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BELLA
by Lisa Samson (from original screenplay)
Nina didn’t expect life to turn out the way it did. Pregnant with an unwanted child, she has only one option open to her. An abortion. But she didn’t know how she’d pay for it. Rent was due, and the baby’s father only offered to pay for half the cost of the abortion. Now, she was late to work for the third time, and her boss was very unforgiving with the third offense.
Jose works as a cook for his brother’s restaurant. He had soccer dreams that died violently and prematurely. The weight of broken dreams gets heavier and heavier, but Jose doesn’t know how to handle the situation. When Jose learns of Nina’s pregnancy, he tries to talk her into keeping the baby, but ultimately promises to go to the abortion center with her, since the baby’s father doesn’t want anything to do with either Nina or the pregnancy.
But a series of unexpected events changes everything.
BELLA is based on the top movie of 2007 and was rewritten in book form by Lisa Samson. The reader can tell that this was originally a movie first, as it doesn’t read as smoothly as novels normally would, but Ms. Samson did a much better job writing this as novel form from the movie than other authors have done in similar situations.
It took me a long time to figure out what Jose’s story was, why he did the things he did. Nina’s situation was easier to understand, her motivations clear from the beginning. I never saw the movie, so I was going into the book without a clue what it was about, but I did enjoy the book, and read it through in one sitting. Pictures from the movie are included at the end of the book, as well as a reading guide, information about the actors, and information about the movie. $14.99. 201 pages.
Lynn Worley January 31, 2009
This book is a novelization from the original screenplay of the movie of the same title. It is the story of two people who have been brought together by circumstances neither thought they’d ever have to deal with.
Nina had great plans! Dancing was her dream and everyone knows that New York is the place to be to get noticed. Unfortunately she wasn’t the only one with that idea and she soon finds herself working as a waitress, dancing becoming a vague memory. To add to the problems in her life, she finds herself pregnant. The father has no desire to BE a father but has “graciously” offered to go “halfsies” to “take care of it.”
Jose also had great plans. He’d just signed a contact with a professional soccer team. He was on top of the world! His world turned upside down on “the day” that his family doesn’t want to talk about. It led to time in jail. When he was released his brother hired him as a cook at a restaurant that he owned. The same restaurant where Nina is a waitress. They run into each other at work, as often as any cook and waitress would. Jose knows enough about her to know that she’s nice and that she works hard.
Then comes the day that changes both their lives forever. Nina is battling morning sickness but needs to confirm that she really is pregnant. It takes longer than she thinks it will making her late for work. This is the third time she’s been late and Manny isn’t about to show her any compassion. As soon as she finally arrives he’s there waiting for her, firing her on the spot. Jose wants his brother Manny to show some mercy and compassion, but there’s none to be found. Nina heads out the door and Jose follows her, much to Manny’s dismay. Jose is the main chef and he’s needed since the main rush of customers will be there soon.
Nina and Jose spend the rest of the day together. It’s during this time that the bond is created between them that changes their live.
The main undercurrent of the book is whether or not Nina’s going to have an abortion. Considering the fact that the publisher, Thomas Nelson, is a Christian publishing house, I would have assumed that that there would be a stronger anti-abortion message. That was disappointing.
I didn’t see the movie so I don’t know how closely the plot line was followed.
The story was interesting and took turns that I hadn’t expected. On the whole it was an enjoyable read. I would recommend this book for teens on up.
Reviewed by Lynn Worley