There were some pros and cons to this novel so let me state the pros of the novel first:
1. The whole story was very realistic and relatable.
First of all, it is possible to truly love someone enough that you'd do absolutely anything to end their something - even if that meant killing them (which is exactly what Chris did). Second, if you were a parent, you'd understand why Melanie acted the way she did. It was really understandable and justified. Last, friendships don't always last (as seen with the Golds and the Hartes). These points show that the story can definitely happen in real life.
2. The story moved gradually.
The one thing I hate about some stories is that they move too quickly, there isn't enough 'space' to let the story sink. This, however, was not present in this novel. It showed the development of the characters and their relationships with ease, so you had a better understanding of the changes and progression of the story. This, in turn, made it quite enjoyable to read.
3. The story is quite gripping.
Just imagine yourself as any one of these characters - not knowing what really happened and just drawing conclusions from the evidence presented. As a reader, it really makes you eager to finish the story in just a day!
Now that I've mentioned the pros, here are some of the cons:
1. There were too much R-rated scenes, especially with James and Gus.
Now, for this, I would understand why the author put quite a number of scenes for Chris and Emily, however, I didn't understand why Gus and James had a lot of sex scenes. Melanie and Michael didn't even have any so why write a lot of sex scenes for Gus and James. Was it to show how they're relationship was more physical? or was it a ploy to understand better either of the characters? That I just didn't really understand in the novel.
2. Emily got kind of annoying as the story progressed.
To tell you the truth, I kind of liked Emily at the start but as the story got deeper and deeper, she kind of got annoying. The reason for this is because she didn't open up to anybody, not even Chris, regarding the sexual assault she experienced as a child. Because of this, she just kept everyone guessing and drawing random conclusions as to why she wanted to die. This annoyed me throughout the book because it made me think that Emily didn't really have any solid relationships in the novel. Even if her relationship with Chris may seem like true love, it really isn't and you'll understand while you read the last few pages of the novel.
Over-all, it was a good read and I'd rate it with an 8.7/10!
Just like my other blogs, I wanted to make a cast list for this book in the hopes that they do decide to reboot/remake this film (since the recent trend of movies now is that to reboot old movies).
1. Michael Gold - Timothy Olyphant
I picked Timothy Olyphant for the character of Michael because he somewhat fits the look I've imagined for Michael. In the book, Michael is described to have graying hair and if they ever decided to reboot this film, Timothy Olyphant could just use this do (as seen in the picture). Second, Michael was said to look very kind and gentle as he was a veterinarian. Now, I know Timothy Olyphant isn't necessarily what you'd picture for a gentle person (considering his roles in the movies: "The Hitman" and "Live Free or Die Hard"), but I think he could fit that category, if given the right hair and make-up. Also, if he ever got the chance to portray this character, it will show a lot of his acting abilities. Lastly, he can definitely play the role of a father figure and this can be seen in the movie "I Am Number Four," wherein he plays the character of Henri. So all-in-all, I think Timothy Olyphant would play a good Michael.
2. Melanie Gold - Sarah Paulson
I've grown to love Sarah Paulson over the course of watching "American Horror Story: Asylum." She gave such a riveting performance as the troubled Lana Winters. What made me choose her was the small connection of her character Lana and Melanie. Melanie, in the book, was so intense and very emotionally-driven since the death of her daughter. This was almost similar as to how Sarah Paulson portrayed as Lana in American Horror Story: Asylum. Although they are different stories entirely (Lana was stuck in an Asylum while pregnant to an infamous killer, while Melanie lost a child), they both experienced a physical, emotional and mental trauma. Sarah Paulson executed this beautifully as Lana so she'll most likely be able to execute the same level of performance as Melanie, if there would ever be a reboot.
3. Gus Harte - Madeleine Stowe
Madeleine Stowe portrays the role of a worried mother perfectly in the television show "Revenge" (she plays Victoria Grayson). As Victoria, she's experienced her son go to jail and be falsely accused of murder (as seen from the first season of the show). It's almost the same with Gus, who had her son also go to jail for a crime, he possibly might not have committed. If Madeleine Stowe can portray this character in Revenge, who says she can't do it again as Gus Harte?
4. James Harte - Kevin Kilner
I first recognized Kevin Kilner as Larry Sawyer in "One Tree Hill." Later, I saw him as Chad Michael Murray's strict father in "A Cinderella Story," and I found out he also played a doctor in America Ferrera's "Ugly Betty." In two of those films I mentioned, he played a father, so it's not a big stretch for him to play Christopher Harte's father - the somewhat strict but caring, James Harte. Moreover, he wears a lab coat and portrays a doctor in the series, Ugly Betty, so you could already picture him as James Harte (James' occupation was an opthalmologist). Furthermore, he's done quite a number of movies/series already, I think doing this film (if it were ever going to be done) can be his breakout role.
5. Christopher Harte - Steven R. Mcqueen
I first saw Steven R. Mcqueen in the Disney film "Minute Men," however, I continue to see him as Jeremy Gilbert in the television series, "The Vampire Diaries." Though it was only through his portrayal of Jeremy that I really considered him for a 'Christopher.' In the first season of Vampire Diaries, Jeremy is teenage boy just trying to get over the death of his parents and move on. In those few episodes, Steven R. Mcqueen portrayed a depressed, brooding young man struggling to make sense of his life. This is similar to Chris, who is just trying to find his way in life, despite the horrible things he has experienced. So, in a way, Steven R. Mcqueen partly already portrayed Chris, just in a different character and storyline. This would only mean that he can be a good Christopher Harte, if this were ever rebooted. Not to mention, in the novel, Chris has slightly long hair so Steven R. Mcqueen kind of fits the profile as seen in the picture to the left of this paragraph.
6. Emily Gold - Taissa Farmiga
Just like Sarah Paulson, I first saw Taissa Farmiga in "American Horror Story." The reason I picked her is because in the novel, Emily looked just like the typical, fun-loving girl but she kept secrets inside that ate her up. Taissa Farmiga has that soft, girly look but she can also show a somewhat dark side to her; and this can be seen in her portrayal of Violet Harmon in American Horror Story. Also, from what I heard, she kind of acts as the 'girly-girl' in the movie, "The Bling Ring." So having her play Emily can show these two different acting sides to her.
7. Detective Sergeant Marrone/Barrie Delaney - Angie Harmon
Angie Harmon has played countless roles as some kind of law enforcer. In the movie, "Agent Cody Banks," she plays Agent Ronica Miles, while in "Women's Murder Club" and "Rizzoli and Isles," she plays a detective. I think just by looking at the roles, which I've mentioned, you can tell she fits the character of Detective Marrone. I'll even bet she can do one hell of a good job portraying either Barrie Delaney or Agent Marrone. Also, she fits the profile of both of the characters in the novel - determined and persistent.
8. Kate Harte - Bailee Madison
In the novel, not much is really mentioned about Kate Harte, other than she is the daughter of Gus and James and that she is the sister of Christopher. However, in the course of the novel, you notice that Kate is just a really young, somewhat childish 12 year old girl. For this character, I imagined Bailee Madison. I just think that her look, in general, can be used to describe Kate - innocent and young. Also, she has done a lot of films already that deal with family drama like "Brothers" and "Don't be Afraid of the Dark," which shows that she can act very well in an emotional setting. It also helps that she can pass off as Steven R. Mcqueen's sister, just look at the hair color and the slight similarity in the shape of the nose!
9. Jordan Mcafee - Adrian Pasdar
In the television series, "Heroes," Adrian Pasdar plays Nathan Petrelli, a man intent on running the office. Throughout the series, his character is very serious and gives little time to his family (though, he really does care for them). This can be quite similar to Jordan in the novel. Jordan has a son, who he rarely spends time with because of his work. Not only that, Jordan seems to present a hard exterior, which is somewhat similar to how Adrian Pasdar portrays Nathan Petrelli in Heroes. I really believe that Adrian can indeed bring this character to life and make us relate with the character, if this were to ever be rebooted.
10. Selena Damascus - Paula Patton
Paula Patton, in my opinion, fits the character of Selena Damascus. According to the book, Selena was dark skinned, beautiful and very tall. Although Paula Patton isn't really a "6-footer," she is very beautiful and she acts quite well, just look at her performance in the movie "Precious". Other than that, Selena's character is very determined yet still gentle and I think she could present these different sides to Selena very well just based on her previous roles.
Just to give you a preview of what I imagined the movie poster would be, here is my photoshopped image of what I hope it would look like:
Hope you all like this entry!
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