By Kaui Hart Hemmings
Another Armchair Adventure Book Club selection. Again, not something that I would have selected for myself, but it was a quick, easy read. I found myself turning the pages easy enough, but I don’t think I will leave with much lasting thoughts about the content. The dying wife seemed awful. The primary character, Matt King was not particularly likeable either. I felt for the kids. Although challenging, I found myself liking them. I’m not sure what made anyone feel the urge to turn this into a film and for George Clooney to take the lead.
Matt and the kids seem well-intentioned, just struggling. I guess I’ll take it as another reminder to have some grace and compassion for people who might cause some challenges for those around them. It’s not some core of malice or evil. More a lack of skills suitable for the moment.
The movie felt pretty faithful to the book. The upside of the book being light and short meant they didn’t need to trim much. The film adaption of In the Time of the Butterflies was a weak, empty version of the story. This one wasn’t missing anything critical.