The Write Minds

While Schwab’s writing was incredible and the plot itself I loved, one very important factor of the book felt really underwhelming. I think Addie LaRue’s personality was just bland, and I believe her character was lacking. When I was reading the book, I was super invested in the plot in itself that I completely didn’t notice this issue the first time. Only at the end of the book that I realized that Addie herself didn’t leave much of a mark on me. The character that really made me shed tears was actually Henry, his character was written great and he definitely saved the book recommendation from ranking 3’s. His character had a lot of depth and he is hands down the character I was most attached to.

Now I’d like to discuss the pacing. Again, I loved the premise and the plot itself, especially during the exposition in the beginning when we were introduced to Addie’s life in Villon-Sur-Sarthe. Schwab was able to depict her mundane life beautifully, and the beginning got my hopes up! But the pacing was so uneven in this book. Not long after she was cursed by Luc, the book just really slowed down for a while. But then it picked up again once we were introduced to Henry’s character, I really liked Henry’s story. While I was deciding the score for the recommendation earlier, Henry’s section in the book kept the points from going too low. I also liked Luc’s character more than I thought because I think he was written very well and his motives were clearer to me than Addies, and I enjoyed reading about him more than when Addie was figuring out the whole immortal thing.

I want to talk about the relationships in this book. A significantly large part of this book talks about Henry and Addie’s relationship--obviously, because Addie finally met someone that remembers her name--yet I personally was surprisingly more invested in Addie and Luc’s relationship. I feel like Schwab could have added a little something to make us more attached to Henry and Addie than Addie and Luc. But note this thought of mine may be quite biased since I wanted Luc to end up with Addie.

Speaking of relationships, there are sections of this book where we are introduced to Addie’s past lovers (that didn’t work out because they didn’t remember her), and I had a problem with some of them. Mostly her Italian lover and Tabitha (her ex-girlfriend). I just think they were unnecessary to the plot? They did not contribute to Addie’s character development whatsoever, I would have expected that since Tabitha was the only female ex of Addie’s we were introduced to she would have some more significance, I guess not.

As you have read, there are definitely issues present that I have with the book, so you might be wondering, why is it still 4 stars? 4 stars is not a bad rating at all. Well, first I don’t think this book was bad AT ALL. I loved a bunch of the themes incorporated in this book. A really good example is the theme of art which birthed one of my favorite quotes in this book which was repeated a couple of times, “Ideas are wilder than memories”. This is what I mean by I love V.E Schwab’s writing, that sentence is just so beautiful!

There are literally so many memorable quotes in this book and that's why I just couldn't give this one 3 stars. I love books with memorable and lasting passages, this book definitely had that.

Another reason why this book deserved 4 stars is due to the ending of the book which took a hard right and turned out so so good. I can’t even express how the ending literally saved the majority of the book for me because with The reveal and backstory of Luc and Addie’s relationship, and Henry publishing The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue in their universe; just the way Schwab concluded the book itself was incredibly well done. It was hard to predict the ending of this book, but the ending wasn't written randomly either. This is why I said to prepare yourself for the end and why this book still left a very clear mark on me because the conclusion of everything was just amazing AND memorable.

I feel like it sounds like I’m giving this book a very harsh review but I want to say that the issues I had with the book came out after I processed what I read. I still had a really fun time reading this book and still definitely recommend this book as a reader.

That's all I have to say, for now. Send your thoughts on this book in our message feature! Thank you for reading and as always stay safe!

I shake my head, trying to align my thoughts like words on a page. I sit at my desk. It’s past 12 in the morning. I’m writing…something. I write on a hand-bound notebook, one of the cheap ones found at craft stores. It’s small; could probably fit in a pocket, but I never bring it anywhere. It always sits on the shelf of my desk, on top of a plethora of other, half-used notebooks. Bright yellow paper cover, the shade of yellow that could give you a seizure if you stared at it long enough. Plain pages with my scrawled handwriting in a dozen different types of pens. It’s an ugly thing, to be honest.

What’s inside is even uglier.

I don’t even know when I developed this habit, when the monster in my mind awoke. The urge to meticulously plan everything. Everything. Not just what needs to be done, but what could happen. How I should act if the teacher called on me if I’m not prepared for an answer; what I would do if I woke up ten minutes later than usual; how to keep my emotions in check so I won’t say something I don’t mean.

It’s the only thing that keeps the monster in my mind quiet. I wish I could ignore all my duties and responsibilities like other people, but the more I try to forget, the stronger the monster becomes. It sends ragged claws across my stomach, twisting tighter and tighter in a never-ending spiral until I’m sure about to vomit. It’s not like a regular animal where neglect leads to its death. No, neglect seems to feed this monster.

How many nights wasted away like this? I don’t know. Too many.

I stretch out my arms, twisting around in my chair so that my back gives that satisfying pop. I roll my head across my shoulders, and it creaks like the front door of an old, abandoned house. I am about to crack my knuckles when I hear it.

Soft, at first. One note. Like a musician checking to see if her instrument is in-tune. A single, gentle, note. I don’t think much of it, and return my focus to the half-empty pages in front of me. Pages full of schedules and lists and timelines of the coming week. Words so close together and written in such sloping lines that I can barely decipher it at this hour.

There it comes again. Stronger, this time, but I’m still not sure of what I hear. I face my curtain, and cock my head to the side, trying to figure out if my head is just tricking me like it usually does. It’s a melody now, a single line of notes carefully making its way into the world. It sounds…hesitant, almost. Like whoever’s playing the song isn’t sure of what to do.

I’m about to pull back the curtain. I am determined to prove to myself that the song isn’t coming from outside, but from the confines of my own brain. Somewhere in me, though, a voice whispers, Please, be real. But just as I pull away the curtain, that soft melody becomes an entire symphony.

And rain hits my window in rhythmic percussion. The sky is awake with me tonight.

Before I realize it, I’m out of my room. The hallway is dark, as it should be, and I find myself creeping down the stairs of my house, avoiding that one creaky step in the hopes of letting my family sleep blissfully, oblivious to the orchestra playing just outside the walls. I’m twisting the doorknob of the front door now, throwing it open.

The music pours into my ears in magnificent waves. The scent of petrichor fills my nose better than any scented candle can. I walk out from the shelter of the house, and look around at the sight the rain has orchestrated. The breath leaves my lungs entirely.

Rain is pouring everywhere. It’s sliding across the driveway, sparkling in the yellow lamplight. It drips down the trees, weighing down on the leaves and showering the ground below. It sloughs off the eaves of the roofs in great showers, creating glorious puddles in the gutters. It glides off the slick surfaces of the parked cars, and the light dances across the windshields and slips onto the cobblestones below. Across the driveway I can almost hear the sound of it splashing into the pool, peppering its usually still surface. The night is awake tonight.

The rain soaks through my clothes, but it isn’t frigid. It’s warm as it patters down my cheeks and shoulders, dripping down along my back and falling at my feet. I tilt my face up to the sky and smile. When was the last time I smiled like this? I don’t know. Can’t remember. So I keep smiling, twirling in the driveway with arms spread, dancing in the night rain when nobody else is awake or insane enough to go outside.

For a moment, I hear the growls of the monster in my head. What will your parents think when they see the wet floors in the morning, or if they realize you were awake and soaked to the skin? It will probably be 1:00am by the time you get to sleep, do you think you’ll follow your schedule as planned?

INSPIRATION

The movie is an adaptation of the best selling novel written by esteemed author John Grisham in 1991. Famous for writing legal thrillers, prior to The Firm, he wrote his first novel "A Time To Kill" another thriller that became an instant hit launching his work and himself to stardom. The Movie adaptation of "A Time To Kill" was released in 1996 starring Matthew Mcconaughey, Sandra Bullock and Samuel L. Jackson. Making The Firm John Grisham's second novel and first movie adaptation, which became an instant classic grossing over $44.5 million dollars upon its initial release.

The movie was able to pay great homage to the novel but as many other attempts in adaptation, there are several changes, positive or negative, that were made. One of the major changes made was to the ending of the story, which many might think is an insult and disgrace, but personally, it makes the story that more rich and interesting. In the book, Mitch partners up with the FBI and cooperated in attempts to tear down not only the firm but also the entire mafia. In the movie, Mitch plays both sides helping the FBI as well as The Moroltos. Mitch helped copied evidence of illegal overbilling the firm charged their clients, resulting in the disbandment of the firm. However, in an attempt to save his life, Mitch presents himself to the leaders of The Moroltos as a trustworthy lawyer that can protect all documented legal affairs done by the mafia under the Attorney-client privilege, since The Moroltos does not have a direct association to the fraudulent actions conducted by the firm. With the permission of the mafia, he was able to provide the evidence to the FBI and guarantee the safety of him and his family. This made the ending much more unexpected and mind-blowing.

MAIN ISSUES / CONFLICTS

One of the main catalysts of Mitch's involvement with the firm and the mafia is his background. Mitch came from a poor family and he worked extremely hard to be where he is. His intellect alone is incredibly impressive, but getting honors from Harvard and immediately also receiving offers from multiple firms is something outstanding and beyond his wildest dreams. So taking up the insane offer from Bendini, Lambert and Locke was almost too good to be true and yet he still had to take it because who wouldn't.

Family also plays a large part in the story. Later during the course of the movie, a rotting skeleton in his closet is revealed. Turns out Mitch has a brother, Ray (David Strathairn), who is serving time in prison as a penalty for manslaughter. It is explained that Ray killed a man in a bar fight. This sort of information is not something Mitch is incredibly proud of and he tends to withhold it, seen during the interview with the firm. Mitch, of course, still loves his brother dearly as that's how family should be, but Ray soon becomes a leverage for the FBI and the mafia to use and threaten Mitch. The FBI promises his parole and the mafia uses a dirty prison guard as an informant revealing Mitch's relation to the FBI.

Nevertheless, the most important conflict is man versus himself. Mitch faces many adversaries, many of which is internal. An example is his supposed infidelity, even though at the time Mitch didn't know he was being set up and used for black mail, still the actions of a man is much caused by the man himself. The events that lead to the infidelity was also due to Mitch's stress and tension built from his many tiresome hours at work trying to prove himself. Another example is his choice to use the Attorney-client privilege as a way to guarantee his safety. Mitch could have simply chosen the definitive moral obligation as a human to do the right thing, but he decided to do what he does best, surviving, by playing the middle man in this scenario.

Complex relationships between contrasting characters is another aspect that makes this movie even more interesting. One in particular is Mitch's relationship with Gene Hackman's character, Avery Tolar. Avery is a high-ranking lawyer in the firm, he has major influence over all the affairs the firm does. Subsequently, he became the mentor for Mitch. Mitch's admirement for Avery's work ethic and unorthodox methods were short-lasting as his involvement in incriminating activities related to Mitch was soon unveiled. However, near the end of the movie, we find Avery as an accomplice in Mitch's fight against the Firm, he even sacrificed his life so that Abby (Mitch's wife) can go home safely with all the evidence needed. Even though he admittedly did try to flirt and seduce Abby during a business trip, which happens frequently with multiple other women after a few drinks, he knew that the only way to escape that was to either die or fight back. Avery himself was tired of all the mishaps he had to endure whilst being part of the Firm, he believed that from all the bad he had done, helping bringing the Firm down would be an honorable way to go.

Why should we watch it?

Even if you're not a big fan of thrillers or the law, The Firm brings so much more to the table than one might first assume. And if you are a fan, then this movie is among one of the top legal thrillers in the past 3 decades. The charisma and charm Tom Cruise brings in his portrayal of Mitch is something very common in how smart lawyers are depicted in hollywood, but the complexity of his character creates much more depth, not only to the story, but the adrenaline an audience gets while watching the movie.

END.

1. "Hollywood Angels"

To be honest with you, Blu doesn't know these celebrities but they look "muy bunito!".

2. "Three Dark Crowns" book series by Kendare Blake

Wow... It looks like a very serious book.. I mean.. it's about life or death. A book about kingdoms, fights, and queens definitely fills my checklist!

3. Instapoetry

Instapoetry is poetry that is commonly shared on social media, most often on Instagram.

Desna's poetry is an interesting one because as it talks about social issues nowadays. The choice of words and rhymes makes it even better as it becomes more enjoyable to read.

Coincidentally, today is Mother's Day (May 10) which fits Adeera's poem. Thank you to all the mothers who took care of us (BRB calling my mom).

That is a very interesting last line written by Baja, "Still holding on to the bare essence of what used to be". Blu doesn't really understand the meaning (please do enlighten me) but it gives Blu a certain feeling when reading it (which is good).

My eyes stick like hot glue reading his poem. I love how he was able to make rhymes using -on. Besides that, it reminds us again how we are very codependent with technology and Dhafin was able to help us understand, this is what we are like when using our phones, "Like moths aimlessly flying around great illumination".

Awww I wonder if Blu has horrible friends now... Makes Blu wonder... The poem reminds us that it's okay to part ways because we will be able to meet new people anyways. It teaches us that next time.. We should be wise.

If you don't know, Aaron wanted to write a poem about toilets (which is unnecessary but I'll leave it here). Thanks, Aaron, you made me realize I have an essay to do -_-. Other than that, I definitely once had the same thinking as Aaron, "why do we even need to write this topic in like 1000 words??? Is this even necessary???".

Most filmmakers use the same shot in the opening scene and ending scene but the experiences are always different. Shana's use of "He did it" reminds me of it, the same phrase, different meaning when used in a different context. I really like the intention and meaning behind it however what comes to Blu's mind is:

"How did he get a gun?? I thought it's difficult to get one??? Did he come from a wealthy family??? "

Hahaha, here is the last poem by Jolla, "nightmare". Yikes, just by the name scares Blu already. Jolla's poem reminds us that plain dream nightmares may be scary but loneliness, it's a different type of scary. It's like.. you can't wake up from it when the room is destroying you. #BluHasExperiencedIt

ANDDD THAT IS ALL MY WONDER-BLU FRIENDS, a "recap" of "not everything". If you read this far, get some:

1. The overall color theme in the website is blue.

2. I love BOL4's song called "Blue"