As for the movie, however, I couldn't help but pick it up when I saw it at the library. It was two years ago when I first watched it, so the emotional effects had long since worn off, and I figured I would watch it again for old time's sake. I know I already told you about me watching it last week, but I'm going to expound a little bit. I was babysitting (don't worry, the kid was asleep) when I saw the second half. I was all alone downstairs. And you know how I rarely cry. And I almost never cry during movies. But believe me when I tell you that I was on the verge of hysteria at the end. Both my nose and mascara were running at ridiculous rates, and I was afraid I was going to wake up the baby with all my sobbing. (Can you imagine this? Because even I hardly can.) The directors and producers did a FANTASTIC job and basically got every part of the book right, and the actors did a perfect job of portraying the characters. No matter how much I loved it though, it's still emotionally draining. That's how powerful it is. I probably won't watch it again for years. I would recommend it to you, but since we all know that you aren't the most adept at identifying with complex, emotionally charged characters in books and movies, I don't think you'll love Tess as much as I do, which will probably offend me, but at least then you can understand all this ranting I do about it. If you're never going to read it you should at least watch the movie.
Anyway, the point of this post is lost on me. Make of it what you will. I just think that Tess is one incredible woman, and I'm in the mindset of integrating her story into my life. Even though I can't bring myself to read the book again, it still deserves a special place on my shelf, and I'm definitely going to name one of my daughters after her.
"Both my nose and mascara were running at ridiculous rates.." You're right, I cannot even picture that. Just kidding, I can. And when I do, it makes me lol. Jenna you are such a good writer! I love your style. You should make a blog.
ReplyDeleteThis post is the first time I've seen the real name of GP...Anyway, I have to respond because I just finished the book Tess for my book group AND I NEEDED SOMEONE TO TALK TO, because we don't meet to discuss it until next week. And of course my daughter and best friend haven't read it. It was the most heart wrenching book I've read in a very long time. It messed up my emotions. I stayed up until 1:00 in the morning to finish it hoping the end would be more uplifting and positive than the rest of the book...and I was left devastated. That goes beyond disappointed. When a book doesn't end the way you think it should - its disappointing but when a book rips your heart out with its ending its devastating. I literally had to get on my knees and start praying in order to get a grip on my emotions. Oddly enough it was a prayer of gratitude. Gratitude for my understanding of how the atonement works in my life and for my testimony of the Savior's love for me and that my life has a plan. Now a question on naming a child after Tess. I had a neighbor who did that and I never thought about it because I'd never read the book. But now I've read it and Tess's life was filled with so much sadness and grief and disappointment, even though she had amazing strength through it all she also didn't feel like she was worth much. I think every time I looked at my child I'd feel sorry for her and think of what I terrible life Tess ended up having. Granted, I may not have had enough recovery time since reading the book to view this with a clear mind. The book sits on my nightstand waiting for the day of my book group and every time I see it I think, "What a waste of very good person and a perfectly good life." That is when I'm able to think about it. I still try NOT to think about it because it was so devastating to my emotions. I do like Tess in the book and I like the name but what would you tell your daughter is the reason for naming her after someone who had such a terrible life, never able to have what she truly desired and deserved?
ReplyDeleteSorry, a little PS...I really enjoyed your post of last Saturday about Alias. I've seen bits and pieces of that show and never understood what was happening but always thought I would like it if I could understand it. And now I can understand it. So, please continue to post!!
ReplyDeleteYes, I too have thought about what I would tell my little girl about her namesake. But maybe I wouldn't tell her until she was older. We shall see.
ReplyDeleteActually, I have something to add to that. Although the story is ridiculously sad and Tess' life totally sucks, she never feels sorry for herself and she basically makes her life miserable just to help her family and she's a really hard worker. I think that I'll focus on those positive attributes when I tell my daughter who she's named after. Aaaand, not to argue, but I don't think it was a waste of a person and a waste of a life, because the trials in her life WERE her life and they made her who she became. If she was real, I'd like to ask her if she would have done things differently if she got a do-over. Because maybe she feels like the hardships in life were worth the awesome character she developed in the end.
ReplyDeleteVery good point. Its easy to look at someone else's struggles and say, "What a waste", however; those are the things that make us who we are.
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