Play Book Tag discussion

It is impossible to read this book without comparing it to the movie, and this is one of the rare occasions where the movie is definitely better than the book.

The book starts out similar to the movie with minor changes and more focus is on Gump being an "idiot" in the book. The changes in the movie though, is what made the story become a classic; what made the movie so memorable and quotable and relatable.

As the book progresses, the story gets more and more absurd. Gump goes into space and later is taken hostage by cannibals in New Guinea, and is later a wrestler that wears a diaper. Real life people such as President Johnson and Nixon and Raquel Welch are ridiculous versions of themselves and Forrest does not have the innocence and naivete of the movie. Hes more of an "idiot" and screw-up who uses the word ass in almost every sentence.

The characters of the movie are so different. His mother barely appears and is not Sally Fields at all. Bubba is similar, and Lieutenant Dan is not the character that pulls at your heart strings. And Jenny's story is not bad, but different, possibly even sadder.

Eric Roth, who wrote the screen play for Forrest Gump and many other movies such as the new A Star is Born and soon to be released movie Dune, had such great vision of seeing the potential of Forrest Gump and noone can ever be Forrest other than Tom Hanks.

I know its unfair to compare this book with the movie; with the classic that is Forrest Gump, but I don't see how you cannot. I am sad that the book didn't live up to my expectations and was so silly.

Well, I always compare books to movie versions, if I even bother to see the movie. I am usually on the side of "the book is better". Sorry this turned out to be one of those for you! I loved this movie and always wondered about the book. Thanks for the heads up!

I never knew there was a book! But I will give it a pass now, thanks!

I think I'm the only person left in the world who hasn't seen this movie.
Didn't even know it was a book!

Jason wrote: "As the book progresses, the story gets more and more absurd. Gump goes into space and later is taken hostage by cannibals in New Guinea, and is later a wrestler that wears a diaper."

This should've been in the movie! Maybe part 2 >:-)

Joi wrote: "I think I'm the only person left in the world who hasn't seen this movie.
Didn't even know it was a book!"

The movie is really excellent-and I do not say that about many movies!