Sandi Shilhanek | The Great Debate: Read the Book or Watch the Movie?

February 8, 2009

Comments

37 comments posted.

Re: Sandi Shilhanek | The Great Debate: Read the Book or Watch the Movie?

To be honest i like to keep my books, books and my movies..well movies.. i am usually let down (not always) when i read an awesome book and then the movies not so great.. or vise versa.. it bugs me when you have read one great book and get excited about the movie only to think.. geez.. this is nothing like the book..
ok i know.. im rambly..lol.. blame it on lack of morning caffeine yet.. about the only case of loving both a book and a movie i can think of is Gone With the Wind.. my favorite in both formats...
(Jolene Fehr 10:59am February 8, 2009)

I think the Harry Potter books to a pretty decent job of going along with the books but then I usually read the books first and don't spend a lot of time comparing it to the movie.

In general though I'm with Jolene where if I read the book there's a good chance I won't watch the movie and vise versa. I don't want to ruin either one in my mind.
(Brandy Walker 11:09am February 8, 2009)

Hi Sandi:

Great post. I never read a book before I see a movie. I've inevitably been disappointed when I have. If the movie sounds like an interesting premise and there has been a lot of buzz about the book I will usually go see it and then make a decision.

All the best.
(Lea Franczak 11:12am February 8, 2009)

I've not read The Secret Life of Bees. I love Grisham's books. I didn't have a problem with The Client or the Pelican Brief. I did find fault with The Firm. Hated the movie but loved the book. I try hard not to compare books and movies. I'm usually always disappointed or upset or both.
(Claudia McRay 11:13am February 8, 2009)

I usually try to read a book before seeing the movie. There are a few authors I prefer the movies to the books though, and John Grisham is one of those actually.
(Debbie Wiley 11:16am February 8, 2009)

Hi Sandi,
Good topic. I finally registered so I could comment!
I always like to read the book first. I've never found a movie that was better than the book it was based on. Some have come close but not many. Now I usually just decide to either read the book or see the movie, not both.
As far as Grisham books into movies--they are not as good as the books but I still like to watch them after I've read the books. I believe I heard that Grisham has never been satisfied with the movie versions.
(Mary Perry 11:20am February 8, 2009)

I try to always read the book before seeing the movie. I started watching True Blood before reading the first book, and I couldn't actually read the book as I could only see the horrible cheesy acting going on in my head! So now I need to read the rest of the series before the season starts again in the Summer!
(Natasha A. 11:23am February 8, 2009)

I usually find that books are better then the movies. If I read a book I try not to see the movie because I don't want to be disappointed.

Sometimes, I will watch a movie and I will read the book that it comes from. That is what I did with Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone. I saw the movie which I loved and then I read the book which I loved.

Then are times I watched a movie and I don't want to read the book because the movie is so awesome to me, I am afraid that the book will take something away from the movie. For example Gone with the Wind and Pride and Prejudice(the BBC version) I just love those movies.
(Lissa Oehlberg 11:28am February 8, 2009)

Well....All I have to say is
that for me they are two
totally different mediums of
entertainment and I find it
difficult to compare them to
each other. Take Harry Potter
and the Prisoner of Azkaban, I
thought the movie did nothing
for the book because to me
they left out key elements to
the story. Granted they are
elements that are not required
to the overall story, but were
elements that mattered to the
readers. It was a connection
that was lacking and it made
me sad, but did it ruin the
movie or the book for me..not
really.
However, I will also that it
was the Harry Potter movies
that led me to read the books.
So I will always have a
special place in my heart for
those first two movies. I
usually prefer reading the
book then seeing the movie,
but since I know that the
authors don't usually write
the movies I am pretty safe
doing either one.
(Meredith Link 11:34am February 8, 2009)

I've not seen too many movies after reading the book but not many are as good but how could they be? I enjoy Grisham both movies & books. Just got THE SECRET LIFE OF BEES for 17 y.o. granddaughter so I guess I'll be reading it soon I'll have to ask her her opinion on movie vs book.
(Barbs Ferris 12:05pm February 8, 2009)

Sandi,
Hi!

I prefer reading the book first. I rarely
watch the movie after reading the
book because 90% of the time I'm
disappointed. What is it about
Hollywood?

They see a book. Sometimes it's
incredibly popular, a bestseller. At
other times, it's just a great find they
picked up from a shelf. They take this
project, which was very important to
the writer. And they butcher it. All
under the guise of artistic license. I
got that. But a book isn't, say, a
painting. When someone goes into a
gallery and the title of the show is 'An
Interpretation of...', the patron knows
it's going to be someone's creative
views on whatever the subject is. With
a movie based on a book, it's a whole
different story. No pun intended.
Viewers, more often than not, want to
see the book come to life, not to be a
loose, personal interpretation thereof.

Two books come to mind when I think
of book I read that had VERY different
endings as movies. I felt those
endings were disparate enough that
they blew the whole movie experience.
First is THE FIRM by John Grisham.
The book's ending was much, MUCH
more thrilling.

The second book is THE HORSE
WHISPERER by Nicholas Evans. In the
book the guy does NOT ride off into
the sunset as he did in the movie. I
wanted to vomit I was so disgusted. I
know there's artistic license and all but
I think when H'wood is going to do
that they should then add to the
credits that the movie is very loosely
adapted from the book, not just 'This
movie is adapted from the book by...'
And it should be the first credit rolled
at the beginning of the movie.

With longer books? Difficult decision.
After all, HBO took a normal sized
book (Charlaine Harris) and turned it
into an entire season (True Blood). I
guess it all depends on the aptitude of
the producer/screenwriter and how
they're able to convey the most
important poin
(Denise McClain 12:19pm February 8, 2009)

Thanks to one and all for the comments. I really appreciate everyone coming to visit!

As for me...I think I'll read a book or see a movie but usually not both! If I happen to read the book, and then see the movie it's usually with a good
spread of time between the two, and I don't know that I remember enough about the book to say whether or not the movie followed it closely. A new
thought...do you have a favorite book/movie combo as someone(sorry forgot who) mentioned they do with Gone With The Wind?

Sandi
(Sandi Shilhanek 12:24pm February 8, 2009)

Well, I usually prefer to read the book rather than watch the movie, but I have seen some movies that really did the book justice. When I watch the movie after reading the book, I don't expect too much, as there is usually soooo much more in the book. That said, I did enjoy the Lord Of The Rings movies, the Harry Potters too. Also the Narnia movies were enjoyable.

After I read Michael Creighton's Timeline, I told everyone that it just had to be made into a movie, and when it was I went to see it and I wasn't disappointed.

But, when it comes to the crunch, give me the book, every time!!!

Valerie
(Valerie Bongards 12:32pm February 8, 2009)

I'm mixed on this. I have read books that were later made into movies and have had mixed thoughts. The one that stands out in my mind is the tv movie based on Julie Garwood's FOR THE ROSES, the books was just wonderful and the movie just plain sucked! I know in the movies they have to make edits because of time but to totally change the plot and characters. There are some movies I've seen that have made me want to read the book just to do a comparison. I'm a total closet Clive Cussler fan and loved his book SAHARA, I did enjoy the movie version even though they left out the one fun plot twist about Abraham Lincoln, don't know why they did that, thought it made the whole story. Then there are the books that I have loved and would love to see made into movies, but I just wonder how well they would do it. I know I might get rotten veggies thrown at me but thre are a few of the Jane Austen movies that I have preferred over the book. I wasn't a big fan of her book EMMA, but just adored the movie. Like I said I'm very mixed on the topic.
(Shauna George 12:42pm February 8, 2009)

I try to read the book first. I read P.S. I Love You before seeing the movie. I preferred the book.
(Yvonne Hering 12:43pm February 8, 2009)

I also try to read the book first as it is always better. Message in a Bottle - the movie cannot compare to the book which I thought was awesome.

I did not read The Memory Keeper's Daughter but the lifetime movie was fantastic - the ending was gutwrenching. I just loved Phoeboe.
(Pat Lieberman 12:56pm February 8, 2009)

I'm dating myself with this answer. Years ago I read the Moonspinners by Mary Stewart. I really liked the book and was excited when it was made into a movie, until I heard it was a Disney movie with Hayley Mills. I wanted to scream. It was disappointing to see it made as a Disney movie.
(Joyce Mandle 1:14pm February 8, 2009)

Whenever I've read a book which was later converted to a movie, I find myself critiquing the movie thus not enjoying it as well.

However if I read the book after the movie, most often I'll be glad I did because some scenes which made no sense in the movie become clear after reading the book.

The only movie I enjoyed after reading a book was Thornbird. The movie I most hated after reading the book was based on a Julie Garwood movie. In fact to this day I can not reread that book because the movie characters ruined it for me.

Tina
(Tina Sporer 1:41pm February 8, 2009)

I watched the Poseidon Adventure (1972 film) and then read the book Beyond the Poseidon Adventure and then saw the movie made in 1979. Not only did the characters not match, but in one the secret cargo was gold and in the other it was a nuclear weapon. I forget which now.

I saw White Orchid with a friend who had already seen it once and loved it. Later I saw the book in the Orlando Airport and picked it up. There were differences, but not enough to detract from my enjoyment. The book explained things that were difficult to understand in the movie and the last chapter or two went further in the story than did the movie.

I would say that If I had read White Orchid first the movie would have been a disappointment.
(Ray Getzinger 1:51pm February 8, 2009)

I would read the book first; lots of times the movie is a disappointment. I do not think I have watched a movie and then read the book.
(Helen Livermore 2:20pm February 8, 2009)

I am almost always disappointed in the movie. But that doesn't stop me from watching it. Queen of the Damned is the one I was most disappointed in, I think.
(Lillie Applegarth 2:34pm February 8, 2009)

If I read the book first I won't see the movie. The movie always tends to be different from the book in some parts and it always ruins things for me. That happened to me back in the 80's with the North And South Mini-series. I read the book first and then saw the movie and spent the whole time tearing it apart because they changed things. I will either read the book and not watch the movie or the other way around. I won't ever do both.
(Debbie Beverley 3:23pm February 8, 2009)

I had no idea how that so many people were so passionate about the idea of books versus movies! Thank you to one and all for making this a lively
and interesting discussion.

Since I'm really somewhat particular about my movies anyway I think I'll stick to spending my entertainment dollar on the book and wait for a movie to
hit DVD.
(Sandi Shilhanek 3:57pm February 8, 2009)

If I know that a book is being made into a movie and I haven't read it yet, I may watch the movie...first...so as not to spoil the book. I know that many times a movie just isn't as good as a book.

The only problem with that is that you will already have in your mind what the characters look like.

I enjoy both books and movies and I do realize that sometimes, because of limitations or the way a director wants to go with it....it doesn't always adhere to the storyline completely.

I have been both disappointed and elated after watching a movie that was made from a book.
(Char Wilson 5:07pm February 8, 2009)

Greetings!

I really like to read the book first, as I am usually, like many people, disappointed by the movie.

I've only had one or two exceptions to that rule. I really liked the Stephen King book Dead Zone, and was surprised I liked the movie just enough. It captured the atmosphere perfectly, and Chris Walken was just terrific in the lead.

Enjoyed the post and comments!
(Beth Kery 5:14pm February 8, 2009)

Hi Sandi- I cannot think of a movie I have seen where I went back to read the book. However, I have read numerous books and then saw the movies. Like the Harry Potter series, and The DaVinci Code, I think a lot can be lost in the movie. But you can still enjoy the movie if you accept that it will not be the same. I have read Inkheart (actually listened on Audible) and I am looking forward to that movie to see how it compares. I have not read Secret Life of Bees so I would have the same dilemma as you! Speaking of Audibles - I have listened to several over the past year that I enjoyed so much I want to get the books! The Study series by Maria V. Snyder, the Sookie Stackhouse series by Charlaine Harris and The Shack are examples of those.
(Martha Eskuchen 5:59pm February 8, 2009)

I like to read the book first, but don't
always get to do it. I do know it can
be a great disappointment when they
don't match well. Hallmark took Julie
Garwood's For the Roses series and
turned it into a movie - Rose Hill -
and I have never been so furious in my
life. Except for the opening scene and
the name of the characters, NOTHING
was the same. To say they butchered
the books and used every western
cliche in Hollywood would be an
understatement. (Do I sound upset?)
You expect a few differences, but not
to loose the essence of the original
story .
(Patricia Barraclough 6:00pm February 8, 2009)

I always read the book first...mainly cause I always like the book better than the movie. However, my favorite movies are still the ones adapted from books. even if they aren't as good as the books, they're still far better than the non-book movies.

was that too confusing? haha
(Kaitlin Dugas 6:09pm February 8, 2009)

well with me I watch the movies because I want to I never compare them to the books because I just want to read the book and watch the movie. Usually by the time I get to the book I will probably forget with I saw in the movie so reading the book will be fresh for me.
(Maggie Roso 7:07pm February 8, 2009)

I keep my movies and books seperate. The only time I've broken that rule has been the Harry Potter books. I've both read the book first and watched the movie first for different Harry Potter books. Didn't make a difference.

I don't like to read the kinds of storylines I like in movies. And I don't like to watch the kinds of books I read. Makes it easy.
(Lynda Smith 7:26pm February 8, 2009)

Half the time, I am not even aware if the books I read have been made into a movie! If I have read a book and find out a movie has been made, I will definitely watch it. If I have enjoyed the movie and did not read the book, then I will read the book. I recently saw on TV one of LaVyrle Spencer's movie and I did read the book ahead of time and just went over the notes that I had written. I did enjoy the movie; only thing in the book they said the son he didn't know he had looked exactly like him, but in the movie he didn't. I believe it was called Home Song.
(Peg Fragale 8:38am February 9, 2009)

I love to see movies from the books I have read. My two favourites are :The Notebook and The Horse Whisperer. These two books were the best I seen and really stayed true to the stories for the most part. But if a movie comes out and I have not read the book, then it is weird, but I won't read the book. Because then it spoils it for me.
Funny, but that is just they way it is.
(Kathleen O'Donnell 11:40am February 9, 2009)

I always want to read the book first, then maybe see the movie; I'm usually disappointed with the movie. I've read The Secret Life of Bees and the book was awesome! Haven't got to see the movie yet. I disagree with Kathleen on the Notebook, though; they didn't do the ending correctly - now they can't make The Wedding into a movie. Books are 99.99% of the time better than the movie - Girl, Interupted was one of the few times that the movie was better than the book. I haven't read any of the Harry Potter books, but I've seen most of the movies; my step-sons tell me what all has been left out. The last book, The Deathly Hallows, will be made into two movies; they said when they've left stuff out of other movies, it was stuff that wasn't important to the plot, but with the 7th installment, there was too much that was important to the plot, so they divided it into 2 movies.
(Kelli Jo Calvert 1:27pm February 9, 2009)

Like others here, I'm often disappointed with the movie if I've read the book first. As much as I love movies, they rarely explore and reveal character the way the books does, so it often feels as if something is missing.

what's fun is seeing a movie you love so much that you run out and get the book. I did that with The English Patient and several other movies.
(Suzan Forster 3:01pm February 9, 2009)

That's a tough call. I personally haven't read any of the Harry Potter books and I love the movies. However, I have read the entire Twilight series (before seeing the movie) and almost wish that I had waited. Instead of enjoying the movie the first time through, I was too busy analyzing what was different from the book. I had to watch it three times before I could enjoy it for entertainment purposes.
(Jessica Coulter Smith 8:00pm February 9, 2009)

It usually seems (to me any ways) that many of the fine details are left out of movies that are based on books.
My personal thought is what came first? The book or the movie? Usually it is the book. Like books from series, I have to read them in order and it is the same with books made into movies...the books came first.
My step-son insisted he didn't need to read Harry Potter. He would just see the movie and know all there was to know about the book. So when the movie came out, he and I went to go see it. He didn't believe me when I told him there was a lot of stuff left out of the movie that was in the book. I then dragged the book out and started to read off things left out of the movie. He said let me see that book. Next thing I know he was reading the book!! I finally got him to read and he has loved to read ever since.
(Chris Hanselman 10:48pm February 9, 2009)

i think you have to do one or the other, hollywood has a way of screwing up a great book, and if you see the movie first the faces you will see when you read the book will be that of the movie/
(Becky Kinkead 11:39pm February 9, 2009)

Registered users may leave comments.
Log in or register now!