Diamonds never lie to me...

[daasgrrl]

So apparently my last update was in July? That's... a while, lol. I'm still here, although not very fannish at all these days - I seem to be spending a lot of time in RL this year, such as it is. Having finished my media degree last year, I took up a couple of volunteer jobs that have taken up a lot of my attention. But I really miss having a

Comments

[veronica_rich]

I thought Noah's book was an easy read but also educational, which isn't easy to achieve. We saw him do live stand-up here last year, and he talks a lot about his upbringing during the show too (as well as acclimating to life in America) - that's why my sister bought the book and I borrowed it. I was particularly struck with how his mother decided to have him not because she wanted to be married but because she wanted a child, and how she was able to accomplish what sounds relatively like a lot while taking care of kids and husbands. (And shot in the head!!)

[daasgrrl]

Um, obviously that was me not signed in!

Oh, I'm so glad you've read it! I think his book reads somewhat like a fairy tale - not the Disneyfied version, but the old-fashioned blood and terror and suffering that works out in the end, but not without a price to be paid. It's also such a personal look at life under apartheid that I found it fascinating just from that perspective. And I love that he speaks so many languages - that's something I always admire and it sounds like it's come in very handy for him. And of course it was incredibly funny in parts as well! I loved the story where he wanted a toffee apple and his mum wouldn't buy him one. Some talk show host said the book read like a love letter to his mum, which I think is more or less true.

[janamelie]

How violent is "Atomic Blonde"? I'm tempted to see it eventually for the aesthetic and 80s music, but I'm a bit of a wimp when it comes to violence.

Also, since every time I read that title I think of "Atomic" by Blondie, does that feature on the soundtrack? ;)

[daasgrrl]

...sorry, not logged in again!

LOL, I don't know that song, but google says no. She does look rather like Debbie Harry, though ;)

Hmmm, I'm very sensitive to violence myself, but I tend to just look away when it gets too much. It is very violent, but the violence is stylised, almost like dance. I don't know if that would make it more tolerable for you. But I came away more impressed by the aesthetics than freaked out, if that helps!

[janamelie]

Yes, I did think she looked a bit like Debbie Harry in the stills I've seen. And I get the impression it's a deliberate play on the song title to evoke the 80s even if the song predates the fall of the Berlin Wall by several years.

I see; I'll give it some thought. Thank you. :)