Stories that made movies happen

Neil Gaiman: Coraline

What would your reaction be if someone told you "You're as cut as the button in the eye"? Would it be a compliment or a threat?

In the perfectly scary story about Coraline, it would be an invitation to a new life. A life, where anything is possible just to please one's desires. However, only as long as the other mother wants you and benefits from you.

You have to love the book and the story in it.

In this rare case, a book gave perfect grounds to the animated movie and it does not bother you, that the movie got her clothes wrong. You are astonished by the development of the story, pushing it higher and at the end, you finally understand the reason the other mother changed to a spider, for it was Coraline's biggest fear.

At first, I was introduced to the movie which I thought to be extraordinary. More than 10 years later I stumbled upon a book as I constructed a book wish list.

Silence Of The Lamb

Have you ever wondered, what it would feel like to be in someone else's skin? I'm sure you wanted, at some point, to experience the grand events or were just being sympathetic while uttering: "I know what it feels like, being in your skin." However, in this horror novel, the sentence acquires a completely different feeling. The persona of Hannibal Lecter is horrifying, nevertheless, his portrayal by Anthony Hopkins is more than adequate.

For these sad times let's submerge ourselves into novels to take our minds off blackouts, lockdowns, and other horrible events necessarily connected with the ongoing pandemic.

Stay safe by reading at home.

Paula Hawkins: The Girl On The Train

This drama kept me awake till two in the morning. Definitely worth it.The story of a drunk with blank memory every time she has a couple of sips, no regrets since there is nothing to remember. Even though her life is breaking apart, she still persuades herself to wake up every morning, and wander around London to give a false impression to her flatmate Cathy, to prevent the reveal of her most recent loss, her job. However, commuting has its benefits. She observes houses on the familiar street and fantasizes about the life of its inhabitants, how they love each other and have perfect little lives. Only one house she used to own, she used to spend her married life in, makes her take off her eyes. Once a woman she named Jess in her fantasy becomes missing, she Brie da she has an important role in the story. Exciting drama, and excellent writing. Three points of view, three various perspectives on the same life, three interconnected stories with intermingled timelines. Well executed.

Elisabeth Gilbert:

Eat, Pray, Love

This book was the reason behind packing my stuff and I enjoyed myself to the fullest by short traveling around Europe. It also represents what I miss the most during this pandemic: traveling (even sound out small country would be nice) and eating (those restaurants, coffee shops, bars, pubs, gelateria, etc.).At least we have books to read, movies to watch, and music to listen to, to make the times less bleak, elevate our spirits, and take us to places we could not even imagine. P.S.: This is the only book I don't mind the movie cover of ☺️

Alice Sebold: Lovely Bones

At first, I saw the movie. It was a piece of art with great casting, starring Saoirse Ronan.

A couple of months later, I have come across the book at a small book fair and was very keen on reading it.
The very same scenes made me hold my breath, the tension almost palpable, the story so intriguing I would read it over and over again. There is a high chance I would be clenching my fists and closing my eyes again.
Would I advise this drama to anyone? As a story to read, 100%. To experience the excruciating pain of loss and hope for a better ending, never. The story is so heartbreaking, wrenching, and sad, you feel it on your body. Story of loss, lack of caution, and abused trust.
Read the book and watch the movie, for they complement each other perfectly.