Penguin Readers Level 3: "Forrest Gump"

by John Escott, Winston Groom

Through three turbulent decades, Forrest rides a tide of events that whisks him from physical disablility to football stardom, from Vietnam hero to shrimp tycoon, from White House honors to the arms of his one true love.

Genres: Fiction, Novels, Classics, Romance, Teaching

48 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1986

About the author

John Escott started by writing children's books and comic scripts, but now writes and adapts books for students of all ages. He especially enjoys writing crime and mystery thrillers, and is a member of the British Crime Writers Association.

With Oxford University Press John has published London for the Oxford Bookworms Factfile series; Agatha Christie, Woman of Mystery, Star Reporter, Girl on a Motorbike, The Fly and Other Horror Stories, and The Scarlet Letter for the Oxford Bookworms Library series; The Magician, Time for a Robbery, Star for a day, Tomorrow's Girl, and The Man with Three NAMEs for the Hotshot Puzzles series; and A Pretty Face for the Dominoes series.

Reviews

[Sarah Far · Rating 3 out of 5]

چند تجربه به من نشون داده که فیلم بسیار کمک می‌کنه تا زبان اصلی رو راحت‌تر بخوونی.
هرچند که این خلاصه بود
اما برای من که ابتدای راه هستم و ۴۸ صفحه زبان اصلی خووندن در یک روز خیلیه (هرچند که همه‌ی کتاب‌های انگلیسی تا این حدود رو در یک روز خووندم)
سخت اما دلپذیرند، به‌خصوص کتاب‌هایی که دوست داری و یا دیدی.
به امید ۴۸۰ صفحه خووندن در یک هفته 👀

[Nastaran · Rating 4 out of 5]

I saw the movie " Forrest Gump" some years ago, and now it was fine to read this book, too.
unfortunately, I couldn't find the original book to read, but it was ok. actually, it wasn't my favorite genre, but I liked it!

[Ptheodactylus · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ich hasse den scheiss Affen 🦧, Bro ist nicht Teil des Teams

[Elena Serrano Gándara · Rating 4 out of 5]

«Ser idiota no es ninguna de bicoca, se lo aseguro. Los demás se ríen de ti, pierden paciencia, te tratan tan mal. Dicen que la gente debería ser amable con los deficiente, pero no siempre es así. De todos modos, yo no me quejo, porque he vivido una vida bastante interesante...
Soy idiota desde que nací . Mi coeficiente intelectual es aproximadamente setenta, lo cual, según dicen, demuestra que soy idiota. Algunos dirían que soy imbécil, o memo, aunque yo me considero más bien toroe, y no idiota, porque la gente cree que los idiotas son esos mongólicos con los ojos muy juntos que parecen chinitos, que siempre están babeando y toqueteándose...»
Yo me esperaba la típica frase «la vida es como un caja de bombones...» pero, lo que me encontré entre las páginas me desconcerto y aún lo hace.
Ahora veo a un Forrest completamente distinto pero, sin perder la esencia.
La palabra idiota es la más visible, cada página es un misterio, son más de 300 páginas de hechos alucinantes.

[زكرياء · Rating 1 out of 5]

i didn't like this story !!
I will watch the famous movie adapted from the novel !! may be i will like it.. i'm not sure !! but really Why is the point of this book ?
A simple story about a person who call him self an idiot , he went to Vietnam as a soldier ...etc !!

[Sharon · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this book with my 8th graders (ES) whilst watching the movie at the same time.

I was a little disappointed by the book. It's very fast paced because it is a school edition so lots of things have been kept out. I also felt like the jokes just weren't delivered that well. This made it kind of a boring read, although the movie is incredibly funny.

[Miyu · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nửa đầu ok nhưng nửa sau hơi bị kịch quá nên bớt hay.

[Moh Alh'Almi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great for beginners English learners

[Pierre C. Arseneault]

Halfway into reading this book, I thought the biggest difference was that Forrest was 6ft 6 inches, 240 pounds and had the body of an Adonis. However, the second half of the book takes the story into directions that are pretty absurd. And while this sorta works for the book, if you don't take it seriously, I can see why they removed a lot of that for the movie. But...I’m some glad they decided to not include the character Sue in the movie. That was a wise choice.

[Rahma · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read the shortened version of Forrest Gump with a friend since it was part of a course I’m studying. My friend told me the movie is a bit different and probably better, but the main story is still there.

The novel follows Forrest, a man who’s supposed to be seen as “different.” People call him an idiot until he starts believing it himself, and that makes it easy for others to use him. From the coach who made him join a university that didn’t suit him just for the sake of winning, to the man who played chess with him to make money, everyone seemed to take advantage of Forrest’s innocence.

And then there’s Jenny: easily the most selfish character in the whole story. Forrest may not be as smart as others, but he feels everything deeply and loves purely. Yet he keeps sacrificing for Jenny and chasing after her, even when she doesn’t deserve it. She disappears, hurts him again and again, and even hides something from him that he has every right to know. Despite all of that, Forrest still looks for her and even gives her a big part of his money after everything she did.

I felt so sorry for Forrest. He’s too kind to hate, but his passiveness toward Jenny was frustrating. The story left me feeling sad and disappointed, but I honestly couldn't feel everything deep down since it's a very short version of the novel.

[Mahdi Abdulaziz · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's a brilliant novel, talking about a human who faced a lot of terrible problems from childhood and school until his military service and shrimp business.

[Munkhjin Enkhtaivan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Short review:
-Unbelievably different from the movie.
-You can find the term “Mongoloid” couple of times in this book.
-Comical and humorous.
-Lighthearted adventures of Forrest will make you wish life was that easy and complicated at the same time.

[Killian Thrush · Rating 4 out of 5]

Stupid is as stupid does

[هَدِير ¤°● · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved Forrest from the first page till the last.. Writing style .. How the story displayed .. All were nice.
Just a little faster.

[Nick Popa · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is a really pleasant read is a strong critique of American ideals and consumer culture. Don't get me wrong, the movie adaptation is great, but the book is even better. So many adventures that the movie from 1994 leaves out unfortunately...

When Forrest was offered an opportunity to become a senator, he had doubts about this: "I did not like this idea any more than I like a lot of the other ideas people have for me, on account of other people's ideas are usually what get me into trouble" (224)

There is even a passage about a lecture on the role of the idiot in world literature: "it became the custom of the nobility to have in their presence a court jester ... in many cases, this individual was actually an idiot or a moron, in others, he was merely a clown or jokester" (100)

[Louis Barbier · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved the writing style of this author Winston Broom. His stories are free flowing but his eye catches everything and he tells a wonderful story. One of my favorites quotes in the book is where Forrest says, "My mamma always said, "Life was like a box of chocolates. You never know what you're gonna get." That is so true! Life is really that way but you got to get up each morning, God willing, to see what comes next. This book is quite entertaining and after you have a good feeling that will stay with you for some time.

[Bayan Khaild · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perfect, authentic, and sincere! Love it!

[Eloy Anderson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very enjoyable!

[Sofia De Alvelos · Rating 5 out of 5]

Um dos meus livros preferidos. Cheio de comédia, drama, antecipação. O Forrest é um dos melhores personagens que já conheci, impossível não sentir empatia por ele e desejar que as coisas lhe corram o melhor possível. Uma história com muitas aventuras e reviravoltas! O facto do narrador ser o próprio Forrest e o livro ser escrito com erros ortográficos, torna a leitura muito mais divertida e é mais fácil visualizar os relatos. Sem dúvida uma leitura a repetir em breve.

Algumas das minhas citações preferidas: "eu não gostei desta ideia, da mesma maneira que não costumo gostar da maior parte das ideias que as pessoas têm pra mim, porque geralmente são as ideias dos outros que me metem em problemas."
"Mas uma coisa é certa: às vezes, à noite, quando olho pras estrelas, e vejo o céu todo estendido ali por cima de mim, não pensem que eu não me lembro de tudo isto. Ainda tenho sonhos, como toda a gente, e de vez em quando ainda me ponho a pensar em como podiam ter sido as coisas. (...) Posso ser um idiota, mas a maior parte do tempo, de qualquer maneira, tentei fazer o que tava certo - e os sonhos são só sonhos, não são? Por isso não importa o que tenha acontecido ou deixado de acontecer, porque sabem um coisa? Eu posso olhar para trás e dizer que pelo menos não tive uma vida chata."

Este livro serve de motivação para qualquer pessoa. De uma maneira cómica e exagerada, mostra como a vida é cheia de oportunidades para quem as aceita e dá o seu melhor. Mostra também que, mesmo quando as coisas não correm como queríamos, não é o fim da vida e surgirão novas oportunidades. Mostra também que mesmo para quem não é o "melhor" - o mais inteligente, o mais bonito, o mais engraçado - dependendo da situação e das pessoas à nossa volta, podemos ter sucesso e aproveitar as nossas qualidades. E o Forrest estava sempre a aprender e a dar o seu melhor e, mesmo de forma inesperada, dava tudo certo no final.

[Santosh Thapa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bhadra 8, 2077, Monday

Forrest Gump - John Escott, Winston Groom (1986)
[Penguin Readers Pre-Intermediate (Level 3)]

Genres: EnglishGradedReaders/ Fiction/ Humor/ Romance/ Drama/ Bildungsroman
Pages: 48
Rating: 6/10

Themes: History/ Love/ Friendship/ The Meaning of Life/ Purposefulness/ Warfare

Opener:
“I was born an idiot ─ but I’m cleverer than people think. I can think things OK, but when I have to say them or write them down, sometimes they come out all wrong. When I was born, my Mom named me Forrest. My daddy died just after I was born. He worked on the ships. One day a big box of bananas fell down on my daddy and killed him.”

Summary:
Slow-witted Forrest Gump has never thought of himself as disadvantaged, and thanks to his supportive mother, he leads anything but a restricted life. Whether dominating on the gridiron as a college football star, fighting in Vietnam, or captaining a shrimp boat, Forrest inspires people with his childlike optimism. But one person Forrest cares about most may be the most difficult to save — his childhood love, the sweet but troubled Jenny.

Final Review:
This episodic story about a mentally challenged protagonist’s peregrination through American history is a whimsical ride. The eponymous character’s circuitous journey through life as he faces prejudices like ableism and rises above people’s expectation is heartwarming. The one loadstone in Forrest’s life is Jenny, his love interest, who keeps getting lost from him because of various circumstances, and yet he never gives up on her. The perseverance is moving at times. For anyone who wants to study up on struggles of learning disabled people and chasing love, this could be an interesting read.

[Savannah Perry · Rating 4 out of 5]

I recently read “Forrest Gump” and gave it 4 stars! As someone who loves the movie—I’ve seen it multiple times—I was excited to dive into the book. While many elements I adored from the film are different in the book, it was still an enjoyable read.

The adventures that Forrest experiences are delightfully far-fetched, which is part of what makes the story so fun. From playing college football to becoming an astronaut, a professional wrestler, and even a ping-pong champion, Forrest’s life is filled with outrageous scenarios that keep you laughing and shaking your head in disbelief. The way he takes on these challenges with such childlike innocence and honesty is both quirky and charming.

One of my favorite parts of the book is how it delves deeper into Forrest's perspective and thought process. His simplicity and profound observations about life often lead to hilarious moments that feel genuine despite their absurdity. For instance, the book includes scenes like Forrest meeting Elvis Presley and inadvertently inspiring the King’s iconic dance moves, which is described in a way that feels whimsical yet plausible within the story's context.

The emotional depth is also striking. As we follow Forrest on his journey, we see his relationships—especially with Jenny—unfold in deeper ways than portrayed in the movie. Forrest's unwavering love and loyalty to her, despite her struggles, add an emotional layer that resonates strongly.

Overall, “Forrest Gump” is quirky, witty, and a lot of fun to read. Its blend of humor, heart, and outrageousness makes it a captivating experience, even if some elements differ from the beloved film. If you’re a fan of the movie, I definitely recommend giving the book a try!

[David Lima · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hey everyone! Woah, would you look at that! I haven't used this cite since freshman year; geez! Well, I did hop on here early junior year to fix some punctuation errors on one of my reviews but, other than that, I've been on a complete winter hiatus! It's good to see you all! Man, has time flown! I saw I had Goodreads bookmarked here on my computer &, instead of working on my AP Research homework, I just decided to drop by.

Anyhow, about the book...IT'S AWESOME. It differs greatly from the cinematic masterpiece, that's for certain. Lieutenant Dan has a smaller presence in the book than he does in the movie. Forrest is a little more vulgar in his narration. Forrest has all sorts of different adventures! I won't name them because, you know, spoilers, but, they're honestly fun to picture (especially if you've seen the movie). As a stand alone read, it's very entertaining (It made my flight to Austin go by fast). As the source material for a very good movie, it certainly gave the writers a lot of material to work with (& ultimately, a lot to cut out). I say give this book a try. You'll find yourself laughing, believe it or not.

[隻眼簽到 · Rating 3 out of 5]

天生的幸運兒
這本也是英式英語。這個讀本比其他同級讀本在句型上較為簡單，不知道是不是因為是以阿甘為第一人稱敘述的關係，還是有兩個句子的意思不那麼確定；“get a ride there on my shoe!”(大概是踢屁股的意思)、“I won't get you anything -- not as much as a glass of warm river-water,”(大概是連一杯河水也不給你的意思)。
書前介紹說：“Millions of ordinary Americans liked the film. They felt Forrest Gump's story was also partly a story about themselves and about America from the 1960s to today. Forrest Gump lived the ‘American Dream’, It doesn't matter if you are rich or poor, you can be anything you want to be. ”這當然是部煽情的電影。
阿甘不是普通人，他是類似《雨人》主角雷蒙那樣的“白癡天才”或“學者症候群”患者。書上指出他至少有兩項人所不及的天賦：音樂與下棋。除了智力以外，他天生體格高大壯碩，所以既可能成為優秀的美式足球隊員，也可以靠腕力比賽賺錢。任何人只要擁有他的一項天賦大概就能不愁吃穿，而他卻同時具有好幾項，上蒼真是太厚待他了。更幸運的是，腦筋不靈光的他，從事捕蝦業，竟然也大賺其錢。如此際運，誰不艷羨。
我認為，跟這些天賦才能比較起來，他的低智商反倒顯得無足輕重。反正他的情緒遠較一般人平淡，對別人的譏笑沒多大的感覺，也就不會有什麼了不得的痛苦。當然，這又要算是他另一項了不起的天賦了。

[Leonie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Well this book couldn't be more different than the film!! The film is definitely a hundred times better. It's an unusual format, told from Forrest's perspective (different personality and abilities to the film character), so the book is deliberately littered with grammatical errors, spelling mistakes etc. I got about halfway through thinking this is a bit different, but still enjoyable, to this book is absolutely bonkers and totally absurd, but I guess I'm here for it because I want to know how it ends now 😂

[Michele · Rating 4 out of 5]

Having seen the movie multiple times, I wasn't sure it I would like or be disappointed by the actual book. Winston Groom tells the real story of Forrest. Written in his voice (including the grammar)it was easy to love Forrest. I didn't picture Tom Hanks in the book at all. I have a different mental picture of who Forrest was. If you liked the movie, you'll love the book.

[Victoria Wilde · Rating 2 out of 5]

One of those rare instances where the movie is far better than the book. I bought a copy on a junior beta trip as a teenager and read it, but had forgotten most of it except that I had loaned it to someone else and never got my copy back. So it picked it up from a thrift store recently and decided to read it again. It’s crude without the benefit of being funny and lacking any of the depth of the movie. This one is going into the donation box.

[Laman Abbasova · Rating 4 out of 5]

Forrest Gump by Winston Groom tells the story of a kind and simple man who unexpectedly becomes part of many important moments in history. Despite his challenges, Forrest’s good heart and determination lead him through a life full of love, success, and loss. The book shows how anyone, no matter their background, can make a big impact in the world. It’s an inspiring and heartwarming story.

[Bradford Combs · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a good book, but the movie was much better. The first half of the book was similar to the film with some altered emphasis, but the second half pivoted hard into a different experience from the movie. I liked the book and am glad for having read it, but it's not something I'll buy for my personal collection.

[Rikko215 · Rating 2 out of 5]

I’d watched a film Forrest Gump seven years ago, but I didn’t recall a storyline. I loved Forrest’s personality and I loved him being an idiot all the time. Some of his feelings coincides what I’m going through, so it gave me a courage to try out new things!!

Life is like a box of chocolates!

[Clara Luiza · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sei que é uma versão resumida da história,mas mesmo assim foi maravilhoso ler esse livro! Li principalmente para treinar o inglês ,mas saí totalmente cativada e apaixonada pela história! Não vejo a hora de ver o filme.