Book Thoughts: Forbidden by Ted Dekker and Tosca Lee
- By tracyhigley
I recently read Forbidden and though I don’t comment on every book I read on this blog, I had to mention this one, as it touches so dynamically on ideas that resonate with me.
I’ll admit to some bias when starting this book. Tosca is a friend of mine, and one of my favorite writers. Her novel, Havah: The Story of Eve is one of my all-time favorite books.
Read More»Of Muskateers and Myth
- By tracyhigley
Myths and Legends are certainly alive and well in Hollywood, are they not? From the continual flow onto the silver screen of Marvel and DC Comics characters to the computer-generated Greek heroes of mythology, we get treated every few months to another epic battle between good and evil. (Though I am still waiting impatiently for Wonder Woman to make an appearance.)
I’ll admit, I love going to these movies. I’ll buy a ticket to most all of them, but when the credits roll, I don’t always feel that I was caught up in the story, as I’d hoped to be. [See my thoughts on Thor here.] It’s not about the effects, the dialogue, the CGI, or even the storyline. What’s missing is more elusive, and infinitely more difficult to achieve, whether in film or on the page of fiction.
Read More»Music of Jordan
- By tracyhigley
Listen to this gorgeous piece by musician Zade, called Amman.
I listened to it about a thousand times while writing Petra!
(Click the play arrow to listen)
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My Take on Thor
- By tracyhigley
If you haven’t already guessed, I’m a sucker for all things mythology, and perpetually fascinated by the way Hollywood handles the ancient stories. (Usually poorly, with an emphasis on special effects over depth and accuracy. Think Troy and Clash of the Titans) Nevertheless, when Thor hit theaters, I knew I’d be there with my Twizzlers. And following on the heels, as it did, with my recent passion for Wagner’s Ring Cycle operas of Norse myth, which also features Odin/Wotan as a major player, I had to check it out.
While I’m categorizing this post under “Books, Music and Movies I Love,” I can’t say that I truly loved this movie. What I loved was the idea of this movie – the melding together of Norse mythology with contemporary science, in a sort of sci-fi-ancient-blend that provoked thought. (Again, it was the idea I found thought-provoking. The movie itself did not even attempt to be such.)
Read More»My Ongoing Love Affair with Opera
- By tracyhigley
I’m not sure when it began. Years ago, I remember hearing Nessun Dorma sung in a movie, or perhaps a TV show, and feeling a strange desperation to discover its name, to hear it again. When I somehow stumbled upon its purity once more, it was being sung by Michael Bolton on an album that was a surprising departure, My Secret Passion. Michael Bolton singing opera? I figured I’d give it a try.
It was a gentle introduction to a new world for me, and I’ve loved that album for years, though I’m a bit more savvy these days and recognize that Bolton doesn’t hold a candle to the greats. And perhaps I felt some kinship with him, for I kept opera as my own secret passion – I’d met no one personally who shared it, and couldn’t imagine pursuing the interest alone. (How pathetic would a night at the opera be, if one were attending alone?!)
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