After a blurred trauma over the summer, Melinda enters high school a selective mute. Struggling with school, friends, and family, she tells the dark tale of her experiences, and why she has chosen not to speak.
During Banned Books week I had the opportunity to review the book SPEAK by Laurie Halse Anderson. The book was brought to my attention during the big hype about the recent controversy surrounding the book and its status as a banned and challenged book. I read the book and found it to be very well and tastefully done.
While doing a little research on the book I was surprised to discover it had also been a movie. Surprise #2 was that the lead role of Melinda was played by non other than Kristen Stewart (you may know her better as Bella in the Twilight movies). I was instantly fascinated with this early role for Kristen as well as the movie itself.
Thank goodness for the miracle that is Netflix. I was able to find the movie that was released in 2004.
I appreciated the movie as much as I appreciated the book. Again, I was brought to the brink as I relived the books harder parts through the screen. Kristen Stewart does well in this role being at first silent with fear and later, able to SPEAK of what has happened to her. I found this movie to a wonderful companion to the book and highly recommend this to those who have had the opportunity to read this heartfelt book of a young girl’s life after rape.
12 comments:
Interesting to have a movie tie-in of this book.
I thought so too Bonnie. I am finding out that most people did not know about the movie.
I checked the movie out from my local library not long after I read the book early in 2008. I thought that Kristen Stewart and the film makers did a copy job of adapting this important novel to the screen.
I happened to turn the TV on one night to find this movie--the day after I read "Speak" for the first time. I agree that they work well together.
I am not a fan of Kristen Stewart, but thought she did well in this role as much of the surface acting is supposed to be apathetic. What gets me the most with this book was how it reaches out to so many from different walks of life--including me who was a teacher and leader of young women Melinda's age when I read the book. Very eye-opening for me.
I need to read this book! It sounds so good!
alisonwonderland: I thought they did a good job too. Very tastefully done.
idsjaneite: So cool you found the movie on tv!
Willa: Yes - get the book, I highly recommend it! :)
I LOVE the book and I LOVE this movie, I think it is one of the best adaptions of a novel into a film! I saw it way back in 2005 when I bought it on DVD! Thanks for mentioning it, seems like a lot of people still don't know about it.
SPEAK is high on my TBR pile right now...I'm wary of KStew in such a serious role (since she can't even handle fluff like Bella very well...) but if you think it's a good companion, I'll give it a go.
Casey I think you may be impressed with "K Stew". I was :)
I was shocked when I heard SPEAK was being challenged. Of course by a guy who is clueless of the ramifications of rape. I knew it had been turned into a movie, but I haven't been able to locate a copy of it, unless I want to buy it. :(
Stina - I rented it through Netflix
I love Speak. It's one of my favorite books!I like that it reminds me of The Bell Jar.
Also Kristen Stewart did a good job in this movie.
I wish she had gained fame due to this role!!
I am a new follower :)
Xx
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