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Did the BBC ever get round to finishing their adaptation of Small Island by Andrea Levy? Did I miss it?

56 replies

nevergoogledragonbutter · 08/11/2009 14:46

I'm in bed with the flu.

I can't find small island on iplayer.

Was it ever shown? Did i miss it?

What happened?

OP posts:
Nevergoogle · 13/12/2009 09:53

i watched the first episode on iplayer. it's good, captures the tone of the book. but is moving a lot quicker.
is this because i read it slowly that the programme seems to be moving too fast?
odd thought.
great casting though, although i imagine queenie to be a bit chunkier. hortense is nailing it.

Rindercella · 13/12/2009 12:05

I agree NeverGoogle (dragonbutter?), it is moing much more quickly than the book, but I guess the screen writers had to condense it down to 3 hours. The characters are spot on imo, particularly Hortense and Gilbert.

Nevergoogle · 13/12/2009 12:16

yes it's me.

thought it was a stupid thought that is was going more quickly than the book, so glad you agree.

is tonight's episode the final part. i'm thinking it must be with the pace it's going at.

Rindercella · 13/12/2009 12:22

Thought it was you! Your previous moniker will never leave you you know

Yes, it's just a 2 parter.

Nevergoogle · 13/12/2009 16:08

What does Hortense see in Michael anyway. I don't understand her devotion to him. He doesn't seem to pining for her does he?

Bit disappointed with the spoilers at the end of episode one. For me the ending was such a shock, but the tv adaptation tells us halfway through.

maggiethecat · 13/12/2009 20:03

Gutted that I missed the first part as I absolutely loved the book which I could identify a lot with being the child of Caribbean immigrants. I remember reading the book on the tube and trying to suppress the laughs. Will have to investigate getting a taped copy or something.

Nevergoogle · 13/12/2009 22:42

wail, sob, sniff.

that was great.

i knew i would cry if it was as good as the book which had me sobbing on my lunch break.

purpleturtle · 13/12/2009 22:43

The lady with the cough sweet...

Streaming!

Rindercella · 13/12/2009 22:44

It must be my pregnancy hormones, but I just blubbed through the last part of that...I think knowing that Queenie was going to give her son away just made it worse.

I am eternally grateful that my life is 60+ years on from that story.

Does anyone know if this is going to be released as a DVD? My mother is away and I know she'd love it (as she'd loved the book), but my daft brother didn't manage to Sky+ it - it'd make a good Christmas present for her.

purpleturtle · 13/12/2009 22:45

Well I'm not pregnant, Rindercella! What's my excuse?

Nevergoogle · 13/12/2009 22:48

i've read another andrea levy book which was really good too. Fruit of the lemon or something like that.
I recommend it.

Rindercella · 13/12/2009 22:49

I actually do not recall crying so much at anything before! Was very pleased DH had gone to bed, so I could blub in peace.

IHaventHadTiger · 13/12/2009 22:49

did she give the baby away in the book
lord i dont rememerb ANY of that

Nevergoogle · 13/12/2009 22:51

she did in the book. for a moment there, i hoped they would change the ending for the film. wishful thinking.

Rindercella · 13/12/2009 22:52

I know, I really had a moment of hoping Queenie would keep the baby.

Nevergoogle · 13/12/2009 23:03

Yes, i hadn't remembered her husband agreeing to take him on as his son. I thought it was all going to be ok.

Rindercella · 13/12/2009 23:27

Andrea Levy has a new book out in February I hadn't realised I have already read all she has written, and have loved them all (4 books in total).

Nevergoogle · 13/12/2009 23:36

Wish i had more time to read right now.

Rindercella · 13/12/2009 23:40

I know what you mean Google. The last book I read was on holiday - in May! I used to be such an avid reader, at least 2 books a week; frequently more. Then DD came along just over 2 years ago and I have read that one book (back in May) since.

I shall definitely make time to read Levy's new book though...will be 8 months pg when it comes out, so should have a good excuse to put my feet up

candycanesonthexmastree · 14/12/2009 09:48

sobbed my heart out last night - so sad that queenie hasd to give him up but totally got that she couldnt of kept him - it just wasnt done in those days.
i havent read the book but may do now ince im finished twilight - eclipse

i so wanted micheal to come back and make it all ok .

candycanesonthexmastree · 14/12/2009 09:49

the love making scenes where lovely - so intense

LizzyLordsALeaping · 14/12/2009 09:53

That was soo good, I loved the book so was worried I wouldn't like the TV adaptation, but it was fab.

I agree about the lady with the cough sweet, sob.

Even DH loved it, and there were no zombies/spies or action sequences

I do love the actor who played Michael, fab cheekbones.

Kathyis12feethighandbites · 14/12/2009 10:04

Nevergoogle - I think Hortense likes Michael because he is aspirational like she is - they both feel like they are destined for something more than living on a small island....

I don't remember the book having such portentous narration - spoiled it IMO. Also the present day bit at the end was a bit clunky. This was good - the acting and settings were superb - but the book is better.

minko · 14/12/2009 13:41

Must read the book now, I LOVED the adaptation. Found the ending a bit sudden. I wanted to see more of how the two couples got on. Was also wanting Hortense to find out what a slapper Michael turned out to be. At the end was that baby Michael's sister arriving? Does this mean Hortense and Gilbert went on to have more kids and lived happily ever after??

maggiethecat · 14/12/2009 17:01

I thought Naomi Harris was soooo good as Hortense - she nailed some Jamaican mannerisms that I recognise but are difficult for me to describe. Hope there will be a DVD.