The English Patient

"All I ever wanted was a world without maps." Now, I didn't absolutely adore this book the way I wished I could but I did fell in love with it in just the way I thought I would and it still managed to make me feel a certain type of way. And by certain, I mean entirely mesmerized! First of all, I have to note that I got to this book because the movie adaptation is one of my favorite movies of all-time. It never fails to move me and I find it truly magical. So, I really wanted to try reading the book, as well, even though I knew there were quite a few differences when it comes to which parts of the story/characters are more widely presented. I dislike comparing books to their adaptations, and I won't do that now either, having in mind that each form of art lacks in specific elements while it thrives in others and that literature and cinema are different things. However, I have to say that while I watch that movie quite often since it's one of my absolute favs, I wouldn't reread the novel with the same ease, for the following reasons: One, the story developed in a very absurd way and sequence; POVs and periods in time kept changing rapidly and it got hard to follow in quite some parts. To be honest, I'm pretty sure I wouldn't have been able to understand most of it if I hadn't watched the movie first. Two, as much as I adored the writing style, the plot moved quite slowly in some parts and, with the weird narration I just mentioned, resulted in making the book a bit hard to get through easily. I mean, at some point there are 7 pages describing in way too much detail one of Kip's missions to defuse a bomb - no quotes/character's thoughts involved - and ... well, I could've certainly gone on without that. Now, the writing and the quotes. Those beautiful quotes. The writing style was very poetic and sensual and offered a realistic, yet absolutely swooning view of love and relationships. The quotes are just so heart-felt. Plus, there's a very important outcry against racism and war present throughout the book, which only makes the whole thing even better!!