This week on Booking Through Thursday:
Do you find yourself thinking that the books you read would be good on film? Do you wish the things you watched on TV or in the movies were available as book?
Some really can’t be converted, of course, but some definitely can (and it’s not always the ones you think will work). There’s something to be said for different forms of media, but a good story is universal … or is it??
Sure, all the time. I watch and enjoy adaptations quite a bit since I like TV and film when I have time for it. As for the other way around, not that often. Some of my favourite TV shows in the past have been based on books or comic books. Things made for TV can be formulaic which is OK for that medium, but more boring in book form.
They finally made a Life of Pi movie and I didn’t think they would, but I’ll be seeing that. Even aside from the book, I’m a fan of director Ang Lee’s work. There are definitely many books that are hard to capture on screen. The Golden Compass movie did not work in the end which is a shame, but it really wouldn’t be able to capture wide audiences. There are some books such as The Eyre Affair Thursday Next series and magical realism (e.g. One Hundred Years of Soltitude) books which would be extremely difficult to transfer. Also, I do get disappointed more when you go from book to TV show such as the case with “True Blood”. The shows become vastly different than the books which sometimes works out and sometimes doesn’t.
I do agree a good story is a good story so I’ll keep reading and watching.
12 Comments
Laurel-Rain Snow
Yes, I enjoy a good story, no matter the medium; and I do love some adaptations as much as the books, in different ways.
I just thought of this: I loved the movie Julie & Julia more than the book.
Here’s MY THURSDAY MEMES POST
athena
Hi Laurel! I agree that I love some adaptations, but not always because they are faithful! I didn’t read that book since I had heard mixed things about it, but I did like the movie. That does happen once in a blue moon. 🙂 Thanks!
Tribute Books Mama
I enjoy a good movie, but not all books should be made into a movie, they tend to leave a lot out.
http://tributebooksmama.blogspot.com/2012/08/booking-through-thursday_30.html
athena
Hi Tribute Books Mama! I agree they do leave a lot out in movies. Sometimes, that’s ok. Other times, it does end up being rushed and not that good. Ahh well. Thanks!
gautami tripathy
I like to imagine my books rather than watching it on screen!
Here is my post!
athena
Hi Gautami! Yes, nothing will replace books in our heads! 🙂 Thanks!
Tribute Books Mama
Always loved reading a good book and using your imagination.
http://theplotthickensbookblog.blogspot.com/2012/08/booking-through-thursday.html
athena
Hi again Tribute Books Mama! It is irreplaceable indeed. Have a good day!
Valentina
Yeah, The Golden Compass movie really didn’t work too well.
http://carabosseslibrary.blogspot.com/2012/08/booking-through-thursday_30.html
athena
Hi Valentina! It is a shame because they had a pretty good cast, but the books were always going to be difficult to translate and get wide mass appeal. Ah well. Thanks for commenting!
jessicabookworm
I am a big fan of adaptation. I mainly look out for books I enjoy being adapted to another medium, not usually the other way round.
athena
Hi Jessica! Me too. I also agree that going from another medium to book doesn’t really inspire me, but I like to see what books inspire. Thanks!