Book (The Silent Sister) and Movie (The Girl on the Train) Club’s Review

Dorlana Vann ♦ October 27, 2016 ♦ 1 Comment

October 2016 Book and Movie Review Theme:  Thriller

Book/Movie Club Set Up:

Each member of our group (women ages 23-48) draws a month and a genre/theme, and they get to choose a book and movie in their category. (They do not have to be one in the same.)

The group has approximately 3 weeks to read the book and then we get together to eat, discuss the book, and then watch the movie.

Quick Book Summary: The Silent Sister by Diane Chamberlain

(From Amazon – condensed) Riley has spent her life believing that her older sister Lisa committed suicide. Now, over twenty years later, she finds evidence that Lisa is alive.

Quick Movie Summary: The Girl on the Train –  Screenplay: Erin Cressida Wilson (Based on the novel by:  Paula Hawkins)

(From IMDB) A divorcee becomes entangled in a missing persons investigation that promises to send shockwaves throughout her life.

The Itinerary:

We met at our local Bar Louie for fruity martinis, appetizers (Bruschetta Pomodoro, Spinach & Artichoke Dip, Tempura Shrimp, Hummus Platter, & Roasted Vegetable Flatbread), and to discuss the book.  An hourish later, we headed to the movies. After the show, we settled on the patio of Baker St. Pub & Grill to discuss the movie (and maybe to have another drink.)

Thoughts about the Book:

My thoughts: At first, I thought I was going to really love the book. The first half read smoothly, and I was anxious to get to promised secrets – but it fell flat. There was no suspense, and the few secrets that were finally revealed, after endless backstory, were boring. I did finish the book but skimmed a lot of pages. I didn’t believe most of the characters, except for Danny. Everyone was selfish and there was no redemption to be had. I also don’t understand why the blurb gives away most of the book? Why? My personal rating 2.5 martinis.

The Group’s thoughts: No one really cared much for the book, except that it was an easy read, but at least everyone (except one) actually finished the entire book. The characters were flat, no real surprises (very predictable), and the ending pretty much sucked.

Thoughts about the Movie:

My thoughts: It was a little slow and depressing at times. But the character’s stories and their development was worth the leisure rhythm.  I ended up really enjoying the movie, and personally gave it 4 martinis.

The Group’s thoughts: Everyone loved the movie: Interesting well-developed characters, the plot was full of surprises, and, Whoa! What an ending. Those who read the book prior said it stayed really close to the same story line. We all thought that Emily Blunt  did an outstanding job.

The Girly Discussions:

Some of the group thought that that Haley Bennett (Megan) looks a lot like Jennifer Lawrence  (I don’t agree).

Some of us thought Edgar Ramírez (Dr. Kamal Abdic) was the hottest guy in the movie (I agree).

There was talk and laughs about the sex scenes in the movie (Some discussions at book club, stay at book club 🙂

Interesting Discoveries:

We weren’t the only ones who thought that the book was lacking: “The Silent Sister, by the perhaps slightly overstimulated Diane Chamberlain, has a lot going on for 350 pages, most of which is detail masquerading as substance.” The following review (according to the majority of the group) was spot on: http://readspoilers.blogspot.com/2015/03/the-silent-sister-rating-execrable.html

The Group’s Average Ratings (rounded up):

Book:  3 martinis (2.7)

Movie: 4 martinis (4.4)

The bottom line:

Even though we thought we were going to read a thriller, The Silent Sister was more family saga, I guess. But even so, I really think that Part II could have been omitted and I wouldn’t have missed a thing.

The movie is a psychological, well plotted and paced thriller – so, if that is your thing, you’ve got see it.

Skip the book – Go see the Movie.

Next month’s Book and Movie Theme: Children’s. We are reading the book: Wonder  by R. J. Palacio  Movie TBA.

Love and Laughter,

Dorlana