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Coming Soon from Masterpiece Theater

By Meredith | Posted in adaptations, classic literature, history, movies

With February practically upon us, it’s time once again to rejoice over the return of one of winter’s greatest pleasures: PBS’ Masterpiece Classic.

First premiering on PBS in 1971 and produced by WGBH Boston, Masterpiece Theater (or simply Masterpiece) is one of public television’s greatest draws. With adaptations of classic works, original movies and miniseries and a who’s who list of acting alumni, Masterpiece is also one of the most honored television series in history, having won more than 30 Emmy Awards, 15 Peabody awards and 2 Academy Awards. Though it was originally one show, in 2008, Masterpiece was divided into three separate sections: Masterpiece Mystery, Masterpiece Contemporary, and my personal favorite Masterpiece Classic.

Traditionally, Masterpiece Classic airs in the winter and early spring months, from January to April. Classic is home to some of the best-known Masterpiece shows, including “Upstairs Downstairs,” “Brideshead Revisited,” and “Wives and Daughters.” Classic is the section that most often airs adaptations of classic works of literature and 2012 is no exception.

Following the conclusion of season two of Downton Abbey (airing now on Sundays), the 2012 season of Masterpiece Classic will see new versions of three classic novels:

  • Two of Charles Dickens’ novels will be presented in the spring. The first, Great Expectations, will come to new life with Gillian Anderson (once a Masterpiece Classic presenter herself) taking on the role of Miss Havisham and Ray Winstone as Abel Magwitch.
  • The second Dickens’ novel to air on Masterpiece Classic will be The Mystery of Edwin Drood, Dickens’ final – and unfinished – novel. Matthew Rhys will star as John Jasper and Tamzin Merchant will play Rosa Bud.
  • Lastly, Sebastian Faulk’s novel Birdsong about the life of one man before and after World War I, will be the third and final Masterpiece Classic show this year.

I certainly suggest that you also watch Downton Abbey as well, even if it wasn’t adapted from literature. A full schedule of all Masterpiece Classic performances as well as details about the shows themselves can be found on the Masterpiece website.

[Photo Credit: Google Images]

January 31, 2012 – 7:37 AM
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Book News, Jan. 28th

By Meredith | Posted in academy awards, american library association, book awards, book news, hunger games, movies, national book critics circle, pop culture

It’s a quiet weekend around here, bookworms. I have many, many e-ARCs to read and simply not enough time in the day, so I’m hoping to get some quality reading time in this weekend. January is rapidly coming to a close and I’m still trying to remember to write “2012″ instead of “2011.” Time really does fly when you’re busy and boy oh boy am I ever busy these days. But at least it keeps me out of trouble! Here’s the book news:

  • It’s been a week for nominations and winners. First up, the ALA Youth Media Awards (better known as the Newbery, the Caledcott and the Printz Awards, among many others) were announced on Monday. Dead End in Norvelt by Jack Gantos won the Newbery Award, while Where Things Come Back by John Corey Whaley won the Printz. I was particularly excited to see David Levithan’s The Lover’s Dictionary as an Alex Award honoree (given to “adult” books with teen appeal) and the Edwards Award for lifetime achievement in writing for young adults went to Susan Cooper, best known for her Dark is Rising series.
  • I’m even scaring myself. Though not usually a fan of mysteries, I did pay attention to this year’s Edgar nominees. The Edgars (so named for Edgar Allen Poe) are awarded by the Mystery Writers of America in honor of Poe’s birthday. Not being one to scare myself (most of the time), I’m unfamiliar with nearly all the nominees, but my recent foray into the mystery world – The Name of the Star by Maureen Johnson – is one of the young adult nominees. So at least when I do read mysteries I have good taste. The Edgars winners will be announced in April.
  • Don’t get tired of awards yet. The National Book Critics Circle has also recently announced its nominees for the NBCC Awards (’tis the season, it seems).One-third of the American literary world’s award trifecta, the NBCC Awards honor fiction, nonfiction, criticism, poetry and (auto)biography. I must really be out of the loop, because the only book on the list that I recognized (let alone was familiar with) was Jeffrey Eugenides’ The Marriage Plot. I guess this means I won’t get to sit at the NBCC “cool kids” table? Oh well, let me talk about something I do know…
  • Oscar nominations! I am all over the pop culture. The Academy Award nominations were announced this week and, per usual, several of the films have literary antecedents.Aside from the obvious contenders in the Adapted Screenplay category, some of the other more well-known nominees are from the film versions of The Help, Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close and The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. The gorgeous adaptation of Jane Eyre (with Michael Fassbender, mmmmyesplease) received a nomination for costumes and Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2 received a few of the technical awards (even if it get get robbed in the Best Picture category). And if you have a chance, you should really watch one of the nominations for Best Animated Short Film, titled “The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore.” The title says it all.
  • With less than two months to go before it hits the silver screen, Hunger Games excitement is starting to grow. Recently, Publishers Weekly did a Q & A with Amandla Stenberg, the young actress who will portray Rue in the movie. Stenberg may very well end up being the heart of the film (and the cause of many, many, many tears – damn you, Suzanne Collins!), but she’s clearly up for it. In the interview, she talks about her love of the books, how she set about winning the role and the input from Suzanne Collins that had her adjusting her perspective of one particular scene.

As always, happy reading!

January 28, 2012 – 10:00 AM
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The World of Downton Abbey

By Meredith | Posted in book reviews, historical, nonfiction, pop culture, reading

“The sun is rising behind Downton Abbey, a great and splendid house in a great and splendid park. So secure does it appear that it seems as if the way of life it represents will last for another thousand years. It’s won’t.”

Recognized by the Guinness Book of World Records as the “most critically acclaimed television show” for 2011, Downton Abbey has taken the world by storm. The massively popular show was originally intended as a one-off miniseries; it did so remarkably well that the second season is now airing in the U.S. (having already aired in the U.K.) and a third season is in the works.

To complement the show, Jessica Fellowes (the niece of Downton scribe and executive producer Julian Fellowes) has written The World of Downton Abbey. Both a behind-the-scenes look at the show and its characters and a remarkably detailed exploration of British history at the beginning of the 20th century, The World of Downton Abbey is an impressively researched book every fan should have. Written with the cooperation of many members of the television show’s production crew, the book is both gorgeous, thanks to numerous photographs from the set, and well-written and engaging.

The book is divided into several chapters that delve deeper into the different aspects of life in England in the years leading up to and during the First World War. Chapters such as “Family Life,” “Society,” “Life in Service” and “House & Estate” provide a closer look at the day-to-day process of keeping a large country home like Downton functioning and thriving. Using the characters as examples, Jessica Fellowes explains how a young man like William or a young woman like Anna might get their start as a servant to a great family, while also outlining the history that brought American heiresses like Cora to England so they could marry into the aristocracy.

Other chapters (“Change” and “War”) focus on the vast and numerous changes that accompanied World War I. Here, the history is particularly important as it helps clarify the issues behind the storylines in the television show. The rise of socialism, the Irish troubles, and the general weakening of the power of the older generations all offer ample inspiration for the writers and the actors. Perhaps the most fascinating realization from The World of Downton Abbey was the realization that, in many ways, the world of Downton and the lives of its inhabitants act as a metaphor, mirroring our own rapidly changing world:

Life at the turn of the twentieth century was not so different from our own a hundred years later. Just as ongoing developments in technology influence the way we communicate, travel, life and work now, the Edwardians labored to adapt to the fast, furious arrival of abundant inventions. (pg. 72)

Throughout each chapter, there are sidebars filled with pictures and more details about specific characters or positions within the Downton world or a closer look at one aspect of the television show. Fellowes often includes notes about real people who inspired certain characters (for example, the real newspapers magnates who gave life to Sir Richard Carlisle) or insights about the skills and education a servant might need to perform their job. Additionally, the book is peppered with quotes from producers, actors, and the television show itself, offering an intimate glimpse of how this intricate and well-staged world comes together.

The World of Downton Abbey is as lavish as the Earl of Grantham’s drawing room and as practical as the maids’ uniforms. Brimming with information, details and histories, it is an indispensable companion to the enormously popular television show. It’s an absolute must-have for any Downton Abbey fan. 

[Photo Credit: Goodreads]

January 26, 2012 – 7:20 AM
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