BOOKS CHANGE LIVES! Has a book changed your life? If so the Scottish Book Trust want to know about it. Was it the first book that made you cry? Were they tears of sadness or laughter? Was it volume Ra-St of the Encyclopaedia Brittanica? Was it a favourite bedtime storybook? Take part and tell us your story.
Another theme in life-changing books is the work of the zany and captivating Dr Seuss- he might not technically be a doctor but he seems to have his finger on the pulse of what people love to read.
Eve Comerford and Marguerita Still both chose books by Dr. Seuss as the book that changed their life. And compelling stories they are too.
Read Eve's story about 'Did I Ever Tell You How Lucky You Are?' here.
And read Marguerita's story about 'Green Eggs and Ham' here.
On the Seussville website there is a fantastic game with Sam-I-Am from 'Green Eggs And Ham' which helps kids read and remember. Click here to play.
On Monday The Book That Changed My Life took over the Radio Scotland Book Cafe - and the presenters told their stories about The Book That Changed Their Life -
Bill Whiteford, Newsdrive Newsreader - ' The Children's Encyclopaedia'
Bryan Burnett - 'I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings.' by Maya Angelou
Tom Morton - 'Awopbopaloobop alopbamboom; Rock from the Beginning' by Nik Cohn
Janice Forsyth - 'Waiting For Godot' by Samuel Beckett
Scottish Book Trust's viral video competition is now closed! And what fantastic entries we've had! Check out this one, beautiful and very appropriate for these quiet frosty mornings we've been having.
Go to http://www.youtube.com/sbtcompetition to see the rest and comment on your favourite.
When author K.M. Grant visited Scottish Book Trust, she told us about the book that changed her life- 'Peter Abelard' by Helen Waddell- considered to be one of the best written and engaging accounts of two of the most famous lovers in history.
Watch K.M. Grant's story below.
It is difficult to outline the story of Abelard and Heloise concisely - not only because there are a lot of twists and turns, but also because there are conflicting accounts of what took place and why, so this synopsis is by no means definitive.
Peter Abelard was one of the most prominent minds of the 12th century, a philosopher and theologian - who fell in love with his brilliant and beautiful student Heloise and had an elicit affair with her under her uncle's own roof (he was her live-in teacher). Their love affair was not simply a torrid seduction of innocent student by dirty old teacher but seemingly a meeting of minds. The secret affair was discovered and Abelard was severed from her - and his, ahem, manhood - by her disapproving uncle. In fact I don't think 'disapproving' is a strong enough term for his attitude towards poor Abelard. This ruined Abelard's life and ended his career, Heloise lived the rest of her life as a nun and went on to become a successful Abbess. Their correspondence was passionate and moving, painting a picture of their relationship and feelings for each other- disrupted but circumstances beyond their control.
Some people rate this is the greatest and most tragic love story of all time- some don't approve of it's status as a 'love story', thinking of it more as an account of a relationship subject to the rules and values of patriarchal Medieval society. Heloise was by accounts a remarkably intelligent and brilliant woman who had been given a fantastic education- she had strong ideas of her own and expressed herself passionately. However she was treated like a piece of property by the men in her life- that was simply the social norm at the time.
Is that why this story chimes so much with us - even today? Who could stand to think of a young, intelligent, hard-working and conscientious woman being deprived of her self-determination and having her lover savagely attacked by her relatives?
Just because she fell in love with a partner who others disapproved of?
In Alexander Pope's poem 'Eloisa to Abelard', Eloisa/Heloise expresses envy of the vestal virgins she sees in her convent because they are at peace with themselves - the line with which she describes their contented state is "Eternal sunshine of the spotless mind," which inspired the title of a certain film starring Jim Carrey and Kate Winslet.
This is another theme which chimes with people today, regretting an action or event so much that it becomes a fixation, envying those who seem to have no regrets.
I think these very human themes and concerns are what has made this story of timeless fascination to writers who have written their own account of the story.
Helen Waddell's version seems to be widely acclaimed as a really enjoyable and engaging novel and the most readable account of the story for discerning modern readers. I will be adding it to my list of books to read - one of many from The Book That Changed My Life.
"I grew up in the 1960s both Catholic and gay, and couldn't reconcile the two. I ended up denying both my sexuality and my religion. Some years after coming out, whilst managing an HIV/AIDS project, my admin worker - who was also training as a Methodist preacher - gave me a copy of "Dancing on the Edge". Its effect on me was momentous..."
This story was submitted by Kevin Crowe on The Book That Changed My Life project site. It has been just one of many where a book has had a strong impact on someone's life and in a surprising way. The variety of books chosen has also reflected the diverse ways that a book can change your life. I particularly enjoyed the story posted by Claira Jo about S.E. Hinton's The Outsiders, which had a powerful impact on her.
Sometimes when you are in a situation where your surroundings are oppressive in some way and you feel misunderstood, a book can be an escape, a marvellous revelation that there are other worlds and people that you can relate to- and that can relate to you. These stories show books as a kind of window to a another world, an escape, and inspiration and a comfort. Hopefully The Book That Changed My Life project will open up this idea to people who feel like they don't belong to reach out to a book and see what happens next.
As I'm sure many of you are highly aware, there have been a vast amount of entries for the books that have changed members of the public's lives. Whether it be the chilling, psychotic prose of A Clockwork Orange or the dreamy romance that is Pride and Prejudice--people all over Scotland have been wildly inspired by books!
In the field of personal stories related to books that have changed lives, there are mainly intriguing and inspiring ones. However, there are some obvious standouts, stories that are moving, unique and utterly inspirational. These are the ones that personally, I think stand just a bit higher than the rest:
THE WASP FACTORY BY IAIN BANKS
PERSONAL STORY BY: Andy Stanton
SYNOPSIS: The Wasp Factory is the darkly twisted story of Frank, a profoundly disturbed teenager whose principle sources of entertainment are torturing animals and bumping off unwanted cousins. A Gothic horror story of quite exceptional quality.
Andy calls THE WASP FACTORY "an essential part of my teenage years" that "helped me to re-think everything I thought I knew about books". This is definately a personal story of a book that helped Andy become the person he is today--which is a key reason to why I think it's a very important story. Another reason is quite obvious, Andy was thirteen years old, and being in that messy, awkward stage where he's not quite a child, but not yet an adult called the teenage years, this was the first time he'd ventured into adult reading.
SYNOPSIS: A young girl named Alice is sitting under a tree, bored and weary of her history lesson. Suddenly she spots a White Rabbit running towards a rabbit hole. Alice chases after him unaware of the wonderland of excitement that awaits.
Emma's story is definately one of discovering as a child the amazement of the world that may just lie out there. She reminices about dreamily re-writing the novel after she finished but replacing "Alice" with "Emma" and how even know, she "pursued after that was done so with the knowledge that the White Rabbit may just be around the corner" and that "every day is an adventure and nothing is ever quite as it seems". This is definately a story of reading a book that wildly inspired her as a child, and yet never letting go of the wonder and inspiration that the book holds for her.
With a new film coming out, and numerous adaptions already out there, ALICE IN WONDERLAND is quite possibly a national instiution in this country, with the book probably featuring in quite a few peoples childhood fantasies. Check out the new trailer for the latest adaption, hitting theatres in 2010:
SYNOPSIS: The unique story of Clare and Henry who have known each other since Clare was six and Henry was thirty-six, and were married when Clare was twenty-two and Henry thirty. How is that possible? Henry has Chrono-Displacement Disorder: his genetic clock resets and he finds himself pulled suddenly into his past or future. The Time Traveler's Wife details the effects of his time travel on their passionate love for each other.
Corinne's story talks about the triumphs and trials of a passionate love, that despite one half of the relationship having a genetic displacement disorder, transcends time completely. She also talks of the hold the book quickly had on her, "I did not expect the obsessive hold this book quickly creates. It draws you in, you are Claire and you so desperately love Henry despite the feeling of hopelessness and finality in his condition." This definitely appears to be an escapist novel, all about managing to lose yourself inside a certain notion, that love prevails all.
There has been a recent heartbreaking, Hollywood film just out this year based on the novel. If you haven't already seen it, I'd definitely recommend checking out the trailer below:
Although, as everyone pretty much accepts, books and films never quite match one another in brilliance, this adaption is quite good, with some very pretty shots, decent acting, and it doesn't venture too far away from the storyline either!
SYNOPSIS: Through the young eyes of Scout and Jem Finch, Harper Lee explores the irrationality of adult attitudes to race and class in the Deep South of the 1930s with both compassion and humour. She also creates one of the great heroes of literature in their father, Atticus, whose lone struggle for justice pricks the conscience of a town steeped in prejudice, violence and hypocrisy.
This is widely regarded as a very important book to our society as a whole, mainly because a central theme is that justice must prevail, no matter what your own prejudice may be. Allison remarks that it's about "all the things we should act on without thinking or procrastinating" and that "this book will always make me so humble". I think that's one of the key messages in the novel, that despite what we think, we all need to be compassionate to everyone, and remember that we are far more fortunate in our comfortable lives than a lot of people. This book also brought us a literary hero, in Atticus Finch, which alone, is extremely important.
I'm sure you've all heard of the Oscar-winning 1962 film with Gregory Peck, based on the novel. Just in case you missed some film dynamite, here's the trailer:
SYNOPSIS: A personal diary of a Jewish girl living in an attic, whilst hiding from the Nazis in 1940's Holland during World War II.
As Elaine Pomeransky so wonderfully puts it; "this book is more than a diary or a biography." That statement is entirely true, this novel is something of great wonder. It's painstakingly honest, raw, inspiring and deeply heartbreaking. Anne's two-year battle hiding from the German Nazi's is so utterly saddening, mainly because the reader knows exactly what the eventual outcome will likely be. During the war, happy endings were few and far between. Anne's own personal ties with the story is what makes it so heart-rending, "she is honest, naive, naked to her reader; exposing every thought and feeling in her adolescent mind." This is a real story, by a real girl, who once lived in fear every single day--which is quite possibly why it's touched millions all over the globe. As Elaine puts it, this novel is special for different reasons too, "her work made me realise the nature of humanity and the importance of words. Words that could sway a whole nation towards discrimination and worse. Words that could persuade medics, scientists and politicians to exterminate millions of people as lesser beings. Words that can also be used to bring hope, pleasure, education and inspiration to the reader. Words are all powerful. And despite her own tragic death, Anneliese Marie Frank, through her diary, through her words, has become immortal."
There has also been an oscar-winning film adaption, check out the trailer below:
SYNOPSIS: Hidden away in the Record Department of the sprawling Ministry of Truth, Winston Smith skilfully rewrites the past to suit the needs of the Party. Yet he inwardly rebels against the totalitarian world he lives in, which demands absolute obedience and controls him through the all-seeing telescreens and the watchful eye of Big Brother, symbolic head of the Party. In his longing for truth and liberty, Smith begins a secret love affair with a fellow-worker Julia, but soon discovers the true price of freedom is betrayal.
1984 is a very culturally significant novel, being that it was thoroughly against dictatorship, censorship and Stalinism, among other things. It is prominently set in a fictional, future dystopia, where the world is controlled by a central dictatorship unit, known as Big Brother. One of the most important things about this novel, according to John Gallagher is " the real horror of 1984 is that it is an accurate description of the world we live in today. You cannot place 1984 back in the bookcase and feel the relief of your own life. 1984 awakens you to the horror of your own existential crisis!" This is definitely a book that I would greatly advise reading, as it's incredibly significant to the world we live in today, and a book that I think all people should have a basic knowledge of.
There have been two film adaptions, but the most recent is the 1980s version:
SYNOPSIS: An anti-war science fiction novel in which Billy Pilgrim comes 'un-stuck' in time - travelling at random between his present and past, where he returns to his days as a soldier in WWII.
As Anne-Catriona remarks, I think Slaughterhouse-5 is a marmite sort of book. She notes that her friend hated it, whilst she loved it, and several other people I've spoken to have shared the same opinions of the book. Anne-Catriona goes on to say that the powerful impact of the novel, "As someone who writes and writes in the vain hope of one day becoming that most elusive thing 'a writer', this book opened my eyes to what a truly great author can do." I think that with this message, this must be a book that we can all benefit from trying--whether we like it or not.
There is also a film adaption, which the author seems to like a lot, so any fans of the book shouldn't see any qualms in enjoying it too!
I hope this hasn't been too tedious for anyone to read--and I hope the personal accounts may have inspired you to pick up the book in your own time. If not, try and see the films at least! This is only the best ones I think there is so far, and there's still plenty of time for you to submit your own story! What are you waiting for? Click the link below to be taken to The Book That Changed My Life's homepage.
Scottish Book Trust are running a competition for film makers, new media types, art students, animators and anyone who has ideas and skills with a video camera.
A prize is offered for the most entertaining, creative and inspiring short film or animation on the theme ‘The Book That Changed My Life'.
Films should be no longer than 1 minute long and should begin or end with the link http://www.scottishbooktrust.com/thebook
The winner will receive a fabulous, newly released Sony Reader Pocket Edition worth £179 plus a voucher to spend on eBooks.
Your challenge is to create a short film or animation to illustrate the life-changing power of books. Entries will be judged on creativity, entertainment value, number of views and how well it encourages people to take part in The Book That Changed My Life project online. Full details of how to enter are here.
Here are some of the short films and animations that have inspired us here at Scottish Book Trust.
These were entries to a competition to make short films to inspire others to join a union, which we were very impressed by.
We received a story today from author Nicola Morgan about the book that changed her life, her choice was Skellig by David Almond. Read her story to find out how it changed her life forever.
This book is about a boy whose family is going through a very rough time when he encounters a semi-owl, angelic down-and-out creature in his garage and amazing things start to happen. The book is much admired by children, teenagers and adults alike and was made into a film and shown on Sky this year. Watch the trailer below.
It looks worth a watch, and also worth a read, according to Philippa here at Scottish Book Trust, who couldn't be more enthusiastic about how amazing the book is.
“Skellig is a brilliant novel. Written and published for children, it will draw in a reader of any age. You cannot read it without joining Michael in the wonder of his discovery of the winged and ragged Skellig and it will leave you with questions and images for a long time after you have put it down. This was David Almond’s first novel for young people, and clearly showed the way for the extraordinary body of work that was to come. A real treat!"
Well that recommendation has me sold.
That is the wonderful thing about The Book That Changed My Life, every day I am finding out about new and amazing books I haven't ever thought to pick up before. One book doesn't just change your life once, it seems. I can't wait to read this one and find out about the life-changing power of David Almond's writing.
When Bernard Beckett visited the Scottish Book Trust one sunny afternoon during the Edinburgh Book Festival, we asked him which book changed his life. We're nosy like that. I must admit I wasn't expecting to be enticed into reading something I had never heard of before (and was never likely to have heard of otherwise), but Bernard managed it in under 3 minutes.
Watch him speaking and find out what I mean...
The book Bernard chose is called 'Sydney Bridge Upside Down.' by David Ballantyne and information about the book is elusive to say the least! The only listings online seem to be from large Australian libraries.
I'm all the most intrigued for that! I want to read it! Bernard, will you lend me your copy?
There is an emerging trend in stories for The Book That Changed My Life - Asterix!
This week we have received two stories about how Asterix books have changed reader's lives. Read children's author Thomas Docherty's inspiring story about how 'Asterix in Britain' sparked a love of books here
Jane Ryan has written her story about how the small mustaochioed Gaul and his wine-sloshing friend had her hooked from the outset - read it here
'The Death of Bunny Munro' is the latest offering by multi-talented enigma Nick Cave. This autumn's most hotly tipped publication has only been made more exciting by the tantalising release online of chapters being read by Nick Cave - accompanied by a 3d spacial soundtrack - composed and recorded by Cave for the audiobook. If the cool credentials mean nothing to you - no matter; the book is a darkly funny, postmodern triumph.
Author of the hilarious Mr Gum books Andy Stanton has revealed how he was introduced to the dark side of books through Iain Banks' twisted novel 'The Wasp Factory' and found it to be "a dangerous, unpredictable friend."
Many young Scots are introduced to the dark delights of 'The Wasp Factory' through high school English lessons - that is certainly where I discovered it- I went on to read everything by Iain Banks that I could get my hands on, followed by the science fiction novels he writes as Iain M. Banks. Although by that age like most teenagers I had seen quite a few gory horror films and become inured to violence by endlessly playing Grand Theft Auto, there was nothing that quite compared to the chilling menace of Banks' descriptions. A horror film would have to get up pretty early in the morning to beat that calibre of writing.
Andy Stanton's story about his first encounter with 'The Wasp Factory' can be read here
What I want to know is - was this what laid the foundations for the nastiest piece of work in children's fiction, the meanest of scheming so'n'so's, the baddest of baddies, that BAD Mr Gum...?
Jack Kerouac's 'On The Road' has been a seminal book in many lives, at the time of it's publication it was a narrative for the disenfranchised beat era of America and broke taboos; left, right and centre.
The story of how Kerouac came to write 'On The Road' is an interesting tale in itself - read it here.
Here is an excerpt of Kerouac's work read by celebrity fan Johnny Depp. I certainly think his writing is enhanced by being read aloud.
Artist Douglas Robertson has written a story about the book that changed his life - and inspired his artwork.
Read his story about Sorley MacLean's 'Spring Tide And Neap Tide' here
Douglas continues to be inspired by poetry and is currently working on a collaborative project with poet Jen Hadfield. Read about it on Douglas' blog. Above is one of the pieces from the project, entitled 'Pocket Noost'. You can see more of his work here.
Thanks to Douglas for getting in touch, we love hearing about the different ways in which people have been inspired by books!
It's also very interesting that Douglas mentions in his story that his imagination was captured when he heard Sorley MacLean reading his poems - has anyone ever been moved and inspired by hearing a book read in a way that changed their life?
If anyone would like to see the documentary films by Tim Neat about Sorley MacLean that Douglas mentions in his story, they are on the poet's official website.
I really enjoyed Euan's story about The Catcher in the Rye- this is a book often suggested for English book reviews and essays at school so I'm guessing it is not so often stumbled upon by unsuspecting teenagers these days- but that's how I came upon it too.
Sophie Moxon wrote this story about the book that changed her life ~ Nigel Slater's 'Appetite' you can read it here.
Nigel Slater is one of Britain's best loved food writers and author of many recipe books.
Claire is enjoying Nigel's latest - 'Eating for England' which makes great dipping into, especially for whetting the appetite whilst your tea is in the oven!
Scottish Book Trust is the leading agency for the promotion of literature in Scotland, developing innovative projects to encourage adults and children to read, write and be inspired by books.
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