Burning questions: February 2008, Book v. Movie
Do you watch the movie versions of books that you love? Which do you prefer (and I almost hesitate to ask that, because most book-lovers almost ALWAYS choose the book version)? If you love a book, do you run out to see the movie or do you avoid it?
Several of the books that we've read in this book club also have movie counterparts - The Namesake, Running with Scissors, To Kill a Mockingbird, The Other Boleyn Girl (opening this Friday - I think). And from some research, I see that there are a few more in development - Eat, Pray, Love., The Sparrow, and Uglies.
Have you seen any of these? How would you say they compare to the book version?
Several of the books that we've read in this book club also have movie counterparts - The Namesake, Running with Scissors, To Kill a Mockingbird, The Other Boleyn Girl (opening this Friday - I think). And from some research, I see that there are a few more in development - Eat, Pray, Love., The Sparrow, and Uglies.
Have you seen any of these? How would you say they compare to the book version?
I do like to see the movie versions of books I loved, and usually I try to read the book before seeing the movie version. Almost always, I love the book more than the movie. Many times I wonder how someone could have even followed the movie with so many important details missing.
I saw To Kill a Mockingbird many years ago and remember liking it (on it's own, not really compared to the book). I thought the movie version of Running with Scissors was actually better - still crazy, but not as Crazy as the book, which in this case was a plus. I just finished watching The Namesake tonight and really enjoyed it, even though many of the parts of the book I loved were not approached as deeply in the movie.
There's something about a book - the tangible experience of reading it as it forms in your mind and combines with your own daily life - the experience of it is so different than the quick and short burst of a movie.
I love books and I love movies, but they leave me with a different impression, even when based on the same story.
Reply to this
I think I must be a little older than most women on this site because when I read books and then go to the movies, it is because I have teenage children and I am trying to keep up with what they are reading and the movies they are seeing.
I read "The Golden Compass" and then took my son to see the movie. Of course I read the book after my son read it (always a step behind) but I did want to read it to know what the fuss was about. I think the book did have negative Catholic overtones but I don't think kids pick up on those, especially my son. They like the story, the adventures, having "daemons". And of course, when watching the movie, I sit there and grumble because it is not like the book. I don't think my husband will go w/ me to watch movies where I have read the book.
I find rarely do I even want to see the movie if I have read the book, unless it is a big, highly marketed movie like the Harry Potter movies. Otherwise, I find myself frustrated or disappointed because I didn't see the characters like that or like it when the plot is adjusted for the screenplay.
And sometimes, curling up w/ a good book is much better than going to the movies.
Reply to this