Customer Reviews

Finding Forrester: A Novel

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Finding Forrester is one of those books that has it all. A smooth pace, heightening climax and a clinching ending. This is the kind of book that stays in your thoughts weeks after you read it. The movie is also recommended; both are works of art. It's rare you come across something as deep and inspirational as this. 6 out of 5 stars goes to Finding Forrester!

The novel "Finding Forrester" is fabulous to read (it took me a little over 4 hours...) and one of the most uplifting books I've ploughed through of late.

But the author has of course based his novel on the screenplay by Mike Rich -- the story, which is really the most outstanding aspect of "Finding Forrester", is not his in original. I will read the screenplay, and it will be seen how much of the book is really 'his'. There are also many editing errors and grammatical imprecisions that haven't been corrected by the publishers. In addition, the prose appears very bare-bone in traits, lacking in elaboration. In some cases, the writing is downright flimsy.

Nonetheless, Ellison fills many of the gaps in the film, in some cases with care and detail. For instance, he follows up on themes the motion picture touches upon without drawing a conclusion (see my review of the film), and most notably gives us the text Forrester reads in the Mailor-Callow auditorium (which in the film is unfortunately mostly covered up by music). In some instances, as in the party at the Spence Estate, Ellison gives significantly greater detail than the film, although he won't let the reader guess whose work his allusions recall: F. Scott Fitzgerald. By giving greater detail, central themes therefore appear much clearer: teenage development, race relations, social integration and deviance, Jamal's relationship with Claire, to name a few. In addition, in certain scences Ellison manages to create a great atmosphere by very simple and straightforward observations. This gives us a feeling of immersion and participation. He very ably characterises Jamal (and Forrester) with the same tactics: simple, recurrent observations. He ably but rather rudimentally combines images with feelings: sweat and heat with the fear and anxiety people dare not show explicitly; laces, sneakers, shoes and feet with fun, apprehension, routine. This give us an insight into the characters that isn't given by the film in the same manner.

The novel "Finding Forrester" is not a masterpiece, but then it is not meant to be. It is great to read, and sheds so much more light onto the film "Finding Forrester", and the story as a whole, that make us even more appreciative.

Like many reviewers, I saw the movie "Finding Forrester" well prior to buying and reading the book. I have viewed this movie a number of times now and still find it as inspirational and moving as the first viewing. Now, after reading the book, this story has to be one of the most meaningful and inspirational stories I've ever read.

Jamal Wallace is a 16-year-old South Bronx African-American kid introduced to the reader as a "regular" teenager, loving basketball and loathing school. As incredibly talented as Jamal is with a basketball, his literary gifts approach genius. However, not wanting to be seen as a freak, Jamal hides his intellectual side from his friends and teachers.

Close to the neighborhood courts, Jamal and his friends observe regular visits by a well-dressed man driving a BMW to the man in the upstairs apartment who has not been seen by the public in years. This (the well-dressed man and a BMW) are rarities in the South Bronx. Jamal's friends indicate that this mystery man is a "murderer" or a some sort of ghost. On a dare from his friends, Jamal climbs in the mystery man's window only to be scared out of the apartment when surprised by the mystery man. In his haste to make his escape, Jamal drops his backpack which contains his writing notebooks along with his school work. Two days later, his backpack is tossed out the apartment window at Jamal's feet. When Jamal opens the backpack, he finds his writing notebooks are still there but have edited by the man in the apartment. After confronting and apologizing to the old man, Jamal soon learns he is the reclusive legendary novelist William Forrester, a man who only wrote one novel but which received the Pulitzer Prize.

After striking up a strange friendship (inasmuch as strange can be defined as a frienship between a 16 year old African-American and a 70 year old anglo Scot), Forrester agrees to teach and mentor Jamal in his writing aspirations. Concurrent with his new friendship, Jamal is recruited for an academic and basketball scholarship to a snobby, WASP-based Manhattan prepratory school. Encouraged by Forrester and his mother, Jamal decides to leave his friends behind for the potential advantages of the prep school.

Soon after arriving, Jamal meets Claire, the daughter of an extremely powerful businessman who also happens to be the chairman of the board at the prep school. Jamal runs afoul of a writing/literary instructor (a failed writer known to Forrester) who acuses him (Jamal) of plagarism. Jamal is ostracized by Claire and most of his new friends even though he is not guilty. In reality, Jamal is honoring a promise he made to Forrester. This story ignites at this point and is best experienced by the viewer or reader.

This "novel" is a rewrite of the original screenplay by Mike Rich and therefore, is not an original novel. Ellison follows the storyline true to the screenplay albeit with few explanations/expansions providing the reader with some insight not seen on the screen. The most important expansion provided by Ellison is the actual text of the "story" read by Forrester during the writing contest hosted by the prep school. In the movie, the viewer was only provided with bits and pieces of the story. This is actually the prelude to the climax.

The novel is realtively sparse in peripheral prose. This is evidenced by the fact that the novel is less than 200 pages while the movie is 2.5 hours. In other words, although Ellison did provide a few spectacular gems (see above), he did not massage the storyline enough to provide the reader with the necessary visual images typically accorded a story of this stature.

This is an inspirational and motivational story. As an aspiring writer, this story is touching, emotional and caring. While the book lacks a bit of defferential detail, the storyline is brilliant. Watch the movie or read the book...you'll not be disappointed.

I did not see the movie Finding Forrester as I have always enjoyed the written word more than the the big screen. But... in this case, I should have seen the movie.

The novel by James Ellison was based on the screenplay so I did not go into this book expecting literary genius. I did, however, expect correct spelling, grammar and punctuation. For a novel about a young boy who possesses the gift of writing to be replete with so many obvious errors, leaves a strange feeling of irony that draws away from the story. This is a shame because the story is not half bad.

The concept is entertaining and the characters - likeable. But the errors combined with the overly simplistic writing style create a disappointing read. Certainly, more could have been done to flesh out the characters and to bring the scenes to life. The paragraphs with Jamal and William in William's apartment, alone, could really be used to create a mood and feel for the relationship between these two central characters. As they stand, the passages are flat and two-dimensional with very little flair to draw the reader into the work.

Really, the storyline is the only thing that makes this short, easy-to-read novel entertaining and that can't be attributed to Ellison since it is really Mike Rich's creation.

It appears that Ellison could take a few lessons from the protagonist in this novel about quality writing. It just goes to show you that a good storyline does not necessarily a good read make!

I haven't read a book with this much feeling in a long time. Finding Forrester is the type of novel that you just feel good reading. It has several very memorable quotes that I will keep in me for a long time. This novel is sort of in a category by itself. I've never read a book quite like it. I would reccomend this book to a person who thinks the human race is failing because this book will reignite your feelings in a good way.

WOW! Finding Forrester is an excellent read. It is inspirational and makes you feel sooo ooo good inside. While the story is predictable and a little cliched, it is a masterpiece nonetheless. I finished the book hungry for more. I saw the movie after the book, and it is very true to the novel but a lot of scenes were cut out. This is why you have to read the novel! I'm telling you, you will absolutely love it! Reading Finding Forrester rekindled my passion for reading, and my faith in humankind. Thanks Ellison!!!

If ever you feel uninspired and need a boost in self-esteem, Finding Forrester by James Ellison is the novel for you. This novel is chalk full of inspiration, from a young African-American boy (Jamal Walker) struggling to fit into a predominantly Caucasian school to aiding an isolated retired writer (William Forrester) find confidentiality in another human being. Overall, Finding Forrester is a novel that encompasses aspects easily relatable to today's society while still keeping the interest of the reader.

One part of Finding Forrester that I particularly enjoyed was reading about the basketball aspect of the story. As a big fan and fellow basketball player, I can relate to Jamal's basketball life. The story has great imagery that allows the reader to picture clearly what is taking place on the court. I myself can even get up and mimic physically word for word the movements exhibited by Jamal and other players.

Finding friendship is also something that Ellison incorporates in his novel that is very touching. Forrester and Jamal start as complete strangers but eventually become mentor and student. Forrester houses Jamal's academic excellence and helps Jamal expand his abilities. The dialogue used between Forrester and Walker sets the tone for an unusual friendship because often times Forrester will say things that aren't common knowledge yet insightful and Walker will try to interpret it. The novel shows that the best friendships can arise from nothing at all.

I recommend this book to anyone because it's surprisingly relevant to modern society and an easy read so anyone can understand it. It can appeal to everyone from sports fans to those who adore friendship stories. I do not recommend this book for those who believe in extreme detail and a very time consuming read because it is not a complicated novel.

It seems so right to read the book upon which a movie (of the same name) is based, especially when the story revolves around two main characters who share a passion for the written word. Though it is not whimsical in its content, it is a fairly quick read (two to four hours). Excellent for a train or plane ride, but overall it is about the characters and they are well-written and carefully considered. As always, not every detail in the book is in the film and vise versa, but that keeps the read from being dull if you've already seen the film. Some of my favorite exchanges from the movie (like when he explains the history of BMW) are also in the book. You know that feeling that comes over you when you realize the book you are enjoying is in its last chapter? Well, that is why part of me wishes that Ellison could have drawn the story out a bit more. Other than that, it was a sublime read and ideal for travel entertainment.

I am in no position to comment on the book because I have not read it. What I HAVE read, on numerous occasions, is the fabulous screenplay by Mike Rich on which it's based.

That's right. The book is based on a movie that was created from an original screenplay!

While I realize that most screenwriters are unknown to the general public, it seems wrong and unfair that people might believe that the novel they are reading is the source material for the adapted movie that they love. While that may be the standard chronology in most cases (of adaptation), there are exceptions to the rule, and this is one of them!

FINDING FORRESTER began its life as a winning entry in the esteemed Nicholl's Fellowship screenwriting competition. Only after it became a successful film directed by Gus van Sandt was it turned into a novel. If you want to know more about how that process works, try reading the original screenplay and see how it served as the blueprint for what followed.

The novel may be great in its own right. But those ideas you so adore -- the vast majority, no doubt -- were conceived in the heart and mind of a hard-working screenwriter, difficult as that might be for some people to believe.

Mike Rich is a tremendous writer with compassion, wit and soul. Try watching The Rookie sometime, another screenplay he wrote that became a popular and beloved movie starring Dennis Quaid. Or the upcoming (at this time) Secretariat, which I can only imagine will be awesome too.

This all may seem a trivial distinction to you. Unless you happen to be a screenwriter...

Finding Forrester reads like smooth chocolate to the palate. I enjoyed every sentence and wished only for more at the end. I will admit, I found several errors. I was surprised the editors didn't correct them. As I read without contempt, I discovered a passage where errors (breaking grammatical rules) were discussed. Aah, brilliant James W. Ellison! Ellison made you love each character. He made them family. I found myself wanting to take care of every last one of them. No, I wanted to be them!