MovieChat Forums > Housekeeping (1988) Discussion > A note to All Who Love this Film READ TH...

A note to All Who Love this Film READ THE BOOK too!

posted 19 years ago by mad19571
8 replies | jump to latest

The novel by Marilynne Robinson is one of the most special books ever written. It is her first work and she uses the English language like no one else that I have ever read. When people complain about how the movie didn't match the book, or visa versa, I always recommend that they see and read Housekeeping.
Film and writing are two different art forms. Rarely does one compliment the other. I feel that Bill Forsythe absorbed Ms. Robinson's prose and created something where the parallel experiences of watching and reading almost intersect.

I'll make a good Gordon, Gordon!

[–] 19 years ago

[deleted]

[–] originaltbyrd 16 years ago

i agree, i'm in the middle of housekeeping right now. this woman writes beautifully!

her 2d novel, Gilead, is excellent also.

[–] carneyta 16 years ago

I have been raving about both book and movie since I first encoutered them in the 80's. I was born and raised in Spokane near railroad tracks. No film in my life has captured trains so vividly as symbols of both escape and sorrowful goodbyes, very specific to place in a way that is universal. Although I am male, I also feel this film communicated, at least to me, at least some of the dilemma of being both female and a free spirit, which is terribly funny and heartbreaking at the same time. I'm so glad other people love this movie, too. Christine Lahti should be enshrined for this work alone, although she is brilliant in everything she does.

[–] originaltbyrd 16 years ago

i'd really like to see this again.

[–] 16 years ago

[deleted]

[–] daisyjain 15 years ago

I am almost done with the book. I'm on the part where Silvie takes Ruthie to the old house in the valley. This book is so amazingly poetic. A true work of art. While reading the book I find myself amazed at how true to it the movie was.

Jane

[–] cynicphile 14 years ago

Glad to hear these comments. I read the book several years ago, even years after having seen the movie. It is very well written. I feel the same way about Cuckoo's Nest - very talented writer.

[–] TrentinaNE 10 years ago

I'm reading it now. Hope to find the movie again afterwards, as it has been many years since I saw it.