Did you know that many of the most recent and popular movies began life as books? Do you like going to a movie if you’ve already read the book? Will you read the book if you’ve already seen the movie?
As a lover of both books and movies, I maintain that you do both. Remember… The film is only one person’s interpretation of the original work. The movie has a constricted time frame and couldn’t possible include all the content of the novel. Sometimes they tell the whole story well in two hours, and sometimes they miss the mark.
I prefer to read the book first, then view the film.
Some examples of recent hit movies that are based on books:
310 to Yuma by Elmore Leonard
Q & A by Vikas Swarup was made into the movie “Slumdog Millionaire”.
The Reader by Bernhard Schlink
Q & A by Vikas Swarup was made into the movie “Slumdog Millionaire”.
The Reader by Bernhard Schlink
Way of the Peaceful Warrior: a book that changes lives, by Dan Millman
The Boy in the Striped Pajamas by John Boyne
Marley and Me by John Grogan
The Boy in the Striped Pajamas by John Boyne
Marley and Me by John Grogan
FYI:
A nice list of books made into films from Mid-Continent Libraries in Missouri:
The Guardian published an interesting list in 2006 of the best film adaptations: