Filtered Visions

I've just updated my back catalogue of reviews, all books, as I'd like them all in one place - I think I've found them all! From here on I'd like to keep more up to date, discussing rather than just reviewing, and looking at books, tv and film.


I'm currently reading 'A Prayer for Owen Meany' by John Irving; I've been finding it incredibly difficult to get through, it has taken me at least since last November to get *almost* to the end. Even though I'm finding it slow going, there are lots about it that I'm enjoying. I've never really sat down and focussed on the Vietnam War before, for example. I'm enjoying gaining an insight into another period in history, as with other books, this one is inspiring me to learn more in a way that history teachers always failed at.

In particular I’ve been shocked to learn about ‘Project 100,000’, whereby America’s recruitment for the army was seemingly targeted towards people of low income, low mental ability or of African American descent; assigning them to combat duty and essentially sending them to die. This to me feels like underhanded genocide. Obviously I’ve just taken this in part from a novel, so I will need to read into it further, but I am truly horrified that the ‘Operation Get Behind the Darkies’ as spoofed by South Park, may really have existed. It makes me think about recruitment drives for today’s armies, and how they do focus on building a career for people with fewer opportunities. The connotations of this whole topic give me the shivers, to quote Owen Meany.

Owen Meany himself is such a unique character, he’s almost other worldly in some respects. He is opening my eyes to religious belief, having never found religion myself, this is a concept that I've been struggling with. It's incredibly difficult to bend your mind around the idea of total dedication to something that you have no proof of; a complete unwavering trust, even if the path this leads you down is not an easy road to travel. This book and 'Life of Pi' by Yann Martel, have both helped to show me the real power of religion.

As I'm reading I'm conscious that I know what’s coming, maybe it’s the fear of the ending that’s making me read so slowly?

…on a different note… I’ve just started a journey into the BFI’s Top 100 movies, I’ve ordered from 100 down to 90 to be delivered and I’m *really* surprised to note that there is a Carry On movie at number 99. I almost didn’t add this to my rental list, but then I thought that there is no reason why a Carry On movie shouldn’t be on the list! There is no reason why the best films should be high brow or artsy, just entertaining…and I’m ready to be entertained!

Join me in watching if you like! http://www.bfi.org.uk/features/bfi100/91-100.html

- since posting I've swapped lists!  I'm now going to be working my way through the AFI's Top 100 movies, as registered on the 'LoveFilm' website.. the AFI list contains lots more of those 'classic' movies that I really want to get to know.