The book or the film first?

[ann_of_loxley]

So I was talking to some friends and discussing some books that I am reading after seeing the film - but said I would have preferred to read the books first before seeing the film but thats just how it happened. And they said that they actually prefer to see the film first and then read the book... eh? lol

They said they prefer to see the film first so that when they read the book they get all the little surprises because the film was bound to leave a lot of stuff out. Also, that way they are not disappointed with the film as they saw it before they read the book.

I get that. I really do! They always leave things out of film and films made from books, if the book was a really good one, usually turns out to be a disappointment in one way or another! lol

But, I said...

I prefer to read the book first because books are magical and stem from my imagination, making them unique to ever reader - because thats the point of books right? Regardless if I know a film is going to leave stuff out and probably be a disappointment in one way or another, I still like to watch them because it does bring some parts of the book to life for me at least...and its always fun to see how someone elses imagination took the book and where they went with it! But if I watch the film first and then read the book, then I end up reading the book from someone elses point of view and its no longer as magical and unique.

EX: I am not reading Northern Lights. I loved loved loved the film (the Golden Compass) - so figured I should read the book. And though I know the book will still be unique in some aspects (those bits they left out of the film!) - its already ruined for me in some ways because I started reading it already knowing what the characters looked like, and what their personalities were - instead of just reading the words and creating them from my imagination. Which has taken away some of the magic of the book. So...I wish I would have read it first before I saw the film - but there you have it!

SO.......

Which do you prefer?
To see the film first then read the book....or....
To read the book first and then see the film?

[Malva]

I like to see films first because when reading the book first, the movie is always really dissapointing because of all the omissions. This way I get to enjoy the movie, then I find I still enjoy the book because you really get the whole story.

[philomom]

I read the book first, 95% of the time. I like to see what Hollywood leaves out or changes. I make this a personal pastime... comparing books to the their movies.

[ColoradoMama]

Originally Posted by ann_of_loxley

I prefer to read the book first because books are magical and stem from my imagination, making them unique to ever reader - because thats the point of books right? Regardless if I know a film is going to leave stuff out and probably be a disappointment in one way or another, I still like to watch them because it does bring some parts of the book to life for me at least...and its always fun to see how someone elses imagination took the book and where they went with it! But if I watch the film first and then read the book, then I end up reading the book from someone elses point of view and its no longer as magical and unique.

I feel the same way.

[onlyzombiecat]

I prefer to read the book first.

Regardless of which I do first I tend to like the book better even if the film adaptation is pretty good.

[TEAK's Mom]

Book first, no question.

[annettemarie]

Always the book first. It's actually a rule in our house.

[JessicaS]

Book first.

[jeca]

The books are always better so watch the movie first that way you won't be disappointed at all the changes to movie. I always read the books then complain through out the entire movie, lol.

[SAHDS]

Read the book. The end.

The ONLY movies I'll watch are the Harry Potter movies. Other than that, if I've read the book, I forego the movie.

If I had to choose, though, I'd do book then movie.

[AmandaTN]

I like to read the books first, simply because the movies often leave out SO much, that it's sometimes hard to understand what's going on. I like to know WHY something in the movie is happening, what's the background, ya know?

I like a complete story. I don't think you can really get that with just a condensed movie version.

[annethcz]

Another vote for reading the book first.

[mamalisa]

Originally Posted by onlyzombiecat

I prefer to read the book first.

Regardless of which I do first I tend to like the book better even if the film adaptation is pretty good.

Me too. I just watched The Other Boylen girl and I was so disappointed in the movie. Books are almost always better.

[GardenStream]

I usually read the book first and then watch the movie. Then, I complain for the next week about how wrong the movie was

I understand the logic of seeing the movie first, but I don't watch less than 5 movies a year so that makes my decision pretty easy.

[Alyantavid]

Book first absolutely. I'd much rather read a book and let my mind imagine the things described in it instead of having someone else's interpretation stuck in my mind.

[Limabean1975]

I'm very, very plot-driven, so definitely book first. If I see the movie and already know what's going to happen, I might not read the book at all. But if I read the book, sometimes seeing the movie, if done well and with appealing actors, can be fun.
Though I am known for falling asleep during movies for which I've already read the book & know what happens!

[merpk]

Always the book first. It's a rule here, too.

[queenjane]

I usually like to read the book first.

But if its any consolation for you, after reading TGC, then going to see the movie....i personally felt they got alot of it right. I thought the casting was really good. Lyra does this thing, where she says "right" alot....like "so we were walking along the roof, right, and then this happened..."...the little girl in the movie does it too. And the cowboy....casting was perfect. Even the dang rabbit talked like i thought she would. The computer generated animals were a little annoying, but it was ok. I was even ok with Nicole Kidman, she grew on me, though she wasnt what i pictured when i read the book. But the one thing i cannot forgive the movie about, is the ending.....the book's ending.....well, you need to read the book. It was SO disappointed that they left off the REAL ending to the movie, left it on the cutting room floor. So sad. And i bet they wont continue the movies.


Katherine

[katmann]

Book first.

Having said that, I saw No Country for Old Men and was very confused, so I read the book hoping that I would get what the heck happened. It turns out the book is pretty much just like the movie, and neither was worth my time.

My husband's read every Harry Potter and we watched the movies together. He is starting to hate the movies because they leave so much out from the books. As someone who hasn't read them (yeah, there are one or two of us out there) I found the movies really lame. And I think I'll enjoy the books very much despite having seen the movies first.

[Malva]

I feel so alone for voting film first!

When I read the book first, I always think the film is terrible. Well, rare are the movies that make books justice.