I was asked today 'What would you prefer – watch the movie and then read the book or read the book and then watch the movie?'. For me, the answer to that question is easy, my preferred option would be to read the book and then watch the movie. I have in the past had experience of watching a movie first and then turning to read the book but I found that the story line spoilt because I already knew it from watching the movie. The main drive for me when reading a book is the anticipation of what happens next. If that anticipation is lost, I have no drive to keep on reading the book. Let's take for example, the movie called Pay It Forward. I had actually purchased the book, which was sitting on my bookcase waiting to be read but I decided that I would watch the movie first. Big mistake. I thought the movie was an ok movie meaning one that I would watch once and then probably never watch again. That killed some of my drive to want to read the book. What killed the read of my drive to read the book was the fact that I knew the ending. The ending was such an explosive ending that I felt that the book probably could not offer anything more. I still have not read the book. If anyone has read the book and watched the movie, I would love to hear from you.
On the other hand, there are exceptions to the rule. Let's take Message in a Bottle by Nicholas Sparks. I LOVED this movie. In fact, this movie is my favourite movie of all time. I did not come to read the book until a couple of years after I had watched the movie for the first time and I loved it. One of the reasons why I loved it was because the story had differences to the movie which made it an entirely new experience despite the fact that it was really the same story mainly.
Ok, let's turn the tables around. What about reading the book first and then watching the movie? Well, this is definitely the way I prefer to go. Not long ago I read My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Picoult and LOVED it. It was a fantastic story. When I heard that the book was being turned into a movie, I was really excited and looking forward to the release. When I went to see it at the cinema, I had mixed feelings. The actors and actresses in the movie were really good but there were certain story lines which were in the book but not in the movie. I had been expecting to see one thing and was given another but I have to say that the book story line was better.
In summary I would have to say that, given the choice, I would read the book first and then watch the movie. As to movies that have then been turned into books, I might give one a chance one day but not sure...
So, how about you? I would love to hear which one you would choose?
Best wishes
2 comments:
As a general rule, I ALWAYS read the book first, but there are definitely exceptions. In fact, I just blogged about how I liked the movie for DIARY OF A WIMPY KID better than the book. Funny how that happens sometimes, isn't it?
Hey Susan! I haven't read/watched Diary of a Wimpy Kid although the title sounds great! I will have a look out for that one..... Best wishes
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