Basically the idea of the challenge is to read all the books which feature the main characters from "The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen". I have read a few of them in the past and there is only one on the list that I didn't enjoy. I am looking forward to reading new books and to rereading some old favourites (Dracula is long overdue a reread).
I have to confess that I saw the film when it was first released in the cinema. I was excited about it because of all the characters involved but in the end I was extremely disappointed by it. It hasn't put me off the idea though. I think Alan Moore himself hated the film too (although he hates all the films which is why he took nothing to do with The Watchmen). When I tried out graphic novels this year the ones I enjoyed the most were by him. So like Gabe and Kayleigh I am adding the graphic novel to the list which is;
King Solomon's Mines by H. Rider Haggard (Allan Quartermaine)
Dracula by Bram Stoker (Mina Harker)
20,000 Leagues Under the Sea by Jules Verne (Captain Nemo)
The Adventures of Tom Sawyer by Mark Twain (Tom Sawyer)
The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde (Dorian Gray)
The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson (Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde)
The Invisible Man by H.G. Wells (Rodney Skinner)
The Phantom of the Opera by Gaston Leroux (The Phantom)
The Final Problem by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (James Moriarty)
The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen by Alan Moore
My rereads are Dracula, Tom Sawyer, Dorian Gray, Jekyll and Hyde and Phantom of the Opera. That's actually more than I initially thought. Dorian Gray I disliked and Phantom of the Opera wasn't a favourite either. The others though I loved and I am looking forward to reading the rest. I might even watch the film again as it has been years since I originally watched it.
This sounds like a nice challenge - and of a manageable size. A friend of mine has been trying to get me to see this for ages, and I can no longer remember why I refused in the first place, and now merely do it out of habit.
ReplyDeleteHmm...
Aside: I love Dorian Gray (esp Lord Henry) but then I'm a sucker for all things Wilde.
I'm so glad there are so many people taking part in this challenge, I can't wait to see what everyone thinks about all the books! I remember being a little so-so about the film but that was when it first came out, so I might have just been too young/distracted to really appreciate it. We'll see next year I guess!
ReplyDeletelol FBT, if it's not your cup of tea I don't blame you for avoiding it. Great characters in there though from some great books. Think that's what intrigued me. Looking forward to reading the original book though.
ReplyDeleteI have to confess I found Dorian Gray far too flowery. It's the only one I am really not looking forward to rereading.
Kayleigh, I am excited about it too. I am wondering that about the film too which is why I am going to give it another go. Looking forward to reading the reviews by others too. Will be interesting to see which one comes out on top as a favourite.