Steelerphan, I actually thought Gary Sinise as Stu and Rob Lowe as Nick were wonderful casting choices and fit perfectly with the images in my mind. Almost perfect is the choice is Bill Fagerbakke for Tom Cullen. (I didn’t even know his name; I had to look it up! I always think “Tom Cullen” when I see him!) Molly Ringwald as Frannie, though: Ugh. She gets on my last nerve.
Of course, for this list: The Stand. I have re-read the uncut version countless times.
Lonesome Dove. One of the most engrossing stories I have ever read, and I don’t usually give a whit about cowboys. The casting of the miniseries was impeccible.
The World According to Garp. It changed the way I read literature. I’d re-read it so many times in my youth that I had to stop several years. I’d milked every ounce of enjoyment out of it. Recently I re-read it again, and was struck by how young Garp is: only 33 when assassinated. I endured the movie; I think it sort of missed the point. John Lithgow was tremendous as Roberta Muldoon, though. I don’t think his true comedic talents were known then (and now with Third Rock, they’re pretty much a brand name).
Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil. This book is just pure fun. It shimmies off the shelf and into my lap about twice a year. I didn’t see the movie, but would like to since The Lady Chablis apparently plays herself.
Addie Pray. I don’t know why I like this book so much. Well, I do – but it’s no literary achievement. It’s just so daggone funny. The movie Paper Moon was based on it, and it omitted the best part of the book – the last half. How the pair swindle thousands from the cotton market is priceless. The ending is sweet and satisfying. Anyone with the blahs, give it a read! You won’t be sorry.
Gone With the Wind. I haven’t read it in several years, but did read it annually at least, from about the age of 12 through college. And a couple times after that. I didn’t see the movie until I was in my late teens, so by that time I saw it only as a cheap imatation of the book so I couldn’t appreciate its cinematic virtues as well. It always bugged me that they left out Scarlett’s other children.
To Kill a Mockingbird. One of the most touching novels ever written. It gets me every single time. The movie is just as appealing. Gregory Peck was marvelous as Atticus.
Someone mentioned Dune. I was eager to re-read it, but it was really a letdown for some reason! I was captivated by it initially, and read the whole series (which lost steam terribly, in my opinion).
I’ve read A Confederacy of Dunces several times, three maybe, but none had the impact of the first reading. Sometimes it can be irritating. You do have to be in the mood for it, I suppose.
Quasi, my favorite Ken Follett is Lie Down with Lions. I decided his wife had a baby around the time he was writing it!
I didn’t care a whole lot for MB, anyway … but this takes the tale in a new direction with the engrossing story of a woman Melville devotes a half-paragraph to.