Cloud Cuckoo Land- an ode to storytelling
Anthony Doerr's epic has children at its heart, and books clutched in their arms
Teenagers don’t read stories anymore; we all know that. How can the printed page compete against the bright lights and never-ending noises of screens?
Give them a fantastical adventure, an escape, a page-turner.
This tale is nothing short of spectacular, spanning literally time and space.
Books aren’t dead yet.
About the Creator
Joe O’Connor
New Zealander
English teacher
Short stories and poems📚
Please be honest- I would love your constructive feedback, as it's the only way I'll get better. Would rather it was pointed out so I can improve!
Currently writing James The Wonderer
Keep reading
More stories from Joe O’Connor and writers in Critique and other communities.
Balancing Barbie: a brutal task
Greta Gerwig is an expert tightrope-walker. Balancing a child’s entertainment with societal critique, the dangers of consumerism against the millions Mattel makes off this movie, and empowering women on the one hand versus unrealistic beauty standards on the other.
By Joe O’Connor2 years ago in Critique
Standing While Falling
Quotation from Friedrich Nietzsche "He who wrestles long with monsters should beware lest he himself become a monster. And if you gaze long into an abyss, the abyss also gazes into you. Man is not destroyed by suffering, but by the meaning he makes of it."
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"Challengers" Movie Review
Challengers is a triumphantly sexy cinematic rollercoaster ride, too incredulously fun not to watch. Tashi Duncan is played by Zendaya, the exceptionally emotive young movie star. Matched against her are two gorgeously nerdy-looking young players, Mike Faist as Art Donaldson and Josh O’Conner as Patrick Zweig. All three have the blessing of great chemistry whenever they spar across screen. Alongside their star qualities are bouncing timelines, demonstrating a lifetime of flagrantly competitive choices that create a trail of wasted potential and misguided lust. Director Luca Guadagnino really knows how to make a graceful yet scandalous picture. Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross's EDM score intensifies the thrill of tennis and prideful characters up to an eleven. After watching Challengers multiple times, I am forced to argue that all sporting events should henceforth take place at a fist-pumping rave. When first hearing about this movie, I thought the entire plot had been offered up within the two-minute trailer. Two friends like a tennis star. Tennis star has a career-ending injury. Tennis star picks blonde boy, and brunette boy is angry. Audience members think they have digested the full ingredients of the film before getting their soles sticky from the theatre floor. Yet, this new-age masterpiece is anything but a simple meal.
By Spider Black3 days ago in Critique
Comments (3)
I think I've read something else by Anthony Doerr but I can't remember the title. I will have a look for this. It sounds good.
The book is almost always better than the movie! Good critique, best of luck 😁
I've always loved books more over movies! Excellent review!