Book Review: Michael Turner - Hard Core Logo

[kaaatie]

My copy of Michael Turner's book "Hard Core Logo" finally arrived. I couldn't put it down, and read the whole thing in one sitting. I think that it took less time to read the book than it did to watch the movie!

It's quite a fascinating read. It's written in verse, through things like lyrics, answering machine messages, and John's diary. It's an interesting method of story-telling, and it's surprisingly effective.

For some reason, I thought that more changes had been made for the movie, so I was surprised by the similarity between the book and the movie. It was, however, those few small changes that (I think) made the movie so effective. This is one of the rare occasions when the movie is better than the book.

I think that the characters in the book lacked depth, and it also lacked the complexity and ambiguity of the movie. The relationship between Joe and Billy was less interesting, and without the movie's ending, it lacked punch.

I must, however, repeat that I couldn't put it down and read the whole thing in one sitting, so contrary to what this review might suggest, I really did enjoy it!

Basically, I think that Michael Turner created some interesting characters, and a great story, but the movie (and the brilliant acting of Hugh and Callum) took that to the next level.

PS I made a new HCL icon. *points*

Comments

[countess7.livejournal.com]

*crows*

see, totes worth it! i thought you'd like the book!

i think you're totally right, the book characters lack the depth of the movie characters. my favorite thing about the book IS the way the story is presented. i love that its not a straight narrative and that its told through different forms. i think that's awesome.

i don't remember, did you read the screen-writer's book? hard core road show?

[kaaatie.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I love the way that the book is presented too.

I found a few extracts from Hard Core Road Show online, which intrigued me enough to order it. My copy is currently on its way (it takes ages for things to get to Australia!). I'm really looking forward to reading about how they created the movie.

[countess7.livejournal.com]

one of the things about that book is that the writer is very aware of hugh and callum and what he names "their endless fascination with each other." he's also a bit of douche and clearly jealous of them both, but fans of hugh and callum and hugh/callum can't help but squee!

[shironezumi.livejournal.com]

So I guess the book didn't really answer the questions we had, did it? About Billy's child and what happened between Billy and Joe before the band broke up the first time?

[kaaatie.livejournal.com]

No, unfortunately not. I don't think that anything was really clarified. It's definitely interesting and worth the read though. If you're interested, it's on Google Books here (http://books.google.com.au/books?id=lL8vRWwl5KUC&printsec=frontcover&dq=hard+core+logo&ei=A3F0ScfcFpTElQSzjsX9Cg#PPA1014,M1). It looks like most of it is there. :)

[shironezumi.livejournal.com]

Ah, thanks for the link ♥

[onecheekyhobbit.livejournal.com]

Hum. I'll have to order it!
K

[kaaatie.livejournal.com]

Yeah, it's worth reading! If you're interested, you can check it out on google books here (http://books.google.com.au/books?id=lL8vRWwl5KUC&printsec=frontcover&dq=hard+core+logo&ei=A3F0ScfcFpTElQSzjsX9Cg#PPA1014,M1). :)