What are you reading? The Most Precious of Cargoes by Jean-Claude Grumberg

 Source: Amazon

Noelia's contribution

REVIEW

The Most Precious Cargo by Jean Claude Grumberg is a captivating short story that takes readers on a thrilling journey through the cargo trains in the Second World War and high-stakes smuggling. The short story follows a Jewish couple who are transported from the Drancy camp to Auschwitz. Meanwhile, a woodcutter's wife looks for food near the railways, and unexpectedly, one day, she finds the most valuable cargo, a baby girl. 

Grumberg's writing style is both gripping and evocative, immersing readers in the intense atmosphere of the narrative. The characters are well-developed and relatable. From the resigned parents who know their tragic end to the baby girl who becomes the symbol of hope, every character leaves a lasting impression.

"The Most Precious Cargo" also explores deeper themes such as the value of human life, the power of unity, and the resilience of the human spirit. Through the characters' journeys, the novel raises thought-provoking questions about sacrifice, morality, and the lengths we are willing to go to protect what we hold dear.

I highly recommend this short story. Jean Claude Grumberg creates a  powerful story making this book an absolute page-turner and keeping readers on the edge of their seats. Prepare to be captivated from beginning to end as you embark on this unforgettable adventure.

Source: Wikipedia

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Jean-Claude Grumberg is a renowned French playwright, screenwriter, and novelist. He was born on October 4, 1939, in Paris, France. Grumberg is best known for his powerful and thought-provoking works that explore themes of war, memory, and the human condition.

Grumberg's grandfather's experiences during World War II greatly influenced his writing. Many of his plays, such as "Dreyfus" and "L'Atelier," delve into the horrors of war and its lasting impact on individuals and society.

In addition to his work as a playwright, Grumberg has also had a successful career as a screenwriter. He has collaborated with renowned directors such as Costa-Gavras and Alain Resnais, and his screenplays have received critical acclaim.

Grumberg's writing is characterized by its poignant and introspective nature, often blending humour with tragedy. His works have been performed and celebrated worldwide, earning him numerous awards and accolades.

Today, Jean-Claude Grumberg continues to be an influential figure in French literature and theatre, captivating audiences with his insightful and emotionally charged storytelling.

CURIOSITIES

In the following link, you can know more about Drancy camp. Clic anywhere in the image.

Source: Holocaust Encyclopedia

What are you reading? The Buried Giant by Kazuo Ishiguro

 

Source:Amazon

Juan's contribution

After enjoying "Never Let Me Go" by Kazuo Ishiguro in March of last year 2022 at our meeting of the Reading Club "The EBC" I was quite interested in the work of this author. I already knew his previous novel “The Remains of the Day” but only from the successful movie that was made, so I recently decided to read “The Buried Giant”. The title alone is already quite intriguing, especially when we are talking about a fantasy story that takes place around the 5th century, when the poor development of science made the relationship of ordinary people with nature almost magical, which explains many of the situations created in the book.

The Buried Giant by Kazuo Ishiguro is a fantasy novel that explores the themes of memory, love, and forgiveness in a post-Arthurian Britain. The novel follows Axl and Beatrice, an elderly Briton couple who suffer from a mysterious mist that erases their memories. They decide to embark on a journey to find their long-lost son, whom they barely remember. Along the way, they encounter various characters and creatures, such as Wistan, a Saxon warrior, Edwin, a boy bitten by an ogre, Sir Gawain, a knight of King Arthur, and Querig, a dragon whose breath causes the mist. They also learn about the dark past of their land, where King Arthur ordered a massacre of Saxons to end the war, and then used Querig's magic to make everyone forget. As they get closer to their destination, they face the dilemma of whether they want to regain their memories or not, and whether their love can survive the truth.

The novel is a blend of myth and realism, with Ishiguro's signature style of subtle and elegant prose. The novel raises questions about the role of memory in shaping our identity, relationships, and history. It also challenges the conventional notions of heroism, justice, and peace. The novel is a poignant and profound meditation on the human condition, and the power and limits of love.

One of the main themes of the novel is forgiveness. Forgiveness is important for both personal and social development because it can help heal the wounds of the past and foster positive emotions and relationships. Forgiveness can also reduce anger, resentment, and hostility, and promote peace and reconciliation among groups that have been in conflict or violence.

In the novel, forgiveness is shown as a difficult but necessary process for both individuals and communities. Axl and Beatrice have to forgive each other for their past mistakes and hurts that they gradually remember as they travel. They also have to forgive themselves for their own actions or inactions that may have caused harm to others. They have to decide whether they want to forgive Querig for taking away their memories or kill her to restore them. Wistan has to forgive Sir Gawain for his role in the massacre of his people and his failure to slay Querig. Sir Gawain has to forgive himself for his loyalty to King Arthur and his betrayal of his own conscience. Edwin has to forgive his mother for abandoning him and his village for rejecting him. The Saxons and Britons have to forgive each other for their mutual atrocities and find a way to coexist peacefully.

The novel shows that forgiveness is not easy or simple. It requires courage, compassion, empathy, and honesty. It also involves a risk of losing one's identity or love. However, the novel also suggests that forgiveness is possible and worthwhile. It can help one overcome the pain of the past and move forward with hope and dignity. It can also help one appreciate the value of life and love in the present moment.

I would like to think that today more than ever, perhaps our own country - as Saxons and Britons -needs a bit of forgetting the past to move forward.

In short, it is a book that I recommend because I have enjoyed it and it has made me reflect deeply.

 P.D.

> Guillermo del Toro Will Return to Netflix With New Animated Film “The Buried Giant”

Source: New on Netflix; News

What are you reading/watching? 10 Rillington Place by Ludovic Kennedy

 

Source: Filmaffinity

Ana Melendo's contribution

Hello, Today I want to talk to you about two films I’ve seen recently on Filmin, a platform I recommend to you. The first one is called 10 Rillington Place by Richard FLEISHER, shot in 1971. It’s at the same time a thriller and a drama. It’s the adaptation of a Ludovic KENNEDY’s novel. I liked the way the story is presented and also that the viewer can see very well how poor people lived at that time. It’s a journey to the past. The movie catches immediately our attention. Thanks to it, I’ve discovered that  Richard ATTENBOROUGH was not only a film director but also a great actor.

 

Youtube: 10 Rillington Place (1971) ORIGINAL TRAILER [HD 1080p]

 

The second one is called Compulsion by the same director. It is in black and white because it was shot in 1959. It’s a judicial thriller with Orson Welles who won the Best Actor Award at the Cannes festival.

Youtube: Compulsion 1959 Trailer | Orson Welles | Dean Stockwell | Diane Varsi

Generally, surrealism is connected with poetry but Julien CRACQ (1910-2007) was one of the few surrealist novelists. I first discovered The Opposing Shore (Le Rivage des Syrtes) and I really loved it. I liked the slow rhythm that goes so well with the story itself, and the mentality of the characters.  The richness of the language and the turn of the sentences are two other  points to love this novel. It’s like a prose poem.

Source: Amazon

 Now, I’ve read The Castle of Argol (Au chateau d’Argol). The language is  perfect but I don’t like to much the course of the story.

What are you reading? The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, by author Suzanne Collins

 

Source: Wikipedia

Noelia's contribution.

The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, by the American author Suzanne Collins, has been one of my last readings. This book is the prequel to Hunger Games Trilogy.

The Hunger Trilogy is based on a dystopian futurist American country divided into twelve districts governed by the Capitol. Each year, the country celebrates "The hunger games". A man and a woman from each "district" select randomly to fight and kill the rivals. This game only can be won by one of them. The principal character is Katniss Everdeen, the girl from de Twelve District who fights against the president of the Capitol rules, Coriolanus Snow.

The book Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes tells the story of a young Coriolanus Snow, sixty-four years before the Hunger Games trilogy events. In this book, readers can observe how Coriolanus's personality changes page after page.

I highly recommend this book because readers could think it is another sci-fi book. But it isn't. This novel makes you think about your principles and beliefs, and if you had to choose between living or dead, what would you do to survive? Would you break all the rules?

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Suzanne Collins was born on 10 August 1962 in Hartford, Connecticut. United Estates. Her father was an officer in the US Air Force. She is the youngest of four siblings. 

Suzanne studied theatre and telecommunications in 1985 at Indiana University. After that, in 1989, she received a Master in Fine Arts in dramatic writing from New Your University. In the nineties, she worked as a screen player for the Nickelodeon TV channel. 

In 2003 she wrote and realized the children's book Gregor the Overland. Influenced by her father's teaching of the Vietnam War and Theseus and the Minotaur, in 2008, she wrote the best-selling Hunger Games. In 2009 and 2010, she wrote the sequels Catching Fire and Mockingjay. In 2020 Collins published the prequel The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes.

Source: Quimera Digital /  Films vs Books

External Links

> Suzanne Collins web: https://www.suzannecollinsbooks.com/

Youtube : Suzanne Collins Scholastic Interview

Youtube; The Hunger Games Official Trailer #1 - Movie (2012) HD

What are you reading? 2023 - edition

 

Hi friends!

This summer, we will surely devour books during the holidays, that is why we would like you to share your readings with us.

What are you reading now? What book do you have on the table to read as soon as you can? Or, why not, what is the book you have ever enjoyed the most?

Sometimes, we close ourselves off in our world and are unaware of the wonders that there are out there. And if you are a serious reader of the classics but you discover that science fiction can be exciting, or you like intriguing books and discover that poetry is brilliant. Moreover, you can be focused on Chick lit, and be surprised to find that the historical novel is equally gripping.

It is for all these reasons that we want you to share what you are reading or consider interesting for others.

If you want to collaborate with this fun activity, please send an email to jfaguilarcuevas@gmail.com with the details of the book and a brief comment and all the information you want to add about it, and we will post it on the blog.

We will all thank you.