50 Best films about writers, ranked

Hollywood is famous for its treatment of writers. They are the low man on the totem pole, the person banned from the set, the guy who wrote the Great American novel drinking himself to death in Los Angeles, rewriting dumb scripts. It’s funny, as Hollywood — along with movies around the world — is obsessed with portraying “writers” on screen, which is a weird profession to lionize as writing is the least visually pleasing job of all.

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The benefits of reading books

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Reading should be one of life’s joys, not a duty

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Three Men in a Boat

Three Men in a Boat (To Say Nothing of the Dog) by Jerome K. Jerome was first published in 1889. It is the fictional story of three London friends and a dog taking a leisurely boat trip up the River Thames, from Kingston-upon-Thames to Oxford. It is narrated by ‘J.’, whose companions are George (awarded no surname), William Samuel Harris and the dog, Montmorency.

During a sociable evening in J.’s room, the three men convince themselves that they each have various illnesses. Their collective diagnosis is overwork, and they prescribe themselves a fortnight’s holiday. A stay in the country and a sea voyage are both ruled out, and they settle instead on a boating trip, travelling on the Thames by day and camping out in the hired boat at night.

They set out the following Saturday. George must work in the City in the morning, and so arranges to join them later that day. The other two, accompanied by the dog and a mountain of luggage, get a cab to Waterloo station, but are unable to find the correct train to Kingston. Eventually they bribe the driver of another train to take them there instead, one of the many humorous set-pieces that make the book more than a straightforward travelogue. George completes the trio at Weybridge, with a dubious-looking parcel tucked under his arm, which turns out to be a banjo and instruction book.

The story is a tapestry of incidents that occur, anecdotes on various topics (including the unreliability of weather forecasts), loosely connected digressions (such as J.'s uncle’s inability to hang pictures), and descriptive pieces on the places that they pass. It is in these descriptive pieces that the author’s original intention of writing a guidebook is most apparent. What he actually achieved was a classic of British humorous writing. Although the book was written over a century ago, it has an enduring, timeless quality.

You can also watch the film.

Source: Book Drum

How to write a short book review

First make a list:

1.    Title

2.    Author

3.    Date of publication

4.    Genre (fiction, science fiction, history, non-fiction, etc,…)

5.    Describe the Book:
Give an overall view of the book without giving away the outcome. You should include quotes or scenes from the book that you think are representative of the quality (or lack of quality) of the book.

6.    Evaluate the Book:
Give your opinion of the book. You can support your opinion with details from the book. You can compare it to other books you've read that are similar. Tell your classmates why they should or should not read the book. If it will help you, provide a rating system on a ten-point scale.

 SAMPLE 1

Genre: Fiction/Thriller
Title: Down to the Needle
AUTHOR: Mary Deal

It has been twenty-three years since five-year-old Becky was kidnapped. Abigail “Abi” Fisher is just as diligent today as she was on the first day in trying to find and reunite with her daughter. Abi looks at every young woman who crosses her path and wonders, “Is that Becky?”
Abi’s heart continues to celebrate, yet also break, as every missing child and every homeless young woman is identified or found, and is not her daughter. Five years ago, Abi met Joe. The two clicked almost instantly and they keep each other balanced through the emotional roller coaster that each deals with in life. Just as Abi’s interest piques with a woman on death row, Joe becomes distracted with someone from his past. Abi struggles with pursuing her newest lead that may bring her to her long-lost daughter while supporting Joe in his need for discovery, too.
The author has created a protagonist that any parent, or anyone who cares about children, can identify with. The need to protect a child is overwhelming, and the character of Abigail has lived with the guilt of not being able to do that for the past two decades. Readers will quickly empathize with Abi’s wholehearted desire to find a positive resolution – a reunion with her daughter – especially as the time for the quest seems to have a deadline. The tightly woven plot lines combine with the fast-moving action to keep the reader on the edge of her seat.
Mary Deal is retired and living in Hawaii. She spends a most of her time writing, but ventures out to the beach every now and then. Along with her passion for writing, she enjoys oil painting and photography. She has four published suspense/thriller novels and is working on more. Her third novel, River Bones, won the Eric Hoffer Book Awards competition. She has also published short stories and poetry in various magazines and anthologies.
I find the title appealing since the pacing and tension has the reader hoping for answers along with the protagonist right down to the needle. Will there be a positive resolution before lethal injection is administered? Make sure you have time to read, because once you start, it’s hard to stop. Down to the Needle is a great read.
My score (out of 10): 8 (Very good).

SAMPLE 2
Title: A Thousand Splendid Suns
Author: Khaled Hosseini
This is a very moving story that makes you feel sad from the beginning.Though it isn’t a true story, the author describes in detail the daily life for,perhaps, the worst twenty years of the history of Afghanistan, when theircitizens had to suffer violence, misery and different kinds of repressivepoliticians, such as the Taliban. Mariam and Laila’s story could have been thestory of a lot of Afghan women, who were forced to put up, not only with war,but also with the tyranny of their husbands as well as with the intolerant rules of the corrupted governments.
Hosseini  has followed his debut novel with another work of strong storytelling and engaging characters. The story pulses with life. Khaled Hosseini is simply a marvelously moving storyteller.
My score (out of 10): 10 (Excellent!)

SAMPLE 3
Title: Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
Author: Roald Dahl
Review: This story is about a boy called Charlie Bucket. He lived with parents and grandparents in a small wooden house on the edge of a great town. The ‘Buckets’ were very poor and Charlie never got enough to eat so he was always hungry – and he was always dreaming about his favourite food – chocolate! In the middle of the town there was a famous Chocolate factory owned by Mr. Willy Wonka, the greatest inventor and chocolate maker in the world. Charlie’s greatest wish was to get inside that factory and eat the wonderful chocolate. His wish finally comes true – but many strange and surprising things happen once he is inside.
You will have to read the story to find out more about this great book.
My score (out of 10): 9 (Excellent!)

LANGUAGE SUPPORT
Sample sentences you can use for your review.
This story is about …
There are (two) main characters in this story, …
I think this is a great/worthwhile/funny/strange book because …
A lot of interesting/weird/exciting things happen in this story.
It is easy/impossible to guess the ending of this story because …
At first the reader thinks … but later we find out that …
This story has a sad/happy/confusing ending because …

Tristan Bancks’ interview to John Boyne

Tristan Bancks, a writer who tells children’s stories for the page and screen, interviews John Boyne. Read the interview John Boyne – The writer’s studio.

Source: http://tristanbancksflow.blogspot.com/

Exploring prejudice and discrimination

EXPLORING PREJUDICE AND DISCRIMINATION

Speaking

The story takes place during a traumatic period in the world’s history. This section explores the damage to humanity that prejudice and discrimination have, and how and why it’s important to fight against them.

Prejudice is an attitude while discrimination is a behaviour. Explain these differences.

Have you ever been discriminated against? When have you witnessed discrimination against other people or discriminated against someone else?

What is a stereotype? Why do people stereotype groups that are different from them? How does the movie depict Nazis stereotyping Jews?

A scapegoat is blamed for things they are not responsible for. During the Holocaust, Jews became scapegoats, blamed for all the troubles in Germany. Why were they made scapegoats?

Gretel becomes prejudiced against Jews. Who influenced her? How does she show her prejudiced views?

What is Mother’s reaction when she sees Gretel’s room decorated with Nazi posters?

What happens to cause Mother to question her own prejudice against Jews?

When Bruno first finds out that Shmuel is Jewish, he says: “You’re a Jew. You can’t be. I think I should go now” Why does Bruno react that way at first?

When you hear someone make a biased comment about a group of people, what do you usually do?

Writing

Using Bruno and Shmuel’s story as inspiration, give your opinion in http://aboutabookreaders.blogspot.com/ about this topic: exploring prejudice and discrimination. Use these questions to help you to write your essay.

In the story, who fights against prejudice and discrimination? Give examples of people in history who fought against prejudice and discrimination.

What conflicts around the world today are the result of prejudice? What are its effects on innocent people, including children?

In your opinion, what does the end of story symbolize? Why?

Understanding obedience and conformity

UNDERSTANDING OBEDIENCE AND CONFORMITY

Speaking

This section explores the value of thinking and acting for the benefit of others, and how that can sometimes mean going along with everyone else, and other times not.

What is peer pressure? Have you been in situations in which you felt compelled to go along with a group?

Grandmother disagrees with the views of the Nazis: How does she stand up for her beliefs?

What is propaganda? How is propaganda used to “sell” people on a viewpoint?

When Mother learns that Jews are being exterminated at the camp, she questions her husband. “How can you?” she asks. He responds: “Because I’m a soldier.” Contrast these two perspectives.

Father tries to use guilt to get Mother to change her opposition to his involvement in the exterminations. Does it work? Why or why not?

Gretel believes the viewpoints of Lieutenant Kotler, the tutor Liszt, and Father about Jews. Although Bruno is younger than his siter, he questions their viewpoints. Why?

Writing

Using Bruno and Shmuel’s story as inspiration, give your opinion in http://aboutabookreaders.blogspot.com/ about this topic: understanding obedience and conformity. Use these questions to help you to write your essay.

How is obedience constructive and how can it be destructive?

What are ways of advancing peace and harmony in life through constructive disobedience?

List examples in history where civil disobedience has been constructive.

ACTS OF HUMANITY

Speaking

The author of the book and the creators of the movie crafted the story as a fable. A fable is a story with a moral, one that teaches a lesson about humanity. The section explores the depths of humanity that are possible in the most trying of circumstances.

What are the lessons to be learned from this fable, and the moral of this story?

Contrast Pavel’s treatment of Bruno when the boy fell from the tyre swing with the way Pavel is treated by Bruno’s family.

Mother saying “thank you” to Pavel for treating Bruno is an important turning point for her. What has changed for the mother at this point?

At times, Father is shown as a loving parent and husband. How is that possible given his role as a Nazi officer giving orders to treat people inhumanely?

Bruno tried to help Shmuel find his father despite being frightened and wanting to go home. Why?

What does Bruno say and do to show his growing understanding of the inhumanity going on around him, including to his friend Shmuel?

Writing

Using Bruno and Shmuel’s story as inspiration, give your opinion in http://aboutabookreaders.blogspot.com/ about this topic: acts of humanity. Use these questions to help you to write your essay.

Bruno secretly took food from his house to give to Shmuel because it was one concrete way he could help his friend. Have you ever done something to help people who didn’t have enough food? What can people do today to help people who are starving around the world?

THE ESSENCE OF FRIENDSHIP

Speaking

Friendship is a central theme of this story, and this section explores the reasons, depths and meaning of friendship explored in this story.

Why do you think Bruno and Shmuel become friends and stay friends?

How do the friendships that Bruno has in berlin at the beginning of the book compare with his friendshipwith Shmuel?

Why doesn’t Bruno try to protect his friend when Shmuel is attacked by Lieutenant Kotler?

How does shame and remorse figure into the friendship between Bruno and Shmuel? How does Bruno show his remorse?

Why does Shmuel forgive Bruno? How?

How is it possible for Bruno and Shmuel to have fun together and maintain their friendship in the midst of their circumstances?

How does Bruno justify continuing his friendship with Shmuel despite what his father, sister and tutor have said about Jews?

The barbed wire fence is a physical separation between Bruno and Shmuel. What other types of separation does the fence represent in this story?

Writing

Using Bruno and Shmuel’s story as inspiration, give your opinion in http://aboutabookreaders.blogspot.com/ about this topic: the essence of friendship. Use these questions to help you to write your essay.

How do Bruno and Shmuel demonstrate the essence of friendship despite their many differences? What are their differences?

How can people use the power of friendship to cross boundaries of race, religion and culture?

Exploring an innocent perspective

EXPLORING AN INNOCENT PERSPECTIVE

Speaking

The story includes an interesting contrast of an innocent child’s perspective in a setting with circumstances far from innocent. This section explores the meaning and value of an innocent perspective and how it enables this story to unfold.

What do “innocent” and “naïve” mean when used to describe children?

Can adults be naïve? What adults in the book seemed naïve?

Can you give an example of a time when you were a young child and saw the world from a more innocent perspective? What experiences helped you see the world differently than what you initially thought?

Does Bruno and Gretel’s tutor take advantage of the children’s innocence in what he teaches them? How?

Although the story takes place during a tragic time in history, there are moments of humor in the story. One occurs when Bruno tells Pavel that he could not be a good doctor because he had to “practise” it. How does this example and others in the book demonstrate Bruno’s naïveté? Can you give other examples from the book of misinterpretation as a result of innocence?

Although Bruno and his family have moved to a desolate place, Bruno continues to display his strong sense of adventure and creativity. What are some examples of this in the book? Can you give an example from your own life when your sense of adventure and imagination allowed you to escape from a sad or painful situation?

What events and experiences lead Bruno to gradually give up some of his innocence and see things differently?

Writing

Using Bruno and Shmuel’s story as inspiration, give your opinion in http://aboutabookreaders.blogspot.com/ about this topic: exploring an innocent perspective. Use these questions to help you to write your essay.

Neither Bruno nor Shmuel really know going on at the concentration camp. Why is that, and what allows them to keep their innocence?

Why do you think the movie and book ended the way they did?

Writers talk

John Boyne talks about:
Inspiration. Click here.
Writing process. Click here.
Characterisation. Click here.
Literary techniques. Click here.

Source: http://www.tale.edu.au

Gretel's poem

Remembering the Holocaust

Aushchwitz survivor Eva Neumann

The film The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas is based on a novel. The novel features a fictional story set against a background of real events – the persecution and the extermination of the Jewish communities from across Europe in concentration camps set up by the Nazis.

The terrible events that took place during this time are remembered in history lessons, in literature and on film: school children and adults now visit the sites of the death camps and concentration camps, learning about what happened there, and survivors from the camps also tell their stories so that future generations won’t forget.

Film Education spoke to one of these survivors, Eva Neumann. Eva has made the UK her home but as a child, she experienced the horrific events of the Holocaust first-hand. You can read the full transcript of the interview, and listen to extracts from Eva’s story.

Source: http://www.filmeducation.org/theboyinthestripedpyjamas/reading_history/reading_history.html

An interview with David Thewlis

David Thewlis talks about the movie and his role.
Watch the interview.

Bruno and Schmuel

Asa Butterfield's interview.
He tells us about his time on the set.

Jack Scanlon's interview
He talks about his character in the movie.

Mark Herman, the director. John Boyne, the writer.

Please take the time to watch this interview. Read the book. See the film, and give us your thoughts. In no particular order, just do all four!

Film version of The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas

The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas is a film version of the novel by John Boyne. Since the novel's publication in 2006 it has been translated into many different languages and read by people around the world. The film and the novel have many close similarities, with the first and most obvious being the title. Watch the film.

Enjoy it!

Thanks a lot to Fran García Esteve, who found the film on YouTube.

John Boyne's interview

'I really work from the heart'

Watch John Boyne's interview. He answers the following questions:

1. Have you been pleased with the public reception to The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas?

2. How do you feel about the number of translations that have been made of the novel?

3. Could you explain how the novel came about?

4. What was the idea behind the novel’s simple jacket and mysterious cover blurb?

5. Was the fable aspect of the novel integral from the start?

6. How important is the characterisation of Bruno to the effectiveness of the novel as a whole?

7. How did you go about making family life ‘real’ in the novel?

8. If the novel is a fable, what do the characters represent?

9. What would you like readers to take away from the book?

10. What do you see as the writer’s role in relation to human rights?

11. There is a huge wealth of information available about the holocaust, so why choose this subject matter for a work of fiction?

12. How involved have you been in the process of adapting the novel for the screen?

13. Film is a creative process that involces many contributors. How does this compare to working on a novel?

14. Do you see the film as a moving image version of your novel, or do you view it as a separate identity?

Click here



Source: http://www.filmeducation.org/theboyinthestripedpyjamas/