The Book Vipers discussion

Normally it's the other way around, but I think The Shawshank Redemption was better as a film than the novella.

I thought the film of The French Lieutenant's Woman was better than the book.
But that may have been that I saw the film first.

I've just recently got that book, never seen the film either, so I can do it in reverse and get back to you.

I'll agree with Shawshank Redemption. I enjoyed the story, but the movie is even better. I may be prejudice though because I grew up where that movie was shot. I even know the tree.

I believe the adaption of Pride and Prejudice (2005) was way better than the book, also Forrest Gump, barely finished that book, while the movie was quite enjoyable.

Definitely the Jurassic Park movies are better than the books. The books are so scientific and are a lot of talking. The dinosaurs and action are few and far between

I liked the film Passage to India better than the book. But then again, I saw the film first, then rushed to the book to find answers to the film's mysteries...which I didn't find at all, so maybe that influenced me.

To me, the recently released Great Gatsby was better than the book. That really surprised me. There was a wealth of subtlety in Dicaprio's Gatsby and so much atmosphere in the movie that wasn't really elaborated in the book. I found the characters in the book to be less complex upon reading than their depictions in the film.

The Godfather - sorry Mario - it was a great book - but who can compete with Marlon Brando?!

Eat, Pray and Love couldn't stand the book the film is bearable. I did say bearable lol

The Devil Wears Prada ! lol

to kill a mocking bird is just as good as the book. I don,t like when the change the book, it is usually not good. there very few movies that are as good as the book.

Anna wrote: "Normally it's the other way around, but I think The Shawshank Redemption was better as a film than the novella."

I agree here. I LOVE the movie! The novella was good, but the movie was much better!

The Green Mile. The book is not badly written, but the movie is awesome. Still, both made me cry.

Ayushman wrote: "Schindler's List."

You've read Schindler's Ark as well? I studied it at A Level. It was tough going because of the subject matter, but I found it completely unputdownable. I can't say I loved it, because it was so harrowing.

At the time, the film hadn't been made, and I remember we all decided it if it were ever made into a film it would be very hard to watch. I made myself go and watch it, but it was very very upsetting. That probably makes it a brilliant film then, doesn't it? It was certainly memorable.

I can agree on Schindlers List, mainly because I saw the movie first. I think that really matters in forming your opinion: did you first read the book, or did you see the movie first.

Ah yes, Schindler's List/Ark, I saw the movie first and I do list it as one of my favourites, I found the book quite difficult to read in terms of all the german soldier ranks.

This is an interesting thread, as usually I'd say the novel's always superior.

Then I got to thinking, and actually I think nearly all of the dramatisations (at least the recent TV ones) of Agatha Christie are better than her books, because although her plots are nice and devious she just seems to stick to bare conversations all the time, with no period atmosphere and little characterisation.

Another is "The Railway Children" (the Lionel Jeffries version) which is a superb film. I liked the book in childhood, but now it seems rather pedestrian and lifeless compared with the film.

Jean wrote: "This is an interesting thread, as usually I'd say the novel's always superior.

Then I got to thinking, and actually I think nearly all of the dramatisations (at least the recent TV ones) of Agath..."

The ending of The Railway Children always makes me sob. Lump in the throat just thinking about it right now :D

Yes!

I thought The Osterman Weekend was much better as a film than as a book.

True Grit. Twice.

I absolutely think that Girl, Interrupted was better than the book!

I agree with Girl, Interrupted.

I also enjoyed Angela's Ashes, can't decide if it was better than the book though!

Atonement was by far better than the book.

I've not read the Shawshank Redemption, but it is hard to imagine any written work being better....

Shounak wrote: "The Devil Wears Prada ! lol"

Lol yes, I'm not keen on the book but I love Meryl Streep haha.

Breakfast at Tiffany's :)

I think the film War Horse was better than the book. Had anyone else seen & read it?

I think the film Big Fish was better than the book but generally I usually prefer the books.

Gemma wrote: "I think the film War Horse was better than the book. Had anyone else seen & read it?"

I've read the book, but not seen the film yet. I didn't particularly like the book, just didn't engage with it. But I've heard the film is very good, as was the play.

I liked the film The Notebook better than the book, especially the ending.

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets. The book was so-so, but the film was so much better!

The Jane Austen bookclub. Love that film. Book was a bit rubbish.

Ayushman wrote: "Jack Reacher was better than it's book version " One Shot " . Tom Cruise's star power."

Tom Cruise is the sole reason I will never ever see this film. Ever!

Not a film as such but the TV adaptation of " The Slap" was much better than the book. I will never understand now that became a booker nomination,

Big Fish is a great movie. I didn't realize it was a book. The movie is a visual stunner, I can understand how presentation of the story via cinema would outshine the book.

Nikki, the TV adaption of The Slap was brilliant, but I also loved the book..I know it divided people though.

I actually read Slap again after seeing the series and enjoyed it more, and managed to ignore the bad sex and look at the ethics involved. Still. Surprising booker long list though

I have just looks back at my review of slap and I actually gave it Four stars, which surprises me, I can't remember enjoying it that much, Maybe I have become a harsher critic. Interestingly I did not write a review, which is unusual for me as I normally do. You also gave it 4 stars! Shows how subjective this rating business is,

I really could not stand the book 'The Slap' so that put me off watching it.

I have a copy of The Slap waiting to be read. Not sure, now, if I want to!

I liked The Slap, it wasn't a nice book, but I thought it was well written because there isn't much likeable in it.

Don't want to give much away as some havemt read it, but I think that a lot pf peopke don't like it for the way it makes them feel and some what shakes what they think they should think about it (vauge and confusing as I'm trying to avoid spoilers!)

I remember being hugely disappointed because, the subject was such a good concept for a book. It just did not deliver. I didn't like any of the characters, or any of their back stories either.

In some ways I think the Slap is a bit like Gone Girl, easy to read but not one likeable character in there. You also have that sense of unease when reading it, you are enjoying it but feel like you shouldn't .

Perfume: the story of murderer is one where I preferred the film to the book. I found the book didn't really hold my attention I wasn't really invested in the characters

Actually, yes. I think the Cohen Bros. movie of "No Country for Old Men," was at least as good as the book. Being a quite short book, they were able to follow quite closely. Took some liberties with the end, but I thought the writing was quite intelligent.

Thanks for mentioning this Jan, I will check out the movie. Haven't read the book, but I generally like Cohen Bros movies and it has good reviews

I find that I enjoy Stephan King movies much more than his books. I like his stories but struggle with his style of writing.

The Maltese Falcon. I thought the book was awful and I do mean awful.

The Thin Man. The book didn't capture any of the fun between Nick and Nora and didn't make them a Sherlock Holmes and Doctor Watson the way the movie did.

Shirley wrote: "Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets. The book was so-so, but the film was so much better!"

So glad that I wasn't the only one who felt this way!

Joanne♥~Bookworm Extraordinaire wrote: "Definitely the Jurassic Park movies are better than the books. The books are so scientific and are a lot of talking. The dinosaurs and action are few and far between"

Hmmm... guess it depends upon what you are expecting. I have the opposite opinion - I think that the book of Jurassic Park had a lot more to it than the movie.