RANDOM HARVEST: I love 1940s movies — the era of great stars and melodramatic weepers. Case in point: Greer Garson and Ronald Colman in "Random Harvest." The movie, with two strong romantic leads, sent me in search of the 1941 book by James Hilton. Hilton is the author of two other classic book into movie transformations: "Good-Bye, Mr. Chips" (with Garson) and "Lost Horizon" (with Colman).
"Random Harvest" is the tale of industrial tycoon Charles Rainier, who remembers nothing after the German attack that wounded him in 1917. That event turned him into an almost mute amnesiac sent home from the front to a mental hospital. A car accident unexpectedly restores his memory in 1920 — except for those three missing years.
The book is a mystery story whose answers are slowly revealed to Rainier at the same time as they're revealed to us, literally until the last page. The film, however, opens with the tale of those missing years. We always know where Rainier's been and what happened. The suspense in the film comes from our foreknowledge as we wait and watch, wondering if Rainier will recover the secret of those lost years before it's too late.
Book or movie? I'd do both since one of the most enjoyable aspects of each format is comparing and contrasting the way each medium requires the story to unfold in a specific way that works best for readers or viewers.
RETURN TO GONE-AWAY: I found this little paperback a few years ago and stuck it on the bookshelves where it's languished until we had to empty the shelves for our remodeling project. It is the companion to the kid lit classic, "Gone-Away Lake." That's the story of three children who discover the remnants of a 19th century resort community built around a country lake that has disappeared and is now mostly bog. There's natural history, mystery, quirky characters, and nice family interactions. I was a young teen when I first read it and it still occupies a little corner of my brain reserved for time-travel dreams.
Though nothing can replace the thrill of reading the original book the first time, the sequel has its merits. Here we find the family from "Gone-Away" moving into one of the derelict mansions, the fantasy of many of us who love architecture and interior design. It's a perfect little read for a summer afternoon.
A couple of things in particular struck me while reading this as an adult: the description of the natural world, including garden plants, and the vocabulary. Big words are sprinkled throughout which probably makes it seem a very grown up book to youthful readers. I can't be absolutely sure, but I am guessing that this is where I first encountered tatterdemalion and ingenuous. The sequel is charmingly illustrated with pen and ink drawings by Beth and Joe Krush, who also illustrated the first book.
I read Random Harvest last year since the movie has been one of my favorites for many years. I was surprised at how Hilton makes his wife distant, unlikeable, and faintly sinister until the huge reveal at the end. I still think I prefer the movie although they retooled the wife character since I don't think Greer Garson would have been in it otherwise!
Posted by: Susan in the Pink Hat | Monday, August 02, 2010 at 11:32 AM
Gosh, thanks Linda, for taking me instantly back in time to the movie Random Harvest. I don't remember much but instantly felt that sense of mystery and suspense, wondering and hoping that he'll remember in time. Now I'll have to look for both the movie and the book to fully explore that sensation once again.
I was just remembering Edward Ormondroyd (David and the Phoenix) over the weekend, along with Alexander Key. I discovered The Forgotten Door by Key when working in the Children's Library at the main library in Portland. Although children's books, they also took me into a special world, the feeling of which I connect with watching Random Harvest.
I can see I have to start making a list...
Posted by: Barbara H. | Tuesday, August 03, 2010 at 12:25 AM
Barbara — I think you will be quite surprised at the difference between the book and the movie. As a Greer Garson fan, the movie really is my favorite.
I taught elementary art for a few years and the school librarian always let me have a look at the new books before she put them on the shelf. That experience has kept me reading kids books regardless of my age!
Posted by: LINDA from EACH LITTLE WORLD | Wednesday, August 04, 2010 at 07:38 AM
LOve this post!
Posted by: Jan JOhnsen | Wednesday, August 11, 2010 at 07:59 AM