V for Vendetta

by Steve Moore, Simon Vance (Narrator)

REMEMBER, REMEMBER THE FIFTH OF NOVEMBER

Imagine a Britain stripped of democracy: a world of the not-too-distant future, in which freedom was not lost, but surrendered willingly to a totalitarian regime that rose to power by exploiting the people's worst fears and most damning weaknesses.

This is the setting for the parable of Evey, a young woman who is saved from death by a masked man calling himself only V. Beguiling and dangerous, V ignites the fuse of revolution when he urges his fellow citizens to wake up and shed the blanket of tyranny and oppression in which they have permitted themselves to be cloaked.

While those in power take steps to neutralize the threat, the police pursue the mystery of V, unaware of the terrible truth that awaits them at the end of the trail. It is Evey, however, who, with V as her enigmatic guide, sets out on the most painful path of all: a journey of deception and self-discovery, deconstruction and re-creation, vindication and vengeance.

Genres: Fiction, Audiobook, Science Fiction, Dystopia, Thriller, Media Tie In, Graphic Novels

Audiobook

First published April 1, 2006

About the author

Steve Moore was a British comics writer known for his influence on the industry and his close connection with Alan Moore (no relation). He was instrumental in guiding Alan Moore early in his career and collaborated with him under pseudonyms in various projects.
Moore contributed extensively to British comics, particularly in anthologies such as 2000 AD, where he helped shape the Future Shocks format and wrote for Dan Dare. His work extended to Doctor Who Weekly, where he co-created Abslom Daak, and Warrior, where he revived Axel Pressbutton. His involvement with Marvel UK included writing for Hulk and Nick Fury, Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D..
Outside of comics, Moore had a deep interest in Chinese history, mythology, and the I Ching, which influenced much of his writing. He edited Fortean Times and contributed to works on the unexplained. His novel Somnium explored his fascination with the moon goddess Selene.
Later in his career, Moore scripted Hercules: The Thracian Wars, which was adapted into a film in 2014. He ultimately retired from mainstream comics to focus on non-fiction and research, maintaining his lifelong engagement with esoteric studies.

Reviews

[Hannah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Saw the movie years ago before I'd ever even been to the UK. I enjoyed it back then, but at the time, I didn't really know who Guy Fawkes was or what he means to the British. Now that I've been working for a British company for the last 15 years, I'm a bit more culturally attuned.

Crossing fingers the US will be in relative peace and stability, even under MAGA, but in my fantasies, I have to admit that I sometimes think it would be so much better to go scorched earth like V and Evey. I realize it's weird that books like this would be beacons of hope for me, but some days, living in this country feels that bleak.

Books are being actively banned, burned, and rewritten in the US. So I'm trying to read as many of these banned books as soon as I can before access is completely eliminated or unrecognizably altered. This book, as well as the Alan Moore graphic novel, are on the banned list.

[Pedro · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best book ever ! V for Vendetta is just one of that stories which is almost impossible for you not to stop and think about it or at least feel something deep after reading.
I just love this book, specialy after watching the movie, because now i could take as much time as i want in order to "decipher" each one of the striking phrases mentioned by the characters.
You'll find good action, police investigation and a beautifull love story in here but not only that - there's also the best of philosophical thought and human condition presented in a very honest, sweet and inspiring way without being melodramatic at all.
I stongly recommend this book !!

[Christy Stewart · Rating 5 out of 5]

Who doesn't like their leading men to be burn victims who commit crimes in cosplay?

[Paul Ataua · Rating 4 out of 5]

The tale of the masked V's fight for freedom against government oppression and control that started life as a comic book, was turned into a screenplay by the Wachowskis , became a movie, and finally ended up as a novel. This is a review of the novel. There is something good to say about all the incarnations of ‘V for Vendetta’, and the book is no exception. It moves along at pace and you find yourself drawn into the story. It is interesting to compare the book, which was born of the movie, and the comic book, which was written as a response to the Margaret Thatcher eighties. Evey is now a woman in her twenties working for TV and not the 16 year old sex worker of the eighties comic book. Dietrich, who was involved in organized crime in the original, is now a talk show host. It’s not only those kinds of detail that are not the same, the endings are also completely different. At this stage, one is expected to move from comparisons to making some statement about where one succeeds and the other fails, but I’m not going to take that path. They are both versions of the same story and both to be judged on their own merits. i found both entertaining and stimulating. Enjoy!

[Sara · Rating 4 out of 5]

I remembered that I liked the screenplay more than the novel...

[Ambs ❤❤ · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this story for its complex yet simple storyline. Their were no love triangles, or sexual angst, but there was corruption and dishonesty. Interesting.

I really liked V and was curious as to who he was throughout. Good job with that. However, they never really reveal him and leave him a mystery. Not such a good job (ok, it does add to the storyline, I'm just pouting). At first I couldn't decide if I liked Evie, she seemed so insignificant, but she grew on me. I'm pretty sure I'd have acted the same way she had in the first half of the book, but am not sure I'd be as strong as she was in the end. I knew Finch and Dominic were going to become those characters who in the end will still be teetering on the line of wrong and right (mainly, because the line itself has become so blurred).

This seemed like a quick read, and seems somewhat plausible. I'd recommend this book if you want a doomsday scenario, a tragedy with a hint of something better in the end.

[John Martindale · Rating 3 out of 5]

So I was hoping that the book would offer a little more then the movie (which I loved), I was wrong (understandably so, since the novel is based on the movie, not the other way around). I think there were even less of V's aphorisms in the book then in the movie, which was upsetting. It seems the only thing the book expounded on was the absolutely laughable and ludicrous politic back-story to the fascist regime (which pretty much ruined the book for me). The movie was bad enough in this regard, but I just had to laugh, the book was so politically kooky. It implies the notion (carried on by the media and liberals) that Hitler was a man on the religious right, and if we allow conservative Christians to have their way, Fascism is the the natural end. This is SO incredible stupid, I don't know where to start. OK first oft, real conservatives are only an inch away from being libertarians, which lines them up with V, not the fascist! They want small government, believing its a necessary evil, incompetent and prone to corruption and abuse of power. While the political left throughout history seems to believe the opposite; that the government is the answer to the worlds problem, that more power in the hands of the progressive elite will solve the worlds woes. Do liberals so easily forget the name of Hitler's party? It was the National Socialist, not the National Libertarians. Do they realize how similar National Socialism is to Communism? Evidently NOT, they are practically twins; twisted sisters; but fascism has a Nationalist bent and the pretense of private property, that is completely controlled by the government. It is a movement of the left, not the right. Many of the communist party in Germany gladly joined Hitler. Oh and Hitler absolutely HATED Christianity, but knew he had to use it for a time until he could completely remove it. And by the way, why did the liberals hate Bush so much, he was practically a liberal himself, pushing bigger government and spending, and starting wars, something in our history Democrats keep doing (Wilson, FDR, Truman, JFK, Obama etc...). Also, just read the news, Obama is more of the same, carrying on Bushes policies that he once ran against, and on top of this making sure 1,000s of people are regularly murdered by drones, resulting slaughter of woman and children who are near where the missiles come down. O.K Sorry this book is not about Obama. But yeah, it was evidently made by liberal conspiracy nuts, Michael Moore types. Conveying the message we must stand against the political right and Christianity, or see Fascism and religious oppression come again and the torture of gays and forced bible study. I say all this, but then again I love the book, the parts that a good are good to the extreme that the political ideas are imbecilic. If you read John Locke's "Second Treatise of Government", Locke makes a case that in such a situation where there is a tyrannical government, one is merely a slave, and since the state has no regard for your life and has become your enemy, you are in the state of war. (that's a bad summery, but yeah) in light of this, I could see the justification for V's doings. One thing I hope the book is not conveying, is since this futuristic totalitarian dictatorship was the result of Bush's war on terror, The Christian right and global warming, that somehow the book is making the case that Islamic terrorist are justified and good. Also, all the folks today wearing V mask is bothersome to me, because, no matter how bad things are getting now, we are not yet living under a totalitarian government. Also, from talking to folks today protesting, wearing the V mask, all they can do is bitch about big business, etc... they want revolution, but don't have a clue on how to make sure a revolution is like the American revolution and not the French Revolution. Sure in this book V collapsed the government, but without the right libertarian principles of government (those of many of America's founding), V only brought on tyranny down, providing no principles for a new one to areas that protects life, liberty and property. Often you get rid of one demon, only for 7 more to move in.

[Susy · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 stars
I think this will work better in a graphic novel format. At times it couldn't hold my attention.

Characters 7
Atmosphere 6
Writing Style 7
Premise 7
Execution/Plot 6
Execution/Pace 5
Execution/Setup 5
Enjoyment/Engrossment 5
Narration 6

[Ghada · Rating 5 out of 5]

فنديتا حبيب الملايين :D

لسه شايفه الفيلم -لأول مره- من شويه بعد ما خلصت الروايه
عن نفسي حيبت الروايه أكتر من الفيلم... يمكن علشان ماشفتوش الأول, بس هي فعلاً مكتوبه حلو أوي
ملحوظه: أنا سمعت الروايه أوديو ما قرأتهاش و مالقتهاش "بي دي إف" غير الكوميك

عموماً الروايه هي سيناريو الفيلم... بس عاطفي أكتر بكتييير من الفيلم
عاطفي = emotional

المشهد الوحيد اللي حبيته في الفيلم أكتر من الروايه...لما "إيفي" بقت حره :)
<3

الخمس نجوم و إضافته للمفضله ...لأنه أثر فيا بشكل خاص شويه ..و إحترامي للأفكار المضاده للرصاص

P.S: V ...I love u <3

Remember remember the fifth of November
Gunpowder, treason and plot.
I see no reason why gunpowder, treason
Should ever be forgot...

[melanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

jesus christ... is this not just a look into the future of america

[gam s (Haveyouread.bkk) · Rating 5 out of 5]

★★★★★

AHHHHHHH. Read👏this👏right👏now👏

This is an absolute masterpiece. It was sad but very thought-provoking, especially on the nature of men when being pushed to their limits to the point of enacting countermovement against injustice. It was entertaining, while at the same time really deep, and I found myself wanting to know more about these characters even though I think the exposure degree was already well-calculated by the creator to provoke our maximum emotional involvement to the story.

What a ride!

The political message here is relevant and timeless, considering how we (the Thais) were only a couple of years back. Usually I am not a fan of a novelized movie-to-book of this kind, but this one was great as an audiobook.

[Cherie · Rating 4 out of 5]

First, let me say that I did not read this book, because I never looked for it in print. I found an audio book version on my library web site, read by a favorite narrator of mine, and downloaded it immediately.

I was curious about the story after seeing the trailers for the movie. I was aware that the story was based on a graphic novel written by Alan Moore and inked by David Lloyd. I had never seen the graphic novel nor really ever intended to look for it.

So - did I like the book? Yes. It is a dystopian story set in the future of the 1990s in London.
It reminded me a lot of 1984. Big Brother was watching and listening to everyone. What people saw and heard on TV was all controlled by the goverment. The guys who were listening (everything was bugged and trucks roved the streets with listening gear) were called The Ear. The guys who were watching (monitors and cameras on every lamp post and building) were called the Eye. The Nose were the folks who investigated everyting. The Finger were the policemen. The head of the government was The Leader and he controlled things via a computer system called Fate.

Enter V and Evey. Evey is a young woman, out after curfew, on her way to go visit a friend. She is caught by some Fingermen, who are by no means "good cops". She is about to be raped and is rescued by a strange guy dressed in a black cape and hat wearing a grinning Guy Faulks mask. He kills two of the cops and escorts Evey up to a rooftop and proceeds to pretend directing an orchastra. Music actually starts playing from loud speakers all over the city and then a government building blows up, followed by fireworks.

In the words of an old musical I love - "there is big trouble in River City!"

Wrap up. This is not really a nice story. V really is not a good guy. He kills people. He destroys property. He kidnaps people. He tortures and brainwashes Evey. He is a terrorist.

He hides behind the mask to protect his identity and his face because he was tortured and used in a medical experiment that he was the only one to survive. He wears gloves to hide his damaged hands.

His justification for what he has done and is going to do is that he wants to free the people from a Facist government and give controll back to them. He belives that out of chaos comes freedom.

All of this should have provoked a very visceral reaction, right? I should not have been drawn to listen to this story, but I was. Why? I wanted to know what he was going to do. I wanted to understand who he was. I wanted to know what was going to happen.

What I found, while listening to this book was that the soothing sound of the reader's voice allowed me to listen to the story without being bothered by what was happening. When V killed people with his knives - there was no blood. When people were beaten - there was no blood. When buildings were blowing up - there was no falling debree - only music. It was like being wrapped in a warm cocoon and insulated from the bad things, right to the very end. I am not blaming Simon Vance at all. He did a wonderful job of reading the story to me. I do not know if reading the printed story would have been any different.

[Amber · Rating 4 out of 5]

From comic to film to novel...

I vread this novelization cold, never having seen the film and knowing little to nothing about the story except that it involves a terrorist/freedom fighter in a Guy Fawkes mask. I find myself not having much to say about it except that I enjoyed it. As a standalone experience, I liked the writing and the audio narration.

In my experience, good film novelizations are rare, but they do exist (Exhibit A: Rogue One: A Star Wars Story), and I'd say this is another example of a well-done film novelization.

I thought something was fishy when Evey was never raped during her imprisonment and torture. Given the opening scene of the story, not raping a female prisoner seemed quite out of character for the Fingermen. I initially chalked it up to the original authors wanting to incorporate the threat of rape but not actual rape into the story, but it turned out there was a quite different explanation.

ETA: Page vs Screen. After finishing the book, I sat down the next day and watched the film for the first time ever. The book is as faithful to the film as you'd expect a film novelization to be, but one odd detail that was changed for no discernible reason was the type of rose. On screen, it was a red rose and the variety was Crimson Castle, but in the book it was changed to a yellow and peach rose called a Violet Carson. And more background was given in the doctor's journal about the history that the man who became V had with the roses, and their role in V's story.

But even a faithful film novelization is always going to contain more than the film itself - every scene must be described in words, and those words can add entire layers of meaning. I particularly liked the description of the smile on V's Guy Fawkes mask, whose mood seemed to change from moment to moment and with every tilt of V's head - sad, sympathetic, sardonic, and back again, even though it never changes. And the relationship between Creedy and Finch, and Finch's motivations for losing faith in the system, were explored more thoroughly.

Reminds me of: The King's Witch, for reasons I can't explain without spoilers. The reason is the heroine of The King's Witch, Frances Gorges, gets caught up in the original Gunpowder Treason, as told from the point of view of the conspirators.

[Winston Jen · Rating 5 out of 5]

The prelude to this tale, written several years after publication, plants the nightmarish backdrop for this graphic novel in terrifyingly real and tangible terms (most glaringly, arch-conservative Margaret Thatcher's declaration that homosexuality will be relegated to the dustbin of history, even as a concept). Similar terrifying and oppressive parallels can be seen in the more virulent and extreme fundamentalist nations and movements that seek to impose Shariah law on secular democracies. The echoes of the Christian Taliban can also be clearly seen between the images.

Split into three books, V for Vendetta begins after a nuclear war has ravaged most of Europe. Although England "prevails," she is a mere shadow of her vibrant self, with a despotic regime stifling all dissent and making privacy impossible. Police are given sweeping powers and discretion to keep things under control. It is in this society that we meet 15-year-old Eva, forced into prostitution to survive. Rescued by the terrorist known only as V, she learns about the music and culture destroyed by the new rulers, rescued and preserved in the Shadow Gallery. With rip-roaring action, psychological terror and chills, this story is one for the generations to pass down. There are a few flaws that made portions of the comic a chore to read, most notably the forced accents of some characters. Not only did this pull me out of the book's illusion, but it made the experience considerably less enjoyable.

Book two focuses on the consequences of an iron curtain that attempts to police thoughtcrime, and how even the most secure dictator will never receive true adoration or respect. The conclusion is among the most gripping I have ever encountered in a comic, and is well worth the effort (the mask is fun too).

[Johnrh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Outstanding! This is a novel based on (or a novelization of) a movie. The movie is based on a graphic novel (high quality comic book). I have listened to the audiobook of "V" a couple of times. I saw the movie first, which I thoroughly enjoyed, and it enticed me to read (listen to) the novel. I was not disappointed. Now I want to watch the movie again as I've read that the book follows the movie dialogue closely. That is fine, but this novel is not an after-the-fact description of a movie. It includes that but is so much more. Like many novels written before a movie it gets into the heads of the characters, describing their thoughts and internal conversations. The book gets philosophical about the events occurring. It has depth of meaning. IMO it's as good as if it was written before the movie. Story-wise both the book and movie are a great near-term futuristic, collapse of democracy, extreme totalitarianism reigns plot. I highly recommend them. Read other reviews for more story-line to pique your curiosity.

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best books I've read in a long time. Considering this book is based on a graphic novel and movie, I was impressed by the absolutely lovely prose. The story is a dystopia in the classic sense and carries great impact with its ideas. I definitely recommend it.

[Buck · Rating 4 out of 5]

V for Vendetta was published as a comic book, of if you prefer, a graphic novel, by Alan Moore. I heard an audiobook version of the novelization by Steve Moore based on the movie screenplay written by the Wachowsky Brothers. According to Wikipedia Alan Moore and Steve Moore were unrelated. They were friends and collaborators. Steve Moore was a cartoonist who mentored Alan Moore.

After I started the audiobook, I downloaded the comic book. On my desktop monitor, the page is 11" high and 7" wide. The print is small and difficult to read with my old eyes. I didn't read the comic book but I did compare a little bit. The novel is different from the comic book in the way that a movie can be different from the book. I'm curious about the comic book. How different is it from the movie? From the novel?

V for Vendetta is different from most dystopian novels in that the protagonist, V, is never in doubt about the final outcome. And it is not a fight of freedom vs oppression; it is revenge, perhaps in the guise of good vs evil. But V does bad things; he is no saint.

[Veronica Mack · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm giving this a cautious 3 stars, because 1984, Brave New World, Fahrenheit 451, Dahlgren, etc are some of my favourite books and V for Vendetta took me into that zone.
Don't get me wrong, it's a well-told tale, especially as I listened to the audiobook and I've neither seen the movie or read the graphic novel.

But... V saves Evey from some very bad dudes, and then kidnaps her, telling her she must stay in hiding with him for a year. She gets away, he saves her again and kidnaps her again. And this time, he imprisons her, physically and psychologically tortures her - for an unspecified long time. Then confesses he loves her and has from the moment they met. Full Stockholm Syndrome - she goes on to support and assist him in mass public destruction.

Yes the government is corrupt and full of bad guys, but there is no mission to create a better world, no movement behind V's reign of death and destruction - this is all personal revenge.

Yes, there is a display of public support at the end, but it feels tacked on. So we can believe that it's now V for Victory... Maybe the movie or the original graphic novel convey more depth and meaning, but as a novel, I find it sorely lacking.
Yeah - 3 is too high. I've gotta buck it down to 2.

[Kyle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I originally watched the movie a few years back, prior to the pandemic. I remembered it a being an interesting, but far fetched movie and decided to watch it again. This time, it hit me hard and deep. This time it had more relevance than the previous time I had watched.

After seeing the movie again, i determined to read the book. Books usually have more to give than the movie. I found the book and movie are identical, with one exception, the heart of the book came through more clearly than the movies, as you where able to focus more on key words and phrases necessary to understand the meaning of the book.

So much has happened over the last few years, and though there are similarities, it is remarkable how these similarities are, the coverups, the power of the government to strike fear into our hearts over the pandemic, how government has invaded our privacy and all the rest. These clarions of today, rang through in this book; our liberty, our freedom have been infringed upon.

Was our Jan 6th, V’s 5th of November?

[Brittany McCann · Rating 4 out of 5]

Man, I haven't seen this movie in probably 15 years, so while I had a vague recollection of the major events that occur, and I always remember the 5th of November, I had forgotten SO much.

I had forgotten how painful the torture of Evee was and the building up of the force to fight back.

It was so much fun to revisit this dark take on a fight for rights in the gritty atmosphere that was brought to life on these pages. Now I feel like I need to go watch it again.

Solid 4 stars!

[Bjarne Skjødt Hjaltalin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Super velskrevet og fantasifuld?
En bog der på mange måder er skræmmende aktuel.

[Jenna D. · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautifully written novelization of a beautifully themed graphic novel and film. A story for all-time, rich in language, scope, and emotion. Well done!

[Katherine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book. Just like the movie. It might have fueled my revolutionary thoughts.

[Kyle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this re telling. Would have liked it to include some more content from the graphic novel, but it did a good job of adapting the movie

[Melodneice · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pleasantly surprised by how thoroughly I enjoyed the narrative even when I didn’t agree with characters’ choices! This is a “see you again” novel for sure, and I look forward to my second read.

[James Huskinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Like reading old science fiction that is today's science fact, between this and "1984" we can see dystopian fiction turning dystopian present.

[Gummih · Rating 3 out of 5]

First of all, this is not the original to the movie, this was written after the Wachowski sisters’ script. If you are after the original material then the comics are what you are looking for.
I was slightly let down by this one. It had its moments though and you could sense its desire to be 1984 but ultimately coming up short (tall order of course). The politics are interesting but there are some things in the plot that didn’t fully make sense to the point that they bothered me a little.
But still a good story and some refreshing political rhetoric.

[Alyson · Rating 5 out of 5]

V for Vendetta is a movie that I had always wanted to watch since I had seen a clip of V’s speech in one of my sociology classes (it was a very liberal class). The problem was… when it comes to movies with a lot of violence, I automatically shy away. I am the biggest wimp ever! I knew that there was a graphic novel V for Vendetta by: Alan Moore (which the movie is based on), but I never got around to reading it. A while ago, I needed a new audiobook to keep me entertained at work. I found V for Vendetta by: Steve Moore. Instead of being based on the graphic novel, the novelization of V for Vendetta was based upon the screenplay by the Wachowskis. The Wachowskis are known for writing the screenplay and directing The Matrix films.
V for Vendetta is a dystopian story which takes place after a totalitarian government has taken over England and uses the media to cover up its mistakes. This illusion comes crashing down when a man in a Guy Fawkes mask who calls himself “V” begins to destroy the order within the government by assassinating some of their prominent members. Simultaneously he challenges the public to join him in his pursuit of anarchy. On one fated night, V meets Evey, a young woman who is caught by the secret police after curfew. This encounter sends Evey’s life spiraling out of control. The safe life she hoped to live is now in jeopardy, and there is no one she can trust, not even V.
I will quickly cut to the chase and admit that I adored this book. I adored this book so much that I ended up facing my fear of violent movies and I decided to watch V for Vendetta. I also loved the movie, but that is no surprise to me. I still have not read the graphic novel yet, so that may have an effect on how I see the novelization.
The writing is so eloquent. It is neither cheesy nor overdone. I really enjoyed how Moore dived into each character’s thought process. Many of the movie novelizations that I have read tends to ignore the character’s thought process in order to describe the action taking place. V for Vendetta is a story with a lot of action. And yet, Moore takes just the right amount of time to explain the characters’ motives for their actions. Meanwhile, the story is fast paced and full of heart stopping action sequences. Trust me, you will not be disappointed by all the unexpected twists and turns this story takes.
Of course, the character who stole the show and made this book worth reading was V. V is such a deliciously complex character who is truly both “victim and villain.” True antiheroes are rare, and V fits the description like a glove. On one extreme, he appears to be completely insane and ruthless in his pursuit for anarchy. On another, he is a fascinating human being who sees a lot of potential in a country fueled by a totalitarian government. His character raises important questions to which there are a million right and wrong answers. Although his past is never fully explained, I find that I like it better that he remains a mystery. The fact that most of his past is shrouded in mystery is a key component to his incarnation as V. While I do not know what V is like in the graphic novel, in the movie and in the novel, he is a sort of theatrical suave assassin character. Who knew that these seemingly opposing characteristics could inhabit the same personae?
As for the leading lady, Evey Hammond, I was pleasantly surprised by the evolution of her character. At first, she appears to be an empty headed young woman whose horrible bad luck ends up forcing her to cross paths with V. As the novel and the movie goes on, she sheds her damsel in distress personae. Her evolution throughout the novel as well as her relationship with V makes the early incarnation of Evey worth tolerating.
I would recommend this book to fans of 1984 by: George Orwell. Throughout the book, there were many echoes of Orwell’s universe that any fan of 1984 would appreciate. I also found this book similar in some ways to Death Note. If you liked V for Vendetta, Death Note is definitely worth reading, and vice versa.

[Rêbwar Kurd · Rating 5 out of 5]

همه‌چیز از یک حرف آغاز می‌شود: «V». نه‌فقط اولین حرف نام قهرمان ماسک‌زده‌ی داستان، بلکه نشانه‌ای از ویرانی نظم موجود، ولادت دوباره‌ی آگاهی و وجدان جمعی، و شاید مهم‌تر از همه، ولیّی که به‌جای مردم، برای مردم، علیه سیستمی فاسد می‌جنگد.

آلن مور و دیوید لوید با گرافیک‌نولی خلق کردند که به سرعت فراتر از مرزهای کمیک‌بوک‌ها رفت. اقتباس سینمایی واچوفسکی‌ها ـ با درخشش ناتالی پورتمن و ماسک فراموش‌نشدنی گای فاکس بر چهره هوگو ویوینگ ـ آن را به نمادی جهانی تبدیل کرد: مبارزه با استبداد، با فاشیسم، با فراموشی.

این داستان در لندنِ آینده‌ای تاریک و تحت حکومت توتالیتر روایت می‌شود؛ دنیایی که شباهتش با گذشته‌های دیکتاتوری و آینده‌های نظارت‌زده هولناک است. در این میان، شخصیتی به نام «وی» ظهور می‌کند؛ فردی که بیش از آن‌که خود را معرفی کند، ایده‌ای را تجسم می‌بخشد: ایدهٔ مقاومت، آزادی، و انتقام.

«وی مثل وندتا» نه فقط داستانی پرکشش از شورش است، بلکه گفت‌وگویی عمیق دربارهٔ قدرت و فردیت نیز هست. این‌که چگونه سیستم‌ها، برای حفظ خود، هویت را از مردم می‌گیرند؛ و چگونه ترس، قدرتمندترین ابزار کنترل است.
اما «وی» در دل این تاریکی، نور می‌شود. او ترس ندارد. او گذشته‌ای پر از درد دارد، اما همین گذشته است که به او معنا داده، نه زنجیر.

شخصیت «ایوی» نماد تحول تماشاگر است. از دختری بی‌پناه و مطیع، به زنی آزاد و بیدار بدل می‌شود. شکنجه‌اش، رنجش، برهنگی‌اش از همه تعلقات، نه انهدام، که تولد دوباره‌ای‌ست. نقطه‌ای که داستان به ورطهٔ فلسفه و عرفان می‌لغزد: برای آزادی، باید خود را ببازی.

فیلم نه تنها وفادارانه بسیاری از درون‌مایه‌های گرافیک‌نول آلن مور را به تصویر می‌کشد، بلکه در ساختار روایی و زیبایی‌شناسی‌اش نیز اثری متمایز در سینمای سیاسی-فلسفی به جا می‌گذارد. ساخته جیمز مک‌تیگو، با فیلم‌نامه‌ای از واچوفسکی‌ها، فیلمی‌ست که هم در فرم و هم در محتوا، می‌خواهد یادآوری کند که سیاست و هنر، هر دو می‌توانند به اندازه‌ی یک انفجار، ویران‌گر و بیدارکننده باشند.

فیلم با بازی درخشان هوگو ویوینگ در نقش مردی نقاب‌دار آغاز می‌شود؛ نقابی که چهره ندارد اما هویت دارد. وی صدایی‌ست که از دل خاکستر برمی‌خیزد، با لحنی شاعرانه، اندیشه‌ای رادیکال را فریاد می‌زند. و شاید بتوان گفت، نقاب گای فاکس در این فیلم، از یک ابزار پنهان‌کاری، به نمادی جهانی از مقاومت تبدیل شد.

ناتالی پورتمن در نقش ایوی، مسیری را طی می‌کند که یکی از مهم‌ترین قوس‌های شخصیتی سینمای معاصر است: از زنی خام و محافظه‌کار، به فردی آگاه و رهاشده. نقطه اوج این تحول، سکانس معروف شکنجه و کشف نامه زندانی پیشین است؛ نامه‌ای که معنای ایثار، عشق و ایستادگی را در ذهن ایوی حک می‌کند.

فیلم از نظر بصری نیز قدرتمند است: رنگ‌ها، قاب‌بندی‌ها و صحنه‌های نمادین ـ مثل انفجار ساختمان پارلمان ـ همگی در خدمت ساختن جهان پادآرمان‌شهری‌ای هستند که هر لحظه‌اش بوی سرکوب و کنترل می‌دهد. اما در دل همین سرکوب، فیلم بارقه‌ای از امید را روشن می‌گذارد.

موسیقی درخشان داریو ماریانلی، تم‌های ارکسترال فیلم را به نوعی نیروی درونی بدل می‌کند که انگار در دل مخاطب به تپش درمی‌آیند. قطعهٔ پایانی فیلم ـ همزمان با رژهٔ مردمی با نقاب ـ نه‌فقط پایان یک روایت، که آغاز یک بیداری‌ست.

فیلم جسارت دارد. در جهانی که هالیوود اغلب از ورود به عرصه‌های سیاسی و فلسفی خودداری می‌کند، وی مثل وندتا بی‌پرده، نقدی صریح از نژادپرستی، فاشیسم، نظارت دولتی و سانسور را به تصویر می‌کشد. شخصیت وی، شبیه نه یک ناجی، بلکه شبحی‌ست که روح شورش را در کالبد مردم می‌دمد.

از این فیلم بارها نقل‌قول شده و بارها به آن ارجاع داده‌اند؛ نه فقط به خاطر صحنه‌های اکشن و داستان قوی، بلکه برای این‌که فلسفه‌ای در بطن خود دارد. فیلمی‌ست که مثل شخصیتش، نمی‌خواهد دل ببرد، می‌خواهد ذهن را بتکاند.

و شاید از همین‌جاست که «وی» دیگر شخص نیست. ایده‌ای‌ست. تفکری‌ست که از دل تاریکی، نام خود را با انفجار و آگاهی، بر دیوار تاریخ می‌کوبد.



فیلم، با موسیقی عظیم و مونولوگ‌هایی که شعرگونه‌اند، تصویری خلق می‌کند از جامعه‌ای فروبسته، اما همچنان زنده. جملهٔ «افکار گلوله نمی‌خورند» تنها شعار نیست، ستون فقرات روایت است. داستان، از مبارز تنها، قهرمان نمی‌سازد؛ بلکه از ایده‌ها افسانه می‌سازد. آن‌هم در جهانی که افسانه‌ها سرکوب می‌شوند.

و شاید قوی‌ترین نقطه پایان آن، خاموش شدن خود وی و روشن شدن چهره‌های بی‌شمار مردم با ماسک اوست. پیامی واضح: تو رهبر نداری، تو خودت رهبری.

وی مثل وندتا بازخوانی پرشکوهی‌ست از اسطورهٔ شورش در جهان مدرن. روایتی که فریاد می‌زند:
«مردم نباید از دولت بترسند؛ این دولت است که باید از مردم بترسد.»

[Realini Ionescu · Rating 4 out of 5]

V for Vendetta by Lilly Wachowski, Lana Wachowski – the sisters were the brothers at some point in time, they made one of the most important motion pictures The Matrix, my note on it is at https://realini.blogspot.com/2018/03/... where you find a few thousand reviews

8 out of 10

V for Vendetta has a narrative that suits me perfectly, I took part in the 1989 Revolution that deposed the then dictator, Ceausescu – this is recorded for eternity in The Newsweek http://realini.blogspot.com/2022/02/u... covering the events of 35 years ago

Hence, I agree with revolutions, nay, not just that, I know how desperately necessary they can be – we have lived under communism, with no freedoms, in cold, with power taken off by the lunatic tyrant, waiting in long lines for any food item – unless one was part of the nomenclature, the apparatchiks that had it all
Indeed, one of them is coming to the sauna downtown, and he explains how he had food, heated flat and all, but the bastard does not specify what the hell he had to do for that, perhaps kill a few dozen hoi polloi

V for Vendetta takes place in a dystopian future – but it very much resembles what has happened here, what you read in Geroge Orwell https://realini.blogspot.com/2023/09/...
alas, there are things happening in the present that could alarm us, from the lections in the US, to our very own risky turn to the far right, the first round of elections have had a shocking result, the far right won first place

my conviction is that this idiot will lose by a wide margin, say 70 to 30%, in the last round, but still, it was so bad and unexpected – mea culpa, I did not even bother for the first time, sure that it will be between similar candidates
The wake-up call had the effect needed and I went yesterday, all the way into the city, I live near the limit, but my ID still says center, so this is where I am allowed to vote, and given my support to the Liberal Party

Alhamdulillah, for parliament, we will not have the fools in a dominant position, the more rational partis, PNL, PSD, USR have won enough for a governing coalition, albeit the latter has ruined some chances in the past

In V for Vendetta Adam Sutler becomes a despot, someone like Ceausescu, Putin, maybe Orange Jesus in his next term – wjhat a bloody cretin he is anyway, what with a team of clowns nominated to be in charge
V is the hero, the one that announces he will blow up the parliament, inspired by Guy Fawkes to some extent, and he is the leader of an insurrection, one that is supposed to overthrow this dictatorial regime and bring freedom

Evey is caught up in the movement, and she is at the same time the romantic lead, V, who always wears a mask, presumably because he had been badly burned in the past, and needs anonymity, will fall for this woman
In the manner we know from The Three Musketeers https://realini.blogspot.com/2012/12/... V is fighting the enemy, with improvements brought by the age, and his formidable skills

However, he is about to be shot, when he is saved by Evey, therefore, he has to take her with him, or else, if left behind, she would have been taken into custody by the repressive regime, tortured and killed eventually
There is a bizarre episode – spoiler alert – wherein we see the poor young woman prisoner, she is psychologically abused, then she gets a letter from another inmate, one sentenced because she was…lesbian

Only we find that it was…V who kept her under lock and key, supposedly to set her free somehow, if she would resist the pressure https://realini.blogspot.com/2015/12/...
It reminded me of that Marshmallow test, which is supposed to measure the Delayed Gratification – children are given two marshmallows, that is they are told you can have one right now, but if you wait a few minutes…

- Then you can have two

It turned out that they looked at those children, and years later, those who chose to wait, would be the successful ones, if one is able to control this, to delay the gratification, one is destined to win…just like Evey did, eventually

Now for my standard closing of the note with a question, and invitation – maybe you have a good idea on how we could make more than a million dollars with this http://realini.blogspot.com/2022/02/u... – as it is, this is a unique technique, which we could promote, sell, open the Oscars show with or something and then make lots of money together, if you have the how, I have the product, I just do not know how to get the befits from it, other than the exercise per se

There is also the small matter of working for AT&T – this huge company asked me to be its Representative for Romania and Bulgaria, on the Calling Card side, which meant sailing into the Black Sea wo meet the US Navy ships, travelling to Sofia, a lot of activity, using my mother’s two bedrooms flat as office and warehouse, all for the grand total of $250, raised after a lot of persuasion to the staggering $400…with retirement ahead, there are no benefits, nothing…it is a longer story, but if you can help get the mastodont to pay some dues, or have an idea how it can happen, let me know

As for my role in the Revolution that killed Ceausescu, a smaller Mao, there it is http://realini.blogspot.com/2022/03/r...

Some favorite quotes from To The Hermitage and other works

‘Fiction is infinitely preferable to real life...As long as you avoid the books of Kafka or Beckett, the everlasting plot of fiction has fewer futile experiences than the careless plot of reality...Fiction's people are fuller, deeper, cleverer, more moving than those in real life…Its actions are more intricate, illuminating, noble, profound…There are many more dramas, climaxes, romantic fulfillment, twists, turns, gratified resolutions…Unlike reality, all of this you can experience without leaving the house or even getting out of bed…What's more, books are a form of intelligent human greatness, as stories are a higher order of sense…As random life is to destiny, so stories are to great authors, who provided us with some of the highest pleasures and the most wonderful mystifications we can find…Few stories are greater than Anna Karenina, that wise epic by an often foolish author…’

‚Parturiunt montes, nascetur ridiculus mus’

“From Monty Python - The Meaning of Life...Well, it's nothing very special...Try and be nice to people, avoid eating fat, read a good book every now and then, get some walking in, and try and live together in peace and harmony with people of all creeds and nations.”