Well, whoopdedodahday… I’ve managed to jettison the sling and the big bandage, and now it’s just a small dressing covering the stitches on my right hand. I can use the mouse with my right hand again, but I can’t ride my bike, drive, or lift anything with that hand for a few weeks or get the dressing wet.
I’ve had a lot of time to sit and read over the past few days, and so here’s a couple of reviews for the books I’ve read recently to pass the time:
Take the Gun, Leave the Cannoli, by Mark Seal:
Mark Seal has written a wonderfully researched book here about the making of ‘The Godfather’, the most successful film of all time (and my favourite film too). Within a month of its premiere it was making 1 million dollars per day, leaving movie-goers stunned after watching it for nearly 3 hours.
But the beginnings back in 1971 were less than successful. New director Francis Ford Coppola’s ideas for the film were ridiculed to the extent where he thought he’d be fired. Al Pacino, not known at the time, was so nervous being around greats such as Marlon Brando that he couldn’t think straight and thought he’d be fired as well. Diane Keaton had no idea why she had been cast as Kay. All the while dark shadows of Mafia henchmen loomed over the set (some had bit parts in the film), making sure nobody uttered the word ‘Mafia’ at all throughout the whole film!
We learn of Brando’s transformation to Don Corleone via the application of padding around his washboard figure, a mouthpiece to make his jaw jut forwards, and 10lb weights on his feet to make him walk slower. We’re told of James Caan’s terror at being fitted with stunt explosives for his death scene. We’re told a lot, lot more. The detail in this book is tremendous, and it’s a must for all Godfather fans.
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LIVE AND LET, by Judith Barrow.
Judith Barrow and her husband turned part of their Pembrokeshire home into a holiday apartment back in the 1970s. This delightful but short book (that I read in one sitting) consists of some amusing stories about several people who rented it. There were the two elderly sisters who blocked the sewage pipes with something unusual, the hippies with their free-loading friends, the naturists, the Bingo players, and the philandering TV reporter to name but a few. Reading this, it made me rather relieved that I only let my caravan out to people I know!
The Barrows stopped letting out the apartment after some years, and Judith’s Aunt Olive moved in. Aunt Olive’s slide into dementia and eventually into a care home is described in the book, which also gave Judith the inspiration to write another story, ‘The Memory’, which was shortlisted for the Wales Book of the Year 2021. She has also added a short story regarding dementia and poem to ‘Live and Let’.
dgkaye said:
Yay on the hand! Interesting book about making of the Godfather. And glad you enjoyed Judith’s book. ❤
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Stevie Turner said:
I once worked with a doctor who grew up in New York and used to stand with spectators and watch the film being shot. x
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dgkaye said:
Wow. I’ve added to my read list. xx
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Stevie Turner said:
It’s a great read! x
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dgkaye said:
Thanks again. 🙂 x
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Phil Huston said:
Good news about the hand. What happens backstage is often more interesting than what’s on the screen, even if what’s on the screen is good. They’re people. With the same fears, superstitions, bad (insert habits here)…I knew a guy in Galveston, great surf guitar player (if there is such a thing) and also Steve McQueen’s personal motorcycle mechanic. Between him and a few retired from bands and TV shows people at Island Music became an afternoon worth listening to.
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Stevie Turner said:
I can well imagine.
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Jennie said:
Glad you’re healing, Stevie.
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Stevie Turner said:
Thanks Jennie.
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Jennie said:
You’re welcome.
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OIKOS™- Art, Books & more said:
Hi, Stevie! Thanks for the great reminder by checking these books. Oh, i am sorry for your hurt. But it’s wonderful to read about your recovery. Best wishes, Michael
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Stevie Turner said:
Thanks for your comment, Michael.
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OIKOS™- Art, Books & more said:
A pleasure to me, Stevie! Sorry, but the last weeks i’d lost the line and missed so many postings. xx Michael
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petespringerauthor said:
One step at a time. Congratulations on being on the mend. I’ll bet it will feel extra good to get back on your bike when you’ve healed some more.
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Stevie Turner said:
It will. Thanks Pete.
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John W. Howell said:
Super reviews, Stevie. Glad you hand is getting better. Congratulations to Mark and Judith.
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Stevie Turner said:
Thanks John.
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John W. Howell said:
😊
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johnrieber said:
I own the Cannoli book – haven’t gotten to it yet but will soon…glad all is healing well!
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Stevie Turner said:
Thanks John. You’re in for a good read!
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Liz Gauffreau said:
Take the Gun, Leave the Canoli sounds interesting. I read the book and saw the movie when they came out. (Sure wish I could unsee the horse’s head in the bed scene.)
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Stevie Turner said:
There’s two places in the film where I always look away; one is the horse’s head in the bed, and the second one is where Luca Brasi gets garroted.
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Liz Gauffreau said:
*shudder*
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robertawrites235681907 said:
Hi Stevie, two good reviews. I’ll be reading this book of Judith’s soon.
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Stevie Turner said:
You’ll enjoy it I’m sure.
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Judith Barrow said:
I was really chuffed my small book was included by Stevie, Pete.
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Judith Barrow said:
It must be such a relief that you have jettisoned the sling and the big bandage, Stevie. x
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Stevie Turner said:
Yes indeed. I can type – yay! Finger is improving as the days go on.
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Judith Barrow said:
Good. Unfortunately, I find myself almost in your postion today, Stevie. Gardening yesterday caught my hand on a rose thorn. Today my hand has ballooned! It’s painfull and very hot, and I’m typing with one finger. Must be coming out in sympathy with you, in some way. 😊
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Stevie Turner said:
Infected? Maybe you need antibiotics? Maybe let your GP have a look?
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Judith Barrow said:
I’ve taken piriton. See what tomorrow brings. I might have to join the ‘finger-fastest first’ in the GP phone queue. Ah, the days of just turning up at the surgery!🙄🙂
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Stevie Turner said:
I don’t bother phoning anymore. I stand there and wait until it opens at 8am then run to the reception desk!
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Judith Barrow said:
Thank you so much, Stevie. And, Robbie, I do hope you enjoy the read.
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Stevie Turner said:
You’re welcome, Judith. It got me through the long, boring day in hospital waiting for my surgery.
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beth said:
glad you’re doing better and really want to read take the gun
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Stevie Turner said:
It’s very entertaining!
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Judith Barrow said:
Thank you, Stevie.
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Clive said:
Great news on your hand. Just don’t take up boxing 😉
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Stevie Turner said:
Lol, but I think my left arm has become a bit stronger.
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Clive said:
That’s to be expected, in the circumstances. Hope it keeps improving.
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Stevie Turner said:
Thanks Clive.
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beetleypete said:
Good news about the hand, and thanks for the interesting reviews, Stevie.
Best wishes, Pete.
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Darlene said:
Glad you are healing and can use the hand somewhat. I loved Live & Let.
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Stevie Turner said:
Yes, very entertaining!
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Judith Barrow said:
It is good news that Stevie’s hand is (slightly) on the mend, isn’t it, Darlene. And i am so grateful she was entertained by Live and Let.
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Stevie Turner said:
Reading your book, I was the only one laughing intermittently amongst my group of ladies waiting for surgery.
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Judith Barrow said:
Hahaha … I wonder if they thought you were in the wrong department!😊
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Stevie Turner said:
Maybe, lol.
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