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Reading

6 Degrees of Separation: From A Gentleman in Moscow to On the Brink of Everything

Melinda Tognini September 7, 2019 14 Comments
Image of books with '6 Degrees of Separation' written across them, plus book cover of A Gentleman in Moscow
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Welcome back to Six Degrees of Separation. If you’ve been following my blog for a while, you’ll know how it works: Kate from booksaremyfavouriteandbest provides us with a starting book title, and we link it to six others in any random ways our brain sees fit. It’s fun and easy, and you never know just where you’ll going to end up.

This month, we’re starting with A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles. As is quite often the case the initial title, I haven’t read A Gentleman in Moscow (is it one I should add to my TBR pile??), but the rest of my chain is usually books I’ve read and enjoyed, or they are on my TBR pile.

Image of books with '6 Degrees of Separation' written across them, plus book cover of A Gentleman in Moscow

When I saw the author’s surname (Towles), I immediately thought ‘Fowles’, as in John Fowles, creator of The Collector. I was at uni when I encountered this story, essentially about a bloke kidnapping a girl he’s fascinated by and keeping her prisoner, and actually I can’t really say I enjoyed it. I still find the premise deeply disturbing, especially when I consider it has appeared on some school curriculums in the past.

I read The Collector as an adaptation for the stage in the days when I (breifly) dreamed of ‘treading the boards’, before I realised I preferred to be behind the scenes rather than scrutinised on stage. While there, though, I wrote an adaption of Boss of the Pool by Robin Klein. I’m sure it was dreadful, as was most of my scriptwriting attempts.

Another kids/YA book that has been adapted into a script is Barry Jonsberg’s My Life as an Alphabet. The adapation is a film called H is for Happiness, and was written by Lisa Hoppe. It is definitely NOT dreadful. In fact, it’s so good that the film won the Cinefest Jury Prize on 1 September. The film won’t be out until early 2020, but I hope you’ll see it and enjoy it. I’m a little biased because my daughter has a supporting role in it, but it made me laugh out loud one moment, then cry the next. The two young actors at its centre (Diasy Axon and Wes Patten) are wonderful, and I know Barry Jonsberg is delighted with the final cut of the film.

Image of 3 books: The Collector, Boss of the Pool and My Life as an Alphabet

While we’re on the subject of film adaptations, Dervla McTiernan’s The Rúin, is headed for the big screen, as well as winning a number of awards. If you like crime fiction, then you’ll love The Rúin.

Dervla McTiernan’s story about detective Cormac Reilly is set in Ireland, and Pádraig Ó Tuama is also Irish. I’ve just ordered his book In the Shelter: Finding a Home in the World after listening to an interview on the Dumbo Feather podcast. I’d never heard of Pádraig Ó Tuama, but I loved hearing his perspective on so many things.

I also ordered On the Brink of Everything: Grace, Gravity and Getting Old by Parker Palmer after hearing him on Dumbo Feather. However, I was already familiar with his writing, and have attended several retreats based on his Courage and Renewal work. I love the space the retreats offer for reflection and contemplation in the midst of our (too busy) lives.

Image of 3 books: The Ruin, In the Shelter and On the Brink of Everything

As usual, I had no idea I’d end up on the brink of everything when I jotted down the starting title, but here I am. From 1920s Russia to the experiences of young people navigating the world, to Irish crime. And I somehow managed to end with moments of poetry and reflection.

Over to You

Where might Six Degrees of Separation lead you?

Let me know in the comments, or give me a link to the post on your blog. You can also head over to booksaremyfavouriteandbest to see where other participants ended up.

Pinterest image: 6 Degrees of Separation Logo, and seven book covers

 

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Previous Writers in Exile #4: Isabel Allende
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Melinda Tognini

story-gatherer & mentor

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6 Degrees of Separation: From Sorrow and Bliss to Lost and Found June 4, 2022
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14 Comments

  1. Lisa Hill says:
    September 7, 2019 at 11:40 am

    I wandered into film adaptations too:)
    I’m interested to see what you say about My Life as an Alphabet… I read that when it was shortlisted for one of the CBCA awards (when I was a teacher-librarian) and was impressed. I’ll keep an eye out for it when it’s released though to be honest I don’t get to the cinema very much.
    PS Yes, I recommend A Gentleman in Moscow too. You’ll find a link to my review on my chain: https://anzlitlovers.com/2019/09/07/six-degrees-of-separation-a-gentleman-in-moscow-to/

    Reply
    1. Melinda Tognini says:
      September 7, 2019 at 11:48 am

      Hi Lisa, thanks for your link. I will definitely check out your review of A Gentleman in Moscow, and I’m interested to see which film adapations you included, too.

      Reply
  2. Davida Chazan says:
    September 7, 2019 at 6:39 pm

    Your chain feels more like an exercise in stream of consciousness writing – I love that! By the way, I also thought I wanted to be an actor when I was a young girl. Live in learn!

    Reply
    1. Melinda Tognini says:
      September 7, 2019 at 7:43 pm

      Hi Davida, at what point did you change your mind about acting?

      Reply
  3. Susan Osborne says:
    September 7, 2019 at 7:30 pm

    Interesting links, most new to me. I know what you mean about The Collector. I was disturbed by it, too.

    Reply
    1. Melinda Tognini says:
      September 7, 2019 at 7:42 pm

      I’m glad I’m not the only one. I always felt it weird that it was considered such a classic on school lists.

      Reply
  4. Shelleyrae @ Book’d Out says:
    September 7, 2019 at 11:06 pm

    I’ll look forward to seeing H is for Happiness, and also The Ruin, which I have read recently and enjoyed.
    Thanks for sharing your chain.

    Reply
  5. Emma @ Words And Peace says:
    September 7, 2019 at 11:59 pm

    I loved your quirky links! My chain is here: https://wordsandpeace.com/2019/09/07/six-degrees-of-separation-from-moscow-to-vimy/

    Reply
  6. Kate @ booksaremyfavouriteandbest says:
    September 9, 2019 at 8:01 pm

    I love your link to Robin Klein 🙂

    Reply
    1. Melinda Tognini says:
      September 13, 2019 at 4:24 pm

      Thanks! It wasn’t deliberate, but was the first thing that came to mind at that point in the chain. It had been years since I’d thought about that book, which I’ve heard recently is being adapted into a film. Will have to check out whether that’s true!

      Reply
  7. Lisa of Hopewell says:
    September 10, 2019 at 4:49 am

    I don’t think I’ve heard of any of those except the starter. Interesting selections.

    Reply
    1. Melinda Tognini says:
      September 13, 2019 at 4:25 pm

      I think one of the things I love about reading other people’s chains is the links to books I’ve never heard of – although my TBR pile will topple over and crush me one day.

      Reply
  8. Anne@HeadFullofBooks says:
    September 11, 2019 at 1:27 am

    I haven’t read any of the books on your list except Gentleman but you make them all sound good. My Six Degrees

    Reply
    1. Melinda Tognini says:
      September 13, 2019 at 4:26 pm

      Ha ha! Thanks. I’ll head over and check out your post now, albeit almost a week late. I’ve been travelling and just catching up on my comments thread and other chains.

      Reply

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    I would love to know what you think once you have finished them - I always love seeing your perspective on the books you read x
    In 6 Degrees of Separation: From Sorrow and Bliss to Lost and Found
    I found that fascinating too - especially given the reasons for the connection were totally different.
    In 6 Degrees of Separation: From Sorrow and Bliss to Lost and Found
    There are so many fabulous writers in Australia (both fiction and non-fiction), so I love being able to share them with others who might be less familiar with them!
    In 6 Degrees of Separation: From Sorrow and Bliss to Lost and Found

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