I just bought READING BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN from

[Kd5000]

my suburban Barnes and Noble store.  It was located in the film section. Their film section was quite small so I was surprised they would have the book. I was just browsing when I came across it.  It was USD 35.00.  Some idiot had affixed a bar code sticky for USD 12.00 so I thought wow, this is a bargain.  I then looked closer and the bar code belonged to another book, "Divine Lessons from Hell."   I guess some hateful bible-thumper didn't like that book.  I said something to the cashier about the fraudulent sticker and she said "some ppl don't mind their business."   Well, it just made me more resolved to buy the book.   

Anyway, I'm glad I got the book.  Other ppl may want to check their Barnes and Noble store to see if they carry it.  It's a small publisher so I don't know how available it will be.

[Wishes]

kd, I'm really glad you reported that sticker that was obviously, purposely put on the book. I almost feel sorry for someone that ignorant. Almost.

I just looked the book up on Amazon and they carry it. Full price. No discount. Every once in a while Amazon has a book they don't discount. I'm interested in reading it. One reason is it's often so hard for me to put my thoughts about something into words and impossible to put it into writing which is why I usually do not post in this section of the forum. So reading others interpretations interests me. Do your recommend the book? I'm not afraid of the price as Amazon is my main vice! 

[Brown Eyes]

The book sounds interesting to me too.  And, good for you Kd5000... I'll echo what Wishes said and say that I'm really glad you said something about that sticker.

[Oregondoggie]

The scene by scene analysis and symbolism spread around here on Bettermost and on Dave Cullen would be hard to beat.  I don't think even the Gospels or the Talmud have had as much analysis in these last two years!

Am going to wait a bit for a few book reviews before buying.  The articles in Film Quarterly earlier this year stirred up a huge fuss.  So uneven.  Dry the way the scholars like to drink.

[SFEnnisSF]

I've been eyeballing this book, pondering if I should buy it or not...

[southendmd]

Hey Karl!  We'd love your thoughts on the book.  Any review yet??

[Kd5000]

It's quite wordy. Very dense with many insightful comments on the movie.   I'd describe the book as academic moreso then a fanboy/girl book.  I've been talking to the owner of the local G/L bookstore about having the book's editor (he only live 3 hours away) come down for a signing and a talk. Don't know if it's going to happen.   There is  a nice poem from a viewer who has seen the film six times on page VIII. I'm not going to write it out. Well maybe latter. 



Here is an excerpt from page 35

In August, after Jack's departure, when words failed them both, the camera leaves a grunting, anguishing Ennis on his knees and takes us to a small church where ironically  the congregation, Ennis, and his bride are repeating in unison some of the most widely recited words in history, "The Lord's prayer": "... and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us....deliver us from evil."  It is likely that Ennis at times views his passion with Jack as an evil from which he needs to be delivered; no wonder he has such shame.  A joking preacher gives Ennis a sanctified reminder to marry and breed. The kiss seals their new marriage; so begins this new family's traditional narrative.

That excerpt is from the chapter titled "Buried in the Family Plot"

[Front-Ranger]

The title confuses me. Reading Brokeback Mountain? It sounds like an analysis of the story, not the movie. Does the author talk about the story at all? Is it a personal interpretation? BBM deserves better than this!!

[Kd5000]

From the book.
================================
THIS COLLECTION OFFERS 15 CRITICAL ESSAYS (by 15 different writers) ON ANNIE PROULX'S short story BBM and it's controversial film adaption by screenwriters....Each essay explores the short story, the film and the sociocultural phenomenon that follwed the release of the motion picture in 2005

The essays adopt both traditional perspectives and postmodern angles, including those of women's studies, queer studies, sexuality studies, ethnic studies and American studies.  Many of the essays focus primarily on the film, it's critical reception, it's stars, it's soundtrack and it's cultural implications.
===========================
That's from the back of the book. I've only started to read it.

page 15
Between the publication of Brokeback Mountain in the New Yorker and it's appearance in the collection of Close Ranges, Proulx added an italicized prologue taking place in the mind of Ennis, suggesting he has found some solace in his dreams of Jack Twist and in his relationship to his married daughter.
==================================

Obviously Ennis dreaming about Jack wasn't shown in the film, so the author explains how Ennis may have found a bit of solace in accepting his daughter's wedding invitation... Well it goes into alot more detail drawing parallels with the dream and accepting a wedding invitation.

[Wishes]

Oregondoggie, I agree there is a lot of excellent information and interpretation on this board and I am sure others. For me though, there is nothing like curling up with a book.  My computer, though a lap top, stays at the desk.


Kd, thanks for the additional information. I'm really considering the book at this point.