Donn King discovered a book by poet Ross Gay entitled The Book of Delights. It has inspired him to post a daily thought sparked by noticing something (or some things) delightful, thereby fostering joy. May it inspire you to notice also.
I decided to write about just one thing for yesterday’s delight, because this was a standout. I've had The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse by Charlie Mackesy in book form for awhile and recommended it frequently. I had no idea it had been made into a short film until it won an Oscar. Yesterday I found it and watched it. I love the book. The film has elements not in the book, and it also leaves out elements from the book—typical when a book is adapted for a screen. But the film gives proper respect to the book, maintains its impact. Not surprising since Charlie Mackesy was one of the co-writers of the screenplay and also a co-director. Do yourself a favor. Read the book, get it in hardback. Watch the film. Either one first. But experience both. Sometimes after watching a newscast or reading the newspaper, I have to go back and re-read this entire book. I must find a way to get the film in a form I can watch any time I want.
[Note: the film is available right now just on Apple TV+.]
Mackesy's drawings
You would be forgiven for thinking that, because of the drawings, this book is intended for children. I think it's more accurate to say that the drawings are intended to reawaken the child within. Many look like pen and ink or pencil drawings, with some of them enhanced by watercolor.
Though I have always preferred print books, in recent years I mostly get ebooks for reasons. This is one that absolutely is worth the price of a hardback print book. The ebook just loses too much.
Mackesy's writing
He says he has trouble reading a book and needs pictures, and I believe him. But his writing also carries his heart through the pages and the screen as well. The structure is simple and "sounds" in my head like the speech of the characters, and yet it is neither childish nor childlike. It is spare and clear. Example of an interchange from both the book and the film that opens my own heart: "'What do you want to be when you grow up?' [asked the mole.] 'Kind,' said the boy."
Material only in the book
Here's an example. In both the book and the film the mole has an obsession with cake. Only in the book, though, do we see a struggle that we all may relate to. "I got you a delicious cake," said the mole. "Did you?" "Yes." "Where is it?" "I ate it," said the mole. "Oh." "But I got you another." "Did you? Where is that one?" "The same thing seems to have happened." That captures so well the desire to do nice things for other people that is often sidelined by other desires, as well as the slight sense of powerlessness in the face of that reality.
Material only in the film
Mackesy and his co-writer Jon Croker fleshed out some of the surrounding material, adding a quest that provides motivation as well as an emotional ending. They sometimes took lines from the book and added just a line or two. For instance, following the interchange about grown-up ambition, in the film the mole adds, "Nothing beats kindness. It sits quietly beyond all things." The film preserves the drawing style of the book, slightly simplified to make it more accessible on a screen, and yet also occasionally incorporating amazingly photorealistic animation of scenery that makes you wonder if it is actually live action.
The whole tone of both
The narrative is not syrupy, but it does lean more sweet than bittersweet. It's complex and yet simple without being simplistic.
The book's postscript
In a visual postscript that incorporates the boy and the horse walking along a musical score that I want to get a musician friend to play for me, Mackesy leaves us with this wisdom: "Just take this step.... The horizon will look after itself." I didn't see that until I read the book again after watching the film. It was just what I needed yesterday.
Donn King is The Confidence Cultivator. He is a professor of communication studies (which means “a professor of standing up in front of people and saying stuff”). He’s also a pastor, a speaker, a writer, and a communication coach. He works with professionals and leaders just like you who want to speak confidently so they can increase their impact, gain influence, and build their careers. Send email to donn at donnellking dot com if you would like to see if he could help you communicate with greater confidence.