MovieChat Forums > The Cry of the Owl (2009) Discussion > Excellent book

Excellent book

posted 17 years ago by grchereck
9 replies | jump to latest

I bought Patricia Highsmith's novel just five days ago, and I finished it today.

From the beginning, even before anything has really happened, she establishes a suspenseful, ominous mood that never lets up, that just grabs you and pulls you along. I had never read anything of Highsmith's before this, but after this I'm inclined to check out more of her stuff -- I'm thinking of starting with the "Ripley" books, and I'd love to get my hands on a copy of Strangers On A Train (the Hitchcock film version of which I liked a lot).

I hope this film of Cry Of The Owl doesn't stray too much -- especially since, as they're portrayed in the book, the characters of Robert and Jenny could be real tours-de-force for Paddy and Julia. :)

"I know I'm not normal -- but I'm trying to change!" ~ Muriel's Wedding

[–] billy_bass 16 years ago

I have the Claude Chabrol film of this book. I think it's pretty faithful besides changing the setting to the French countryside and very well done.

I wonder if this movie is going to be a remake of the Chabrol film or a new adaptation of the novel.

Strangers On A Train is nothing like the film but I think novel is a million times better.

I've read all her novels and short stories. My favorites by far are This Sweet Sickness and Deep Water but Cry of The Owl is up there with those.

[–] grchereck 16 years ago

"I wonder if this movie is going to be a remake of the Chabrol film or a new adaptation of the novel."

I wonder about that, too... All I know is, when I was reading it, there were a lot of parts where I thought, 'I hope this is going to be in the film -- this would make an awesome scene!' lol

Besides Cry Of The Owl, I've only read Strangers On A Train (rather sick and weird compared to the film, but a classic in its own right) and The Talented Mr. Ripley (ditto). :)

"I know I'm not normal -- but I'm trying to change!" ~ Muriel's Wedding

[–] 16 years ago

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[–] boggi 16 years ago

"This Sweet Sickness" was one of my favorites too, also "The Tremor of Forgery" I really liked the atmosphere in this one.
I have read everything bar her final novel which is in my bookcase, I hate it that it's going to be my last read of hers :-(
I started reading her after I saw "The Talented Mr Riply" since then I just cant get enough.
Cant wait to see this new film too as it was another book of her's right up there with the best of them.

[–] zurichpoet 15 years ago

It's a great book. And I've heard good things.

The French adaptation one was awful. Beyond bad.

Like you said, her works you don't have to do much to make a great movie.

But another author, John Fante, they seem to always mess him up too.

But most people invovled in these adaptations would bring their own salt shaker to a great meal.

[–] 15 years ago

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[–] zurichpoet 15 years ago

Really? The ending was the only thing that had some juice.

Don't touch it!!!

[–] theredsock 15 years ago

The movie strays from the book. Quite a bit. Entire sub-plots are removed, along with a few fairly prominent characters. Which, okay, I can get sutting some stuff out for pacing and time restraints, but then they added stuff that wasn't in the book. All in all, not a good adaptation, and not a very good movie.

... and that was the second time I got crabs.

[–] zurichpoet 15 years ago

Everyone wants to put their stamp on these “adaptations”. The bigger the name the more they feel they need to make their stamp stand out. But if they had a stamp worth something in the first place they would paste it on blank paper and not over someone else's talent. Highsmith in this case. What attracts them to the writing is what they end up destroying out of their own pride and human weakness.
What's funny is that’s a theme prevalent in Highsmith’s work that she saw in people. No wonder she lived in seclusion.