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"Is "Where the Heart Is" based on a true story?"

Asked by KGP 25 months ago ( Send a Compliment)

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I'm just curious. At first I thought it was, but then I thought it wasn't. It's a good movie and sometime I would like to read the book.


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"No, it's fiction."
Hightest Level: 3 by roseredcity on Nov 03 2007 (25 months ago)
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The author, Billie Letts, was an Oklahoma girl, an English teacher, and spent years writing stories and screenplays, and collecting rejection slips. 

 

When she retired, she signed up for a writers' conference in New Orleans and ran into a writers' agent who was interested in seeing her work.

 

Billie sent her several things she'd written, including the opening of Where the Heart Is.  She also attached a note, saying that the story of the young girl broke, pregnant and locked in a Wal-Mart late at night in a strange town just "wouldn't let her go."

 

The agent read the short story, read the note and then called her up and suggested that she might just have a novel on her hands.  She did.  It is, and one of the best I've read in years.

 

I didn't see the movie, but the novel is a wonderful work.  I'm sure you'll like it.  The story is fiction, but it feels honest and like it could be real.

 

 

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"It is fiction"
Hightest Level: 4 by ~Lyn~ on Nov 03 2007 (25 months ago)
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Four stars
I can understand why you thought it was a true story.  Billie Letts is a gifted writer with the unique ability to drawl you into the story.  If you liked Where the Heart Is you are bound to like her other books. Don't forget the book is always better than the movie.

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"No, it is not a true story."
Hightest Level: 5 by Doglover928 on Nov 03 2007 (25 months ago)
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Four stars

 I read the book first, then saw the movie.  I enjoyed the movie, but I really enjoyed the book!! I thought it was excellent, so sad, but then so heartwarming. One of the best books I ever read.

 

She also wrote two others:

The Honk and Holler Opening Soon" and "Shoot the Moon"

 

The first one was very good, but not nearly as good as "Shoot the Moon", although the reviews do not exactly agree with me, so you may like the other one best. I just thought "Shoot the Moon" was fantastic!  It’s a matter of personal preference though!

I think she is an excellent writer, and I hope she writes something else soon.  She is overdue!

Where the Heart Is (Oprah’s Book Club)
Where the Heart Is (Oprah’s Book Club) by Billie Letts (Paperback - Jun 1, 1998)
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Other Editions: Hardcover, Paperback, Mass Market Paperback, School & Library Binding; See all 8.

 

 

I definitely suggest that you read her other two:

 

"The Honk and Holler Opening Soon" and

"Shoot the Moon"

 

I especially liked "Shoot the Moon"!!  I think it was my favorite of all three.

 

. 
Shoot the Moon
Shoot the Moon by Billie Letts (Paperback - Jul 1, 2005)
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The Honk and Holler Opening Soon
The Honk and Holler Opening Soon by Billie Letts (Paperback - May 1, 1999)
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Excerpt - page 2: "... 2 BILLIE LETTS cles slipped off the line ..."
 › See more references to Billie Letts in this book.
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Sources: http://amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss_gw/002-8605654-6980067?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=Billie+Letts&x=13&y=18
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"No, It's Not"
Hightest Level: 1 by ConnieD53 on Nov 05 2007 (25 months ago)
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Four stars

Where the Heart Is is based on the best-selling novel by Billie Letts.  It was chosen as an Oprah's Book Club® selection in December of 1998.

 

Image:Where the Heart Is film.jpg
Sources: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Where_the_Heart_Is_(novel)

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"Sorry I can't answer your questions but it is one of my favorite movies of all time."
Hightest Level: 2 by Grandmamu4all on Nov 03 2007 (25 months ago)
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Three stars

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Latest post on this question's discussion board:

TravelingYarn, regarding your answer "It is fiction": Oh ya I know. Books are always better than the movies. I totally agree, because there is so much more detail. Thanks for your answer and thanks everybody else for answering.
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