Ágnes Pethes

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This was so far my first book by the author. I couldn't finish it though. Which might be (or most probably) just a matter of personal taste. I couldn't enjoy or feel any simpathy for any of the main or even secondary characters. At one point I started to actually feel annoyed and being bored of the central story line: a "love story" of a 30 years old, engaged man and his 18 years old distant relative. I mean... it's a teenage girl and an adult man who's cheating on a daily basis his fiance. What would you expect from such an age difference at this point (the girl is just finishing high school, the man is a director of a company)? I didn't get the original intention of the girl at all and the man was just mesmerized by her beauty, just as many other male characters in the book. So the whole obsession that developed later was out of nowhere and probably would need some further explanations by the author regarding the man's past, psyche. I'm a bit surprised as I found Pamuk (besides of his overall fame in literature) as a suggestion for readers who love Marquez, Rushdie, Saramago... I wish I could at least find more details about Istanbul in the mid seventies. But I felt the description secondary (maybe because if the "heaviness" of the love story). I hope I can find something by Orhan Pamuk more tempting, more engaging. But I felt that the book is somehow inconsistent. Maybe that's called mad love...

The Museum of Innocence

6 likes

Whoever decided that the genre of the movie is Comedy/Musical is a weirdo. This film is very dramatic even though it has some comedy elements. But it's not a popcorn movie, as you can suspect by the name of Fellini. The Rehearsal had such an impact on my life at age 5 that from age 6 I went to music school and I joined the children choir of the opera house of Budapest. Where I was fascinated by the orchestra. The film suggests a heavy allegory about leadership and anarchy. The nationality of the conductor is also not a coincidence. Fellini's masterpiece portraits classical musicians in a perfect way. It's clear that he knew this subculture well. So if you want to see a realistic portrayal of them, this film is a perfect gateway. It also explains the importance of the conductor who's purpose, people usually think has no real sense. Being a Maestro is a very crucial role that could damage a production and a whole orchestra. Just as it can lift everything up: nurturing the talent of the musicians and interpreting a musical piece in a meaningful way. Fellini's movie is heavy and goes deeper than the plot while gives you hope for a happy ending. That's why he was a genius.

Orchestra Rehearsal

I might be biased as Gyorgy Spiro is one of my favorite writers (just like Salman Rushdie, Gabriel Garcia Marquez, Jose Saramago or Bohumil Hrabal). His masterpiece - just like in Messiahs - is based on deep research. However his mesmerizing way of chosing a main character and portraying a specific historical event (or chain of events) through his life and point of view is literally captivating. Even if you're not a history nerd, Captivity might make you enjoy the deep dive into turbulent times of the Jews in the 1st century. Spiro also gives away some subtle, but very important thoughts about life and us, human beings. I read this book twice and I enjoyed it deeply both times.

Captivity

I'm biased as Gyorgy Spiro is one of my favorite authors (besides Salman Rushdie, Gabriel Garcia Marquez, Jose Saramago or Bohumil Hrabal). I'm reading Captivity the second time and I'm amazed again. Spiro dug deep (as always), his historical accuracy is remarkable. Meanwhile he created a very touching personal storyline. There's a very deep wisdom in the book that could help humanity on a large scale. But Spiro, without being an arrogant teacher gives uplifting lessons on a personal level as well. Captivity, just like Messiahs is a perfect book for people who love to be lost in a longer, complex story that you wish it would never end. I remember when the first time I've finished Captivity, I was literally angry why there are no 2nd and 3rd volumes? Maybe this time I will accept that we can't and don't have to follow Uri's life forever. As it's always around us.

Captivity: Book 2: Judaea

The music, the interiors and shots were beautiful as always. However I find it sad that Almodovar made an American movie, over explaining his thoughts to the local audience. The film to me was very sentimental. The topic is very close to my heart, just as the director. However I felt cringe couple of times in the movie theater. The acting to me was absolutely boring, but it's true, I'm European and I prefer real emotions instead of professionally acted ones. In the beginning of the film I was annoyed by a mistake (a smaller character accidentally looked to the camera). That I've never seen in Almodovar's work... The most raw and honest moment to me was a male character's kiss. He went really into that moment. John Torturro was cute as always. 😊 And before you'd think I'm against women...No, indeed! However I found the two brilliant actresses work fully predictable. Which is the director's "fault"/ intention.

The Room Next Door

12 likes