2 classics

[SisterX]

These two books touched me deeply and only in the past few months have I realized that they embody some elements of Mustachianism:

"A Tree Grows in Brooklyn" by Betty Smith
"The Good Earth" by Pearl S. Buck

Has anyone else read these?  Loved or hated them?  I would love to discuss either, or both. 

[grantmeaname]

I haven't read either. What about them did you think spoke to mustachianism?

[arebelspy]

I haven't read the first, but The Good Earth is one of the best books I've ever read.

There's some frugality in there, but I wouldn't think of it as Mustachian.

Man it's good though.  Course a lot of that may be nostalgia that I have for all books I read between grades 4 and 7.  Flowers for Algernon is a one I feel the same way about that I'm rereading right now.  Some don't hold up upon rereading, such as The Grapes of Wrath, but I did reread The Good Earth in my early 20s and still enjoyed it.

I will add the first one to my list based on the fact that it was shortlisted with The Good Earth.

[SisterX]

I guess what I think is Mustachian about "The Good Earth" is the mindset.  There's definitely a "save this for the future" attitude about the dad which doesn't get passed on in the generations.  So not strictly mustachian, but it can be applied.

As for "A Tree Grows in Brooklyn", it's about a very poor family and the mom is constantly emphasizing saving.  She's got a drunk for a husband so she and the kids need to do it secretly, but they stash away money (like coins they find) and it saves them several times from financial ruin.  Again, not strictly mustachian but the principles can be applied.  And the ending...powerful.

[arebelspy]

I will add the first one to my list based on the fact that it was shortlisted with The Good Earth.

Finished it.  It didn't do it for me, unfortunately.

[Nords]

Flowers for Algernon is a one I feel the same way about that I'm rereading right now.

I've been re-reading that for decades.  The movie version just couldn't do it justice, but the story gets me every time.  It takes on new significance when you know someone coping with Alzheimer's.

[arebelspy]

Flowers for Algernon is a one I feel the same way about that I'm rereading right now.

I've been re-reading that for decades.  The movie version just couldn't do it justice, but the story gets me every time.  It takes on new significance when you know someone coping with Alzheimer's.

I never saw the movie.

The only movie I can think of of a phenomenal book that was able to hold a candle to the book is the 1992 version of "Of Mice and Men."  John Malcovich does such an amazing job as Lennie (all the rest of the casting was spot on as well).

I enjoy the 2002 version of The Count of Monte Cristo, but it's so different from the book that it's not really a correct comparison.

Of course many great movies I haven't read the book (Forrest Gump comes to mind), so I'm sure there are others, but it doesn't surprise me that Charlie didn't hold up to Flowers for Algernon.  They so rarely do.