This was a movie that mom wanted to see (mom-able). I liked it too. It was a powerful illustration of the mental strength this man had to endure so much suffering in his life. Soon on Facebook, I saw posts criticizing it because it had left out the most important part of his life, that he was "saved" after going to a Billy Graham revival. Fortunately, there was another article link about how Zamparini's son said that the movie captured his father's faith perfectly.
 
Here's the last paragraph: 
The film version of UNBROKEN does not spend a lot of screen time on his Christian conversion –detailing it in a series of text cards before the closing credits. And that is exactly the way my Dad and our entire family wanted it. As he said in his autobiography, DEVIL AT MY HEELS, “The great commandment is that we preach the gospel to every creature, but neither God nor the Bible says anything about forcing it down people’s throats.”

I've been hooked on his books ever since he started writing historical fiction (can't get into his other stuff). This is the third in the century trilogy, following the lives of families from the beginning of the 20th century to the end. This one poses fictional characters into real historic events of the turbulent sixties. I need to find out how much of the fiction was based on fact and how much is the author's speculation. Follett's version of history seems to be real, the involvement of a rogue CIA attempting to overthrow the Castro regime is not too far-fetched to believe. Kennedy's, MLK, sex, drugs, and rock and roll, are all covered, and more. It even goes up to the Obama inauguration. 

After visiting Buenos Aires, I became interested in knowing more about Evita. She seems to be such a mythical figure; a building on the famous Avenida 9 de Julio displays her image on both sides. This biography is not kind to her, which is probably a good balance to the mythic portrayal of her, especially through the musical, Evita (which our community theatre will be performing for their next show). It is true that she did have sympathy for "the people",  she did give women the right to vote, she did have an orphanage and a foundation in which she gave to the poor. But she was vindictive, corrupt, greedy, and cruel, especially to the "oligarchs" who had shunned her previous to her rise to power. I am glad I found this book (at our used book store, Kona Bay Books), she does not deserve to be adored. She is not heroic, but she is interesting. 

Another one of my favorite authors. I think I have read all of her books now. This is a collection of short stories. When I finished one, I often would say out loud, to myself, "that was a good story." Example: A little girl, left in an orphanage by her emotionally distant doctor father in St. Lucia when her mother dies, so independent that the nuns in charge of her care, gave up on trying to control her, meets up with a native "Obeah man." You have to infer that he is some kind of "priest" though that is never stated. Kingsolver does come up with the most intriguing characters.