books are always better
~
i posted awhile back that i was reading and loving "the descendants" and it never disappointed.
not even once.
today we went and saw the movie,
and it was good,
but i didn't love it the way i loved the book.
~
now granted, i'm not a book or movie critic and nobody asked for my opinion, but if you were my best friend sitting with me in the family room, while the fire roared
{not really since it's gas, but it would be on}
and we were drinking my favorite toffee almond supreme tea,
i'd look in your eyes, take your hand and say "read the book first."
~
i love george clooney and he did a fine job and maybe he'll get an oscar nomination, but his teenage daughter in the movie, as well as the book, is an amazing character. i only wish the movie audience had gotten to know her the way i did. from the book.
~
maybe a book is always better because our own imagination comes into play.
we get to imagine, from words alone, what the characters look like.
what their voices sound like. how they walk. where they live.
we get to imagine how they feel and can feel what they say.
~
if you saw the movie this weekend and loved it, i'm not saying you shouldn't have. it was good.
and if you have plans to see it when it comes to your town in a week or so, go see it.
but at anytime, if you have the chance to read the book, just do it.
*
I'm almost always happier reading than watching. And I see few book-motivated movies because of it.
ReplyDeleteThat's a beautiful photo, Beth.
books always come first for me, and rarely do the characters on screen have the depth they do in my own imagination.
ReplyDeletexx
z
Onto my list it goes!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the tip
and the beautiful bone structure
on that tree.
I read it on your recommendation earlier and finished it on Friday. Excellent book. I've lent it to my sister who can't wait to read it. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteI always prefer my imagined characters to the ones they make in movies. I don't think I ever enjoy the visuals..as much as I love the reading of the story.
ReplyDeleteI need to sit and read a book, so maybe this one. It's always the animals, riding my horse, taking and editing photos, and never just sitting down to read. I used to read a lot. I think that was before the Internet:-/
ReplyDeleteI agree with your first statement, and I'm not saying that just because I'm a librarian, but......
ReplyDeletebooks are always better!
I think it's less of a theory and more of a fact.
ReplyDeleteI think books are better, but that wouldn't stop me from going to the movie.Maybe it is because our imagination is involved while reading, I never thought of that before, but maybe you're on to something.
ReplyDeleteThis is on my movies-to-see list. Now I'll add it to my books-to-read list. Thanks for the recommendation. And I ALWAYS love the books more than the movies. Always.
ReplyDeletethe only movie i was surprised to like better than the book, even though i adored the book was 'Fried Green Tomatoes' it was years ago that i read/saw both, can't remember why but the movie was just great :)
ReplyDeleteI'm with you Beth. I read a lot and see a ton of movies. I can't remember the last time I thought a movie was better than the book.... Not "Memoirs of a Geisha", "Not Eat, Pray, Love", and definitely not "Snowflower and the Secret Fan".
ReplyDeleteBut... any chance to watch George Clooney will cause me to see the movie.... THEN read the book ;-)
xo jj
I agree in reading a well written book, more is required of us and our imaginations. I suspect it deepens the experience. Too much can be laid out for us in film and it becomes a disappointment once you've read the book in advance.
ReplyDeleteI am with you all the way. A book is always giving me a deeper insight into its characters minds and personalities. A movie can only show so much...
ReplyDeleteBeautiful trees :-)
I typcially think that books are better than the movie (I was disappointed watching Water For Elephants after reading the book). That said I also recently saw 'My Sisters Keeper' and I wasn't disappointed at all. They did an amazing job with the characters.
ReplyDeleteI saw The Descendants this weekend and have not read the book. I almost always prefer the book to the movie, however, I notice that if I read the book after the movie, I usually like them both for different reasons. The book fleshes out the movie which intrigued me with it's storyline. I will be reading this book. Ann
ReplyDeleteWe had a sneak 1 day showing before its actual run in town here, and I was so tempted to go- but if you loved the book that much, I think I may shoot for that instead! I trust your instincts :)
ReplyDeleteI love having book recommendations. I've put this one on my reservation list at the library, hope it comes through in time for Christmas. There are few things better than a big, juicy pile of books just waiting to be read at holiday time.
ReplyDeleteI don't think there is ever a movie as good as a book. I agree, it's no that the movies aren't good all on their own. I read the HELP and thought it was wonderful. I thought the movie was quite good all on it's own but the emotions that the book brought to me was so deep. The movie never reached that level.
ReplyDeleteI will still see this movie and read the book, I'm a sucker for a great read, but at least I've been told now to prepare for them to be different.
Thanks Beth! I will now read the book first!
ReplyDeleteYes, this is always true for me, too - book is always better, and I think you're right about imagination and nuance playing a role. We do have friends who saw it, and said it was great. Think I'll order the book on Kindle. PS I love the sepia woods!
ReplyDeleteIt's on my list, both as book and as movie. But you are right, the book is almost always, always better.
ReplyDeleteLove that photo!
Your post convinced me to purchase the book. Can't wait!! Thanks for that. :)
ReplyDeletethanks, beth! I was thinking about seeing the movie, but now I think I will go find the book. Most often I like the book better just because of what you said about imagination. I did see The Help recently and thought they did a great job following the book, but glad I read the book first.
ReplyDeleteI am there with you...books are always better...movies are a back up...
ReplyDeleteI love your style and the comfortable tone of your posts...It is the break in my day!
Now I need to get the book!
Julia
This one is on my list -- I've not read the book, so now I'm in a quandary. Read first when time is fleeting (and miss the big screen). Get the big screen and wonder, "Will I ever get to the book?" You've given me food for thought!
ReplyDeleteOk then- well that settles it- I will just have to put George Clooney on hold (as IF!) and pick up the book. I love when characters are developed so richly- can't wait to meet her! Have a great (windy) day!
ReplyDeleteIt's here and I want to see it. I haven't seen the book but then have been busy doing other things lately. I get lost in my books and love to read every daxxoo Jenny.
ReplyDeleteI'm in total agreement with you on the book over movie thing. That was how I felt about "Eat, Pray, Love." I enjoyed the movie but Julia Roberts kinda gets on my nerves after a while. I would much rather sit and stare at George Clooney for a couple of hours. SWOOOOOOOON!!!! Does he take his shirt off at all?? : ) XOXO
ReplyDelete~ Wendy
http://Crickleberrycottage.blogspot.com/
This confirms what I have always thought...the movie is NEVER as good as the book:)
ReplyDeleteWe saw Hugo this weekend and I liked it but didn't love it too...
Books are always, always better (except for Jaws.) There's just no way in a movie to develop the character the same way as you can in a book. That's why I'm going to see the movie first... :)
ReplyDelete