Cinema Speculation is a 2022 nonfiction book written by Quentin Tarantino. The book consists of personal essays about film he saw young in the 1970’s that influenced him. I will admit that I wasn’t the biggest fan of Tarantino’s last book that being the novelisation of Once upon a Time in Hollywood. His latest book Cinema Speculation in a vast improvement and makes me believe that if Tarantino continues as an author, he should right non-fiction.
The book itself is full of interesting essays on films from the seventies, dissecting them with Tarantino explaining why he loves them. However, what ultimately makes the book work for me is the way Tarantino expressed his voice throughout the book. He is very opinionated in his writing. Whether you agree with him or not in his views it is very clear that he is passionate about them and expresses them clearly throughout.
The structure of the book is strange. The book is ultimately film essays on movies that Tarantino saw as a child that influenced him or inspired him. However, the book is written in chronological order in a rough autobiography like structure with inserts about his life. Although the structure is odd, I didn’t mind it and thought it was done well however I can understand why some people would be turned off.
Overall Cinema Speculation is a good book. After not being a fan of Tarantino first published work, I was presently suppressed and hope he writes more non-fictions work I the future.