Book Review: The Scarlet Pimpernel

Author: Baroness Emmuska Orczy
Title: The Scarlet Pimpernel (Pimpernel #1)
Genre: Historical Fiction, Mystery, Adventure, & Classic
Pages: 382
First Published: 1905
Where I Got It: On my shelf (Mom gave it to me - use to belong to my late grandpa)

"From the Shadow of Death...

It is 1792, the French Revolution's Reign of Terror. No aristocrat shall escape; la guillotine shall have them all. Yet, miraculously, so do escape - men dressed as women, children as beggars - spirited away from the revenge-crazed mob.

Who is their daring rescuer? The wily Chauvelin knows him only in his thousand disguises, who leaves as his calling card a taunting red flower..."

Ooooooooooooh I had forgotten how much I loved this book. :) Such a classic. Such a good book. Thanks to this book (and the others in the series) one of my favorite series, the Pink Carnation series, was born. Sadly, I have not read the other books in this series since I've been unable to find any in any used book store. Of course I can just buy them from Amazon (I think - I have yet to look), but I honestly like getting my classics from used book stores. Just a preference I suppose. 

Anyways....

This is such a great book. It's filled with adventure, intrigue, drama, and humor; everything done in perfect harmony. Me gads, is Sir Percy hilarious and such a fop (even though you know it's an act). You're suppose to be blind to who is the Scarlet Pimpernel, but you know right from the beginning, because the story mainly follows his wife, Marguerite. Poor chit. He is so cold to her, because she did something wrong a long time ago and he didn't believe her side of the story. Well, she didn't push her side of the story much...so he really didn't know the specifics....me gads...so much complicity! There were both wrong in the end. IF PEOPLE JUST LEARNED TO COMMUNICATE NONE OF THIS UNNECESSARY DRAMA WOULD ENSUE! Bleurgh. However, we wouldn't have a story then, because due to his coldness he turned to saving people and keeping it a secret even from his wife. 

The movie is good too, but this is SO much better. A lot more detail and story-line. There is more then at play then in the movie (which what can they really do? They have a time limit and a budget limit). The ending in the book is a lot different and more intricate and surprising then in the movie. I honestly can't tell you which ending I like best. They're both good. 

Honestly, I could ramble about this book/story forever. It's just so good and I simply love Sir Percy (I also am in love with the actor who played him in the movie, so now I imagine him as Sir Percy in the book). I love Marguerite too. Well....I love the whole crew (even the baddie). Sighs. I really want to read more of the series, so I may give in and look for them online. Meh. 

People who love the Pink Carnation series really must read this...this is what started it all. Papa Percy is the model in which all the spies model after. Even if you haven't read the Pink Carnation series (I read it before that series was born yet), you'll love it! It truly is a classic. Out of five stars, I will stamp this with 5 stars. HUZZAH!

Book Review: Love Will Make You Drink & Gamble, Stay Out Late at Night

Author: Shelly Lowenkopf
Title: Love Will Make You Drink & Gamble, Stay Out Late at Night
Genre: Short Stories, Fiction
Pages: 186
First Published: February, 2014
Where I Got It: On my shelf (Given to me by the author/publisher for my honest and unbiased opinion)

"All the stories revolve around life in Santa Barbara, the oceanside city north of Los Angeles, where people go after they've burned out in San Francisco and L.A. But there's no safe haven anywhere. Interwoven into Santa Barbara's picturesque setting, the people in these twelve stories reveal what their hearts and souls encounter in relationships. Their misreadings, mistakes, and misadventures bare what happens to people who love another."

Like earlier stated, I was given this book by the author/publisher for my honest and unbiased opinion.

This book is a collection of short stories written by Shelly Lownkopf. They all revolve around life in Santa Barbara. All the short stories also reveal the messy thing we call "love". These stories are a like, but ooooh so different. For this review, I shall divide it up by short story and talk a little about it.

The Ability
It was really good, but the ending was a little confusing. I had to read the last page a couple of times. 2 stars

Mr. Right
I totally did NOT expect the huge twist. It was a little awkward when I figured out what was happening, but sort of cute. It was also funny and a little random, but I liked it. 4 stars

I've Got Those King City Blues
Ugh, I wish this was longer! This was one of my favorites, but ooooh I wanted to know more! 5 stars

Absent Friend
The ending made me really have to think. The ending was really sad once I realized the true measure of what happened, but I really liked this one as well. 4 stars

The Man Within
Very cute and on my top 3 of favorites. The ending was fantastic! Asher was kind of creepy, but cute at the same time. Is that possible? 5 stars

Molly
Hahahaha. Wow. This one was cute, but a little creepy. xD You'll see what I mean when you read it, I don't wanna spoil it. 3 stars

Witness Relocation Program
Ooooh I had mix feelings about this one. It was sad, but happy, but really sad when you think about it. I felt bad for the dog and for the owner. All of this, however, is very symbolic of love itself, I believe. 3 stars

Death Watches
A very sad story. Poor Langer. I know he really messed up a long time ago with his girl and he has truly regretted it since then. It's been YEARS (I'm assuming) and the girl just can't let it go and give the older and wiser Langer another chance. Super sad. 5 stars

Love Will Make You Drink and Gamble, Stay Out Late at Night
Another one where I had mixed feelings about. I felt bad for the "couple" in here, but I feel like they just wanted love soooooo bad that they didn't care with who or what the who does. I'm not spoiling anything. 4 stars

Messages
Wooooow. This story truly does show that little things can make or break a relationship. Also it shows that how people react to the small things can make or break a relationship. The guy was a total idiot. *shakes head* 5 stars

Between the Acts
Oh my goodness....CINDY WAS A PSYCHO!!!!!!!!! Poor Bender. That is all. 4 stars

Coming to Terms
A great ending! This was a fantastic way to end not only the story itself, but to end the book. I liked it a lot. 5 stars

CONCLUSION:
Overall, this was a good collection of stories. There were a couple I didn't really like, but the vast majority were awesome. I loved the fact that all of these centered around Santa Barbara. I feel that a few of the characters may have passed each other; especially I noticed that the Xanadu (spell?) Coffee shop was mentioned a couple of times. I'm thinking that all these stories happened in the same time frame. That would be epic! This could make a cute movie (a couple may have to be cut out for timing purposes and too many characters running around will confuse the audience). 

I recommend this to those that like short stories about everyday people struggling with love in some sense. Each of them had different, but similar stories. It's cute. Out of five stars, I shall give this 4 stars (I found the average of stars). 

Happy Madre's Day!

Just wanted to wish all the mothers out there a happy Mother's Day! Especially my very special and lovely mother. You've always been there for me. :)

<3s

Movie Review: The Deer Hunter

Length: 3 hours and 3 minutes
Released: 1978
Genre: Historical Fiction, War, and Drama
Rating: R
Directed By: Michael Cimino
Where I Got It: borrowed from library

SUMMARY:

An in-depth examination of the ways in which the Vietnam War disrupts and impacts the lives of people in a small industrial town in Pennsylvania.

TRAILER:

CAST:
Michael - Robert De Niro
Stan - John Cazale
Nick - Christopher Walken
Steven - John Savage
Linda - Meryl Steep
Axel - Chuck Aspegren
John - George Dzunda
Angela - Rutanya Alda


REVIEW:
OH my goodness....these actors are SO young! It was really weird to see them this young. I've seen in other films during their youths, but it always boggles my mind. Especially De Niro (played Michael). He's good looking now, but in this film he was EXTREMELY good looking. Wow. Even Christopher Walken looked good.

Anyways....

This was certainly a pick at the Vietnam War and all wars in general. They did not sugar coat anything in this film. War is nasty business and it can really destroy someone - even if they don't die or get maimed. It can cripple you or mess up your mind. I'm glad that the writers decided to show each side of the madness of war. One friend gets crippled forever, one snaps mentally. Poor Michael trying to hold everything together before, during, and after the war. He was their leader, their best friend. They guy everyone went to. I loved him, but man, did I feel bad for him.

I'm not going to lie...I usually don't watch many Vietnam War movies and I wasn't too keen on this one. However, Boyfriend REALLY wanted to watch it and so I gave in and watched it with him. Low and behold, I actually liked it. Perhaps it was because of all the actors in it. They are all fantastic! The beginning really was super slow and I nearly gave up. HOWEVER, it picks up after the deer hunt they go on. I get WHY they made the beginning slow. There are a lot of characters they wanted to establish and get you to know and understand. They wanted you to see how life was BEFORE the war. After the movie was done, I really appreciated the beginning, because it allowed me to connect with all the characters.

OH! The ending made me tear up, but it certainly was a good ending. It made me a little mad...but it certainly was good. I shall say no more.

It was a good movie and I recommend anyone who has any interest in history or likes a good movie, should watch this. The acting was wonderful. The story was engaging even though the beginning was a little slow. It was certainly worth the 3 hours. Out of five stars I shall stamp this 5 stars. It's more like 4.5, but I don't give decimals, so I rounded.

Favorite Character(s): Michael, Linda, Axel (I wish he had more camera time), and John.
Not-so Favorite Character(s): Steve, Angela (pull yourself together woman!), and Stan.
RE-WATCH: Sure.