Reading and viewing

Press, 12 October 1985, Page 20

Reading and viewing

Film and Fiction: Studies of N.Z. Fiction and Film Adaptation. By Bill Lennox. Longman Paul) Penguin, 1985. 152 pp. $11.95. J (Reviewed by Patrick Huston) , “Film and Fiction” is a small book. Only 152 pages long, but because it leads the reader along the well-trodden paths of New Zealand fiction to the understanding of associated film, the pressure of learning is never top. intense. The book includes full texts fijr ’’ five short stories, (“Lawful Excuse,” “A Glorious Morning Comrade,” “After the Depression,” “The Garden Party,” and “Old Man’s Story”) and excerpts from two novels, (“The God Boy” arjd “Smith’s Dream”). Each is accompanied by clear, lucid comment on the problems faced by producers and directors in the making Of associated film, and the way ip which these problems have been overcome. Enormous emphasis is rightly placed on the creative manner in which each member of the film team has managed to. convey the various aspects {of writing chosen for portrayal. Understanding of changes to eaplr original text becomes more and more apparent and the reader is soon caught up in the excitement of the filmmaking process. I As Lennox states, the study of what is essentially the same material in two distinct media, often leads us to notice aspects we might otherwise have overlooked. The “media study” involved in comparing similar material in two media, can lead to the discovery of a great deal about jthe.

techniques, strengths, and difficulties of both prose and film. Lennox has a solid teaching background. He has obviously faced a hundred times, that blank look that says, “Loved the book. The film was stupid,” or vice versa. His methods of dealing with such a situation are sound. The discussion topics he includes at the end of each chapter are carefully conceived and bound to be successful in encouraging sensitive response. The extensive eight-page glossary of film terms and the list of associated films and texts are helpful for those who want to advance further. It sounds like a book for teachers. It is, but not just teachers. It will be of enormous interest to anybody who likes to talk about film or television.