Movie Review: Bakhita: From Slave to Saint

Date: 2009

Director: Giacamo Campiotti

Summary: Bakhita has a good life in Sudan until she is captured by slave traders.  She grows to womanhood in captivity until her life changes again when Federico Marin – a Venetian merchant – brings her home to Italy.  Though legally free, Bakhita works as a slave in Marin’s household, suffering physical and verbal abuse from her “master” and superstitious hatred from the other villagers.  But she finds joy in Marin’s daughter, Aurora, and in the Christian faith she has never heard of before.  When Bakhita decides to claim the freedom she deserves – the freedom to shape her own life and to serve God as she chooses – she challenges her neighbors and her adopted family to open their hearts to God and to the dignity of all humanity.

Review: This film is based on the story of St. Josephine Bakhita, who lived during the late 19^th and early 20^th centuries and was canonized by Pope John Paul II in 2000.  Though many of the basic facts of the saint’s life are present in the movie, the filmmakers were not attempting to make a biography and they took a considerable amount of creative license.  The result is a truly moving film that captures the heart of Bakhita’s story.

The movie addresses several meaningful themes.  The more prominent ones are racism and slavery, but there is a larger social justice aspect that involves a money-minded Marin and his struggling tenant farmers.  Just as powerful is the story of the parish priest, who finally finds his courage to be a true disciple of Christ when he chooses to fight for Bakhita.

Bakhita is the true center of the story, however.  One of the most remarkable features of her character is her sense of joy.  Even when she has no friends, no kind words from anyone, she is the only one singing.  She is the one who cares for Aurora out of love, and not duty.  She has a quiet confidence that seems impossible to shake.  She is so used to people abusing her that she is no longer afraid of it.  She doesn’t exactly accept that she’s a slave – since she does eventually fight for her freedom – but she is clearly unimpressed by threats.  When she hears the story of Christ’s sacrifice and love for the first time, she silently challenges the rest of us to see it as clearly and as simply, and to follow his example as powerfully as she did.

Note: The audio for this film is in Italian.  English subtitles are available. 

The Quest for Shakespeare by Joseph Pearce

Goodreads: The Quest for Shakespeare: The Bard of Avon and the Church of Rome

Source: Library

Published: 2008

Summary: Pearce collects historical evidence to argue that Shakespeare was not only raised in a recusant Catholic household, but also remained a faithful Catholic throughout his life.

Review: Pearce joins a not insignificant list of authors and critics who have either felt or argued that William Shakespeare was a practicing Catholic.  Seemingly gleaning what proved most helpful from many of them, he lays out a case arguing that the playwright, now admitted by many to have at least been raised in a recusant household, continued to embrace the “old faith” throughout his life and died in it.  Pearce admits that the historical record will probably always remain too sparse for anyone to prove that Shakespeare was Catholic (though he even uses the historical silence in his defense—recusant Catholics would not have wanted to leave traces of their illegal activities), but maintains that all the signs we have point toward just this conclusion.

Pearce offers a lot of compelling evidence for his argument—evidence best summed up in a lengthy quotation by Shakespeare scholar Hugh Ross Willamson at the end of the book when he lists, almost in a bulletpoint manner, all the things we definitely know about Shakespeare’s associations with Catholicism and all the things we might know about Shakespeare’s associations.  Pearce’s arguments are strongest when he sticks to those things we know.  We know, for example, that Shakepeare’s parents were recusant Catholics, that his daughter Susanna was listed as a recusant Catholic, and so forth.  Again, none of this proves that Shakespeare himself embraced Catholicism, but it is provocative.

Pearce steps onto more uncertain ground when he begins to draw conclusions from some of the things we know.  For instance, he provides long lists of people who lived in Shakespeare’s town, who were Shakepeare’s relatives, or who were associated with Shakespeare in London and were Catholic, because, apparently, the more Catholics who live in your vicinity, the more likely you are to be Catholic, too.  He also sometimes waxes eloquently on what might have happened if Shakespeare had been present when Jesuit priest Edmund Campion arrived in England, if Shakespeare had met Jesuit priest Robert Southwell and been mentored by him, if Shakespeare had seen Southwell hanged, and so forth.  These assumptions typically rest on further assumptions—that Shakespeare was in the neighborhood when Campion arrived, that he really is that elusive William Shakeshafte who tutored in the countryside, etc.  Pearce repeatedly acknowledges that much of this is speculation, but that does not stop him from engaging in it.

The other notable weakness in the book is a marked antagonism toward many of the critics who promote philosophies with which Pearce disagrees.  Queer theorists, deconstructionists, postmodernists, and more are all at the receiving end of the author’s somewhat vitriolic wit.  Spirited debate is a staple of many academic works, but often the attacks seem to tend toward the personal.  Pearce repeatedly asserts that such critics misunderstand Shakespeare because they want to make him into their own image—an image he insinuates is warped and ugly.  While one understands that Pearce desperately wants critics to understand Shakespeare in the context of his own times and his own personality, it seems that the point could sometimes have been made more charitably.

Notwithstanding some of the speculations, The Quest for Shakespeare remains a compelling and provocative read.  Its greatest strength perhaps lies in its refutations of all the arguments against Shakespeare’s being Catholic—the main ones seemingly being that he must have been atheist/agnostic or that a Catholic writer would have never received royal favor.   Furthermore, in collecting so much historical evidence (it contains a lot more than people who studied Shakespeare in school were probably aware of existing), the book does a great service toward bringing the Bard to life.  Any interested in Shakepeare’s links to Catholicism should give it a try.

Page by Paige by Laura Lee Gulledge

Goodreads: Page by Paige

Source: Library

Published: 2011

Summary: After moving to Brooklyn, sixteen-year-old Paige Turner draws in her sketchbook to cope with the difficulty of making new friends and finding her voice.

Review: Page by Paige is a heartwarming look inside the mind of an introverted teen, one who feels something must be wrong with her because she lives inside her head and has a tendency toward privacy.  Initially, some readers may find themselves put off by her self-deprecating comments—Paige has the ability to turn every event into a huge ordeal, worrying that her friends secretly dislike her, that her mother masks her emotions, and that everyone thinks she is self-centered or burdensome.  Her issues are, however, ones with which many others will relate.  Watching Paige find her voice as she becomes more confident both in her relationships and her artwork is even inspirational.

Admittedly, one or two of the episodes in the book actually contribute to the impression that Paige really does have some issues with selfishness.  While a teenager’s troubled relationship with her parents, formed under the impression that they “don’t understand” proves realistic enough, Paige’s response may raise eyebrows.  As part of a series of episodes in which Paige leaves her comfort zone to showcase her artwork and assert herself, the girl chooses to, in her words, “stand up for herself” by refusing to clean her room before company calls.  Paige seems to think that her mother, in making the request, is attempting to form a false image of how they live and does not consider that cleaning for guests may be considered a sign of respect.  Subsequent events do not clarify whether the author really meant this moment to show off Paige’s new strength or if it remains the one ugly incident in a series of otherwise positive steps forward for the girl.

Perhaps the real strength of the book lies not in its slightly shy, but adorably quirky protagonist, but in the artwork.  Scenes of real imagination and real beauty fill the book, making Paige’s thoughts about family, friends, and herself come alive through an intricate interplay of emotion and symbolism.  While some of the images, such as freckles forming constellations across one’s cheeks, may seem cliché, the author still manages to breathe new life into them; she seems to channel the earnestness her young protagonist would have felt in drawing out the scenes.

Page by Paige stands out because it justifies its existence as a graphic novel.  The images do not merely illustrate the events of the story, but act as part of the story itself, drawing readers in to understand more than what Paige tells them in words.  Even more provocatively, many of the panels are meant to be understood as not only part of the book but also as part of Paige’s personal sketchbook.  The result is an intelligent, challenging read that still manages to exude heart and humor.

Strands of Bronze and Gold by Jane Nickerson

Strands of Bronze and Gold by Jane Nickerson

Goodreads: Strands of Bronze and Gold

Series: Strands of Bronze and Gold #1

Source: Purchased

Published: 2013

Summary: After the death of her father, seventeen-year-old Sophia Petheram goes to live with her godfather, a mysterious man who keeps to himself in his abbey in Mississippi.  Initially, Sophia delights in the fantastic world he has created—one where she lives surrounded by beauty, art, and luxury, and can break all the social taboos.  Her godfather, however, keeps her isolated and soon Sophia begins to fear both his violent temper and the veil that lies over his past.  The discovery of his four former wives, all with hair as red as her own, sets into motion a series of events that may leave her a prisoner in the abbey forever.

Review: Nickerson makes the Bluebeard fairy tale her own, setting it in antebellum Mississippi where she can not only play with the details of the original story but also reimagine them in the context of a society preoccupied with class codes and the ideal of the proper woman.  Much of the allure surrounding Sophia’s godfather lies in his encouragement for her to break the social taboos, to dress more exotically, to lower her inhibitions.  In succumbing to his manipulations, Sophia starts to lose both her sense of morality and her sense of self.  Her journey back to find her moral center makes this book stand out from other contemporary retellings that often focus on the darkness of fairy tales, but sometimes forget to let in the light.

Of course, setting forth a moral in any tale proves tricky ground.  In Bronze and Gold, Nickerson does not avoid the common trap of assigning modern sensibilities and philosophies to her protagonist.  Thus, Sophia (somewhat suddenly) shows herself an ardent abolitionist once she steps foot on her godfather’s plantation.  While authors understandably want readers to relate to their protagonists, imposing contemporary beliefs onto historical characters does a disservice to both the past and to readers.  A more provocative and believable story might have shown a sheltered girl who never thought much of slavery (Sophia has enough naivety and even foolishness to find herself lured into Bluebeard’s trap, so it is not such a stretch to imagine she never thought about the hot button issues of her day) until she witnesses it.  Watching Sophia learn to appreciate the humanity of those around her would have been great development for her.  Instead, readers are treated to a girl who randomly spouts off offers to serve on the Underground Railroad to anyone who seems like they might be abolitionists--her only motivation apparently being that doing so will make her a superior moral force in the eyes of the readers.  Perhaps wisely, none of the characters takes up her offer.  (She is, after all, essentially a prisoner in the house of a man who owns slaves.  One wonders what exactly Sophia plans to do for the Underground Railroad.)

Sophia's actions, in fact, often seem written solely because they fit the needs of the plot and not because they form an integral part of her character.  None of the other characters, barring perhaps her godfather, who exudes a mixture of sensuality and danger that should have had the girl running for the door as soon as she arrived, ever rise about mere stock types.  The standard rebellious and handsome youth makes an appearance, as does his pretty and more cautious lover.  The old and wise conductor on the Underground Railroad, the handsome and bookish minister, the leering groom—they are all included.  Arguably, the status of the book as a retold fairy tale might allow for or even call for flat characters, but it still seems odd to focus the story around the premise of the characters’ humanity and then portray them as one-dimensional.

If the characters lack something, however, the atmosphere of the book proves suitably creepy.  Readers will experience the same sense of wonder and danger as Sophia as they explore her godfather’s abbey and his past.  Nickerson has all the ingredients she needs to create an exciting and compelling story.  Perhaps the second in the trilogy will show what she is truly capable of doing. 

Note: The darkness of the plot and some of the themes addressed, such as sexuality, make this book more appropriate for older readers.

Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking by Susan Cain

Goodreads: Quiet

Source: Borrowed

Published: 2012

Review: Cain offers an interesting and informative look at the ways in which America has cultivated what she calls the “Extrovert Ideal”—a belief that the talkative and outgoing possess more intelligence and generate better ideas than those who prefer quiet and solitude.  In response, she argues that introverts have contributed valuable art, literature, and research to the world, all through utilizing their own unique skills.  To support her claims, she offers the results of studies indicating that solitude is requisite for the deep studying needed for success in many fields, that introverts have an edge in university, and more.  Her conclusions will not surprise those introverts aware of their own abilities, but may provide encouragement to those who have been conditioned by well-intentioned family, friends, or even educators to believe that there is something inherently wrong with them for preferring small group settings to large parties or for choosing silence over speech.

Because Quiet tries to address so many issues, however, it often seems to address no audience in particular.  Cain encourages her readers to take away only those parts which pertain to them, so, for example, those introverts who are not shy (the distinction will be welcome to many) need not worry about the chapters pertaining to those who are.  Still, the leaps from sensitivity to shyness to cultural expectations about extroversion and introversion (focused mainly on Asian Americans) make the read a little disjointed.  One topic will just start to prove particularly engrossing when another replaces it.

Despite the seeming disjointedness, however, Quiet remains a valuable resource for many—educators, business leaders, parents, and extroverts seeking to understand the introverts in their lives.  Those introverts who feel judged for not speaking up in class or meetings, or who are tired of seeing their good ideas passed over because they could not outtalk the other members in their groups will have the information they need not only to boost their confidence but also to educate others about the value of their skills.  But perhaps the best advice Quiet offers is that the book should not be read as an affirmation of introversion over extroversion.  Rather, Cain, posits, both extroverts and introverts are needed to make the world work.

Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon, Vol. 2 by Naoko Takeuchi

Translated by William Flanagan

Goodreads: Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon, Vol. 2

Series: Pretty Soldier Sailor Moon Renewal Edition #2

Source: Gift

Summary: The search for the Legendary Silver Crystal continues, but Luna fears that Sailor Moon’s feelings for Tuxedo Mask may threaten the mission.  Is Tuxedo Mask friend or foe and why does he want the crystal for himself?

Review: The second volume of the Sailor Moon manga focuses on the developing relationship between Usagi and Mamoru which, I suspect, is a big draw for many fans of the series.  Though the acts are rather episodic and the plot progresses surprisingly quickly, Takeuchi still manages to add a little bit of suspense and tension to the romance.  Any prior knowledge readers may have of how things develop matters not at all; watching Usagi and Mamoru shyly interact and secretly struggle with their attraction makes their relationship seem as if it is happening for the first time.  And, though the volume functions mainly to deliver backstory, Takeuchi does not allow her readers to get comfortable in the knowledge that everything will work out.

Despite the generous amount of backstory, however, I still feel as if I am missing key information about the characters. This, coupled with the expectation that readers will accept various plot devices without question, marred my enjoyment of the story somewhat.  I can't help but wonder why the villains are defeated in the ways they are, where all the magical items keep coming from, and why the guardians feel so threatened by the enemy when they seem to triumph so easily.  The manga consistently threatens my suspension of disbelief.

Even with its flaws, however, Sailor Moon still provides an exciting adventure driven by strong female characters.  The other four scouts may not have played a main role in this installment, but they were still present to support their leader, each in her own unique way.  I look forward to continuing the series and watching all of the scouts develop.  

Spellbinder by Helen Stringer

Goodreads: Spellbinder

Series: Spellbinder #1

Published: 2009

Source: Purchased

Summary: The gift to see ghosts runs in twelve-year-old Belladonna Johnson’s family, but she never appreciated it until the day the ghosts disappear.  Knowing only that she has to find someone called the Spellbinder, Belladonna and her friend Steve will travel to the Other World and face down a formidable foe in the hopes of preventing the spirits of the dead from vanishing forever.

Review: Armed with a unique premise and a sympathetic heroine, Stringer presents an adventure sure to keep readers flipping pages long after bedtime.  A generous helping of cryptic messages and secret explorations keeps the plot moving along while references to myth and history give the story a enough to ground it in the real world.  Stringer makes it seem quite plausible that readers can encounter dragons and their treasure on the corner, or a passageway to another world in an old, forgotten building.

The subject of the story may initially seem macabre, but the book manages to present seeing ghosts as quite a normal event.  Belladonna interacts with them as she would living people, treating them with respect and developing friendships with them.  Her gift proves especially useful as she can interact with her parents, victims of a fatal car crash.  Readers who dislike scary stories (such as myself) or who feel uncomfortable spending time with books that have an unhealthy fascination with death should therefore not fear to pick up Spellbinder.  Talking with ghosts proves simply a springboard for an otherwise not untypical fantasy adventure.

Though readers will recognize elements of standard fantasy plots—an ancient evil awakened, an alchemist with more to him than meets the eye—Stringer adds enough action and mystery to keep the story moving along.  The main characters, Belladonna and Steve, also help as their normality makes them relatable and their intelligence and good humor makes them likeable. 

The other characters, unfortunately, could use a little more originality.  The majority of the book seems populated by women, most of them strong personalities who command respect through their coldness or severity.  For awhile, it seemed as if I were reading about various projections of the same character.  Belladonna proves that females can be strong without trying to be intimidating or without adopting a sarcastic attitude; why don’t more of the adult characters follow her lead?

The lack of diversified femininity was the one flaw that stuck out to while reading.  Otherwise, I found myself completely engrossed by the mystery and magic of Spellbinder.  It ends conclusively enough that I will feel satisfied if I never find the sequel; however, I would like to enter Belladonna’s unique world sometime again.