On The Nightstand

One thing I have always enjoyed is reading. Especially at night, when I don't have to get up in the morning.

If there's a gentle rain outside, all the better.

Lee Child's series of Jack Reacher novels is a favorite. I tell you what, the man can write.

You've heard, no doubt, "this is a book you can't put down." With Lee Child, it's true.

Last week I read the predecessor to this book, A Wanted Man. Let's just say, I didn't get a lot of sleep last week.

Mr. Child pulls you in practically from the first sentence. I find myself wanting to read "just a few more pages" and realize that I'm pushing midnight. Six o'clock is not far away. But even then, the temptation is to keep reading.

I want to know what happens next.

You may recall that there is a recent film, starring Tom Cruise, entitled Jack Reacher. Same character, in fact Lee Child has a cameo in the film. I didn't know that and when I watched it on BluRay, I had to pause it.

"Damn, that guy looked familiar."

Rewind and yup, Lee Child. I thought that was pretty cool. YMMV.

At first I was pretty excited about this movie and planned to actually lay out the cash and the time to go to the theater and see it. Then I found out that Tom Cruise was going to play Jack Reacher.

Hhmm, gave me pause that did.

For the character Jack Reacher is a very large guy. He stands 6'5" tall and is all muscle. So I decided not go see this one at all. I mean come on, I like Tom Cruise, but geez, he's like what, all of 5'7" tall?

Then I read this: Lee Child was quoted as saying, "Reacher's size in the books is a metaphor for an unstoppable force, which Cruise portrays in his own way."

So I thought, what the heck, it's on Netflix now, which I've already paid for. So I can spare a couple hours for the movie.

I'm glad I did, now I wish I'd gone to the theater. Would have been good on that big screen.

Tom did a fine job portraying Jack Reacher, it surprised the heck out of me. He was very believable as Reacher.

Oddly enough though, you know how when you watch a movie based on a book, the next time you read that book (or another if it's part of a series) you "see" the characters as the ones from the film? (For instance, Sean Connery's face pops into my mind every time I read Hunt for Red October. Uh, Sarge... How many times have you read that book? Uh, like 12 times, or so. Seen the movie 5 times.) That didn't happen with the Reacher character.

In my mind's eye, he's this average looking guy who just happens to be big and resourceful.

Jack Reacher is a good man to have on your side. He's also not someone you want coming after you.

If you want a good read, you can't go wrong with Lee Child.

You can read more about him, here.

As for Jack Reacher, former Major and military policeman in the U.S. Army? You can read about him, here.

The Sarge rates these books...

Five Phantoms!
(Out of Five)

In the on deck circle...

Another favorite author of mine, Jeff Shaara. His dad, Michael (who sadly passed away in 1988 at the age of 60) wrote The Killer Angels. The son is every bit as good as the father.

Oh yeah, got the books on sale at Barnes & Noble just last week. As a fellow of (mostly) Scots descent, I'm always on the lookout for a bargain.

I'm fiscally responsible, not cheap, nay, not even parsimonious!

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