Crystal Boys

[mookiehyun]

I no longer know how to phrase these coincidences happening around me, serendipity? Is there still any surprise left to accidental surprises if it's for the nth time?  Whatever it is, I've been watching a drama with a TWexiled KMT veteran Dad.

I started Crystal Boys, a 2003 PTS 20 eps drama, a few weeks ago.    PTS used to be the only source of

Comments

[your_insomnia]

Wah, I really want to see this!! I put the book on my to read list. Hopefully I can get my hands on it soon!

[mookiehyun]

I squeeeee a lil (ok a lot with Crystal Boys) whenever anybody is reading Mr. Pai, you are guaranteed a very visceral emotional thoughtful thoughtprovoking ride.

Hope u like it *and post ur thoughts ;)*

[your_insomnia]

I would love to hear your recommendations on Chinese literature. It's something I've been trying to get into for a while but aside from the Great Classics that cost a fortune even on amazon in abridged version I haven't been given any other titles. I want to read the classics too and Dream of Red Chamber is pretty high on my priority list. The list of Must Read Chinese literature over at goodreads.com is pretty disappointing. Btw, do you use goodreads?

[mookiehyun]

That brought back a lot of shame...I did have a goodreads acct a few years ago, but RL, my own laziness and my circle of friends who read profusely have been shrinking and not as active. Oh I didn't even know what's on the must read Chinese Lit list...*rush to check

[your_insomnia]

That was me XD I didn't even realize I replied as anonymous. Stupid iphone app! And then of course I didn't get a notification for the reply. No, haha I don't speak Chinese at all! That's why it's such a hassle to buy Chinese literature. The full translation of Chinese Classics is pretty expensive even on Amazon.

Yeah, I read a lot less than I used to mostly because I have so many other hobbies I don't want to give up like cooking, Asian drama watching and now Diablo 3 is eating up all my time xD

Anyway, if you are ever going to be guilted into coming back to goodreads this is my page http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/7329682-insoo XD

[mookiehyun]

Oh it's you sweetie! XD I have no idea. I'll get back to goodreads for sure...one of these days. I need to dig out my login though (I havent signed in since 2008/9...gosh...sooooo embarrassing!!!!!) Have u heard of Ha Jin? (for CN literature) quite a lot of his books have (pirated) dl everywhere. I've just finished his Nanjing Requiem, a devastatin read as all things concerning the massacre is. http://forum.mobilism.org/viewtopic.php?p=909213

I just got my Diablo3 as a present fr my bro, we play as a family (I know, we're plain weird XD) I haven't played ANY PCgame for years. I'm a horrible addict, and will go himono-onna obsessed, so I thought I should not touch it after weaning off, but oh well, I'll be DEEP in the rabbit hole for sure very soon.

I'm also picking up cooking. I'm a klutzy horrible cook still but I think I made a ton of improvement considering I went fr specializing in inedibles to edibles.

[your_insomnia]

Oh yes I've heard of Ha Jin!! What's a good introductory novel by him? Ninjing Requiem sounds devastating indeed.

Haha, you are definitely not American since you know how to pirate books! Russian people do nothing but pirate books.

Ohh, which class did you pick in Diablo? :)

[mookiehyun]

I rem HaJin's Waiting very fondly but I read it last in college, it's not really a happy read. His works almost always have historical references that r true enough that's y it popped up in my mind it'll be a good read for the character studies and a good feel of the history milieu if u r interested. I don't read everything he's written, he's not as....effective?...as a Murakami in haunting me forever with the magic of his words.

I havent started Diablo3 yet, am out of town. But my fam has picked up all their classes and I think my bro is urging me to be a Demon Hunter (which I'm assuming is an Amazon in D2 speak?) I was a Sorcerer/Necro, I'm not good with all that hardcore labor and be up front/die young!

[your_insomnia]

Yesss, Murakami has written some of my favorite novels. But as I understand, Ha Jin is not a magical realism writer?

Added Waiting to my to-read list :) The plot sounds very interesting. I don't see the topic of infidelity explored enough in literature with the complexity it deserves.

I haven't played much of D2 but I've been told Witch Doctors are more of Necros than anything else because of the range/pets/curses. I'm playing a witch doctor right now, level 37 - it's loads of fun! Except we are a bit gimped at lower lvls and only shine when things are being tanked away from us XD

[mookiehyun]

I think HaJin's style is very straight forward...when sometimes I want to be evoked more emotions fr words. I like him, but I find Murakami haunting me more even years later.

Try it out!

[your_insomnia]

I just finished the novel today (took a 2 week break from it because it was weighing me down). Oh man, what a depressing day it is. I actually found the first 4 episodes subbed on youtube - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iW1aiPM5DS0&feature=relmfu

and I'm glad I did, because even if I don't get to watch the whole series, at least I get a glimpse of what it's like...and wow, does it add to my experience. Actually hearing the harmonica music, watching the father break down (you are right! amazing acting!) and seeing A Qing palpable gentleness for his bother...guh, the pain.

I don't think its mentioned in the novel but does the drama ever address how precisely A Qing's father realized his son is gay?

[mookiehyun]

oh HUGGGZZZZ! I got misty-eyed with the flashbacks. :~(
I'm so glad there's engsubs, I think the drama adapt is lovely.

In the drama A Qing is kicked out of school because he's caught making out with his lover by the janitor in the chemistry lab at night. The other boy has connections so he got off scotch free and is portrayed as a victim while AQing is the perpetrator of the 'lewd assault' on the school notice of his expulsion when he's near graduation, ie his family's ticket to a better/stable livelihood. That is blatant alone triggering his Veteran dad to disown him and break down. It's quite obvious while Mom's fav is lil bro, Dad is very fond of AQing and AQing is such a sweet, caring gentle soul all along. *sob* All the characters have their faults but these r good hard working ppl at heart just cant escape the life they're stuck with.

[your_insomnia]

Damn, I'm having weird lapses in memory because I can't remember if that's ever mentioned in the book. But sometimes I'm weird with reading...Like I would focus on random details (like descriptions of houses and streets) but blank out during major explanations.

Does A Qing ever go see his father in the drama? I know in the book he returns once to bring his mother's ashes but he never actually confronts him.

Also, I'm pretty sure Bud and A Qing don't have dinner together when they go see her at the dancing circus, but they changed that in the drama (which was great BTW!! the discomfort of the mother asking "how is dad?", her pretending not to know them at first, A Qing having absolutely nothing to say). Are there a lot of these kind of discrepancies in the novel and the drama?

[mookiehyun]

tbh the parents in the drama, a portrayed in a kinder modern light in the drama already, afterall adaptation is done in 2003 while the book is published in 1987 and both are reflective of their times. In the drama we can vividly see Dad softening up and still cares and loves A Qing in his heart even when he's actively disowning and not seeing him, in his solitude and they did mend their relationship towards the end of the drama. The book is more 'timely' in reflecting the true miasma of homophobia in the 80s and esp when the story is set, it's much more true to the reality

[your_insomnia]

Also, almost missed your himono-onna reference xD My preferred term for that condition is zombie but himono-onna is accurate as well, haha.