The Eagle of the Ninth

[mainecoon76]

OK, now I’m straying from my established pattern of only storing my (Holmes/Watson) fiction over here… But I’m really excited, and have been for a few months (but it’s getting worse), because one of my all-time favourite books has been made into a film and is going to be released on March 3rd. Over here, that is, meaning somewhat earlier in the US.

It’s a Roman epic set in Britain and the film is just called “The Eagle”, but is based on a 1950s novel called “The Eagle of the Ninth” by Rosemary Sutcliff. The novel was originally intended for younger audiences, and I must have read it ten to fifteen times in my teen years, because it contained everything my romantic teenage girl’s heart desired: Lovable heroes, adventure, drama, an interesting historic background, a politically correct message, vivid descriptions of wild and romantic landscapes, and generally a beautiful narrative style. All in PG. :)

Oh yes, there’s a bit of romance too, but only on the side. The main relationship is one between two young men (which didn't bother me even back then ;) ), and judging from the trailer they’ve changed that significantly in the film. I’m reserving my judgment for later; I just hope they haven’t f*cked it up messed too much with it. Please, no.

Comments

[autumnatmidnite.livejournal.com]

Think I may have seen a trailer for that (or something similar, I honestly don't remember the name) when I saw the last Harry Potter movie. It was something to do with a slave and his loyalties didn't appear to be certain from the parts shown.

It looked intriguing... and at least from the bits I saw, my slash radar was slightly stimulated ;) Couldn't be sure if I was just seeing things, or if there is going to be some undertone, but now you've got me interested in the book/movie.

*goes off to do a search on Amazon*

[mainecoon76.livejournal.com]

Yeah, that's the one. And I don't know about the film, but the book... well, at least it had a decidedly slashy feel about it when I re-read it two years ago :). I didn't see it as a teen, innocent as I was (though even then I loved the intensity of that relationship), and I still think it's probably not meant to be slashy, but that's never been an obstacle, has it?

*remembers what became of Remus/Sirius in HP fandom*

OK, maybe sometimes. But this won't be continued, so no.

[tweedisgood.livejournal.com]

Oh my, MANY years since I first read that book, largely because it was on my grammar school's "we will not consider your daughter literate unless she has read this" list.

*Joins in hope they don't muck it up*. Was there a romance in it? I don't recall one, but it was...eek years ago.

[mainecoon76.livejournal.com]

... because it was on my grammar school's "we will not consider your daughter literate unless she has read this" list.

Oh, yes. The book was first given to me by my aunt, who was a teacher, because she considered it "valuable". I refused to read it for months. :)

And yes, there's Cottia. It's always squicked me a little because she's so young, but then that was perfectly normal in those days, and anyway, I always got the feeling that they are first and foremost friends.