Baltimore at the Occam Aerospace Research Center, which has recently received its most sensitive asset ever: an amphibious man captured in the Amazon. What unfolds is a stirring romance between the asset and one of the janitors on staff, a mute woman who uses sign language to communicate with the creature.
I'd love to read this novel, but may watch the film first. I noticed it in my screening room, so I may not be able to wait to read the book first. Hope you love it! Happy weekend!
ReplyDeleteI added you to the Linky. :-)
Thanks. Hope you enjoy both when you get to them.
DeleteI didn't know there was a novelization for The Shape of Water. Thanks or mentioning it.
ReplyDeleteIt's not a novelization in the way they sometimes write novels based on the film, but rather a collaborative effort from day one between Kraus and del Toro. If you liked the film, definitely check out the book.
DeleteI didn't realize this was a book? I like Daniel Kraus as an author. I will look for it. My Friday Quotes
ReplyDeleteIt was a joint project between Kraus and del Toro, with book and film releasing approximately together as a single collaborative effort.
DeleteI haven't read many retellings, I enjoyed Christina Henry's retellings of Alice in Wonderland (Alice) and Peter Pan (Lost Boy). I have heard mixed reviews on Pride and Prejudice and Zombies and I really need to read it, I think I actually own a copy...
ReplyDeleteI also didn't know The Shape of Water was a novel! I didn't even get a chance to see it in the theaters unfortunately. The teasers you posted do sound intriguing!
I'm a GFC, twitter, and Goodreads follower as well!
Alli Cat's Meow
Thanks for stopping by, Alex. Yes, the book and film of The Shape of Water form a joint/transmedia project.
DeleteSo neither of the two sentences you shared from the book sound particularly intriguing in and of themselves...but at the same time I'm still interested in the book since it is a movie now, and the fact that it was written to release at about the same time as the movie just enhances the intrigue.
ReplyDeleteHave a wonderful weekend. - Katie
Thanks for stopping by, Katie. No, there wasn't much exciting material on page 56 sadly, but the book itself (and the movie) is good.
DeleteThe Shape of Water sounds right up my street! And I agree with you that retellings can be a mixed bag. I always read a lot of reviews first before buying.
ReplyDeleteHope you'll enjoy The Shape of Water if you give it a try.
DeleteThanks for the tips on the re-tellings that are good.
ReplyDeleteI have never read a re-telling only sequels.
I love Guillermo del Toro's movies. My husband reads his novels. Did you know he also writes novels? Anyway, I want to see The Shape of Water before it leaves the theaters. And evetually I'll read the novel.
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