A Toothsome Book, A Winsome Film & Thou

I haven't done much by way of reviews, but today I have a book to suggest and a movie to recommend. I'll begin with the book, which is one I read many years ago, stumbled across again at the library, and decided to give another whirl. It used to be a trilogy, actually, but a fourth book has been added more recently.

Mary Stewart is a favorite author of mine, and the series I am touting is her Arthurian Saga, consisting of The Crystal Cave, The Hollow Hills, The Last Enchantment, and The Wicked Day. I've always been a sucker for Merlin, but I like him best at Ms. Stewart's hands, who writes with an air of mystery and wonder that is not overshadowed by her attention to historical detail. Her ability to humanize the characters distinguishes her among others who have tried their hand at historical fiction, and I defy anyone to read the first five pages of The Crystal Cave and lose interest. Best of all, there are four books to enjoy, so the journey this author takes you on needn't end quickly. (Unless, of course, you are like me and can't control your urge to finish them all in one sitting.) Reading binge.

The movie has also been around a long time, since 1990, and I happened upon it while perusing the "free movie" section of Comcast's ON DEMAND. Notably younger versions of Robert De Niro and Jane Fonda star in the quirky, pleasing, and romantic movie that is "Stanley and Iris." What I loved was its innocence; what I will remember is its poignancy. Had I known this film was available in the theaters (lo, so many years ago) when it was made...I could have counted on leaving my neighborhood cinema feeling happy, teary, peaceful, upbeat, and just a little wiser. 

In other words, perfect!