Week in Review #42

This week I read some books!

66. Xenocide. Orson Scott Card. 1991. 592 pages. [Source: Library] [audio book, 3 stars]
67. Daughter of Egypt. Marie Benedict. 2026. 352 pages. [Source: Review copy] [adult historical fiction, dual narratives, 3 stars]

Century of Viewing #42

1940s

• 1944. Miracle of Morgan's Creek. This screwball comedy is set during the Second World War. Norval Jones has almost always been in love with Trudy. But that love is put to the ultimate test when Trudy attends a "wild" party with soldiers about to head off to war. She wakes up confused and dazed...and with the fuzziest of memories that she married a stranger--a soldier. She doesn't know his name or remember his face. BUT finding herself in the 'family way' she's in quite the predicament. Norval loves her through and through and wants to marry her. But many obstacles--many, many obstacles--get in the way. The first being is that she's technically married to someone else. (But who?????) Will they get their happy ending? This one features a surprise ending. I'm guessing most people haven't watched this one. So I don't feel right spoiling it. BUT let's just say it's a LARGE surprise.
• 1947. Monsieur Verdoux. Charlie Chaplin stars and directs (and composes) in this mystery-crime movie. He plays a villain. It is set in France in the 1930s. When life doesn't go as he expects, well, one man goes into business for himself....but....his business ventures are less than ethical. The movie poster might have been designed by someone who has NEVER seen the movie.

1950s

• 1952. The Greatest Show On Earth. This is a LONG movie. There is drama and romance. It also features a bajillion circus acts and lot of musical numbers. The action-drama mostly occurs towards the end of the movie. This one is good. It's just extremely very long.

1960s

• 1967. Mad Monster Party. Rankin/Bass a Halloween-y movie starring many monsters--Dracula, Mummy, Invisible Man, Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, Frankenstein's monster and mate, Werewolf, etc. It is a LONG movie. It doesn't stay humorous and amusing for the full length of the movie. It IS a musical.

Alphabet Viewing #2

A
B Beginning of the End (1957)
C
D
E Elf (2003)
F
G The Greatest Show On Earth (1952)
H Home Alone (1990)
I It Came From Outer Space (1953)
J
K
L
M Mad Monster Party (1967) Miracle of Morgan’s Creek (1944)
N
O
P
Q
R
S
T
U
V Monsier Verdoux (1947)
W
X X: The Man With X-Ray Eyes (1963)
Y
Z

© 2026 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews