The Dude Abides: The Gospel According to the Coen Brothers [NOOK Book]

Not just religion...man

This book isnt just great for all of us die hard Coen fans but also for people who want to learn a little more about the movies, in each chapter there is a brief introduction to the movies wich is very easy read and should get alot of new fans more interested to see the movies. Also, for the real fans out there, in the end of every chapter Cathleen Falsani writes about what she calls "The moral of the story" where she compares the movies to religion, and she does this in a very interesting and thoughtful way. Even though i dont always agree with what she writes its still a blast to read it, and as the book says in the introduction "I hope you´ll disagree with conclusions that dont ring true to you and draw you own". In the very end of it there are a few group study questions about the Coens, religion and movies, these questions is a great way to start a discussion and find out things you didnt know you thought about the Coens movies. Its a thought provoking book with many good points and just a fun read.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

This Book Really Ties Their Movies Together

Good, evil, morality, The Almighty, and the Coen brothers. What do these things have in common? Before I read the book, The Dude Abides: The Gospel According to the Coen Brothers by Cathleen Falsani, I would have thought nothing at all.

A fan of the Coens' work for years, I never really saw any connection with their movies, other than the fact they are well written and extremely quotable. However, after reading this book my opinion has changed. In it, Cathleen summarizes each movie, and then highlights the religious and moral overtones that until now, I hadn't noticed. With their first film, Blood Simple, she analyzes the choices each character makes which lead to their eventual downfall, and the overall lack of divine intervention, reminding us that "everything we do has consequences that we cannot avoid."

She then analyzes Raising Arizona and Hi's internal struggle with good and evil, the laws of men and God, and the salvation he finds at the end of the movie. I've never really cared for the movie, but after reading her take on it, I will definitely give it another chance.

Continuing through to the upcoming A Serious Man, due in theaters in October, she painstakingly links each movie in the "Coeniverse" as she calls it, to the underlying theme of morality and the fact that the brothers Coen don't preach to us their "gospel and whathaveyou", but would rather have us each find our own way.

I will tell you that my primary reason for wanting to read this book was based solely on the title. I love all things Lebowski, and when I heard this book was coming out, knew I had to read it and was happily not disappointed. If you are a fan of any of the Coen movies, grab a copy and give it a read. You won't be disappointed.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

"D'ya gotta use so many Cuss words?"

I would submit to you that you have never had intellectual discourse about a pee stained rug. Let's say YOU HAVE had intellectual discourse about a pee stained rug... has that same rug been used as a vehicle to drive home a point about Taoism?

Didn't think so.

Chronicling the philosophical, existential, and religious undertones of the whole of the Cohen Brothers canon, Cathleen Falsani throws a strike with this book regarding some very unassuming, yet surprisingly heady material. Each chapter is laid out in a particular format that opens the discussion of the various aspects of religion etc. of a given Cohen Brothers film.

In reading this piece, it was very intriguing to see the parallels between so many different religious texts and epic novels such as Homer's The Odyssey.

Overall, the experience was one of deep introspection, and long hours of re-watching every film!

Highly recommended for the most hardcore of fans, and even those out there who are simply intrigued with philosophy and religious study.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

The Thread

I liked this book, primarily because I like the Coen brother's films. That being said, it's a little heavy on Cliff's Notes-style plot outline and a little light on explication. I would have liked to have seen more discussion of the author's ideas about the religious philosophies that underpin the films and how they do so. The book would be an excellent introduction to the films for someone who has never seen them, but for someone who has it will probably not be worth the read. The redeeming quality of the book is the essay, titled "The Thread," included at the end. I can't say enough good things about it, and I've told everyone I know about it and encouraged them to read it. If the part of the book that dealt with the Coen's films had included more of this type of discussion and writing-and left out the plot outlines-it would get five stars from me. The essay at the end certainly deserves that rating. However, being the fan I am of the Coens and their films (especially "The Big Lebowski"), perhaps I'm biased. I have seen the films an awful lot of times, so maybe I focused on the plot outlines a little too much. I just would liked to have seen more in depth examination of the religious ideas Falsani sees operating in each movie. I think she's on to something. I'm just not sure she fleshed out her ideas enough. READ "THE THREAD."

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

This Book Really Ties The Movies Together

Good, evil, morality, The Almighty, and the Coen brothers. What do these things have in common? Before I read the book, The Dude Abides: The Gospel According to the Coen Brothers by Cathleen Falsani, I would have thought nothing at all. A fan of the Coens' work for years, I never really saw any connection with their movies, other than the fact they are well written and extremely quotable. However, after reading this book my opinion has changed. In it, Cathleen summarizes each movie, and then highlights the religious and moral overtones that until now, I hadn't noticed. With their first film, Blood Simple, she analyzes the choices each character makes which lead to their eventual downfall, and the overall lack of divine intervention, reminding us that "everything we do has consequences that we cannot avoid." She then analyzes Raising Arizona and Hi's internal struggle with good and evil, the laws of men and God, and the salvation he finds at the end of the movie. I've never really cared for the movie, but after reading her take on it, I will definitely give it another chance. Continuing through to the upcoming A Serious Man, due in theaters in October, she painstakingly links each movie in the "Coeniverse" as she calls it, to the underlying theme of morality and the fact that the brothers Coen don't preach to us their "gospel and whathaveyou", but would rather have us each find our own way. I will tell you that my primary reason for wanting to read this book was based solely on the title. I love all things Lebowski, and when I heard this book was coming out, knew I had to read it and was happily not disappointed. If you are a fan of any of the Coen movies, grab a copy and give it a read. You won't be disappointed.

Not what I was expecting.

"The Big Lebowski" itself has a large cult following who see the Dude as a Buddhist-type leader, an inspiration as to what is right and what is wrong. This is what I had believed this book to be about. Instead, it is a text trying to pull Biblical allegory out of all Cohen Brothers' films. That's not to say such allegory doesn't exist, but it's not what I was looking for.

This book abides...

Cathleen Falsini's book, "The Dude Abides: The Gospel according to the Coen Brothers" is an excellent book for both the casual movie goer and Coen Brothers fans. This book is a great introduction/refresher for anyone who has or hasn't watched all the Coen Brothers film. I love the way how each movie/chapter is broken into 3 parts: The Forrest, The Trees, and the Moral of the Story. The writing flows freely to the point that I wasn't bored by it or wondering when will this chapter ends. Plus, the information that was presented enabled me to (1) see the movies from a different perspective, (2) motivated me to see other Coen Brothers films that I ignored in the past, and (3) have a whole new appreication for the Coen Brothers. All in all, I found Cathleen Falsini to be a talented writer and I look forward to reading her other books.

Dude-Newbie, Cheri Mueller (Author of Walk With Me)

I'm a huge fan of Falsani's religious columns and books, and before reading The Dude Abides was only slightly familiar with the Coen Bros and their movies. If you're a Dude-Newbie like me, have no fear. Whether or not you've seen all 14 films (I've only seen two), The Dude Abides reads like cinematic Cliff Notes (perked by stunning illustrations) interpreted through the lens of modern day, film-savvy, grace-seeking "God Girl."

Falsani's a perfect commentator for this cinematic-adventure because she's expert at seeing God in the unlikely places. It wouldn't be far-fatched to imagine her "taking it easy" with The Big Lebowski's "Dude," who is (as she puts it) the "aging, hippy, anti-hero" who "knows what's right and what's wrong and isn't afraid to stand up for the cause of love and peace." Falsani's anything but stuffy or doctrine-driven. She offers interesting background and religous commentary to all the Coen movies that make me want to watch (and rewatch) a few more of these films with some dialogue-engaging, culture-current friends.

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