Interesting casting ...

   

    The Bookseller tells us today that Mel Gibson and Sean Penn are to star in a film adaptation of a novel about the creation of the OED.

    The book in question is The Surgeon of Crowthorne (also known as The Professor and the Madman) by Simon Winchester; Mel Gibson will play Sir James Murray, the primary editor of the Dictionary, and Sean Penn will take the role of Dr. W. C. Minor, one of its chief contributors and an inmate of Broadmoor, an asylum for the criminally insane.

    I look forward to seeing the film in due course, and while I haven't read Simon Winchester's book, I can certainly recommend Caught in the Web of Words: James Murray and the Oxford English Dictionary by K.M. Elisabeth Murray, James Murray's grandaughter, a fascinating account of a remarkable man and an extraordinary enterprise.

Comments

[Linda C]

I've read both books (some years ago). Web of Words: James Murray and the Oxford English Dictionary is excellent, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Mr. Winchester's book, not so much. Ms. Murray's book has more detail and is simply a more interesting book.

[Terra]

The subject is fascinating since I love words, history and the madman makes it even more intriguing. I like Mel Gibson's acting so look forward to seeing the film.

[Callmemadam]

Years ago, I looked forward to reading The Surgeon of Crowthorne because of the subject matter, but I was disappointed by it. The film should be ... interesting.

[Claire]

"Interesting" is one word for it........

[Susie Vereker]

Cornflower, some time ago I listened to the audio book of The Surgeon of Crowthorne and found it a fascinating story. Must have borrowed it from the library. I do recommend.