I got my complimentary copy of Born This Way and I found my photo. I am so proud to be part of this project.
I am the one in the center and not the one kissing the white boy.
Showing posts with label book. Show all posts
Showing posts with label book. Show all posts
Wednesday, October 31, 2012
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Australian Libraries and Bookshops
The first Australian city I visited is Sydney. I wrote about this in a previous entry. I thought I was racist to think that there should be a separate section for "Asian literature in English" in book stores but I am now taking it back.
I confided to an award-winning American writer Alex Sanchez about it and he said having such a section is more of a marketing strategy and not segregation. Obviously, there is no such market yet in Australia.
In addition, I have been looking very hard for Asian books in English here in Adelaide and have found very few selections. Apart from journals, I have never seen a Filipino book here. The absence of such literature here gives the impression that we Filipinos do not write in English.
Ironically, I have found a few Filipino books and Thai-translated Filipino books in Bangkok. Back then, I thought Thailand had the worst literary selections in the world.
Hopefully, in time, Filipino publications will be available here. I wish I would still be alive then.
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
The Hobbit or There and Back Again (novel)
I know this novel is not really that long but it took me some time to finish it because of several concerns. Well, if you visit this blog often then you would be able to know what those concerns are.Instead of going straight to "The Two Towers" after reading "The Fellowship of the Ring", I decided to read "The Hobbit" because it is currently under production. I want to have an idea of what the movie is going to be.
This Tolkien novel is much much easier to read than "The Lord of the Rings" series. The language is simpler and the plot more straightforward. The characters are easy to follow because there are not that many of them.
Tolkien takes his readers to the simple life of Hobbiton to the perilous journey that Bilbo Baggins takes. If you have seen the three gigantic movies, then this book will explain a lot of things like Bilbo's riches and why he wanted to join Frodo in the latter's own adventure.
The world that Tolkien created is tamer compared to the succeeding series. Though evil is lurking, Middle Earth does not seem as bad as the time the fellowship left Rivendell.
As always, it will be extremely difficult to put all the important adventures on the big screen. I am sure there will be lots of encounters that will not be included. I just hope that the last battle scene will be presented in its entirety.
Casting will also be a challenge. Gandalf is not that different in this novel so I hope that the producers will be able to convince Sir Ian McKellen to reprise this role. Ian Holmes cannot reprise Bilbo Baggins' role as Bilbo here is much younger and he needs to be super charismatic and funny. The actor who will play Thorin has to be very strong as a leader, imperfect but very relatable. He needs to make a huge impact at the end of the adventure.
Guillermo Del Toro is reportedly directing this movie with couple Philippa Boyens and Peter Jackson as writers. I really would love Jackson to stick to directing but I guess he was traumatized by the earlier three movies. Del Toro is a great director but he is a bit too dark for the theme of "The Hobbit".
I will definitely watch this movie on the big screen in 2011. The next installment will be in 2012.
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
Lord of the Rings: Fellowship of the Ring (novel)
The Lord of the Rings is one of my favourite movies of all time. I have the extended editions and theatrical editions of all three movies. I have watched the movies more than ten times so when I found out that the UniSA Magill library has copies of the books, I immediately borrowed "The Fellowship of the Ring".The words are impeccable. Tolkien can weave desires and passions so intricately in the songs included in this novel. The descriptions are very scary because of the details and sometimes, I wonder if they really existed.
Of course, the novel is richer than the movie version but it is not really fair to compare because it is a different challenge to adapt this tale on the big screen. I have to say though that the relationship between Sam and Frodo is gayer in the novel than in the movie.
Friday, March 13, 2009
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows
I should be spending more time reading articles and journals for my university studies. Instead, I have been reading "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows" at home, on the bus, at the bus stop, and in the library.
I know that it is very far from being the greatest literature in the world. The language used is not ground-breaking. The plot is not immaculate. Plus there are too many characters to keep track of. Sometimes, I do not know what Hermione, Harry and Ron are talking about.
But it is just entertaining. I could not put the book down.
This book is a lot darker than the previous ones and it is also a lot more exciting. There are tons of chase scenes and dramatic scenes. And there will be a lot of deaths...I am sad to read that one of my favorite characters passed away.
Many of the questions in the previous books have already been answered and these revelations make many of the minor characters extremely interesting. It will be a great challenge for Alan Rickman to portray a different side of Snape and a more sensitive rendition of Albus Dumbledore from Michael Gambon. Creating some moments for Dobby and Kreacher will be extremely hard for animators as well as they are key characters in this book.
Harry Potter has grown up but I do not expect that Daniel Radcliffe would give a spectacular performance. I am sure he will just be a cardboard like Keanu Reeves---they look the part but cannot act the part.
This will be seen on the big screen in 2011 but it will be divided into two movies. With many subplots, I am sure the movie won't be boring. Harry Potter will indeed be a big cash cow for Warner Brothers. And I won't be surprised if Rowling writes "The House-Elves" in the future.
I know that it is very far from being the greatest literature in the world. The language used is not ground-breaking. The plot is not immaculate. Plus there are too many characters to keep track of. Sometimes, I do not know what Hermione, Harry and Ron are talking about.
But it is just entertaining. I could not put the book down.
This book is a lot darker than the previous ones and it is also a lot more exciting. There are tons of chase scenes and dramatic scenes. And there will be a lot of deaths...I am sad to read that one of my favorite characters passed away.
Many of the questions in the previous books have already been answered and these revelations make many of the minor characters extremely interesting. It will be a great challenge for Alan Rickman to portray a different side of Snape and a more sensitive rendition of Albus Dumbledore from Michael Gambon. Creating some moments for Dobby and Kreacher will be extremely hard for animators as well as they are key characters in this book.
Harry Potter has grown up but I do not expect that Daniel Radcliffe would give a spectacular performance. I am sure he will just be a cardboard like Keanu Reeves---they look the part but cannot act the part.
This will be seen on the big screen in 2011 but it will be divided into two movies. With many subplots, I am sure the movie won't be boring. Harry Potter will indeed be a big cash cow for Warner Brothers. And I won't be surprised if Rowling writes "The House-Elves" in the future.
Thursday, June 12, 2008
The Harry Potter Prequel
The speeding motorcycle took the sharp corner so fast in the darkness that both policemen in the pursuing car shouted 'whoa!' Sergeant Fisher slammed his large foot on the brake, thinking that the boy who was riding pillion was sure to be flung under his wheels; however, the motorbike made the turn without unseating either of its riders, and with a wink of its red tail light, vanished up the narrow side street.
'We've got 'em now!" cried PC Anderson excitedly. 'That's a dead end!"
Leaning hard on the steering wheel and crashing his gears, Fisher scraped half the paint off the flank of the car as he forced it up the alleyway in pursuit.
There in the headlights sat their quarry, stationary at last after a quarter of an hour's chase. The two riders were trapped between a towering brick wall and the police car, which was now crashing towards them like some growling, luminous-eyed predator.
There was so little space between the car doors and the walls of the alley that Fisher and Anderson had difficulty extricating themselves from the vehicle. It injured their dignity to have to inch, crab-like, towards the miscreants. Fisher dragged his generous belly along the wall, tearing buttons off his shirt as he went, and finally snapping off the wing mirror with his backside.
'Get off the bike!' he bellowed at the smirking youths, who sat basking in the flashing blue light as though enjoying it.
They did as they were told. Finally pulling free from the broken wind mirror, Fisher glared at them. They seemed to be in their late teens. The one who had been driving had long black hair; his insolent good looks reminded Fisher unpleasantly of his daughter's guitar-playing, layabout boyfriend. The second boy also had black hair, though his was short and stuck up in all directions; he wore glasses and a broad grin. Both were dressed in T-shirts emblazoned with a large golden bird; the emblem, no doubt, of some deafening, tuneless rock band.
'No helmets!' Fisher yelled, pointing from one uncovered head to the other. 'Exceeding the speed limit by - by a considerable amount!' (In fact, the speed registered had been greater than Fisher was prepared to accept that any motorcycle could travel.) 'Failing to stop for the police!'
'We'd have loved to stop for a chat,' said the boy in glasses, 'only we were trying -'
'Don't get smart - you two are in a heap of trouble!' snarled Anderson. 'Names!'
'Names?' repeated the long-haired driver. 'Er - well, let's see. There's Wilberforce... Bathsheba... Elvendork...'
'And what's nice about that one is, you can use it for a boy or a girl,' said the boy in glasses.
'Oh, OUR names, did you mean?' asked the first, as Anderson spluttered with rage. 'You should've said! This here is James Potter, and I'm Sirius Black!'
'Things'll be seriously black for you in a minute, you cheeky little -'
But neither James nor Sirius was paying attention. They were suddenly as alert as gundogs, staring past Fisher and Anderson, over the roof of the police car, at the dark mouth of the alley. Then, with identical fluid movements, they reached into their back pockets.
For the space of a heartbeat both policemen imagined guns gleaming at them, but a second later they saw that the motorcyclists had drawn nothing more than -
'Drumsticks?' jeered Anderson. 'Right pair of jokers, aren't you? Right, we're arresting you on a charge of -'
But Anderson never got to name the charge. James and Sirius had shouted something incomprehensible, and the beams from the headlights had moved.
The policemen wheeled around, then staggered backwards. Three men were flying - actually FLYING - up the alley on broomsticks - and at the same moment, the police car was rearing up on its back wheels.
Fisher's knees bucked; he sat down hard; Anderson tripped over Fisher's legs and fell on top of him, as FLUMP - BANG - CRUNCH - they heard the men on brooms slam into the upended car and fall, apparently insensible, to the ground, while broken bits of broomstick clattered down around them.
The motorbike had roared into life again. His mouth hanging open, Fisher mustered the strength to look back at the two teenagers.
'Thanks very much!' called Sirius over the throb of the engine. 'We owe you one!'
'Yeah, nice meeting you!' said James. 'And don't forget: Elvendork! It's unisex!'
There was an earth-shattering crash, and Fisher and Anderson threw their arms around each other in fright; their car had just fallen back to the ground. Now it was the motorcycle's turn to rear. Before the policemen's disbelieving eyes, it took off into the air: James and Sirius zoomed away into the night sky, their tail light twinkling behind them like a vanishing ruby.
'We've got 'em now!" cried PC Anderson excitedly. 'That's a dead end!"
Leaning hard on the steering wheel and crashing his gears, Fisher scraped half the paint off the flank of the car as he forced it up the alleyway in pursuit.
There in the headlights sat their quarry, stationary at last after a quarter of an hour's chase. The two riders were trapped between a towering brick wall and the police car, which was now crashing towards them like some growling, luminous-eyed predator.
There was so little space between the car doors and the walls of the alley that Fisher and Anderson had difficulty extricating themselves from the vehicle. It injured their dignity to have to inch, crab-like, towards the miscreants. Fisher dragged his generous belly along the wall, tearing buttons off his shirt as he went, and finally snapping off the wing mirror with his backside.
'Get off the bike!' he bellowed at the smirking youths, who sat basking in the flashing blue light as though enjoying it.
They did as they were told. Finally pulling free from the broken wind mirror, Fisher glared at them. They seemed to be in their late teens. The one who had been driving had long black hair; his insolent good looks reminded Fisher unpleasantly of his daughter's guitar-playing, layabout boyfriend. The second boy also had black hair, though his was short and stuck up in all directions; he wore glasses and a broad grin. Both were dressed in T-shirts emblazoned with a large golden bird; the emblem, no doubt, of some deafening, tuneless rock band.
'No helmets!' Fisher yelled, pointing from one uncovered head to the other. 'Exceeding the speed limit by - by a considerable amount!' (In fact, the speed registered had been greater than Fisher was prepared to accept that any motorcycle could travel.) 'Failing to stop for the police!'
'We'd have loved to stop for a chat,' said the boy in glasses, 'only we were trying -'
'Don't get smart - you two are in a heap of trouble!' snarled Anderson. 'Names!'
'Names?' repeated the long-haired driver. 'Er - well, let's see. There's Wilberforce... Bathsheba... Elvendork...'
'And what's nice about that one is, you can use it for a boy or a girl,' said the boy in glasses.
'Oh, OUR names, did you mean?' asked the first, as Anderson spluttered with rage. 'You should've said! This here is James Potter, and I'm Sirius Black!'
'Things'll be seriously black for you in a minute, you cheeky little -'
But neither James nor Sirius was paying attention. They were suddenly as alert as gundogs, staring past Fisher and Anderson, over the roof of the police car, at the dark mouth of the alley. Then, with identical fluid movements, they reached into their back pockets.
For the space of a heartbeat both policemen imagined guns gleaming at them, but a second later they saw that the motorcyclists had drawn nothing more than -
'Drumsticks?' jeered Anderson. 'Right pair of jokers, aren't you? Right, we're arresting you on a charge of -'
But Anderson never got to name the charge. James and Sirius had shouted something incomprehensible, and the beams from the headlights had moved.
The policemen wheeled around, then staggered backwards. Three men were flying - actually FLYING - up the alley on broomsticks - and at the same moment, the police car was rearing up on its back wheels.
Fisher's knees bucked; he sat down hard; Anderson tripped over Fisher's legs and fell on top of him, as FLUMP - BANG - CRUNCH - they heard the men on brooms slam into the upended car and fall, apparently insensible, to the ground, while broken bits of broomstick clattered down around them.
The motorbike had roared into life again. His mouth hanging open, Fisher mustered the strength to look back at the two teenagers.
'Thanks very much!' called Sirius over the throb of the engine. 'We owe you one!'
'Yeah, nice meeting you!' said James. 'And don't forget: Elvendork! It's unisex!'
There was an earth-shattering crash, and Fisher and Anderson threw their arms around each other in fright; their car had just fallen back to the ground. Now it was the motorcycle's turn to rear. Before the policemen's disbelieving eyes, it took off into the air: James and Sirius zoomed away into the night sky, their tail light twinkling behind them like a vanishing ruby.
Friday, May 23, 2008
A Confederacy of Dunces (novel)
A more modern Cyrano de Bergerac but less appealing and less tragic, Ignatius Reilly is an intelligent beast with a quest to satisfy his ego. With the main character's flair in words, this can be easily adapted as a play although who can resemble such a grotesque physique?
The first chapters resemble an episode of Saturday Night Live. It introduces several characters that are uniquely fleshed out and involved in the world of Ignatius as the latter looks for a job, gets a job, loses a job, gets another job, organizes an uprising and finally gets involved in a scandal. Near the end of the story, it seems the hero has lost control of everything but then he is just bound to conquer another land.
Unfortunately, the author (John Kennedy Toole) killed himself before his mother convinced a publisher to print it. He could have written a sequel or sequels to this very interesting character that people would love to hate. It is very interesting to note that this book paints a very colorful and politically-incorrect (but realistic) picture of Louisiana gay life in the 60s.
The first chapters resemble an episode of Saturday Night Live. It introduces several characters that are uniquely fleshed out and involved in the world of Ignatius as the latter looks for a job, gets a job, loses a job, gets another job, organizes an uprising and finally gets involved in a scandal. Near the end of the story, it seems the hero has lost control of everything but then he is just bound to conquer another land.
Unfortunately, the author (John Kennedy Toole) killed himself before his mother convinced a publisher to print it. He could have written a sequel or sequels to this very interesting character that people would love to hate. It is very interesting to note that this book paints a very colorful and politically-incorrect (but realistic) picture of Louisiana gay life in the 60s.
Saturday, March 29, 2008
Say It Out Loud: Journey of a Real Cowboy (book)
Written by Adam Sutton and Neil McMahon
Thanks Peter Holmes for giving me your copy of this book last year. I think it is the first edition. Sorry, it took this long for me to read it.
The book is sad although it tries to be hopeful. I know many people think that this is special because he is a cowboy--he is in a situation where men should not be sucking dicks. I guess for a person who has spent most of his life knowing what and who he is, this story is not that special. But then there are tons of gay men out there who are still very afraid to come to terms with their sexuality.
Many gay men can relate to his constant pursuit for love. I, myself, am guilty of it far too many times. Maybe, I should set down my head on the dirt and let a group of brumbies trample on it. I just never learn.
Too bad that Adam Sutton's story is far for over. He is still a young man. I think he is still in his early 30s--very near my age.
The language is very simple and the journey very easy to follow. It can be very graphic at times but sometimes, it is contrived. Oftentimes, I wonder which one is speaking: Adam (the cowboy) or Neil (the writer).
I just wish that this bloke would find his love soon. I can also wish the same for myself.
Thanks Peter Holmes for giving me your copy of this book last year. I think it is the first edition. Sorry, it took this long for me to read it.
The book is sad although it tries to be hopeful. I know many people think that this is special because he is a cowboy--he is in a situation where men should not be sucking dicks. I guess for a person who has spent most of his life knowing what and who he is, this story is not that special. But then there are tons of gay men out there who are still very afraid to come to terms with their sexuality.
Many gay men can relate to his constant pursuit for love. I, myself, am guilty of it far too many times. Maybe, I should set down my head on the dirt and let a group of brumbies trample on it. I just never learn.
Too bad that Adam Sutton's story is far for over. He is still a young man. I think he is still in his early 30s--very near my age.
The language is very simple and the journey very easy to follow. It can be very graphic at times but sometimes, it is contrived. Oftentimes, I wonder which one is speaking: Adam (the cowboy) or Neil (the writer).
I just wish that this bloke would find his love soon. I can also wish the same for myself.
Monday, March 3, 2008
Rainbow Boys (novel)
I have not read a book for a very long time. Here is one book that I started reading on the way to Suvarnabhumi Airport and finished it a day before the Mardi Gras. This is also the first teenage gay book I have ever read. Thanks to Alex Sanchez for giving me a free copy of the first book of his trilogy.
Like most teenage novels, this coming of age story has a very linear presentation. The language is very simple and very current so there is no need to open the dictionary to hunt for unfamiliar words. The physical characteristics of the main people in the story are detailed but these are faces that are common in US high schools.
For gay adults like me, there is nothing new to the story but I am sure it can create quite an impact to teenagers who are still searching for their true identities. It also gives a very sensitive yet realistic view of how parents react when their children come out to them.
It is embarrassing to admit that I did cry in some of the chapters. It brought a lot of happy memories when I was only a teenager.
This is a must-have for any gay teenager or any gay man who wants to revisit those years that having pimples are a big thing. I wonder if Alex would give me the succeeding publications. Hint hint.
Like most teenage novels, this coming of age story has a very linear presentation. The language is very simple and very current so there is no need to open the dictionary to hunt for unfamiliar words. The physical characteristics of the main people in the story are detailed but these are faces that are common in US high schools.
For gay adults like me, there is nothing new to the story but I am sure it can create quite an impact to teenagers who are still searching for their true identities. It also gives a very sensitive yet realistic view of how parents react when their children come out to them.
It is embarrassing to admit that I did cry in some of the chapters. It brought a lot of happy memories when I was only a teenager.
This is a must-have for any gay teenager or any gay man who wants to revisit those years that having pimples are a big thing. I wonder if Alex would give me the succeeding publications. Hint hint.
Oz 2008: From Sydney to Canberra
We took the scenic route from Sydney to Canberra. My friends and I left the Intercon early and had breakfast at the beach. The sun was bright but the wind was cool.
Peter drove his car from the sands of Sydney towards the Australian National Park. It is huge and its roads were lined with tall trees. I had my hand out the window and it felt like a brook was running in between my fingers.
Hours passed and the temperature rose as we sped our way inland. Some trees were still tall. Some plants are mere bushes as the wind grows stronger. St. George's Lake is awesome. It just shows how much empty space this country has.
So much space. I got used to crowded places. where people are only inches away from you yet you do not mind them. People in Australia are very far apart and yet they treat each other with courtesy and respect. People here may have different jobs and yet they hold them with dignity.
Nobody is really low. Nobody is really better than the one next to him/her.
There is still so much to learn about this country.
Peter drove his car from the sands of Sydney towards the Australian National Park. It is huge and its roads were lined with tall trees. I had my hand out the window and it felt like a brook was running in between my fingers.
Hours passed and the temperature rose as we sped our way inland. Some trees were still tall. Some plants are mere bushes as the wind grows stronger. St. George's Lake is awesome. It just shows how much empty space this country has.
So much space. I got used to crowded places. where people are only inches away from you yet you do not mind them. People in Australia are very far apart and yet they treat each other with courtesy and respect. People here may have different jobs and yet they hold them with dignity.
Nobody is really low. Nobody is really better than the one next to him/her.
There is still so much to learn about this country.
Wednesday, August 1, 2007
Harry Potter & the Half-Blood Prince (book)
This book may have a great ending but the process of getting there falls a bit short. I do not like the revelation of the Half-Blood Prince. I do not like how the concept of Horcruxes was handled. It was promising but it falls short.
I admit that the tone is getting darker and darker and I give Rowling credit for that. But then somehow it does not blend well with the puppy-love romance in the book. I am sure some people would find the contrast appealing but not me. It is like having the Tooth Fairy in a stag party.
It is a page-turner but I think I can wait a long time before I will read the last installment.
I admit that the tone is getting darker and darker and I give Rowling credit for that. But then somehow it does not blend well with the puppy-love romance in the book. I am sure some people would find the contrast appealing but not me. It is like having the Tooth Fairy in a stag party.
It is a page-turner but I think I can wait a long time before I will read the last installment.
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