Apple Dumpling Gang

If there was ever a match made in heaven, it could have been the Apple Dumpling Gang and Disney. The story as written by Jack Bickham is fun and delightful. A sheriff ends up with the kids of the town drunk - who can't deal with them and leaves town. The hardened sheriff is up for election and the town is frustrated with his inability to arrest outlaws. Trouble comes when the outlaws decide to rob the town bank because they think the sheriff is too busy babysitting. The whole time I read this book, I kept thinking this would make a great movie!

I haven't seen the movie in years and luckily the library had a copy. I loved this movie when I was a kid. As an adult, it was amusing, but not as great as I remember. I guess that is the problem of reading the book and comparing the movie. To be fair, the movie is fun too. Don Knotts and company produce a comedy that kids will love. The movie only has the slightest resemblance to the book. The town name changes to Quake city instead of Hopewell. There are fewer kids. The town gambler ends up with the kids. Some of the characters retain names from the books, but their roles are diminished.

All this begs the question of why? Perhaps we will never understand why Disney takes upon itself to change the source material so drastically. This isn't the only time Disney has done this. Lucky for them, the movie was a hit when it came out. I am thinking it may be time to remake the movie, and make it more like the book. The only problem will be coming up with a contemporary Don Knotts to play the comedic role of an old outlaw and of course the right director who respects the source material.

The book deserves an easy 4 stars and maybe even 5.


I am currently reading Lorna Doone by R. D. Blackmore

The Devil Wears Prada

I interrupted my current reading for The Devil Wears Prada. Since I work in the fashion industry, it grabbed my attention. The Devil is Miranda Priestly a fashion editor for a major fashion magazine Runway. Andrea is fresh out of college and desperate for work. She gets hired as Miranda's junior assistant with no idea what she is getting into. At the end she has a moment of self discovery and walks away from her job.

Two-thirds of the book is Andrea complaining about her job, her boss, the fashion industry, etc. The complaining gets annoying and boring really fast. Evidently the author, Lauren Weisberger, worked for Vogue magazine. She must not have liked it very much. Of course, I work in a different aspect of the fashion industry, but I can't imagine being treated or abused by an insane boss. Was Lauren describing life at Vogue? If you want insight into the fashion industry, you won't find it here. Pure fiction.

I am sure the movie adaptation is much more entertaining as it probably runs more like a romantic comedy. I can't imagine watching a movie where a character complains about their boss for most of the show. Boring and irritating! I will probably catch it on tv...

Book Rating: 2 Stars - watch the movie instead.


Next up: The Apple Dumpling Gang. Yup, it was a book first.

Never Change

I finally made it to the B shelf at my library. I skipped a bunch of Jeffrey Archer and David Baldacci. Those books are just not my thing, not to mention dated.

Which had me landing on the book Never Change by Elizabeth Berg. Berg is a good writer, but her stories are definitely from a feminist view point. I admit I can be a feminist at times. But in this case, I just don't get it.

The story is about a 50+ year old woman, Myra, who has never married. She still harbors a crush on a boy, Chip, from her high school years. Of course, this boy is now a man with terminal cancer and she becomes his nurse to assist him in his last days.

According to the author, Myra will learn how to love others and form intimate connections by assisting Chip in killing himself. Ok, it's not quite like that, but close. Myra forms a relationship with Chip during treatment. Chip decides he can't watch himself deteriorate any further and asks for Myra to attend him while he OD's on pain killers.

I don't get it. And frankly, it left me disgusted. I recommend skipping this one.

Lots more differing opinions at Amazon.


I am currently reading: The Devil Wears Prada.

Asimov's Foundation

Ok. I tried. I really did. The first book of Asimov's Foundation trilogy was interesting. The second, boring and increasing difficult to follow. I never reached the third.

There are a few problems with the books. Each chapter follows key characters. The following chapter skips hundreds of years, introducing new characters. To keep track of everything, you really need a map or outline. Asimov himself couldn't keep track of his story and let it wander. Inconsistencies aside, it is hard to read. If you are familiar with the rise and fall of civilizations (try Rome or Greece), then you can predict the outcomes. Each succeeding generation builds to the apex of civilization until it begins to decline.

Asimov is a good writer, especially when he can stay on track. I was also amazed at how well he described future technology - this book was written in the 1950's. He mis-named some of the futuristic gadgets as atomics. Just fill in laser pistol or shield for atomic gizmos. But still, the general function and description of the devices is interesting.

The book is out of print, but can still be found used.