It's Monday, What Are You Reading?

Hello to those who love to read!

(Robert Frobisher in the film Cloud Atlas)

 I finished Cloud Atlas this week. 

It definitely is a book that needs to be read around the same time as watching the film, just so you can understand each one better. While the book is clever, detailed, and superbly constructed, the film brings the characters and setting to life, interweaving the stories and characters to make the links between the six different stories more explicit. 

Neither format is easy going. 

The film jumps from story to story, and it is difficult to work out what is going on, and how the pieces fit together, while the book is split into six sections, with half of each story at the beginning, one after another, one full story in the middle and the second half of each of the other stories played out at the end, one at a time. The thing I found with this format, is that I missed the characters and settings as they finished. 

I prefer the way the narratives were interwoven in the film, even if it was confusing at first.

There was something quirky and lovable about each of the stories: the belief that even one person can make a difference in the Adam Ewing story; the beautiful setting, and descriptions relating to music in the Robert Frobisher story (which are not found in the movie); the fight for survival in the Luisa Rey story; comic elements in the Timothy Cavendish story; a stark and curious dystopian future in the Sonmi 451 story; and the contrast of technology and primitiveness in the post-apocalyptic story. 

The message underlying each story is that you should fight for what you believe in, even if it means your life.

In each story there is a romantic link between two characters, which helps them to be stronger and more able to hold onto their shared beliefs. As these characters rebel against prejudices, their fighting spirit is inspiring and powerful, and their love stories, heartwarming and heartbreaking.

I definitely gained more from the movie, with its moments of quiet contemplation and determination to remain true. The stories were all visual feasts, and the diverse characters were played by highly skilled actors, including Jim Broadbent and Tom Hanks. 

It is quirky though, and one of those movies that is better to watch on your own.

This week I'll be picking up Blood of Dragons, the fourth book in the Rain Wild Chronicles by Robin Hobb. 

I'm pretty excited, because this is the final instalment of the story, 

and there are always some amazing surprises in her final chapters. I can't wait!

Now I'm off to visit my reading friends over at Book Journey:

Have a great reading week!

Love to you,

xxx

It's Monday, What Are You Reading?

Hello, readerly friends!

Marlon Brando

At the moment I am reading Cloud Atlas, and have written about it for another favourite meme. 

Please go here to read my thoughts about it.

I'm joining up with Sheila at her meme to see what everyone else is reading:

Have a great week!

Love to you!

xxx

Cloud Atlas - Sonmi~451's Story

Today's theme for A Snap, A Set and A Song is Book, 

and this week I am reading Cloud Atlas, which is utterly brilliant!

But let me go back a bit...

Last Friday night we watched the film Cloud Atlas. It was very odd and complicated, flicking between six different stories from different time periods, from the 1850s to the 2300s. Within half an hour my boys had gone off to do other things, but I was determined to see how all the stories were going to connect, and find resolution. Well, after three hours of watching ~(and numerous glances at the film plot at Wikipedia to be clear about what was actually happening, lol!) I worked out what it was all about, and realised I LOVED this film. 

There were obvious faults in the make-up department, namely the "yellow-face" makeup they used on certain actors to make them look more Asian, and some of the prosthetic noses and fat suits which also did not have the desired effect. However, the theme of oppression, within the movie, was very powerful, and the layering of actors in multiple roles was clever in theory, (to show the evolution of souls through successive lives),  if not completely in practice (because of the makeup). 

Each story had its own quirky characters which were superbly portrayed by well-known actors including Jim Broadbent, Tom Hanks, Hugo Weaving, Hugh Grant, Halle Berry, Ben Whishaw and James D'Arcy. Sometimes it was a bit like a game of Spot the Actor! 

Check out these pics of Tom Hanks in character:

But the standout story for me, with its romance, aesthetic, profound message, and high-tech vision of a dystopian future, was the story of Sonmi~451, played by the amazing Doona Bae. 

So my Snap, Set and Song is focused on this story from Cloud Atlas.

My Snap is a pic of Sonmi~451 and Hae Joo Chang, who, as part of the Rebellion, attempts to save Sonmi from her fate as a clone. I love the colours, determination in his face, and the contrast of the floral print with the sharp lines of the city in this shot.  (Oh, and also Jim Sturgess' hipbone, lol!)

My Set is a portrait of Sonmi's stark beauty, 

and the computer-generated interior of her apartment with its views of Neo-Seoul 

(although this is actually a picture of Tokyo - artistic licence!)

Cloud Atlas - Sonmi~451 by wendysice featuring giorgio armani lipstick

Lc lauren conrad
kohls.com

L.A.M.B. gray sandals
heels.com

Silver chain necklace
$97 - kabiri.co.uk

Giorgio armani lipstick
giorgioarmanibeauty-usa.com

Giorgio armani mascara
giorgioarmanibeauty-usa.com

Giorgio Armani pencil eyeliner
saksfifthavenue.com

Fragrance
bathandbodyworks.com

While I cannot convey, in this small space, the magnificence of the film, maybe this short excerpt will give you more of an idea of some of the heart-stirring moments from Sonmi's story. 

The video shows much of her story, but there is still more in the film which will amaze you, so I hope this piece gives you the inspiration to give the film a try. The music in the clip is not from Cloud Atlas, however the soundtrack of the film is sublime, and plays a major part in the story. 

 If you want to find out what other people have posted on the theme of Book, 

pop over to Thea's blog, A Snap, A Set and A Song, for more inspiration!

Love to you!

xxx