couldronfullofhotstronglove

I never thought the books could be adapted to a tv series. But I was wrong. The series is as romantic and sexy as the books. And no. It's not historically correct. But for all the critics : the show is based on historical romance novels which are set in the regency era, but are not historically accurate at all themselves. They are pure FANTASY!! So I think the series did a very good job. First I was surprised to see Simon played by a non-white actor. But he was totally convincing ....and super hot ;) I just wished they had focussed more on his stammering problem which did play a big role in the book. I am very much looking forward to the next season and Anthony's story.

I review this after over one and a half years since I saw it and I am still angry. Maybe I would have hated it less, if Disney had actually advertised it as a musical. The trailer featured probably all the spoken lines there are and I really thought I would go and see a dark fairy tale in the likes of Malificent. Sorry, but in Germany the original musical is not very well known. I am not particularly fond of musicals and I really have a hard time with the type of musicals that have no spoken dialogue. Although I really liked Les Miserables. But here the constant singing was super annoying. I almost left the theater. Maybe I would have hated it less if at least the songs were any good. But there is no melody or lyrics that stayed with me. The song by the two princes was the only 5 minutes that I enjoyed. I wish Disney would give me my time back.

Very good and complex story writing! I don't get the bad reviews that criticize that the plot is illogical. I think it is very well thought-out if one accepts the premise: Norway wants to quit the oil production and the EU and Russia don't like it. Hej, it's fiction - just like the Zombie-Apocalypse in the Walking Dead - so get over it! Then the interesting things start to happen. If one considers the situation that a small country such as Norway faces when it is caught in the middle of forces out of their control, there really is not much Norway can do on their own. It all depends on what Russia, the EU and the US do. And all of these play their role in this scenario representing their own interests. And of course there is some resistance from the Norwegian population, even terrorism. But there is no obvious good or bad side. To all the Russians: the role Russia plays is not ALL bad. Yes, they are the bad guys that occupy Norway, but actually the EU started the whole conflict and the US do everything so they don't have to intervene. So everyone of the big players is an asshole. I am looking forward to see a second season.

I'm almost ashamed to say that I did not like N&S very much after first watching it. Back then I probably compared it directly to the eternal BBC "Pride&Prejudice" - my period-drama-gateway-drug. Maybe I also watched the (german)synchronised version and that's never as good as the original - I don't remember. So the DVD was ignored for years.

BUT THEN one day I watched it again (and numerous times since ;) and was very surprised that I found it truly engaging and very, very romantic. So it may be worth to give it another chance and (to all Germans:) pleeeaaaase, whenever possible watch it in the English original.

I think everything else is already said in all the other review. I only want to point out that E. Gaskells work can't and shouldn't be directly compared to Jane Austens work (which I LOVE!). Gaskell emphasizes strongly on social issues and the story is told from different points of view.

I also read the book by now and found it a little difficult.It's not a mere love story but focuses also on the above metioned social issues.But once I got into that, I really enjoyed it. And I like the story especially for the fact that we also learn about how John Thorton feels and thinks. Still, I probably would not have read the book unless I had seen the series before. So I'm, glad I did....