Writer's Block: What's been seen can’t be unseen

[hani_backup]

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It was for my International Baccalaureate English class.

I entered that school and program March 2004 and had to play catch up with some classes. Before I came in, they'd finished two books, one of which was Like Water for Chocolate.

We watched the film adaptation. I don't remember if it was in 11th or 12th grade but, my goodness, I hated the movie. HATE HATE HATE HATE HATE. I didn't like the book that much, either. Granted, Like Water for Chocolate and One Hundred Years of Solitude (I came in the middle of that book) were my first introduction to magical realism, but...gah. Like Water for Chocolate, the movie,  was just horrifyingly heinous.

Maybe if I had been there for the book discussion I would have enjoyed it before, or gotten more out of the experience like I did for One Hundred Years. I don't know. If I have a choice I will never watch that movie again, or read the book. Why do people like it (the book and/or the movie) so much...

Comments

[talkingdonkey.livejournal.com]

I agree. Everyone says those are the creme de la creme of magical realism, but I really find they're not that good. I find Marquez dull. Every time I try to get into one of his books I just can't do it. Esquival, I don't know if she has written more than this, but I found it impossible to either identify with the characters in her book or even just care minorly about them. If you want to read a good example of magical realism try Bless Me, Ultima by Rudolfo Anaya or The Brief Wonderous Life of Oscar Wao by Junot Diaz. Yo by Julia Alvarez is good too. It's a sequel to her first book (How the Garcia Girls Lost Their Accents) but I found Yo to be easier to read and more entertaining. Plus it's not necessary to read the first book to understand the second.

[hani.livejournal.com]

It took me a while to like One Hundred Years but I've never liked Like Water for Chocolate.

Thanks for the books recommendations! I tried a few Paulo Coelho books but overall I'm not that impressed. (I was unable to finish a book someone gifted me, The Witch of Portobello.)

[talkingdonkey.livejournal.com]

I've read a couple of his books and by far the best is The Alchemist. The rest just are...not that good. *shrugs*

[big-yellow-moon.livejournal.com]

Maybe it's been too long since I've seen it, but I don't recall "Like Water..." being "magical realism." I really like it though and I think the characters have a lot of charm.

I don't love "Amelie," although it has its moments. But that's what I think of when I hear the term "magical realism." I don't like shoving things into categories too much, though, especially sub-categories like "space opera," "chick flick," "buddy movie," etc. It gives people too much of an easy way to dismiss things.

[hiphopchick1982.livejournal.com]

The trailers for that movie looked boring...you are my hero for sitting through it.

[hani.livejournal.com]

It was utterly dull. I don't understand how it got nominated for so many awards.

[hiphopchick1982.livejournal.com]

*Shrugs* Isn't that always the way though...lousy movies that a majority of the filmgoing public has never heard of, or didn't play in about 99% of country, always win awards, and then the general public is intrigued, only to be disappointed.