Description
From Library Journal An award-winning movie made from an originally disappointing novel (Forrest Gump, LJ 3/1/86) cries out for a sequel: so here it is. Groom gives us the last decade of Gump's life, including the 1995 Academy AwardsR ceremony with the movie sweeping the OscarsR and Gump getting a special award as "The Most Lovable Certified Idiot in America." Along the way he becomes involved in Iran-Contra, insider trading, the Exxon Valdez oil spill, the fall of the Berlin Wall, and Desert Storm. Tapping into another trend, Groom gives Gump an angel to guide him; Jenny, the love of his life and mother of Little Forrest, lived on in the first Gump novel but died in the movie, so Groom kills her by page 15 and brings her back at opportune times. Little Forrest is along for some of this ride, usually with ideas for successful ventures, including the oyster company of the title. (Once again, shellfish from Louisiana save Gump's financial hide.) As a book, this is a media event, so expect demand, with a movie to follow-and maybe even an oyster cookbook. --Michele Leber, Fairfax Cty. P.L., Va. Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc. From Booklist You can't really blame Winston Groom. After making the Hollywood novice's mistake of agreeing to a share of the net, not the gross, it's only natural that he would feel a little shortchanged where the movie version of his novel Forrest Grump is concerned. So what better way to improve his own personal bottom line than to put good ole Forrest back to work: a sequel, that's the ticket, with all the royalties going to Groom; do not pass Hollywood on the way to the bank, and later, when the studios come calling, think GROSS. And what about the book itself? Don't expect to find anything but candy in this box of chocolates. Isn't that good ole Forrest explaining to Ronald Reagan how he and Ollie North are going to sell guns for hostages? And isn't that Forrest causing a riot that brings down the Berlin Wall? And how about Forrest on the Upper East Side doing a little insider training with his pals "Ivan Bozosky" and "Mike Mulligan" ? And isn't that our boy in Baghdad, taking Saddam Hussein hostage during the Gulf War? Enough already. Too many chocolates may be good for Winston Groom's bank account, but the effect on my stomach is a bit . . . well, gross. Bill Ott
Features & Highlights
- Struggling to make a life for his young son when the Bubba Gump Shrimp Company takes a dive, Forrest Gump shares a second series of offbeat adventures that entangle him with the Coca-Cola company and Oliver North. 500,000 first printing. $300,000 ad/promo. Tour.
