When God Was A Rabbit
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'Un Lun Dun' by China Mieville is one of the best fiction books I have read. Captivating and mesmerizing, it introduces us to an alternative dimension - London's other side. Everything that is being thrown away in London finds its' place in Un Lun Dun and forms into an incredible architectural landscape: houses made of old typewriters, vintage radios and broken washing machines. Sun in a shape of a pretzel. Living dustbins and umbrellas. Even words continue their lives in Un Lun Dun. On a whole it is the British capital's reverse side and some form of a universe built with upcycled materials. Beautiful illustrations make the reading experience even more exciting and teleport you into the world full of monsters, surprising victories and of course ... magic!
'Empire State' is a comics novel by Jason Shiga I
have only just came across. It tells the story of a bit lost and dreamy
young man who works in a local library in Oakland. He goes all the way
to New York to meet up with his old friend he has recently developed a
crush for. After 6 days spent on a bus and a few minor adventures
involving ex-criminals, he climbs the top of the Empire State Building
where the date is supposed to take place, but the girl... well... she
isn't there. It
is a lovely and soothing story relating to all those moments in our
lives which didn't quite work out the way we wanted, but still they were
worthy of a go.
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Jason Shiga's website: http://shigabooks.com/
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What I thought would be a predictable romance came out to be a stunning masterpiece where a troubled young photographer (Joaquin Phoenix) has got to choose between an arranged marriage with a family friend (Vinessa Shaw) and his beautiful but difficult neighbor he naturally feels connected to (Gwyneth Paltrow). Two Lovers is inspired by Fyodor Dostoyevsky's short story White Nights and, like old Russian dramas, throws us into a middle of an emotional conflict where the choice between passion and convenience is not easy. It kept me mesmerized and unsure about what was going to happen until the very last second. I remained under the spell of this intimate story for a long time. Directed by James Gray, released in 2008, also stars Isabella Rossellini, Moni Moshonow and Elias Kotenas.
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"I'm A Cyborg, But That's OK" is a Korean film from 2006 about a girl who believes she is a robot. She speaks to electric devices such as light bulbs, radios and coffee-makers and thinks that they talk back and share their energy with her. Looking for a purpose of her life, she gets fascinated with machines, because they all have a very specific job to do in our world.
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| When god was a cat...? - photo Maya Persson |
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| Sarah Winman |
'When God Was a Rabbit' is a beautiful book by Sarah Winman. It tells a story of little girl Elly, her brother and her friend Jenny Penny. They grow up in Essex, then move to Cornwall and as adults go to live in New York. Elly has got a little rabbit which she believes is God. It is a book about family, beautiful childhood which somehow gets a bit dark and finding your way in life, reconnecting with the loved ones, the power of friendship.
'Un Lun Dun'
Un Lun Dun falls apart. There is only one person who can save it. Could the holy book mention the wrong person?
'Un Lun Dun' by China Mieville is one of the best fiction books I have read. Captivating and mesmerizing, it introduces us to an alternative dimension - London's other side. Everything that is being thrown away in London finds its' place in Un Lun Dun and forms into an incredible architectural landscape: houses made of old typewriters, vintage radios and broken washing machines. Sun in a shape of a pretzel. Living dustbins and umbrellas. Even words continue their lives in Un Lun Dun. On a whole it is the British capital's reverse side and some form of a universe built with upcycled materials. Beautiful illustrations make the reading experience even more exciting and teleport you into the world full of monsters, surprising victories and of course ... magic!
Comics Nostalgia
'Empire State' is a comics novel by Jason Shiga I
have only just came across. It tells the story of a bit lost and dreamy
young man who works in a local library in Oakland. He goes all the way
to New York to meet up with his old friend he has recently developed a
crush for. After 6 days spent on a bus and a few minor adventures
involving ex-criminals, he climbs the top of the Empire State Building
where the date is supposed to take place, but the girl... well... she
isn't there. It
is a lovely and soothing story relating to all those moments in our
lives which didn't quite work out the way we wanted, but still they were
worthy of a go.Jason Shiga's website: http://shigabooks.com/
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Two Lovers - Cinematic Brilliance
Two Lovers' DVD cover looks typical. But one should not judge a book by the cover or a DVD by the front image.
What I thought would be a predictable romance came out to be a stunning masterpiece where a troubled young photographer (Joaquin Phoenix) has got to choose between an arranged marriage with a family friend (Vinessa Shaw) and his beautiful but difficult neighbor he naturally feels connected to (Gwyneth Paltrow). Two Lovers is inspired by Fyodor Dostoyevsky's short story White Nights and, like old Russian dramas, throws us into a middle of an emotional conflict where the choice between passion and convenience is not easy. It kept me mesmerized and unsure about what was going to happen until the very last second. I remained under the spell of this intimate story for a long time. Directed by James Gray, released in 2008, also stars Isabella Rossellini, Moni Moshonow and Elias Kotenas._________________________________________________________________________________
I'm A Cyborg, But That's OK
Comedy/Romance/Science-Fiction/Drama
"I'm A Cyborg, But That's OK" is a Korean film from 2006 about a girl who believes she is a robot. She speaks to electric devices such as light bulbs, radios and coffee-makers and thinks that they talk back and share their energy with her. Looking for a purpose of her life, she gets fascinated with machines, because they all have a very specific job to do in our world.
As her condition deteriorates, she ends up in a mental institution. But rather it being a depressive place, it becomes a sort of a refugee for likable patients who simply can not deal with mundane reality. The hospital is a world of magic and love in which everything is possible.
This wonderful movie was made by Chan-wook Park. Having produced political documentaries in the past, he has now delivered an entertaining story about the complexity of the human nature. But then... who am I to judge, really? I am a cyborg!
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