It Came From LJ!

[eldritchhobbit]

* If you're looking for a worthy project to fund, check out this Indiegogo campaign to build the Museum of Science Fiction's Preview Location: Help us build a preview location for the new nonprofit Museum of Science Fiction in Washington, DC! (Thanks to estellye!)

* Speaking of science fiction, next weekend I'll be conducting a live virtual interview with award-winning and bestselling SF author David Brin for the Sofanauts. I'm soliciting questions! If you've got something you'd like me to ask Dr. Brin, please let me know. I hope to "see" some of you at the interview.

* My latest "Looking Back into Genre History" segment is up on the latest episode of StarShipSofa, and it offers a tribute to the science fiction career of actor Russell Johnson, who passed away last month. If you listen, I hope you enjoy!

* Last but not least, a recommendation. I have a pattern when it comes to adaptations: I go the source material first and read it, and then I watch the adaptation to see how it measures up. Not this time. I fell hard for the A&E television series Longmire thanks to its gorgeous use of setting, consistently excellent acting, and most of all its informed and sensitive portrayal of the interaction and politics between Anglo and Northern Cheyenne communities in Wyoming. In fact, I hesitated about reading the novels that had inspired the show, in fear that this might somehow compromise my enjoyment of the series. I needn't have worried. (Thanks for your encouragement, ankh_hpl!) Reading the first two novels in Craig Johnson's Walt Longmire series has only enhanced my appreciation of the Longmire show and convinced me that I need to read all of the other books in the series, which I will do very soon.

Sometimes dreams are wiser than waking. - Black Elk

Comments

[denorios.livejournal.com]

I fell hard for Longmire this past summer and mainlined both seasons in about two days - can't wait for the next season. But I've not read the books, perhaps I should follow your example and give them a go!

[eldritchhobbit.livejournal.com]

Isn't it a brilliant show? I'm glad to hear you love it, too. I'm with you: I can't wait for the next season. What a wonderfully evil cliffhanger they left us with!

I'm two books into the series, and thus far, I love it. There are some differences of detail: for example, in the novels, Walt and Henry both served in Vietnam. The TV series kept their fifty-ish ages to fit perfectly with the books, but of course, the math doesn't work for a fifty-ish man today to have served in Vietnam. Some of the physical descriptions are different, and I can see how the show has tried to answer that (Vic in the books is brunette, and I recall in the show her husband making a comment about how she's gone blonde), but the main characters (Walt, Henry, Vic, Lucian, Ruby, etc.) are exactly the same in every way that matters. The mysteries in the show seem to be related to but not the same as the ones in the books. The "feel," however, is perfect, and I'm not distracted by the differences as I'd feared I would be.

I was also pleased that some of the details in the books help me appreciate little things in the show, like Walt's perpetually unfinished steps/porch on his cabin. And my favorite thing about the show -- the Walt-Henry dynamic, and all it represents -- is beautifully portrayed in both. I'm amazed at how perfectly Robert Taylor was cast; he's exactly the man in these books.

I look forward to celebrating with you and comparing notes when season three comes around! :)

[denorios.livejournal.com]

I always find it fascinating the choices that writers/directors/producers make in departing from the source material - like here, with Walt and Henry and Vietnam, for example. I've never been one of those purists that get enraged when things are changed or omitted - fiction and film are very different media and things that may work on the page could be laughable or just unworkable onscreen. Long pages of dialogue or exposition can work in print, but would bore audiences to tears on film. Or, just one example, in Lord of the Rings - a character like Tom Bombadil would reduce the entire thing to farce if you tried to portray him on film.

I've always thought that if you can capture the tone or the feel of the source material, you're on the right track, even if some of the details are different - and it sounds like they managed that with Longmire, which is no mean feat!

Of course, it also helps that I would watch Katee Sackhoff and Lou Diamond Phillips in just about anything!

[eldritchhobbit.livejournal.com]

I've always thought that if you can capture the tone or the feel of the source material, you're on the right track, even if some of the details are different

Yes! I agree wholeheartedly with what you've said.

Of course, it also helps that I would watch Katee Sackhoff and Lou Diamond Phillips in just about anything!

THIS!!! Yes!

(I give my 16-year-old self credit for choosing Lou Diamond Phillips as a major crush - we won't talk about how long that means I've been watching his performances *g* - because my goodness, the man has aged incredibly well, and he's doing great work!)

[denorios.livejournal.com]

I think I've been crushing on him since Young Guns - does that age me too?

[ankh-hpl.livejournal.com]

Glad you're enjoying this series of episodes & books so much. I'm just happy to see a writer from my native state getting some recognition! Rumor has it that Longmire For Sheriff bumper stickers have been sighted in northern Wyoming.

[eldritchhobbit.livejournal.com]

I'm loving them! Thanks so much for encouraging me to read the books.

Rumor has it that Longmire For Sheriff bumper stickers have been sighted in northern Wyoming.

That is brilliant. :D

[i-llbedammned.livejournal.com]

A museum to science fiction?! I can totally get behind this!

I usually do the same thing with adaptations, seeing it how the creator intended it and then watching the new version. I didn't even know that Longmire was at first a book series though!

[eldritchhobbit.livejournal.com]

A museum to science fiction?! I can totally get behind this!

That was my reaction exactly!

I usually do the same thing with adaptations, seeing it how the creator intended it and then watching the new version. I didn't even know that Longmire was at first a book series though!

I didn't realize Longmire was a book series until I saw the credits in the first episode - and after watching the first episode, I knew I couldn't wait to read the books before watching the next one! Ha. ;)

[wellinghall.livejournal.com]

Thank you for another lovely long post :-)

[eldritchhobbit.livejournal.com]

Aw, shucks! :D