Movie Review: The Theory of Everything

Title: The Theory of Everything
(2014)
PG-13 123 minutes Biography/Drama/Romance
Ratings: 7.8/10 
Director: James Marsh
Writers: Anthony McCarten (screenplay), Jane Hawking (book)
Stars: Eddie Redmayne, Felicity Jones, Tom Prior and others

My family and I watched this video last night. It was a remarkable movie. Great performances, especially by Eddie Redmayne, and beautiful music. Stephen Hawking overcame tremendous obstacles and was very brave to keep pushing on. I liked that Jane's story was told as well. I didn't expect that to be the case. I thought it would be all about Hawking and his work, so I was pleasantly surprised by Jane's inclusion. Of course, as my daughter noted, the movie was based on Jane's memoirs, so it only makes sense that her story would be told. She supported him so well, in my opinion. Even though she did love both Hawking and Jonathan, I was disappointed when Hawking left her to travel to America with Elaine. Then the pen-dropping scene left me suspicious of his motives with that girl. These suspicions are unfounded, but I'm just saying... Anyway, it was a lovely movie, as I said. Wonderful performances and a beautiful soundtrack. 

Book Review: The Girl on the Cliff by Lucinda Riley

Title: The Girl on the Cliff

Author: Lucinda Riley

Paperback: 559 pages

Published 2011 by Michael Joseph

Setting: West Cork, London, England, New York

from Goodreads: 

Why has a secret from 1914 caused a century of heartache? Troubled by recent loss, Grania Ryan has returned to Ireland and the arms of her loving family. And it is here, on a cliff edge, that she first meets a young girl, Aurora, who will profoundly change her life. Mysteriously drawn to Aurora, Grania discovers that the histories of their families are strangely and deeply entwined . . . From a bittersweet romance in wartime London to a troubled relationship in contemporary New York, from devotion to a foundling child to forgotten memories of a lost brother, the Ryans and the Lisles, past and present, have been entangled for a century. Ultimately, it will be Aurora whose intuition and remarkable spirit help break the spell and unlock the chains of the past. Haunting, uplifting and deeply moving, Aurora's story tells of the triumph of hope over loss.

Alleluialu's Review

 I really enjoyed this selection. It was kind of epic. It told the story of how two families were intertwined. And it took place in Ireland - how could anyone not like that? The story opens with a young Irish sculptress, Grania, leaving her American lover, Matt, after a miscarriage and going back home to Ireland. She encounters a little girl on the cliffs near her home and befriends her. The novel is told in the little girl's voice. Grania's mother gives her a pile of letters that were written by her great-grandmother and the story of the two families unfolds. I could really connect with the characters in this novel. I felt as if I was right there experiencing everything. It was a very satisfying read.

This book gets 5 Notes from me - A Symphony - This book is excellent. Usually I say I didn't want a 5-Note book to end, but this one had a very satisfying ending. Pick it up at your local library or bookstore and enjoy it. 

Welcome to the

Romance is in the Air Blog Hop!

This hop was organized by I Am a Reader, Not a Writer. There are over 110 blogs participating in this Hop and offering book-related giveaways featuring Young Adult and Clean Adult Romance. We are all linked together so you can hop from one blog to another easily. The Hop runs from Wednesday, Feb. 4 to Valentine's Day, Saturday, Feb. 14. 

The giveaway prize on this blog will be a Barnes and Noble gift card for $25. The winner will be chosen using Random.org.

To enter, just FOLLOW this blog, leave me a comment, then complete the entry form on the right side panel. Last day to enter is Valentine's Day, February 14.  Until then, grab a link and hop around! THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED! Thanks for stopping by. The winners will be announced on Feb. 15, 2015. Come back to visit anytime.