Clear back in October I mentioned that our family has a book group—a sort of–everyone chooses books they are interested in reading or having the group read and we take turns leading a discussion when we’ve all finished–type group. You may recall my three page whine fest about having to read the book “Frankenstein,” back then. The bald kid led the discussion and fed us jello molded into a brain. Gak. Amazingly, we all survived.
Well, here is our most recent choice–“The Tale of Despereaux.” Have any of you read it? What did you think? It was probably a mistake for us to see the movie first because we just kept looking at each other saying, “What the heck?” through the whole thing. Seriously, none of us had a clue what was going on. So, needless to say, I wasn’t incredibly pumped to read the book. Then Jacob reminded me that I had chosen it and would be leading the discussion. Yikes.
So, after finally forcing myself to just pick the darn thing up and get going, I found–to my surprise–that I really liked it…loved it, in fact. And found, also to my surprise, that most of my family didn’t really give it a lot of points. Odd, isn’t it–how different we all are?
But then, that’s the point.
It’s a story about a bunch of characters that behave and dream a bit differently than they’re “suppose” to–a tiny mouse who falls in love with a princess, a rat that craves the sunshine, and a servant girl who aches to know what it feels like to be treated like a princess. I loved that in the end–everyone’s wishes were respected and that it was ok for them be who ever they were. It made me really happy and honestly, it was lovely to read of a princess who had compassion and tolerance rather than selfishness and pride. Wahoo for this chicky.
I think I’ll give the movie another try–now that I–you know– get it. Perhaps it won’t seem like quite the wack-job it did the first time around.
I’m a forgiving soul.
Since poor little Despereaux loses his tale at one point in the story, I gave everyone a mouse tail bookmark. Kinda sick, I suppose–but they all liked it.
But then, we may just be an odd lot.
Quite likely, in fact.
heh.
I loved the book but was very disappointed in the movie. Oh the animation was incredible but it should of been twice as long to really tell the story. The movie did a great job setting up the plot and developing the characters but, in my opinion, they forgot to really tell the story.
I love your review of the book – you have such a way with words. I think you should be a book critic and do reviews professionally. It would be a welcome column to any paper – maybe you should give it a try on a local level??
I don’t know. My opinion is often very different than the norm. I often can’t stand the trendy stuff and love the not so popular. Then, on the other hand I love Harry Potter and Twilight. Aren’t the differences in people the most interesting thing? Our next book will be Peter Pan. J.M. Barrie–now there’s an individual! This is really a fun thing.
I liked it. I think I’m simple enough for it… I just let myself enjoy the movie AND the book. I find it’s easy to stick to a positive opinion about some things by just choosing before you get into it that you’re going to like it! I don’t have it completely down yet… but that’s what worked this time!