I read the book over the weekend. (and, incidentally, rented/watched The Hours earlier in the week) Looking forward to Monday's discussion.

barbara | November 11, 2003 10:36 AM

Awesome.

Have you read The Hours, Barbara? I haven't, yet, but I almost did so in order to use it in lieu of AHATEOTW for the discussion. Then I figured it'd be too easy to cheat and just watch the film. At least, that's what I'd be tempted to do.

Andy | November 11, 2003 10:44 AM

Haven't read The Hours and probably won't. Once I see a movie, I almost never go back and read the book. Films rob you of imagining the characters your own way. (When I read Cold Mountain, I sure didn't have Renee Zellwigger and Nicole Kidman in mind!!)A Home... is probably the better choice of the two anyway. Less suicide and more sex.;)

barbara | November 11, 2003 11:01 AM

That's interesting. I definitely agree that film adaptations sometimes make it impossible to enter a world that's created by both the author's words and your imagination. But I've also had some success reading books after watching an adaptation.

I think the best adaptations are ones that don't try to copy the book exactly, but keep the book's core while becoming something new closer to the surface.

The worst recent adaptation I can think of is Harry Potter. It was a perfect translation of page to screen, and because of that, it was flat and lifeless. The best example I can think of is The Rules of Attraction. I read the novel multiple times both before and after seeing the film, and both works still introduce me to completely different worlds, despite the fact that the filmmaker, Roger Avary, really captured everything about the book in the film.

By the way, AHATEOTW's adaptation will be out early next year, if not in December. Check out the cast list -- once you're finished reading the novel, that is.

Andy | November 11, 2003 5:48 PM

Andy and Barbara,

Pardon the intrusion but I'd like to comment on adaptations of novels:

Andy wrote: "I think the best adaptations are ones that don't try to copy the book exactly, but keep the book's core while becoming something new closer to the surface."

I wholeheartedly agree with that. I recently watched, and then read "High Fidelity" and read, then watched "About A Boy", both of which are novels by Nick Hornby.

I felt that in both cases, because the characters' dialogue in the films was taken directly from the novels. That, more than setting or plot, made the movies successful adaptations for me.

Which is a just a way of saying that it doesn't make much of a difference to me whether I read the book first or see the movie first as long as it's well done.

joel | November 12, 2003 6:05 AM

Joel, you aren't intruding :) Part of the problem I have with book after movie IS the plot. If I already know what is going to happen, there is no surprise or suspense to draw me in and keep me going. On the flip side - movie after book - the draw is my curiosity about how the director puts it together - soundtrack, casting, scene cuts, etc. I can compare my vision with his/hers.

When you read "About a Boy" didn't you just end up picturing Hugh Grant the whole time; hearing his inflection and hesitating stutter?

barbara | November 12, 2003 9:32 AM

If you're interested in movies based on books, you might want to check this out. You might notice that there are some movies missing from the list for 2004, but the guy who maintains the site doesn't post an item until a definite release date has been set for the film.

Even more interesting news: guess what book is going to be made into a movie?

I like the Yahoo! Movies database more than IMdb in that the "Premise" of the movie (This is based on the book by blah blah...) is given. But IMdb is great for detailed infomation about movies (Who was the sound effect editor for The Last Samurai?).

(p.s. It's kind of hard to see links around here. Just so you know, 'check this out' is a link, and so is 'guess what book's ...' I just want to make sure readers aren't like, "What is this girl talking about? Check out what? Guess what?")

amy | November 12, 2003 1:20 PM

this isn't about next website isn't about books made into films...but you can look them up...it's just a website to look up reviews on films, and synopses on upcoming films as well-gives details on films:
www.rottentomatoes.com

ana | November 12, 2003 8:54 PM

this next website isn't about*

:D

ana | November 12, 2003 8:55 PM

It's interesting the things you've been saying about books and movies. If the book is good like Michael Cunningham's are it is no trouble for me at all to read a book after seeing a movie, but the other way around is harder for me. Anyway i've read A home at the end of the world and it's one of my favourites books ever, I also read the Hours and Flesh and Blood (really heavy good stuff). If you have seen the Hours, go and read the book, you won't regret it.

Carlos | November 13, 2003 7:28 AM

That's a good point, Carlos. If the author's unable to hold our attention even when we know major plot points, there's probably something wrong with the story.

Andy | November 13, 2003 9:25 PM