I mentioned at the end of my last post that I was headed to a Physical Therapy place for a few days. That was Thursday May 21st. Today is Saturday June 20th and I was discharged 2 days ago. It took longer and I'm still gonna have to deal with Visiting Nurses and PT trainers in my home (actually in the home of a friend who took me in for a while). I'm feeling stronger; my stamina and endurance have improved; and my appetite is back big time. The real Plus - in my opinion - is that my concentration is back. I've been reading again and enjoying it.
To celebrate my return, I went back to my younger days and read the following books that I remember enjoying. They're fairly short and I read them quickly. Plus, there's something that they have in common. I saw the movie versions before I read the books.
Miscellaneous
The Island of Doctor Moreau - H. G. Wells ($1.00/$3.98, Published 1896, 104 pages, Paperback)
I'm not completely sure since it's been so long but I think I first saw the 1933 filmed version of this book on a Saturday afternoon watching the "Million Dollar Movie" on Channel 5 (or was it 9? or 11?) with my Dad and siblings. It was made by Paramount Pictures and starred Charles Laughton, Richard Arlen, and Bela Lugosi. The plot is pretty simple - Edward Prendick survives a shipwreck only to wind up on a secluded tropical island. Dr. Moreau, the local physician, befriends him and takes Edward into his compound. At first, all is well except that Edward notices that the Locals are all strange and very subservient to the Doctor. Wells describes the Locals very vividly and created a culture for them that keeps them under the Doctor's rule. Eventually, Edward learns exactly what Moreau has been doing and winds up changing things while trying to escape. Wells has written a story that is simple and, yet, is based on some complex matters. His characters are well defined and the descriptions of several of the situations Edward observes rings true. I enjoyed it.
20,000 Leagues Under the Sea - Jules Verne ($3.99/$3.98, Published 1870, 279 pages, Paperback)
Again, I'm not sure where I first saw the filmed version but I think it was on "The Wonderful World of Disney" on a Sunday night. I was a Walt Disney Production from 1954 and starred Kirk Douglas, Paul Lucas, and Peter Lorre. Professor Arronnax is a famous French scientist who is asked to look into a strange situation - a mysterious, large, sea creature has been disrupting the shipping lanes and sinking ships. He agrees and sets out with his servant having all the confidence in the world. Unfortunately, that only lasts long enough for the ship he's on to be sunk by the Monster. Fortunately, he and his servant - along with a whaler they befriended on the ill-fated ship - discover that the Monster is, in fact, a giant submarine which then rescues them. In short order, the are introduced to the master of the vessel Captain Neo - a charming man with a sinister motivation. Verne's characters are strongly written and his descriptions of life underwater are fascinating. I enjoyed it.
Journey to the Center of the Earth - Jules Verne ($3.00/$3.98, Published 1876, 155 pages, Paperback)
I think I may have first seen this one in a movie theater when I was about 8. It's a 20th Century Fox Production from 1959 starring James Mason, Pat Boone, and Peter Ronson. This, also, is a very simple story - Professor Lidenbrock, an adventurous , geologist finds a manuscript from a 16th Century explorer claiming to have found a route to the Earth's core. He can't resist and sets out with his nephew Axl and a local Icelandic guide, Hans, into an extinct volcano where they come upon a subterranean world of luminous rocks, ancient forests, and fantastic marine life — a living past that holds the secrets to the origins of human existence. Verne brings his characters to life and paints a vivid picture of the world our explorers discover. I enjoyed it.
Books have a way of helping us escape from the real world for a while and sometimes they let us walk down Memory Lane. Rereading these 3 books got me through my recent hospitalization and reminded me of how simpler things were when I was young.
Well, I've stacked up a lot of books lately (with 3 more coming) that cover a range of genres and I can't wait to get at them.
Today is the 1st Day of Summer and tomorrow is Father's Day. A perfect weekend to spend time with your family. Have fun and ….
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