Yes, I echo the thanks expressed nine months ago (streetwhereulive). This is fine theatre, excellent in every way. And you, generalravon, have made it possible for us to hear and see and ponder and enjoy. Thank you, thank you.
I agree with Karateworm about Grace. Maybe there just wasn't room in the tv adaptation for her. But she was a shining light in the book, the only thing that allows David to survive the tragedy. I'm not sure how she equates with being a "depressing" presence. She echoes her mother's memory and her eventual relationship with one of the boys (cant remember which one…Winterbourne maybe?) is touching.
Something that annoys me a bit about the later episodes is that it's as if the twins never existed. (Excepting when he replaces Chris's photograph with that of Beth and the girls.) A former student writes David a condolence letter, mentioning the death of his wife, but not of the twins'. Shortly after meeting Chris, David mentions the death of his wife...not of his daughters. When Chris miscarries, Beth's death is mentioned, not that of the girls. For many people, men as well as women, losing a child is the worst of emotional traumas, worse than losing a spouse. Even if that's not true in his particular case, he is a bereaved father as well as a widower. I have been glad to rewatch this series! My husband and I, young marrieds at the time, enjoyed it greatly when it aired on American television.
Apparently, the screenwriter, Andrew Davies, thought the presence of Grace for the rest of the novel to be too depressing. But I agree with you, the series lost out without Grace.
Yes, I echo the thanks expressed nine months ago (streetwhereulive). This is fine theatre, excellent in every way. And you, generalravon, have made it possible for us to hear and see and ponder and enjoy. Thank you, thank you.
Thank you. Excellent!
Im sure there'd be more ''likes'' ...but we're too busy watching this excellent series! Thanks!
I agree with Karateworm about Grace. Maybe there just wasn't room in the tv adaptation for her. But she was a shining light in the book, the only thing that allows David to survive the tragedy. I'm not sure how she equates with being a "depressing" presence. She echoes her mother's memory and her eventual relationship with one of the boys (cant remember which one…Winterbourne maybe?) is touching.
Something that annoys me a bit about the later episodes is that it's as if the twins never existed. (Excepting when he replaces Chris's photograph with that of Beth and the girls.) A former student writes David a condolence letter, mentioning the death of his wife, but not of the twins'. Shortly after meeting Chris, David mentions the death of his wife...not of his daughters. When Chris miscarries, Beth's death is mentioned, not that of the girls. For many people, men as well as women, losing a child is the worst of emotional traumas, worse than losing a spouse. Even if that's not true in his particular case, he is a bereaved father as well as a widower.
I have been glad to rewatch this series! My husband and I, young marrieds at the time, enjoyed it greatly when it aired on American television.
Apparently, the screenwriter, Andrew Davies, thought the presence of Grace for the rest of the novel to be too depressing. But I agree with you, the series lost out without Grace.
I remember this from "Masterpiece Theater" hosted by Allistair Cooke.