Play Book Tag discussion

**Nicole came up with this great idea, so I am just copying her excellent description below. Can't wait to see what you read/watch this month!! Please post your thoughts as per Nicole's instructions below.**

I don't know about you, but I can either love or hate screen adaptations of books!

Sometimes they exceed my expectations for even highly loved books (ahem, LOTR: Return of the King felt like it was plucked directly from my brain).

Other times they are horrendous (seriously, HBO, did you even READ the Sookie Stackhouse books?!).

And, yet other times, the books and adaptation diverge in crazy ways and I just don't care (yes, I know that Romeo didn't have a gun or a car, but did you know Leo DiCaprio was my teenage crush?! Maybe still is.)

It wouldn't be a proper books to screen monthly tag if we didn't also discuss some of the movie and TV adaptations of our monthly picks! For participation points of course!

Here is the scoop:
—We will open a special TV/movie reporting thread on November 1st in the monthly tag folder.
—After you read your book, check out the accompanying screen adaptation. If you watch a movie, great! If you watch a show, you need to watch at least 2 episodes of a 40-60 minute show or at least 4 episodes of a 20-30 minute show.
—Write some brief (or not so brief) thoughts on the screen adaptation. Which did you like better? Were there aspects you liked about the adaptation? Were there aspects that were horrible?
—if you can link to your book review that would be awesome! But not required.
—There is a limit of one screen review per book, so if there are multiple adaptations be sure to pick the one you most want to see! I know it is hard to choose between Colin Firth and Matthew McFadyen as the iconic Mr. Darcy, but life is full of tough choices. ;)

We ask that you please refrain from spoilers, or use the special spoiler html code (view spoiler)!

You must read the book and watch the film/show in the month of November. The one exception is if you watched a film/show in October and are now inspired to read the book this month.

This is absolutely not a requirement, just some extra fun! And you will get one participation point for each screen review.

Is this where I should post a screen adaptation I watched? If not, I can move to the right place.

I finished Catch Me If You Can: The True Story of a Real Fake by Frank W. Abagnale a couple days ago, and watched the movie this afternoon.

I loved both the book and the movie - but there were certainly difference. I would say it might be like hearing childhood memories from two siblings - same stories, but different details.

The movie compressed a lot of events, which is not uncommon. And they changed up the main character's motivation and really glossed over some of his methods. (He was one of the most famous counterfitters in history.)

I'm glad I read the book first - I can almost never read after watching the movie.

Sue wrote: "Is this where I should post a screen adaptation I watched? If not, I can move to the right place.

I finished Catch Me If You Can: The True Story of a Real Fake by Frank W. Abagnale a..."

I read the book this year, and I saw the movie several times before that. I loved the relationship between the two men, and the 1960's airport scenes (the stewardesses turning heads in their bright uniforms). Flying was so glamourous back then. A couple people posted links to other books or interviews with Abagnale. I'll see if can find them.

This is the right place to post, Sue!

Unothodox - Book and Netflix



I have to say, the four episode season on Netflix was far better than the book! I really really loved it and in many ways found it more moving and more nuanced! I hope they bring back another season! For those of you familiar with either version, and I will try not to give any spoilers, the series almost seems to pick up where the book left off. If the book is spent in the pain of a child and young adulthood, then the leaving isn't until the last pages. But the series opens up with the leaving, and in fact the book is told through flashbacks, as a whole new world is trying to get to know this new and secretive Esty, and she herself too. In the series, Esty manages somehow to get herself to Berlin, where her mother lives, but doesn't immediately go to the mother. Instead she is drawn in through a world at the Berlin Conservatory, and it is through music (nowhere in the book is this so - if anything it is books and literature that is her window.) Her world begins with a group of new friends and experiences, and a naive young girl, but strong in herself forges a new way forward, with the painful flashbacks. What also made the series exciting, is that her husband travels to Berlin too to "find" her, along with a Religious Thug (if such a thing were possible) and has his own journey to see the world differently, while the Thug wrestles with his own psychological tensions. There is more to understand about the mother and the marriage, and these conversations, and silent moments, are what really make the show! There is so much that happens in the spaces here. There is plot, intrigue, danger, awakening, sexuality, and music. It was something! Liked the series a lot!

I just saw the movie Ford v Ferrari, and I loved it. I don't normally like movies involving racing or car chases (except for Baby Driver of course). I loved the power struggles and personalities. I didn't finish the book - Go Like Hell: Ford, Ferrari, and Their Battle for Speed and Glory at Le Mans - but I read enough to get me to care about the competition. I think the book showed more of the Ferrari perspective than the movie did.

I was delighted with how they portrayed the culture of Ford Motors, with so many details that revealed the values, norms, personality, decision making style, conformity, etc. of the whole company. You could see it even the way people walked together. The company was like a major character itself. Seeing the young Lee Iacocca was particularly entertaining, knowing how successful he became decades later.

I really enjoyed watching all the test drives as they were developing the cars, and that's probably because of Christian Bale's performance. He did a fantastic job showing Ken Mile's brilliant ability to use all his senses to improve the car's design and performance. I don't think it could be as interesting on paper.

NancyJ wrote: "I just saw the movie Ford v Ferrari, and I loved it. I don't normally like movies involving racing or car chases (except for Baby Driver of course). I loved the power struggles and personalities. I..."

I saw the movie earlier this year and loved it. I agree that Christian Bale's performance was spectacular. Caitriona Balfe's performance as his wife was pretty good also in that supporting role. And although I never read this book, watching Ford vs Ferrari convinced me that books about auto racing weren't necessarily boring … so I read The Art of Racing in the Rain and loved it. Many life lessons learned from that book.

I saw the movie - Something Borrowed, which I read for my G-2004, starring Ginnifer Goodwin, Kate Hudson, and the adorable Colin Edgarfield (?). Hey I even thought Jon Krazinski was adorbs. Honestly, I loved the movie. It brought out the book very well. I really rooted for the couple. I thought it was very well done. Cute and sweet, and sort of hit the spot. Very realistically done.

Anne of Green Gables - L.M. Montgomery

I read this 1908 book for the first time this month and loved it. In my research after reading I found that Montgomery did not like the 1919 and 1934 movies made from her book; both American and not the Canadian feel she wanted. She passed in 1942. Reviewers of the many versions filmed say that the 1985 film made by the CBC was the best, so that is the version that I borrowed from my Library to view.

This was like reading the book. It was exactly how I pictured the characters. Megan Fellows was fabulous as Anne, Colleen Dewhurst a perfect Marilla and Richard Farnsworth stole my heart as Matthew. Every significant scene from the book was included. I only noticed 2 changes, one - the merger of 2 events that happened at separate times and the other - the way a death occurred. Neither threw the story off or were upsetting. If you want an enjoyable evening of movie watching, borrow this film and popped the corn.

I binged the 8-episode Netflix series, Dash and Lily (based off of Dash & Lily's Book of Dares), and OMG it was so cute.

The show took the time to follow the book pretty closely, but also add the nuance and depiction of "chance meetings" that would take words much longer to do. I super enjoyed it- loved the Asian Lily, and her mixed race family. Dash was a little cringe-inducing sometimes, but ultimately endearing and lovable. A wonderful adaptation.

Joi, I have seen previews for that on Netflix and it looks cute! Adding it to the queue.

Linda C wrote: "Reviewers of the many versions filmed say that the 1985 film made by the CBC was the best, so that is the version that I borrowed from my Library to view...."

One of my favourite movies of all time! Of course, when it was released in the mid-80s I was in my early teens. I'm also in Canada, so CBC aired it year after year for a long time. <3

After reading The Dinner by Herman Koch I watched the movie. The movie takes place in the US instead of Amsterdam so Serge, who is Stan in the movie, is now running for congress. His wife Babette, who is now Barbara and dead. is mentioned in passing. Stan now has a second wife, Kate, who isn't even a character in the book! Many things from the book were glossed over. The ending was completely different and even though I didn't like the books ending it was better than the movie ending. Once again the book was better.

I rarely see a movie adaptation directly after reading a book. In this case that might have been better than watching immediately after reading. I'd just finished Austenland and found the DVD available at the library so I picked it up.

I found the book to be entertaining, a light romantic comedy but it didn't really rock my boat. However, since it had a fair amount of humor, I expected to like the movie. NOT! Right off the bat, they changed the circumstances that brought Jane to Austenland. Then they changed her whole entrance/interview, etc. I didn't find the acting to be any great shakes either. Throughout, it barely followed the book with the final annoying thing they changed the ending from what I found to be a sweet end to something quite different including Mr Nobley's career. Oh well. The book was a mild disappointment considering the good reviews, movie was a greater disappointment.

I watched Mildred Pierce with Joan Crawford last night. I also read the book this month - review in the Books to Screen thread.

The movie was fantastic. I can easily recommend it to anyone regardless of whether you've read the book. Joan Crawford won the Oscar for Best Actress and she really knocked it out of the park.

I'm also looking forward to the newer HBO adaptation of the book. Not for "credit" here, just out of pure curiosity - how on earth will Kate Winslet ever live up to Joan Crawford's Mildred?

I mentioned in my book review that the book is slightly different than the movie, and both are really good. I think I may have to give just a slight edge to the movie though, which is rare since I usually like a book version so much better.

Barbara M wrote: "I found the book to be entertaining, a light romantic comedy but it didn't really rock my boat. However, since it had a fair amount of humor, I expected to like the movie. NOT!.."

Oh no! I loved the book. Sounds like I should avoid the movie (though it's been years, so I wouldn't have that direct comparison)>

Barbara M wrote: "I rarely see a movie adaptation directly after reading a book. In this case that might have been better than watching immediately after reading. I'd just finished Austenland and found..."

I read this book several years ago, but remember really enjoying it. I had heard about the movie, but hadn't seen it. Don't think I'll be rushing to see it now though LOL.

Sue wrote: "I watched Mildred Pierce with Joan Crawford last night. I also read the book this month - review in the Books to Screen thread.

The movie was fantastic. I can easily recommend it to anyone regardl..."

Joan Crawford was brilliant in that movie and I agree, it is a rare instance where the movie may just be a tiny bit better than the book....which I read long after I had first seen the movie.

I have deliberately avoided the remake. Even though I adore Kate Winslet, think she is a phenomenal actress, I just don't see her in that role. I can certainly understand why an actress would want the challenge of it...doen't mean she should do it.

I actually really liked the remake with Winslet, it is definitely worth watching if you’re not too afraid of being let down compared to the movie.

Hilde wrote: "I actually really liked the remake with Winslet, it is definitely worth watching if you’re not too afraid of being let down compared to the movie."

I'm about 2 episodes into the Winslet remake and I'm enjoying it. Not quite as dramatic as the movie, but it follows the book much more closely.

Loved the new Rebecca movie on Netflix with Lily James! I thought the movie did a great job! Apparently, the movie agrees with my version of the ending. The couple is freed, and achieves happiness!

Rebecca on Netflix

I have not seen the earlier versions of Rebecca, and probably won't. Once again, the book wins over the movie. I thought the movie was good, if not great. I pictured Maxim as a bit older, but their chemistry was believable. I didn't like some of the liberties they took in the end, but I suppose they made the movie more exciting. I did love the location, and Manderley, and the threatening sea/coastline. And Amy, you are right, it was easier to believe they emerged happy at the end of the movie than in the book.

I watched the Disney Tinkerbell movie, which is in the Disney Fairy franchise that I think originally centered around the books in the Fairy Dust and the Quest for the Egg series. I really enjoyed the book as a child, and I was surprised to learn later that the movie doesn't really relate to the book at all. But it was a cute and nostalgic movie at any rate.

I've watched three episodes of the Netflix series Thirteen Reasons Why, after reading the original book by Jay Asher (my review here). I'll probably keep watching the first season at least, but I have a feeling the show is going to outpace the book and I'm terrible at binge-watching anything, so I'm not sure how far I'll actually get.

However, I am enjoying the show far more than I did the book. The show has taken pains to diversify a cast that felt very blandly white and heteronormative in the book, and given the supporting characters a variety of backstories that didn't exist in the original. Much to my relief, both the script and the actor playing the lead, Clay Jensen, have gone to great lengths to make him a more likable protagonist. The show also establishes a friendship between Clay and the girl who has committed suicide, Hannah Baker, whereas the book had them as just barely acquaintances before she dies. I think that was a much better narrative choice, and it rather poignantly portrays just how wrecked Clay is by Hannah's death, something I found kinda ghoulishly absent from the book.

Also, so I've only watched three episodes, and I've been warned later in the season some of the subject matter gets very graphic in terms of sexual assault and suicide. But I have to say, so far I do not agree with the flurry of media coverage about the show, that it is somehow glorifying suicide. In the first three episodes at least, there is extensive narrative time dedicated to the grief-stricken reactions of the students around Hannah, and more importantly, her parents. While they are omitted from the book entirely, they appear in the show, devastated and dazed, trying to find answers about what happened to their daughter. They're even suing her high school for – I'm not really sure what yet, maybe wrongful death? But all of this goes toward showing the consequences of suicide, how it messes up everyone it leaves in a person's wake, while Hannah's peers point fingers at each other and fall into cycles of self-loathing and guilt. All of this feels much more realistic than what was portrayed in the book. The show even opens with a call to action to prevent self-harm and ends each subsequent episode with a website for resources on suicide prevention.

Unfortunately, despite these improvements, the show can't get away from its source material's central framing device, that is, Hannah's tapes left behind detailing in excruciating vindictive detail all the people who have wronged her. I took issue with this in the book as something that is just an incorrect interpretation of depression and what causes someone to self-harm; the fact that it's in the show too is a shame, because I think the rest of it is doing a lot more right. But with the show peppered with Hannah's voiceover, much of which is taken verbatim from the book, this angry, vengeful ghost seems so much at odds with the spunky, quipping girl we see in flashbacks, played with conviction by Katherine Langford. Dylan Minnette is similarly magnetic as awkward, traumatized Clay, a far cry from his cardboard cut-out alter ego in the book, who is more worried about Hannah's tapes ruining his reputation than what might have happened to her.

All in all, the show definitely seems like an improvement, adding much needed characterization, backstory, context, and some new narrative arcs, but it can't entirely escape its source material, which kinda veers it into campy/unrealistic territory... but I'm still pretty engaged.

Also, the songs they've chosen to feature are bops.

The Castle of Sand from 1974, Japanese with English subtitles, is the screen adaptation of Inspector Imanishi Investigates which I reviewed a week or so ago. https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

I was able to stream it in The Criterion Collection using my ROKU, the only source I found for it. I guess I need to thank our moderators for adding yet another monthly pay channel to my ROKU streaming, 🤣. Have you seen the wonders on that channel?????

Back to the adaptation, it is excellent. It follows Inspector Imanishi as he investigates the homicide of an (initially) unidentified man found on the railroad tracks in one of the Tokyo stations. The investigation follows the book quite closely; however, it veres significantly in three ways: 1. it completely eliminates the personal story of the Inspector, 2. various red herring plots, particularly one major one, are eliminated, and 3. a far more in depth back story for the murderer is shown in a long emotion laden segment at the end turning an excellent police procedural into more of an art house film - and this led to my deducting half a star as it was just a tad too long and over the top although interspersed with the Inspectors final summing up of the case to the investigatory team to get an arrest warrant. The time period was also updated from the early 1960s to the 1970s, but that was not a detriment --and the music forming the background of the book is not as modern. In the film, the music is richly melodic and still traditional (not experimental as in the book), more along the lines of Mussorgsky than John Cage.

It's beautifully filmed, has a rich musical score, and the actors are first rate. It plays a little loosely with the timeline in the book and the order of things, using flashbacks to create dramatic interest during the more tedious aspects of the investigation, and it's set in a much shorter time period. And the heat of high summer is felt in every still - so brilliantly evidenced. Remember, 1974 did not see a lot of air conditioned buildings. There's a memorable meeting of the investigation team all crammed into a small conference room and sweating profusely in their suits with one old metal fan whirring in the background. Moments like that brought back to mind that classic court room drama 12 Angry Men!

I highly recommend the film - it gets a solid 4.5 stars from me. Equally it gets high marks as an adaptation as well.

Earlier this month I read Stories of Your Life and Others by Ted Chiang (my review). The story called "The Story of Your Life" in this collection was adapted into the movie Arrival starring Amy Adams. Usually when I watch a movie after reading the book I am frustrated with all of the detail left out. It is very hard to fit a book that is hundreds of pages long into a movie that is about 2 hours long. However, in this case, it was a short story/novella that was adapted and I found that the movie added a lot of details that the book did not include. These details presented a bigger picture of the world and the implications of the alien arrival. While the the take away message of the story in the book was still present, the movie expanded it and took an intimate lesson and expanded it into something with worldwide implications. Part of me resented the need to expand the story in that way, but a bigger part of me understood that the movie needed something more. Overall, I enjoyed both the movie and the story very much for what they each were.

I was finally able to watch the move version of Matilda today. (darn pandemic kept it in quarantine for a bit). I read the book earlier this month and absolutely loved it; I actually gave it 5 stars. While the movie was fun with an adorable Mara Wilson in the title role, I definitely preferred the book. Matilda's powers were so much more subtle in the book and a bit over done in the movie. I'm sure it made for so much more impact to see it all play out on the screen. They were both worthy of my time but the book is the bomb!

I watched the Alfred Hitchcock version of "Rebecca" last night. It's been too long since I've read the book to compare, but I watched the newer version of it on Halloween.

I thought I'd heard that the ending of Hitchcock's was different, but I found it pretty much was the same as the newer version, so I'm not sure.

geesh I'm sleeping away my life. I have 2 more to record....

Amy wrote: "Loved the new Rebecca movie on Netflix with Lily James! I thought the movie did a great job! Apparently, the movie agrees with my version of the ending. The couple is freed, and achieves happiness!"

Amy, did you read the book and watch the show for a Participation Point in this thread? It is unclear from your review.

I have not given you a point for it, but let me know if I need to do so and I will double back!

Cora wrote: "Earlier this month I read Stories of Your Life and Others by Ted Chiang (my review). The story called "The Story of Your Life" in this collection was adapted into the movie Arrival st..."

I did not realize that Arrival was based on (or at least informed by) a book! I really loved that movie.

Hi all! I have recorded these bonus points in the spreadsheet with the exception of possibly one more point for Amy (see a couple of posts above, Amy).