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It's a Wonderful Life
In celebration of the 50th anniversary of Frank Capra's perennially favorite film, It's a Wonderful Life, here, for the first time, is the novel. Featuring all the characters from the movie, It's a Wonderful Life encourages readers to ask the question, "What would life have been like if we hadn't been born?" During one crisis-filled night, in the little town of Bedford Falls, George Bailey will discover the answer.
152 pages, Hardcover
First published November 1, 1996
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
December 24, 2017
This is a made-from-the-movie book which is a strange thing. However, I was right there seeing each scene portrayed because having watching this more times than I can count from childhood to present day, I have many of the lines memorized. It was my father's favorite film. Too many emotions and tender nostalgias are intertwined with this reading to not gift it five stars. It is impossible for me to be objective. Life is wonderful!
December 1, 2015
As, perhaps, one of the few people in the English-speaking world who has NOT seen this movie, I figured I'd give the 50th anniversary book a quick read. I'm very glad I did. The characters were drawn well - the story believable.
And were there truer words ever spoken than these...?
"No man is a failure who has friends."
The beautiful moral of this story - and one we should all take to heart - is that the richest among us DO NOT have the most money, but are blessed in many other, more important, ways.
Now I'm off to watch this classic.
And were there truer words ever spoken than these...?
"No man is a failure who has friends."
The beautiful moral of this story - and one we should all take to heart - is that the richest among us DO NOT have the most money, but are blessed in many other, more important, ways.
Now I'm off to watch this classic.
December 10, 2015
GAHHH this was SO good!! ❤️ I completely recommend it, whether you've seen the movie or not!! This book was written for the 50th anniversary of the film, so it's exactly like the movie, but it obviously has more descriptions of the scenes and such, which I loved! Such a perfect Christmas read- I will never tire of this story!! ❤️
January 7, 2014
I liked reading this book because it was exactly like reading the movie script. It is a wonderful story that captures your heart with the reality of how important a single life can be. . .
January 14, 2022
My mom gave me this book about 20 years ago because she knew it was my favorite movie of all time and that Jimmy Stewart was my favorite movie star. I finally read it. It follows the exact script from the movie which is kind of fun!!
March 13, 2019
My favorite movie of all time. What a great message about the impact each of our lives make on others. A great quick and uplifting read.
January 1, 2024
Like just about everyone else, I've seen It's a Wonderful Life dozens of times, even so, this novelization of the movie illuminated the plot for me and explained some parts of it that I missed or misunderstood. The minor characters, like Violet and Sam Wainwright, become a bit more localized in the novel. I'll be honest, I've never much been moved by the film, but the novel was very moving to me.
March 16, 2019
I loved this book!
November 9, 2019
I'm in the play at my hometown this year, and I am Tilly! ^_^
I love this so much. <3
I love this so much. <3
November 4, 2021
Almost verbatim novelization of the movie. Just a few extra thoughts added in (from each character's perspective) and a few lines that might have been inaudible / overlooked in the movie.
December 28, 2015
This is the second written-after-the-movie-book I've read this year, the other being Miracle on 34th Street. That one was more fun since there were a few differences and it was written by the original writer for the movie. Hollywood changed a few things, but all worked just fine. This mirrored the movie scene for scene, line for line, yet it's not a screenplay. You may as well just watch the movie.
Still, I'm glad I read this finally. I didn't watch the movie this year but instead allowed it to play out in my mind as I read. I really enjoy it the story which is worthy of five stars, though my rating for the book stays at three given the circumstances. I still get just as emotional over the end reading it as I do watching it, which is to say that it touches the fount of my tears though I don't let them flow.
I like the character of George Bailey. I feel like I can relate to him. He does for others while he goes without himself, and that's something I understand.
"Oh, yeah. You're such a martyr, Pierce."
Ah, blow it out your palms. Anyway, I'm not trying to say I'm anywhere near as magnanimous as GB, but I understand his frustrations. He has all these people around him pawing at him, clamoring for this and that when all he really wants is to just be left alone so he can pursue his own dreams, but he always caves and does the unselfish thing even if it eats him up inside. I feel his pain. How often have I come within an inch of escaping this place when something happens, and it behooves me to stay a little longer. I don't know, but it's prevented my departure to greener pastures for several years. I reckon everyone probably has the same problem. Anyway, everyone thinks Mr. Potter is the only villain of this thing, but I think the people living the life of Riley on George's dime should share that distinction. They should at least be identified as antagonists no matter how nice they are in other respects.
I have mixed feelings about George's profession. He helps a lot of people who deserve it, but it also benefits the freeloaders as well, and I find them distasteful. We don't see them in this story, but they're there in real life. It's like those pet shelter commercials:
They want money and to tug at your heartstrings will show you this:
...while completely ignoring and even hiding or denying this:
Oh well. This is a Christmas story, so in the tradition of Dickens the focus should be the downtrodden who actually deserve a leg up because they truly are trying their best. But something that isn't Dickensian in this is that there's no comeuppance for the baddie. Mr. Potter flat out stole the money, and we're left to assume he gets off scot-free.
And since this is as good a place as any for one of my favorite movie quotes, I'll leave you with this one:
"I been savin' this money for a divorce if I ever got a husband."
Still, I'm glad I read this finally. I didn't watch the movie this year but instead allowed it to play out in my mind as I read. I really enjoy it the story which is worthy of five stars, though my rating for the book stays at three given the circumstances. I still get just as emotional over the end reading it as I do watching it, which is to say that it touches the fount of my tears though I don't let them flow.
I like the character of George Bailey. I feel like I can relate to him. He does for others while he goes without himself, and that's something I understand.
"Oh, yeah. You're such a martyr, Pierce."
Ah, blow it out your palms. Anyway, I'm not trying to say I'm anywhere near as magnanimous as GB, but I understand his frustrations. He has all these people around him pawing at him, clamoring for this and that when all he really wants is to just be left alone so he can pursue his own dreams, but he always caves and does the unselfish thing even if it eats him up inside. I feel his pain. How often have I come within an inch of escaping this place when something happens, and it behooves me to stay a little longer. I don't know, but it's prevented my departure to greener pastures for several years. I reckon everyone probably has the same problem. Anyway, everyone thinks Mr. Potter is the only villain of this thing, but I think the people living the life of Riley on George's dime should share that distinction. They should at least be identified as antagonists no matter how nice they are in other respects.
I have mixed feelings about George's profession. He helps a lot of people who deserve it, but it also benefits the freeloaders as well, and I find them distasteful. We don't see them in this story, but they're there in real life. It's like those pet shelter commercials:
They want money and to tug at your heartstrings will show you this:
...while completely ignoring and even hiding or denying this:
Oh well. This is a Christmas story, so in the tradition of Dickens the focus should be the downtrodden who actually deserve a leg up because they truly are trying their best. But something that isn't Dickensian in this is that there's no comeuppance for the baddie. Mr. Potter flat out stole the money, and we're left to assume he gets off scot-free.
And since this is as good a place as any for one of my favorite movie quotes, I'll leave you with this one:
"I been savin' this money for a divorce if I ever got a husband."
January 4, 2016
I absolutely loved this book...definitely a keeper for my book shelf. Something I would like to read with granddaughter Madison or Jane at some point. Yes it mirrored the movie but the descriptions were so vivid. I could see the pictures in my imagination as I read the words. Beautiful story...beautiful message...and yes I have the movie as well.
Mary And George Bailey (Donna Reed and Jimmy Stewart) welcome the Martini family to their new home with three symbolic gifts and a brief, heartfelt speech. "Bread, that this house may never know hunger," they say. "Salt, that life may always have flavor. And wine, that joy and prosperity may reign forever."
"No man is a failure who has friends."
Zuzu Bailey: Look, Daddy. Teacher says, every time a bell rings an angel gets his wings.
George Bailey: That's right, that's right.
George Bailey: [Looks heavenward] Attaboy, Clarence.
Mary And George Bailey (Donna Reed and Jimmy Stewart) welcome the Martini family to their new home with three symbolic gifts and a brief, heartfelt speech. "Bread, that this house may never know hunger," they say. "Salt, that life may always have flavor. And wine, that joy and prosperity may reign forever."
"No man is a failure who has friends."
Zuzu Bailey: Look, Daddy. Teacher says, every time a bell rings an angel gets his wings.
George Bailey: That's right, that's right.
George Bailey: [Looks heavenward] Attaboy, Clarence.
November 22, 2019
This book is a faithful retelling of the movie, right down to the "harumphs" from old man Potter, to the crow flying on to Uncle Billy's arm after he lost the money(Uncle Billy, not the crow), to George biting his knuckles, not knowing what he's going to do. I needed an uplifting book after reading "Say You're One of Them" by Uwem Akpan, a stark look at modern day Africa. Right now, it's one week before Thanksgiving, and getting in the holiday spirit is a must, for so many reasons. It's A Wonderful Life reminds me of all the people and things I am grateful for. We can get lost in the hustle and bustle that is the modern day Christmas season. But we can just as easily slow things down, have a cup of eggnog and some fruitcake(some good fruitcake, like Collin Street Bakery fruitcake), put on a Christmas movie and just breathe....enjoy the season. After all, isn't that what it's all about.
April 13, 2009
Disappointed to find that this novelization was made from the movie instead of vice versa. If you've seen the movie, no reason to read the book -- exactly the same.
November 15, 2011
It felt as if I was reading the movie!
November 27, 2011
Just as good as the movie betrays it.
January 23, 2012
no surprises it is exactly the same as the movie, so if you loved the movie you will love the book
September 27, 2012
Not that good as it was boring in some sections.
June 27, 2016
Classic story, but not the same without Jimmy Stewart.
November 18, 2013
Quick read that stays close to Frank Capra's original movie script. You might still get a lump in your throat.
January 11, 2014
This book follows the movie script, exactly! If you love the movie, you'll love the book. Gave the book to my cousin, since she goes to see this movie at the movie theater every year with her family.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews