This has been a great week for stories. I started the
week by watching Elizabeth Gaskell’s North & South (thank you Anne, for the
recommendation.) Watching this made me realize how powerful a story’s ending can
be. The morning after I finished the mini-series, I put the DVD back in the
player and re-watched the last scene; it was just so perfect. I knew I
would have to return the movie to the library soon, but I left it in the
player anyway. Before dropping it off the next day, I re-watched the
last two scenes. After it had been returned and a late fee had been
avoided, it dawned on me what a wonderful thing YouTube is. I searched for
“North and South ending” and re-watched (again, and yes, again.) As I reveled
in the absolute perfection of that final scene, (next up, I must get the book) I naturally thought about the endings that I have
written. If
endings can be this powerful, surely mine need reworking!
North and South was not the only story I experienced this
week. I also read The Summer I Learned to Fly by Dana Reinhardt. (Loved it!) And right now I’m completely enraptured by John Green’s The Fault In Our Stars. I am
laughing, crying and totally in love with these characters. And it makes me
wonder a little about why we want movies, books, and songs to take us on these
roller-coaster rides of emotion.
After several months of listening to the latest Jack's Mannequin CD, I finally ejected it from my car player and turned on the radio. I heard a song called "Glad You Came" that immediately brought me to
tears. I’m talking wracked with sobs, need to
pull over to get myself together tears. I have no idea what the song is
really about. I didn’t process any of the other lyrics. It was just that particular line, “I’m glad
you came” that struck me. There was a time, when my dad was suffering with dementia, but still
living at home. I went over each afternoon to visit and bring he and my mother
their evening meal. Each time, as I went to leave, he would walk me back out to
my car. One day he stood there at the drivers side door and I waited as he
searched for words that eluded him. Finally, like it was the most important
thing in the world, he said “I’m Glad You Came.”
What a touching story, Ruth. You're right, endings are so important,and I get stuck there all the time. I love stories that make me feel passionate about life--stories that are bigger than me. Makes me want to watch a movie :)
ReplyDeleteI hope you do watch it Katie. I think you'll fall in love with it.
DeleteI've got North and South to call my very own, on DVD. I re-watch it now and then. It's a BEAUTIFUL ending that just makes me so giddy every time I see it again. And let's just say that my friend who recommended a new crush in Richard Armitage was right on the money. Phew he's noice! ;)
ReplyDeleteI know, I'm thinking I have to look him up to see what else he's been in.
DeleteRuth, the parts on your father walking you out, and his 'I'm glad you came' are precious. The inevitable weeping forms a strong moment of connection. What a way to begin a week: to watch for powerful stories. :) THanks for this post-reminder. I haven't watched the drama or read the stories you mentioned here. But the titles sound amazing enough.
ReplyDeleteRecently, I teared up while watching 'Where The Wild Things Are,' at the scene where Max and the Wild Things howled goodbye, then broke up into smiles when the boy returned to bark along with the neighbourhood dog.
Emotion can find us in the most unlikely places!
DeleteGlad I came also, Ruth. Your posts always make me feel, which makes me come back.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, Mirka.
DeleteThese are on my TBR list. I've been away, but I'm looking forward to diving back into some great books and getting this same feeling. :)
ReplyDeleteHappy Reading!
DeleteYay! Oh, I'm sooo pleased to hear you took a chance on N&S and enjoyed it so much! And your experience sounds so much like mine, being seduced over and over by the DVD, yet rushing to get it back to the library on time! I think we both need to buy our own copies asap! ;)
ReplyDeleteYou definitely should read the book. And actually, speaking of endings, you'll be very interested to know that the end of the book is slightly different. I don't think I'm giving any anything important by saying that. The content is almost completely the same, but the setting and set-up for the scene changes. Might be fascinating to study both side by side and see which you think is better and why the movie producers made the decision they did.
And no wonder that song made you cry... your story about your dad almost made me cry. Lovely. Thank you.
Now off to check out The Summer I Learned to Fly...
I think you are so right, Anne. We both must buy a copy immediately =D
DeleteI am making myself finish the five library books I have already checked out before I delve in to North and South. But I will definitely check back in with you upon reaching the end of it!
Ruth, endings like that make you never want the thing to end ... yes, we read to feel and feel deeply.
ReplyDeleteI was completely unwilling for The Fault in Our Stars to end. I re-read it almost immediately!
DeleteNorth and South has been on my TBR pile forever. After reading your blog I realized, I really need to read it.
ReplyDeletectny
No argument here ;)
DeleteThanks for the recommendation, Ruth. I'll have to watch North and South if it's that good! Well, I can understand why that song tore you up, after it brought back that memory of your dad. Got me all emotional just reading about it. Yes, when a book, movie, or song hit a tender nerve or connect with us in a special way, it stirs up strong emotions, for sure. It's wonderful to get that involved in a book or movie, isn't it?
ReplyDeleteIt is wonderful to get that involved. When a book like that ends I can't wait to find another book that good.
DeleteOh The Fault in our Stars was SO good and SO sad. I read it a couple of months ago, but I can still get the emotional feel I got while reading it!
ReplyDeleteIt's a book you're eager to recommend when you're done. I just want everyone to experience it!
DeleteIt's a book that leaves you eager to recommend it. I just want everyone to experience it!
DeleteLove North and South! Loved the story about your dad. That was beautiful Ruth. Like Lynn, it got me emotional and the hairs stood up on my back. Wonderful post! *waves*
ReplyDeleteHi Robyn, *waves* Thanks so much for dropping by!
DeleteSuch a poignant story, Ruth. It's so true, that sometimes stories and songs just hit us where we live. I'm not familiar with North and South, but after that recommendation, I think I'm going to have to check it out! :)
ReplyDeleteOh, good, Susanna. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did!
DeleteRuth, you've done it again, made me cry! But it's a good thing. I'm glad I came :) Made me think of the final words with my dad before he died. And, of course, I cried a number of times during North and South (and I always qualify that with either "the English one" or "Elizabeth Gaskell's" because there was an American one set during the Civil War). It is one of my all-time favorites. One of the times I watched it was with my husband, who was watching it for the first time, and he (he who had initially thought it was just a "chick flick") pronounced it "one of the best things I've ever seen."
ReplyDeleteAwww, Jean, I didn't mean to make you cry.
DeleteLove the story about your husband loving North and South. My husband tolerates such movies - and usually not for very long, before he moves on to watch something of his own choosing on another t.v. But I have made true converts of my girls. They used to moan when they saw me putting in a movie like this. Even, so, they always get hooked and must watch to the end ;)
Nothing better than a great movie ending to make you want to read the book. I haven't seen North and South, so guess I'd better get hopping! Right now I don't seem to have time to see anything. I'm hoping that will change sometime this summer!
ReplyDeleteHope you find more time this summer to watch/read the things you're dying to watch/read ;)
DeleteThanks for the great recommendations, Ruth. This past weekend my husband and I watched the BBC series, The Impressionists...again. Since my husband is an oil painter, this is a favorite in our house - we own it. However, I am always inspired by the perseverance that the French group of painters had to have to keep going in the face of ridicule and rejection - something writers are familiar with as well!
ReplyDeleteOooo, sounds like one I'm going to have to look for. Thanks for the recommendation, Victoria!
DeleteI've heard SO MUCH about this show! I must watch it! And you're amazing, Ruth. You always have great posts ;) (And I'm still screaming about your success with your agent! Gosh, it *can* and *does* happen. Sooooo cool... :D)
ReplyDeleteAwwww, thanks so much, Morgan. It's so cool to have writer friends who "get it." It absolutely *does* happen. I know it will happen for you soon, as well =D
DeleteI just finished watching North and South last week. It took me a few months to finish the series...I'm not sure why. But I do know, like you, that I found something special at the end. Now you have inspired me to go back and rewatch the last scene...thanks for your post,
ReplyDeleteSounds like North and South is really making the rounds lately. Glad you enjoyed it as well.
DeleteOhh, North and South sounds yummy. I recently finished The Fault in Our Stars. I sat there hugging the book and weeping when I was finished. How often does a story send you to that place? Amazing book.
ReplyDeleteI know! Amazing, right?! I actually re-read it before returning it to the library.
DeleteInteresting story... :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by, FEDO.
DeleteAnd I'm glad you came by my blog this week. I see we have a lot in common. How are you doing with the Novels in Verse challenge? I just finished May B--loved it.
ReplyDeleteYour post was touching. There's nothing more satisfying than a perfect ending.
Hi Angelina,
DeleteAre you doing the Novels in Verse challenge, too? I loved May B as well! I'm doing pretty good. I think I signed on to read 8-12 and I've read eight books so far, although I haven't posted reviews for all of them yet. I really need to crack down and write them and get them posted.
Thanks so much for stopping by!
The Fault in Our Stars is an amazing novel that requires many tissues. I loved it. And now I'll have to check out North and South. : )
ReplyDeleteYes, many tissues. And it's also good to skip the mascara while reading.
DeleteI just started The Fault in Our Stars. Love it.
ReplyDeleteThe movie that undid me--don't laugh--was Forrest Gump. I still haven't figured out quite why. I sobbed uncontrollably the first--and the second--time I watched it.
Would you believe I've never actually watched Forrest Gump? My husband has had it on several times while I was home, so I guess I've caught little bits of it. But it never interested me enough to sit down and watch. Maybe I haven't given it a fair chance.
DeleteI keep stumbling across "North and South" and wondering if it might be my kind of thing. I'll have to give it a try!
ReplyDeleteOooo, I hope you do, Anna! And I hope you love it =)
DeleteOh, isn't The Fault in our Stars wonderful?
ReplyDeleteIt is wonderful, Marcia. I love how the sadness is balanced by the humor, which keeps it from becoming overwhelming.
DeleteHave been kind of thinking along the same lines lately. My Mil is going through some things and it reminds me of my Mom, who suffered from Alzheimer's before she passed away. Thinking on good memories and trusting for the grace to process everything. Thanks so much for sharing.
ReplyDeleteHave a wonderful weekend,
Karen
Hi Karen,
DeleteSending prayers your way for you and your mother-in-law.
Hope your weekend is blessed.