R is for ...

My Fiction Addiction

Reading radical and ridiculous amounts of riveting rewards. And by rewards, I mean all of your R posts today. Hope it’s a ravishing Saturday for you, and Sunday will be a well deserved break.

Your R villain of the day is …

                                             (photo credit filmgarmott.blogspot.com)

RICHARD PARKER

Now before you say, wait, PK, how can a beautiful tiger be a villain?? Let me explain. If you’ve read Life of Pi or seen the film, you’ll know what I’m sayin’. For Pi (the main character,) this tiger– ironically named Richard Parker when a zookeeper’s named was mixed up with the tiger name–is his greatest fear.

As a child, Pi witnessed the power and destruction from Richard Parker up close when a live goat was  put near his cage. Ever since then, Pi is terrified of Richard Parker in the worst way. Matter of fact, nothing horrifies him more than being close with this ferocious beast.

Yet, later in the story, Pi is forced to share a life boat with Richard Parker in the middle of the ocean, facing his villain head on, or else drowning. Richard Parker is never once painted as a gorgeous sympathetic beast in this story. He’s simply a tiger doing what tigers do. But the symbolism is so delicious and gratifying, we’re left thinking about it well after the story is over.

I mean, can you imagine … being trapped in small confines with your greatest fear?? Pi is the ultimate protagonist because the author takes no pity on him. Yann Martel just keeps doling out the bad stuff, and from this, we see exactly what Pi is made of.

As if seeing your entire family go down with a ship in the middle of the ocean, and then being left to starve on a life boat with nothing isn’t enough–how about we add in your worst possible fear to the mix and see what happens. All at once. No mercy. Let’s see what you got, boy!

So fantastic!

I tried reading the book many years ago, and admittedly, I put it down. At the time I couldn’t invest myself into the first few chapters. So when it came out on film of course I had to see it. Now I want to take the time to invest myself in this story. So I plan on picking it up again soon because it’s simply that kind of story.

And R your setting of the day …

                                              (photo credit amazon.com)

RAVKA

From the YA book, Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo, Ravka is the futuristic, dystopic setting formerly known as Russia. The setting is what makes the story. It was so unique and fresh when it came out, readers were instantly captivated. Now after only a year from its release, it’s being made into a film by DreamWorks. Wow.

The setting is so rich, and the many details like majestic robes, horsedrawn sleighs, lush palace interiors, fabled creatures, etc. are so fitting and intriguing, you can’t help but love Ravka. It embodies the Russia of fairy tales.

 So tell me, have you read Life of Pi or Shadow and Bone? Seen the film Life of Pi? Any other R villains or settings you’d like to share? Have a royally riveting weekend!

Featuring bits on writing, books, and life which can be found at http://pk-hrezo.blogspot.com