Book Reviews

We love to read! In this section we will introduce you on a monthly basis to different novels, criminal stories, fairy tales, short stories or any other literaturary style, which take place or were written in the Alps. We will try to give you a broad overview of renown authors as well as newcomers and contemporary writers. And we will mention which of these books are suitable as a companion to your next trip to the Alps.

 

Les Rivières pourpres

November - these are they days were sunlight is rare, darkness and coldness cover the land. Though festivities around the death, twilight zones are not common in alpine regions and rather cultural imports from USA or Mexico. But the cold and dark december, starting with All Saints and all All Souls' Day, candles and lanterns have a flair of morbidity and it might be the month of crime, thriller, mystery and horror stories. I have to admit that fear is not something I strive for. This month I want to introduce a french movie, taking mainly place in a prestigious university. We are taken close to a world of a secret society, intelligentsia, money and of course conspiracy. The french titel can be translated to "the crimson rivers". Title of the first englisch translated book differed, but naming it would tell too much.

Les Rivières pourpres, 2000
Director: Mathieu Kassovitz
Writer of novel and screenplay: Jean-Christophe Grangé
Among the actors: Jean Reno, Vincent Casse, Nadia Farés, Dominique Sanda, Karim Belhadra

Actually film reviews should not be too detailed. So let me begin with a warning, if your body can't handle the sight of blood covered bodies and twisted body parts don't watch the movie or read the book. If you like complex, twisted and complicated plots – go ahead. The stories takes place in Frances south-west, in the village of Sarzac and in Guernon in the french Alps, close to Grenoble.
Wheter the movie nor the book is an advertisement for the region – we actually don't see to much of it, we see a remote place where an eleaborate insitution of higher education was bilt up, high in the mountains, a lot of snow, ice, sharp contours. But that is not the only reason for constant cold frisson down the spine. Book and Film do differ, the film tries to simplify the plot and uses more action elements.
If you like "Halloween" or a more thrilling "Dia de los muertos" invite a couple of friends for the viewing. You will need them to discuss the movie. Or if your are frightened easily, you will have a back to cover yourself. The plot is technically not perfect, but did not prevent to produce a beststelling book and a blockbuster.

 

 

01.11.2007. 09:45