Blogging Anniversary - 10 years

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A while ago I checked when I did my first blog post, in order to celebrate with an anniversary post. Well, that day came and went without any reaction from me. Better late than never, so here a reminder of my very first blog post from 24 October 2012.  The book was New Finnish Grammar  by Diego Marani. Marani is an Italian novelist, translator and newspaper columnist. While working as a translator for the European Union he invented a language ‘Europanto’ which is a mixture of languages and based on the common practice of word-borrowing usage of many EU languages. It was a suitable book to start with, being a book about letters, languages and memories. With a beautiful prose, the novel went directly to my heart.  "One night at Trieste in September 1943 a seriously wounded soldier is found on the quay. The doctor, of a newly arrived German hospital ship, Pietri Friari gives the unconscious soldier medical assistance. His new patient has no documents or anything that can ide...
5 comments

The Night Manager - tv-series

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I have just finished watching The Night Manager. It is based on John Le Carré's spy thriller from 1993. Fantastically adapted for television with great acting by Tom Hiddleston and Hugh Laurie in a different role from what we are used to.


Jonathan Pine is a former British soldier, turned night manager in luxury hotels around the world. At one point he gets involved with a woman, the mistress to a wealthy Egyptian. She hands over documents showing that her lover is working with a famous international businessman who deals in arms and drugs under the auspices of selling legal products. The woman is killed for handing over the documents and that changes the path for Pine. He is contacted by a branch of the British intelligence service and enrolled to go undercover to frame Roper.

It is partly filmed in Mallorca which I know rather well. Other film locations are Cairo, Zermatt and Turkey, where I have been as well. It is always nice to see places where you have been on film.

It is a typical John Le Carré story and it keeps you in suspense through the whole series. I like it so much so I am thinking of reading the book, although I normally prefer to read the book before watching the series or the movie.

Have you read it? Have you seen the series?


Comments

  1. Travellin' Penguin26 June 2016 at 05:52

    I also saw this series and could not wait until the next episode the following week. I would go through withdrawal. I LOVED it. So exciting. I also thought of reading the book but sadly did not get it. I had book clubs and other things I needed to read. I don't know if I'll get back to it or not but I know I will never forget the series. So good.

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    Replies
    1. Lisbeth 27 June 2016 at 22:00

      Yes, really addictive! I also loved the intro and the music to go with it. Very stylish!

      Delete
  2. Margaret @ BooksPlease27 June 2016 at 13:41

    I liked the series very much and I'd like to read the book too. I'll be reading the John Le Carré biography by Adam Sisman next (my local book group choice).

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    Replies
    1. Lisbeth 27 June 2016 at 22:01

      Hm, I might think of this as well. I enjoy reading biographies about writers that I like. Le Carré is of course a sort of institution these days.
      As I said to the Travelling Pinguin, I also loved the intro and the music. Classy indeed. I will still try to read the book I think. The TV-series is slightly updated to present day I think, and the original book was written in 1993.

      Delete
  3. Paulita 5 July 2016 at 20:59

    I haven't read the book or seen the series. Looks like some well-known actors are in it though.

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  4. Lisbeth 6 July 2016 at 19:52

    Excellent actors, as always, in British productions (although it might be a mixed production this time). I am a huge fan of Hugh Laurie and Tom Hiddleston was a nice, new acquaintance. Tobias Menzies shows once again that he is an excellent actor. I have seen him earlier in Outlander and Game of Thrones. The story is really good and that is why I am thinking of also reading the book, although I already saw the series. Well worth a look!

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