a quick succession of busy nothings...

I'm back!  Seems forever and a day since I revved up the old blogger engine. Per usual, I'm blaming the hustle and bustle of life for the delay. Since last we visited, I managed to fit in a couple of author events/book signings, a trip to NYC, a chance to see Alan Rickman on stage, a very busy bout at work and dealing with the day to day stuff, like buying a new car and playing with my new Kindle Fire!  See? Busy. Doing stuff. Of course, some of that stuff is book related and I've managed to fit in a good bit of reading while I've been mucking about, so I thought I'd ease back into the blogging routine by sharing some tidbits with you guys.

First, Alan Rickman. I had the chance to see him on Broadway in his new play, Seminar and it was amazing!  I should say Rickman was amazing, the play was OK. Seminar featured AR as a successful novelist who terrorizes four younger writers during a writing seminar. It was a bit cliched and full of too many writing/publishing in jokes, but Alan was brilliant! Of course, to me, he is always Col. Brandon, but take any opportunity you get to see Mr. Rickman up close and personal. He rocks!

While in NYC, I also had the opportunity to visit with some writers that I've mentioned often on the blog, Tasha Alexander, Deanna Raybourn and Lauren Willig.  These three lovely ladies did a talk/signing at the Mysterious Bookshop in Manhattan. Great fun to see these masters of historical mysteries interact with their fans and each other. I read and enjoy all three of these writers and I know that many of you do as well. If you have the chance to meet up with any of them as they travel around, take it. They are very warm and friendly and seem to genuinely enjoy meeting their readers. Check out their perspective websites to get updates on their work and travels.

Tasha Alexander
Deanna Raybourn
Lauren Willig

Also, if you get the chance to visit NYC, don't miss a stop off at The Mysterious Bookshop. This place is a mystery lovers heaven!

Back in the ATL just in time to get the opportunity to hear writer John Connolly speak about his work at The Peerless Bookstore.  Connolly is the author of one of my favorite mystery series featuring the brilliant and tortured detective, Charlie Parker.  I have read his stuff forever, but never managed to hear him speak about his work. It was a wonderful evening. Connolly is an articulate, opinionated and energetic speaker and a warm, gracious individual. The Peerless is a find.  If you are in the ATL and looking for a really active independent bookstore, this is the place!  They offer tons of author visits, writing workshops and a really lovely spirit of community for both readers and writers.  Good stuff!

I'll be posting my review of the latest Charlie Parker book, The Burning Soul in the next week or so, so be sure and check back.

As I mentioned above, I also found the time to do some shopping, purchasing both a new car and a new Kindle!  The car is a Rogue, appropriately dubbed Sebastian, after many of my fave rogues in romance novels. And no, I did not buy the car just because of the name, but it certainly didn't hurt. Take note, car namers!  And as to the new Kindle Fire, I've only had it a day or two, but I am loving the size of the thing.  It handles media and internet stuff really well and can be very comfortably held in one hand. Flove that. Much of what i was looking for in the iPad, in a much more compact form. And cheaper. Yay Amazon! Nice job!

Yours truly with John Connolly at his recent signing in Atlanta.

Happy Birthday Clive Owen!

Just a quick post to wish Happy Birthday to my favorite imaginary boyfriend! Clive Owen has it all.  What does he have to do with books and reading, you ask? He has starred in a number of fabulous and varied literary adaptations and his next film will find him playing Papa Hemingway. And besides all that, his is the image that I use when I need to conjure up a visual representation of most any heroic figure in just about any book!

I have loved Clive in everything from Lorna Doone to Sin City and I think he is the perfect blend of looks, brains and talent.  So Happy Birthday Clive, you remain, absolutely, my favorite romantic hero!!!

SWOON!

And who can forget Clive as Byron in one of the funniest clips ever...

The Eyre Apparent...

Ok, Ok, I'll admit that the world doesn't really need another film version of Charlotte Bronte's amazing classic, Jane Eyre. There have been as many as 30 versions by my count, including television and foreign language titles. What is it about this romance classic that continues to fascinate both film makers and audiences? I believe that this book, which has been on my favorites list since I first read it at 9, has all of the elements that a reader could want. The book explores spirituality, faith, love, romance, sexual chemistry, madness, adultery, sin, horror and certainly, redemption. I'm not sure what more one could ask from a work of genre fiction. Since the latest film version of Jane Eyre opens this month, I thought I'd provide a quick overview of some of my favorite and least favorite adaptations. This is by no means an exhaustive list, I have only included versions that I have actually experienced. If I were planning a Jane Eyre Festival, most of these would definitely be on the program...

Jane Eyre - 1934
Colin Clive and Virginia Bruce

Happy Jane!
If you have ever felt that Jane Eyre could be improved if it was just a bit more cheerful and upbeat, this is the version for you! All is sweetness and light in this film version, which has next to nothing to do with the actual text of the book. A blonde Jane!!!  That tells you all you need to know.

Jane Eyre - 1944
Joan Fontaine and Orson Welles

Broody Jane!
This version certainly relies on the novel's gothic tone.  Welles plays a very broody and intense Rochester, but I didn't think Fontaine added much with her portrayal of Jane as sort of a wishy-washy damsel in distress.  It adheres to the text of the novel pretty closely and is a decent, if limited, adaptation.

Jane Eyre - 1949
Mary Sinclair and Charlton Heston

Yankee Jane!
Nothing special to be found in this blase treatment of the book produced as part of the otherwise excellent Studio One television series. The lack of British accents let one experience the book from a Yank's perspective.

Jane Eyre - 1970
George C. Scott and Susannah York

Elderly Jane!
While I enjoyed the look and feel of this version and the acting was solid, both of the main characters were played by actors far too old for the roles.  Nothing terrible about this version, but certainly nothing special either.

  

Jane Eyre - 1973
Sorcha Cusack and Michael Jayston

Steady Jane!
A very good BBC production that adheres closely to the text of the book and features excellent performances by both leads.  Nothing brilliant about the look of this production, but if you want a version that remains true to the book and doesn't screw with any of the major elements, then this may be the best one for you.

Jane Eyre - 1983
Zelah Clarke and Timothy Dalton

Completely Jane!

Another BBC production which features all of the positives of the 1973 production with just a smidge more intensity. This is, in my opinion, the most complete and well-rounded adaptation of JE to be found. The script is faithful to the text of the novel, the performances are nuanced and Dalton's Rochester is just the right level of intense and passionate without being obnoxious. If Zelah Clarke is unable to match Dalton fully, she does a very credible job of portraying Jane's straightforward and innocent nature. My only gripe? Typically cheap BBC sets. The interior shots look like the sets of a high school theater department production. Still, for the Bronte loving purists, this is a treasure!

Jane Eyre - 1996
Charlotte Gainsbourg and William Hurt

Whimpy Jane!
The only reason to see this version is to enjoy the excellent cinematography and the gorgeous look of the film.  Neither Gainsbourg nor Hurt brought much energy or passion to their roles. They both float through the film with a sort of resigned sadness and it just doesn't serve the story at all.

Jane Eyre - 1997
Samantha Morton and Ciaran Hinds

Angry Jane!
Anyone who knows me knows how much I adore Irish actor Ciaran Hinds, however his Yelly McYellerson approach to Rochester was not a highpoint of his career. Hinds chooses to emphasize Rochester's anger and we don't see much more than that. The production is fine, but the script is rather weak and I recommend this version only for the joy of watching Ciaran Hinds look excellent in period costume. Oh, this version did feature an excellent Pilot!

Jane Eyre - 2006

Ruth Wilson and Toby Stephens

Sexy Jane!

Certainly the hottest version of Jane Eyre so far, this BBC production was really well-done.  Beautifully shot, with a strong musical score and an excellent script, this version featured a more  modern interpretation of the classic tale. Toby Stephens brings a boatload of sex-appeal, humor and charm to the the role of Rochester, although he never loses the character's intensity.  Ruth Wilson is wonderfully subtle as a smart, strong, forthright and loving Jane.  This is likely the version that readers of historical romances will most enjoy.



So there you have it Eyre heads!  Hopefully this quick overview will help you to pick and choose your fave film version of one of the best books ever!  I'd love to hear which Jane you liked best and I would really love to hear a review of any of the zillions of versions that I missed...

What a lovely idea...

Go immediately to the website linked below to listen to gorgeous British actors read from some of my favorite books:

Penguin/Carte Noir Readings

The books include North and South, Persuasion, Sense and Sensibility, Far From the Madding Crowd, and many more interesting titles. The men include Greg Wise, Joseph Fiennes, Dominic West and Dan Stevens.

This is a brilliant idea!  Lovely men, lovely accents, great books!  You can thank me later, go on...

It's Raining Men...

OK, so far this week has been a killer and it is only Tuesday! Work has been crazy, everybody needs something, and it has been rainy and dreary outside. In fact, things have been so insane, I almost let Top 5 Tuesday slip by without a post.  Horrors!  Since I am mentally exhausted, I'm going to feature a pic heavy topic today.  I'm giving you a list of my top 5 romance novels heroes. Yes, out of all of the millions of romance novels I've read, these are the heroes I'd most like to have step out of the pages and whisk me away to their ancestral home. Narrowing the list down from my original 10 was crazy painful, but I made the rules, so I have to live with them. The pretty pic part of the post pertains (alliteration alert!) to my matching the romance heroes with the men best suited to play them if these fine books were ever filmed.  Enjoy the eye candy folks and, oh yeah, read the books if you haven't.  They are all excellent!

Restell Gardner - If His Kiss Is Wicked - Jo Goodman
Restell has it all.  He is smooth, funny, intelligent and street-smart.  He is a gentle charmer with substance and the kind of guy we all wish we could find.  I think Matthew Macfadyen would be wonderful as Restell.

Oliver Worthy- Marrying the Captain - Carla Kelly
Oliver Worthy has all of the best qualities of an Officer in Her Majesty's navy.  He is brave, strong and true.  He is the best of men and who can resist someone in that uniform.  He could only be played by the great Ciaran Hinds.

Griffin Wright-Jones, The Viscount of Breckinridge- The Price of Desire - Jo Goodman
A little bit tortured, a whole lot of sexy, combined with a sharp mind and an even sharper wit.  Breckinridge should definitely be played by the equally tortured and sexy, Richard Armitage.

Adam Kent, Duke of Ridgeway - The Secret Pearl - Mary Balogh
Dark, sexy, scarred and all that is honorable, even when soliciting a lady of the evening.  My boyfriend, Clive Owen would be perfect in this role.

Jasper, Viscount Vale - To Seduce A Sinner (The Legend of the Four Soldiers) - Elizabeth Hoyt
The wicked Viscount can make you laugh one moment and cry the next.  His world weary demeanor hides a sexy, loving, noble, heart.  He is all that a romance hero should be.  Toby Stephens has the perfect mix of sly humor and sensuality to carry off this character.

So there you have it kids.  Enjoy the pretty!

Happy Birthday Clive Owen!

Happy 46th Birthday to Clive Owen, otherwise known as my boyfriend!  He is my imaginary boyfriend, you know, the one that I am allowed to drool over and fantasize about even though I adore my husband of a zillion years.  Clive is a great actor besides being gorgeous and yes, he has appeared in the requisite literary adaptations that are necessary for a birthday mention in this blog.  One might wish though that Clive would do a few more historical films since he is usually the model for most of the male heroes in the romance novels I read.  Unless they are blond or have some physical characteristic that says they can't be played by Clive Owen, then his is the face I picture as I am reading.

It's a pretty damned good face for a romance hero!  Clive is currently busy filming a  biopic for HBO in which he plays Ernest Hemingway.  I was never a huge Papa fan, but you can bet I'll be waiting most impatiently for this portrayal to hit the screen.

Happy Birthday Rupert!

Here's another in our new series of birthday posts for attractive British actors.  Showing at least a bit of restraint, I am limiting this to actors who have appeared in a number of literary adaptations.  Today's birthday wish goes out to Rupert Penry Jones.  RPJ might not be quite as well known in the states as some of his British brethren, but he meets our demanding criteria for inclusion in the British actors birthday posts.  He is British.  He is hot.  He has appeared in a zillion literary adaptations, including Persuasion, Jane Eyre, Casanova, The Four Feathers, Cold Comfort Farm and Hilary and Jackie.  For those who might not be familiar with him, here's a short clip of his work as Captain Frederick Wentworth from Jane Austen's Persuasion...



Although he is not my fave Capt. Wentworth (cough, Ciaran Hinds, cough, cough), he was certainly the best thing about this production of Persuasion.