Monday, April 30, 2012

Monday Book Giveaway: Hitchcock on Hitchcock


This week, in the spirit of the series I have been writing (How to Write Hitchcockian), The Writers' Lens is giving away an entire book of interviews with and essays by the Master of Suspense himself. This book is one of my key resources when I want to dive into the mind of the Master.

The following is from Barnes and Noble: "Gathered here for the first time are Alfred Hitchcock's reflections on his own life and work. In this ample selection of largely unknown and formerly inaccessible interviews and essays, Hitchcock provides an enlivening commentary on a career that spanned decades and transformed the history of the cinema. Bringing the same exuberance and originality to his writing as he did to his films, he ranges from accounts of his own life and experiences to techniques of film making and ideas about cinema in general. Wry, thoughtful, witty, and humorous--as well as brilliantly informative--this selection reveals another side of the most renowned filmmaker of our time.

"Sidney Gottlieb not only presents some of Hitchcock's most important pieces, but also places them in their historical context and in the context of Hitchcock's development as a director. He reflects on Hitchcock's complicated, often troubled, and continually evolving relationship toward women, both on and off the set. Some of the topics Hitchcock touches upon are the differences between English and American attitudes toward murder, the importance of comedy in film, and the uses and techniques of lighting. There are also many anecdotes of life among the stars, reminiscences from the sets of some of the most successful and innovative films of this century, and incisive insights into working method, film history, and the role of film in society.

"Unlike some of the complex critical commentary that has emerged on his life and work, the director's own writing style is refreshingly straightforward and accessible. Throughout the collection, Hitchcock reveals a delight and curiosity about his medium that bring all his subjects to life."

How do you win a free copy of this book?  To enter the contest, simply leave a comment or question on the Writers' Lens blog between now (April 30th) and midnight May 5, 2012. Please include your email so we can reach you if you win. The more comments you leave, the greater your chance of winning the contest. If you refer others to The Writer's Lens who mention your name in their comments, I'll enter your name again in our random number generator along with theirs, also increasing your chances at winning! The winner will be chosen after midnight on Saturday, May 5 and the announcement made on Sunday, May 6. Good luck and comment often.

Thank you for reading and please visit www.davidalanlucas.com and www.thewriterslens.com. You can also follow me on twitter @Owlkenpowriter and the Writer’s Lens @TheWritersLens. Fiction is the world where the philosopher is the most free in our society to explore the human condition as he chooses.

9 comments:

  1. Oh, David, I would love to win the Hitchcock on Hitchcock! You have had such an interesting series on this amazing master of suspense!

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  2. I don't think any director has ever come close to wearing Hitchcock's mantle. His style, imagination, sense of how much to show to the audience, was unparalleled. I read somewhere that he knew, even before he started shooting, how he wanted to edit the film. I believe it.

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  3. Here's a question for you, David. What is the name of the first Hitchcock film that was shown in the U.S.? And is it available on DVD?

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  4. Great Idea - Hitchcock is a master and his style and teaching need to be alive and passed on.

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  5. This book would be a great addition to my Hitchcock library.

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  6. I would love to write Hitchcockian...psychological suspense at its best.

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  7. Gerry . . .I think you have me on this one. I'm thinking The Lodger. Rebecca was his first US film, but I'm not sure which was the first of his UK films to be shown here.

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  8. What was the name of the lead female character in "The Birds?"

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  9. What was the name of the lead female character in "The Birds?"

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