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Be Ready with Bells and Drums
Elizabeth Kata
3.95
1,266 ratings154 reviews
An old Chinese poem gives the title to Elizabeth Kata's first novel, in which she gives an Australian accent to the story of a blind Cinderella.
GenresFictionClassicsRomanceYoung AdultNovelsBook ClubLiterary Fiction
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172 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1961
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About the author
Elizabeth Kata9 books6 followers
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Elizabeth Katayama (1912 – 4 September 1998) was an Australian writer under the pseudonym Elizabeth Kata, best known for Be Ready with Bells and Drums (1961), which was made into the award-winning film A Patch of Blue (1965).
She was born of Scottish parents in Sydney in 1912. After marrying a Japanese man named Katayama in 1937, she lived for ten years in Japan. During the last years of World War II she was interned at the mountain resort village of Karuizawa, Nagano. She returned to Australia in 1947 with her baby son, battling the Australian Government for permission.
As well as writing novels, she also wrote for television and several Hollywood scripts. Her first novel, Be Ready with Bells and Drums (written in 1959, first published in 1961), was produced as the film A Patch of Blue (1965). Shelley Winters playing the role of Rose-Ann D'Arcey won an Academy Award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role. Guy Green, who directed, also adapted Kata's book and his screenplay was nominated for a Writers Guild of America award. After the success of the film, the novel was re-released as A Patch of Blue. The book was for many years included in the "school book list" both in the US and Australia. The book Mrs Katayama and Her Splash of Blue (2010, Independence Jones), covers how Elizabeth Kata's first book became the film A Patch of Blue.
Elizabeth Katayama died in Sydney in 1998.
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3.95
1,266 ratings154 reviews
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Laureen
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September 11, 2014
About 50 years ago, when I was in my teens, I saw a movie called "A Patch of Blue" staring a young, extremely handsome Sydney Poitier. He befriended a blind white girl. Enough said. I have loved Sydney Poitier ever since as an actor. While choosing my books on Goodreads, I decided to read some books that I have seen and liked as movies when I was young and not so interested in reading.
This novel broke my heart all over again. While reading it, I could see Sydney as if it was yesterday; that endearing half smile, the feeling emanating from his eyes. No, please understand, I am not the melodramatic type. This novel was everything the movie portrayed plus so much more. What a statement it makes about racial bigotry! This is not your usual, modern day "I hate racism" story. It is pure and unadulterated emotion building, beautifully told story of an innocent blind white girl, victim of a poverty stricken family who have survived in the only ways they know with prostitution and alcoholism a by-product. This is a must read for anyone remotely interested in this kind of story. Highly recommended.
P.S. It is only a small book, 171 pages, but every page is a treat.
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Paul
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June 10, 2023
3.5 stars
The original title of this novel “Be ready with bells and drums” was displaced when it was filmed and became “A patch of blue”. The film starred a rather young Sidney Poitier and Shelley Winters. Winters won a best supporting Oscar. The novel was written by Australian novelist Elizabeth Kata in the late 1950s. The title is from a Chinese poem and the whole is a twist on the Cinderella story with a blind protagonist.
Selina (Sleena) is eighteen. She lives with her mother Rose-Ann who is a prostitute and her grandfather Ole Pa who is an alcoholic. Sleena is blind and has been so since she was five. Her mother had thrown some acid at her father, but Sleena was hit and blinded. She now cleans the house and looks after the two adults. To earn some money she threads beads which are delivered to the home. She sometimes spends her days in the park and there she meets Gordon, a young man who is kind to her. They fall in love. The twist is that Gordon is black. Not difficult to guess with Sidney Poitier starring in the film. Sleena’s family and her acquaintances are racist and she isn’t initially aware of Gordon’s colour. Added to this her mother has plans to set up in a flat with a fellow prostitute and make Sleena become a sex worker as well, hoping her disability will add a premium to what they can charge. So the stage is set. The film has a more positive ending than the book. I have the old penguin copy with a cover drawing by John Ward.
On the whole I did enjoy this. I’ve never (to my recollection) seen the film. It is a little melodramatic and Kata has created a very memorable evil character in Rose-Ann. It’s a quick read and a bit of a period piece but the themes are enduring.
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booklady
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May 16, 2020
3 and 1/2 stars
Sleena (or Selina) remembers the color Blue from the sky which she gazed at for hours on end up until the event which took colors from her life. She knows Red too. It is the color of the man's blood; the man slashed by her father, Harry's knife when he caught him with her mother, Rose-Ann. The only other color Sleena knows is Black, which is the color of her world now, blinded as she was left when Rose-Ann attempted to throw acid at Harry and missed. Instead, the acid left her daughter blind at 5-years-old, her eyes so damaged she is unable even to cry. Sleena sees Black all day, every day and she hates Black. It is easier to hate a color than the mother she has to live with or the father away somewhere in prison for murder.
This is the story of one of the most dysfunctional families you can imagine for its time period, the 1960's. Even today, it would be hard to imagine a worse environment for a child to grow up in.
I read this back in 2004 and can easily imagine the actor, Sidney Poitier as Gordon, the idealistic young man who wants to rescue Sleena/Selina from her hideous environment. The reader knows it is a tragedy, with no possibility of a truly happy ending, yet for the brief gasp of a moment, the shared hopefulness between Gordon and Sleena is still bittersweet. And yet we read on waiting and wondering ... only where, when and how Selina will discover that her knight in shining armor is the one color she despises, the only color she cannot escape due to her blindness.
Not a Great Book, but a memorable one.
2004 2020 fiction
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Lisa
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March 7, 2008
"Sleena, you blind tomato!" Who could ever forget Selena's evil mother and feckless grandfather drunk and berating her? Though now I can't remember if she was actually the mother or aunt. This is a remarkable story of a young blind woman (blinded in a horrible accident) kept sheltered by her ignorant, and yes, evil, guardians. Selena, finally allowed by her keepers to be escorted to a park to do bead work (her occupation)meets a young black doctor. When he figures out the reality of Selena's situation, he becomes determined to save her. This takes place in the early 1960's, and all that that implies regarding racism and perception. An excruciating but wonderful book, and an even better movie.
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Krystal
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June 29, 2012
At first glace, I hated this book. It did not hold my interest at all, and I did not appreciate the way my freshman english teacher shoved it down my throat. Every word was digested by force. I held no pity, nor passion for Selena or Gordon. The mother and the aunt bored me. And, I couldn't care less about Oh Mr. Faber. It bothered me quite a bit that many of my fellow classmates couldn't read aloud as fast as I, because I just wanted to finish the book, complete the review, pass the test and move on to something else. Something exciting, something captivating, something bigger than a patch and a different color than blue.
For many years I cursed the day Mrs. Howie slapped that book down on my desk and told me to start reading. I grumbled, hemmed and hawed, scoffed and rolled my eyes. But, I read it. And, for what's more?
I grew up. A lot of that proclaimed hatred and hubbubing was me being childish and spiteful, throwing a fit because I didn't want to read what I was told. I find myself thinking about this book from time to time, about how the world has come a long way since the life and times of Gordon, Selena and Pearl. About how different their lives would be if they met in today's society, if they'd had more than a patch to grow on.
All in all, this is by far not my favorite book, but one that will forever keep me reflecting on life and the connections that make and break us, how the world sees us, and most importantly, how we see ourselves.
Thanks, Mrs. Howie.
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Leslie
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August 20, 2011
Manipulative melodrama. Kata piles on the hardships: prostitute mother, a murderer for a father, alcoholic grandfather, abuse, rape at the hands of one of her mother's clients, poverty, isolation, boring work, constant insults, the prospect of being forced into prostitution with men who get off on having sex with a blind girl. Did I mention she's blind? But she's untouched by all the sordid reality of her life. Because she's pure in heart. We know she's pure in heart because she's blind. And blond. And beautiful (except for her eyes burned out with acid thrown by her mother who was really aiming at the father who'd just murdered a client in a jealous rage. But beautiful even with burned-out eyes. Apparently the acid missed the rest of her face). And if she's blind and blond and beautiful, she's got to be pure. And so she says purehearted things like this: ""After my prayer I stopped worrying and fell asleep." (She learned about God by listening to the radio; she's just naturally open to God because the pure at heart always are). And the big revelation about Gordon is telegraphed so unrelentingly that you'd have to be as stupid as the prostitute mother not to see it coming almost as soon as the character shows up.
2011 not-worth-reading
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Christy Stewart
Author 12 books321 followers
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November 14, 2010
Oh my God.
Tears. Tears.
Kata is an amazing writer and I will be mourning this book until I die or get amnesia.
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Sarah
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December 14, 2010
I read this at fourteen, I think, and absolutely loved it. Of course, at that age, I loved everything I read! I'm much more cynical now.
It's the story of a very poor, abused, blind girl and her first love. I wish the goodreads synopsis (and book cover!) didn't reveal any more than that, because the late revelation had such an impact on me. I would want other teenage girls to read the book in just the same way. (Yes, I know it was made into a rather famous movie).
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Kandice
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October 23, 2020
I don't know why I enjoy them so much, but this was another one of those "painful to read" books that I enjoy so much! It's so sadly realistic. People really feel and act that way.
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Neil Schleifer
120 reviews32 followers
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July 3, 2010
A great character study of a young blind girl being raised by her abusive mother and alcoholic grandfather in the 1960's and how one man can make a difference in the life of someone else.
This is the source material of an equally wonderful film. The book is told from the perspective of "Sleena" (that's how her drunken guardian's pronounce her name -- Selina", an 18 y/o girl who was blinded by her mother in a domestic abuse incident when she was 8. Kata captures Sleena's voice beautifully -- resigned, tentatively hopeful and sometimes reflective of the ugly bigoted language she hears spewing from her family.
Warning: there is "hate" language used in the story, so if this book is used with young readers it is essential to let them know that the language is reflective of a certain type of character at a specific time and place.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 154 reviews
More reviews and ratings
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From other countries
- V J LavertyReviewed in the United Kingdom on 12 January 2016
A Patch of Blue , one to read!
Such a touching ,happy, sad ,cruel real story. One that is both thought provoking and stays with you long after you read the last word. - NikkiReviewed in the United States on 5 October 2019
Bitter sweat
Loved the movie the book not so much only because of the ending. To me it felt like the ending of a lazy writer. I get that it was a racist era and that not all endings were favorable or good but to leave the ending that way only ruined a good story. Sorry I don’t mean to stop any one from reading it. It is a good read.7 people found this helpful - Amazon CustomerReviewed in Canada on 31 May 2020
Great
Great condition! - Alva StarrReviewed in the United Kingdom on 25 February 2024
DO NOT BUY!!!!
DO NOT BUY THIS EDITION BY HASSELL STREET PRESS!
It is literally a photocopy of the pages of
another, older published edition of the book. I'm sure this is illegal. Mine literally has the high-school name on it. I'm so upset about this. So LAZY! At least type it out and print it! - Amazon CustomerReviewed in the United States on 19 January 2013
A lesson in history, and in our neighbors
I read this for a college class comparing books and movies made from those books. This was a wonderful place to begin learning about my fellow students. Younger people did not understand the book, or the movie. As a snapshot from the past, it acted as a place to begin building awareness of how much progress has occurred since the Civil Rights Movement, both in individual understanding and societal acceptance. Those of us who do remember those old days, were able to provide some validation for the story. And it IS a wonderful story, told with simple strength.8 people found this helpful - CKReviewed in Canada on 1 September 2023
Poor photocopy of original book
I have loved this book for many years. I loaned my original copy to someone and never got it back. It’s one of the books I treasure. I ordered this to replace the one I’ve been missing. I was so disappointed when it arrived. It looks good until you open it up and see that it’s just poor photocopies of the pages from another edition. The background is dark and the text isn’t easy to read. The posting on Amazon did not give any indication of this prior to my purchase. I’m very disappointed. - BettejaneReviewed in the United States on 7 March 2022
A “classic” in it’s own right from the early 1960s
Not able to download an electronic copy of “A Patch of Blue” on my tablet, I was pleased to find this novel in a well-maintained paperback book. Other than the pages being yellowed from 60 years of shelf- life, this “classic” was received in excellent condition.One person found this helpful - David WilliamsReviewed in Canada on 8 July 2023
Amateur Publications
The publication was amateurish and produced poorly. - Christopher R. JohnsonReviewed in the United States on 16 October 2016
... and watched the movie - the former is always better of course
I read the book and watched the movie - the former is always better of course, but the movie's well-made to. The book portrays very well what it is like to be blind, without being sentimental about it.2 people found this helpful - JanReviewed in the United States on 10 December 2016
I saw this movie on TV years ago and it ...
I saw this movie on TV years ago and it really touched me. The book is very similar, but a little different from the movie.2 people found this helpful
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Search inside (26 results)
black
Page 5
If Rose-ann's dress had been black, I'd of known how it looked too. 1/ the dress had been yellow, green or most any other colour, I wouldn't have known.
Page 6
I know red, because red was the last colour (except for black) that I ever saw. Black, I know because it is all I ever see. I love blue. I like red. Black, I hate. I hate everything black.
Page 7
'Niggers is black.' Ole Pa told me. 'You want to have a black friend? That one was black as night.'
Page 7
Black! I hated Pearl. I had enough black in my life.
Page 9
'Rose-ann, sure as hell, sure as hell, you have a black heart,' said Ole Pa. *Sleena here, can't ogle. Sleena's— blind.'
Page 10
Before Ole Pa went out I asked him if Rose-ann really had a black heart.
Page 10
'Does Rose-ann really have a black heart, Ole Pa?' I asked. 'Yes, Rose-ann has a black heart,' Ole Pa told me. 'What colour is your heart, Ole Pa?' I prayed to God above that his wouldn't be black too. 'My heart?'
Page 10
'Yes. What colour is your heart, Ole Pa?' 'What colour do you like best now?' 'I like blue best, Ole Pa.' 'That's the colour of my heart — blue.' 'Blue!' I was glad. 'Do you know the colour of my heart, Ole Pa?' I made up my mind that if mine was black, some-
Page 11
'For sure. Now hush up.' And Ole Pa went out to get drunk. I was glad his heart was blue and that mine was red and white. I knew I never could bear to have Rose-ann with her black heart touch me or do anything for me again.
Page 25
Gordon was telling about the time when he was doing Service in Japan; how, being six feet tall, every time he went to eat or visit in a Japanese style room he cracked his head on the low door tops. I was laughing because he made it sound very funny. 'Ouch! done it again. Ouch! Man! I was black and blue. Selina, I tell you I bumped my head so many times I was black and blue. You are a cruel girl to laugh.*
Page 25
'Oh Gordon, no/ I said. *Not black 'n blue. Only blue—or blue'n red. Not black . . . please not black.' I wasn't laughing any more.
Page 25
I told him about Pearl. I told him about Rose-ann's heart, about how I hated, hated all things black. 'Please say only blue, or red and blue/
Page 27
Was the night black? Could anyone see me? I hoped for the first time in my life that the night was black because another wise saying of Ole Pa's had come true.
Page 92
Just my luck I thought — I would have a murderer for a father, a whore for a mother, a shikkered old bum for a grandfather, a dirt black nigger girl for the only friend I ever met. Just my luck to have a loused-up face, unseeing eyes, burnt out eyes (I wondered what colour my eyes had been).
Page 101
The darkness I lived in became darker. I'd never known such black darkness. It wasn't the thought of the work Roseana had planned for me that gave such a sad darkness — it was because she was my mother.
Page 105
Come what may I knew I'd never live with Rose-ann and Sadie in their new apartment, but like the rats were after my thoughts I seemed to hear the voices of black men waiting to get into the swell apartment, waiting to get at me.
Page 115
'But goddam! This is not your way. You, with your ethics, times are I've had a belly full of your strict code. I don't dig you. Your gospel has always been truth at all costs, facts are facts, no greys in your gospel, just white and black. No half truths. A He is a lie. Man! Me! I don't like it.'
Page 127
Born! How about that! Then Alice Braddon wouldn't iven know as much as me. Wouldn't even know the colour >lue or red — she would only know black. I shuddered. Poor yice, I thought.
Page 128
*Oh I love you,' I cried, 'I love you, Gordon, I would have had to kill myself. The thought of going with Rose-ann and Sadie, to live in a coloured area. I thought of hundreds of black men — niggers. Thought of them standing in a line, gabbering and rattling their money. Hie thought of those niggers drove me but out of my mind. Black! Black men — waiting to get at me. I would have killed myself .'
Page 129
'You sound — sad then. Are you sad? I'll try and like niggers if you want me to. I'll try for sure. It'll be hard but 1 11 try. But — black! Gordon, I got too much of that in my life.'
Page 138
'No. No, no, no,' I screamed. 'I hate black things.* Much harder getting rid of Rose-ann than Sadie, I managed though,
Page 138
Now what had that young voice said? Something about a black man. No. I was mixed up. Rose-ann it was. Rose-ann had told me, '. . . a swell apartment in the coloured area . .
Page 138
Coloured! Black! Name of God, no. I was in the swell apartment. The hands touching me were the hands of a coloured man. Name of God, no.
Page 138
*No,' I screamed. 'Get your hands off of me. You black, you goddam nigger.' I fought. Man, how I fought.
Page 138
This was not the radio, this was for real. Man! I hoped they weren't after me. Me? I was but crazy. They were out to catch die black man.
Page 141
How strange it was. How very strange. All my life Fd hated black, nated it so much and yet— -beautiful people in my life had been coloured . . .
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japan
Page 13
Japan played tennis and fell in love with the girl he has married.
Page 25
Gordon was telling about the time when he was doing Service in Japan; how, being six feet tall, every time he went to eat or visit in a Japanese style room he cracked his head on the low door tops. I was laughing because he made it sound very funny. 'Ouch! done it again. Ouch! Man! I was black and blue. Selina, I tell you I bumped my head so many times I was black and blue. You are a cruel girl to laugh.*
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