"Fingersmith" by Sarah Waters [book]

FINGERSMITH by Sarah Waters

Gosh, it's been a long time since I last came across a book I could not put down. This engaging novel reads like a part-mystery, part-coming-of-age story that turns out to be somewhat convoluted romance about half-way through. Oh, and the plot is very much Greek tragedy. Set in Victorian England with a memorable cast of characters, the writing reminds me a bit of Margaret Atwood meets Jeanette Winterson.

It was first recommended to me by my English teacher in Year 12, and I think I glanced over it once in the bookstore, but for some reason it didn't engage me. Am very glad I gave it another go, though. There be madhouse, which takes me back to my Extended Essay in English for the IB. Normally I don't like switching character POVs, but Powers does it to good effect, and the twisty plot kind of requires it. I enjoyed Maude a bit more than Susan, perhaps because I could identify with her situation.

Highly recommend this, and I hear that Powers' other books are excellent also.

"Nim's Island" [movie]

NIM'S ISLAND
Directors: Jennifer Flackett, Mark Levin
Writers: Joseph Kwong, Paula Mazur, Jennifer Flackett, Mark Levin
Production Company: Film Farm, Walden Media

Things that made Mars happy:

• The animation at the beginning and end were excellent. Sort of like Monty Python's Gillianimation, but for kids.
• Gerard Butler was funny and ruggedly dashing. Even if he was only an imaginary figure.
• The stork.
• Pro-environment agenda FTW!

Things that made Mars hide:

• The 9375802349 times Nim reiterates her need to protect the island.
• Australians running away from flying lizards, and mistaking them for dragons. I mean, have you seen the kinds of critters you get Down Under?
• Bad Guys a la Caricatures

Thing is, I wonder if the points I dislike about the movie are more because of me being an old cynical gecko watching a movie for kids. I did enjoy a good portion of it; Jodie Foster was very amusing and Abigail Breslin was sweet. I loved the animals, and the story-like format at the beginning was brilliant. But yeah, looks like Peter Pan won't be coming by anymore.

That said, I also don't think that a movie/TV show/book should be dumbed down just because the target audience is children and families.

Recommended for: Light, casual viewing and semi-cheap laughs.
Warning: Watch out for the cheeze. It'll dribble all over you.