by Alexis Chandler
When I was asked to make a book display as a part of my library internship this year, my mind immediately went to Alfred Hitchcock’s Rear Window, one of my favorite movies, adapted from a 1942 short story called “It Had to Be Murder.” Some of the most well-known films are adapted from books, I reflected: Lord of the Rings, To Kill a Mockingbird, The Wizard of Oz, and many more recent publications. I had my theme for the display: I would highlight the books that inspired famous films.
But as I browsed the library collection for items to display, I found so many other interesting books–books on topics ranging from filmmaking to acting to Christian perspectives on film to analyzing films as literature. Not one to stick to the original plan, I plopped them into my cart, broadened my topic to include everything I found interesting about film and literature, and continued on my merry way.
I have always loved both film and literature, and for different reasons. Literature fascinates me by its ability to delve into a character’s head, to voice his or her thoughts, to make me feel along with the character. Film is different. Film allows me to see–in a way that in turn enriches my experience with literature.
I remember when I first read The Fellowship of the Ring as a seventh grader. I blew through it in a day. I loved it—or I thought I did. I had read it cheaply, unwilling to admit it was far beyond my reading level at the time. But then I saw the film, and I realized that, yes, I loved Lord of the Rings. I loved the story and the characters. Now I could see everything, hear the characters laugh and talk and worry and fight. When I read the book later, I understood it. Literature seemed more alive than ever.
So naturally, some of the first elements of the display I collected were essays on the Lord of the Rings film trilogy and the library’s copies of the films.
This is how you know Cedarville’s Centennial Library is at the top of the top tier: We have the extended editions.
Posted in: Arts & Humanities, English, Literature, Uncategorized