Theatrics, Arrogance, and a Happily Ever After

Time to update!
The Diamond of Drury Lane by Julia Golding is about Cat Royal, an orphan who lives in the Royal Theatre on Drury Lane in 1790 London. Cat deals with gangs, with self-important actors, the posh end of society, as well as her uncertain status in the world. What will happen to her when she's too old to be taken care of? She sleeps in the theatre on her own. My one real complaint with the book is that I don't know how old Cat is. I thought at one point the author described her as being 10 years old but there are certain aspects of her character that make her seem older. At one point she is asked how old she is and her reply is that she doesn't know. An estimation of her age would have been helpful. It appears that most of the characters she hangs with are older than 10 years old; some perhaps as old as 17? It's a little disconcerting. But it's probably just me. The story however is pretty cool. It's adventure primarily (and Cat is great because she's spunky and lively and not your typical young lady, but with small elements of tiny lady-like elegance thrown in) with a slight twinge of mystery. It's probably better for upper grade schoolers, might be a little too light for 7th and 8th graders, but chunky and parts of a little too much (a bloody boxing match, a character's stint in jail, discussion of hangings) for younger readers. Enjoyable though and a fairly swift read. Recommended. There are enough boy characters in it that it's it's possible to get the book into the hands of a boy, he just might like it.
I missed the film Smart People when it was in theaters and had a chance to watch it on dvd over the weekend. Dennis Quaid does a remarkable job as a pompous windbag English literature professor in this slow moving but thoughtful and interesting odd comedy. A widower who falls for a doctor who was once one of his students (who tells him that he's a pompous windbag; I enjoy when she interrupts him at dinner to tell him how long he's been talking), he tries to get a handle on being a likable person again. Parts of it you just want to roll your eyes and be slightly disgusted/annoyed with him, but Sarah Jessica Parker, who plays the doctor, does a fairly good job of putting him in his place. Also enjoyable is Ellen Page playing Quaid's brainiac high school senior daughter who essentially has taken care of her father since her mother's death. She is one of those incredibly smart people who hide how awkward and alone they are by being pretentious assholes. Throw into the mix Thomas Haden Church as Quaid's adopted brother (he always makes a point to tell people Haden Church is adopted) who is pretty much the comic relief of this film and you have a weirdly intelligent goofy comedy. A shorter film (only an hour and a half), this does move kind of slowly but is definitely worth sticking it out.
I had been looking forward to seeing Penelope since I first heard about the film last fall. Again, it was another film I missed in theaters, but it was worth the wait for the dvd. Christina Ricci plays Penelope a girl who is born with the curse of a pig-like nose and ears. (Being Christina Ricci, she can't really be that ugly, and it's almost endearing.) Following the typical fairy tale line, her parents determine the only way to get rid of the nose and ears is for Penelope to get married to "one of her own," a blue blood, someone rich and high born. The young men come, are not allowed to see Penelope at first but when she does reveal herself they--literally--run for it. Penelope is 25 and frustrated that nothing has happened, that one young man has stayed. But then one does (even if it is accidentally) and she develops a bond with Max that sticks even after he disappoints her as well. She decides to venture out into the world on her own and live her life outside of her house (the world thinks she's dead because her mother faked Penelope's death when she was a child to get the press hounds away from the family). If anything, see the film for the brilliant sets and wonderful use of colors in costumes and throughout the film. It's funny, lighthearted, and has a good message. And Catherine O'Hara is wonderfully overprotective and hyperactive and a pushy mother who wants her daughter to get married. Enjoyably fun. With a happily ever after.
That's it for me today; keep reading.
Yours,
the Savage Librarian.

Yellow Cats, Red Apples, Green Dresses

Ottoline and the Yellow Cat by Chris Riddell is a neat story about Ottoline, left at her Big City apartment with Mr Munroe, a small, hairy creature (think Cousin It, only shorter and with more visible legs). Ottoline's about 10 years old and her parents travel over the world collecting some very odd things (in a postcard from her mother, Ottoline is reminded to dust the 4 spouted tea pot). With such parents, Ottoline has two budding collections of her own, her Odd Shoe collection (she buys a pair of shoes and will only wear one of the shoes and put the other in the collection, so Riddell's illustrations of her have her walking about with odd shoes on her feet) and her Postcard collection, containing what her parents send her. She seems to miss her parents, but it is not a story for pining, as observant Ottoline has discovered a similarity between burglaries taking place in her neighborhood. Using Mr Munroe to help infiltrate the gang responsible for the jewel thievery, Ottoline cracks the case! A fun read, with detailed illustrations, a neat little mystery, and good for the quiet types. Recommended for 3-5 graders.
Little Lady, Big Apple by Hester Browne is the second book with Melissa Romney-Jones, organizer extraordinaire, and her lovely little agency that sorts out some men's lives. Per the agreement between Melissa and beau Jonathan, 'Honey' no longer steps out on the town with her clients to act as a girlfriend. Melissa's business is still booming and she's found plenty to keep her busy. Her family, ever blissful, has a bit of a shock when older sister Allegra arrives in pomp at the family home. Seems her husband Lars has been up to a few things he should not have been up to. Mel's best friend Nelson (still kind of dating Gabi) has found an opportunity to boss about underprivileged kids on a tall ship, so will be gone for 3 months. And has decided to have the flat entirely re-done, leaving Mel with nowhere to go for a month. Jonathan gets a promotion and must now jet back and forth between London and New York, and needs to spend a large chuck of time setting up in New York. When Jonathan discovers Mel's new homelessness, he tells her to take a holiday and come to New York. After much uncertainty (especially over who will take care of the business), Mel goes. And it is in New York that she meets Jonathan's friends (also his ex-wife's friends) and deals with his go-getting, workaholic attitude. His slightly dismissive attitude about her Agency gets under her skin, and it's a wonder if they will work it out. Well told, entertaining, swift pace, and I can't wait to read The Little Lady Agency and the Prince, currently waiting for me on hold at my public library. Recommended for those who aren't quite ready to admit they like chick lit.
On DVD: The Other Boleyn Girl. Yes, it's been on DVD for a bit, now, but I just got a chance to watch it again. I did see this film in theaters and was jarred by some of the historical inaccuracies, but watching it again as a story, as just to watch it, I enjoyed it. Natalie Portman brings out a side of Anne Boleyn that I had never envisioned before (terrified of the wrath of Henry VIII, small, insecure) and Scarlett Johansson is very good as the patient, though perhaps a bit naive, Mary Boleyn. Beautiful costumes, wonderful use of scenery, and a brooding Eric Bana. Recommended.
In the process of reading Emmy and the Incredible Shrinking Rat by Lynne Jonell (I can't read two books at once, so the Hester Browne will wait), and the DVD of Stop-Loss waiting to be watched at home. I missed that one in theaters and am really intrigued by the story. I hope it's good. Will post when I've finished ... something. In the meantime, I remain your Savage Librarian.