Ask Lisa See! discussion

Now that the movie adaptation of Snow Flower is coming out on DVD (November 1), I think it's an appropriate time to ask what you thought of the movie? Have you seen it? Did you think it was a faithful adaptation?

I loved the book but didn't get to the theater to see it before it was gone. I'm looking forward to seeing it on DVD or when it comes to cable.

I was surprised by how quickly it disappeared from the theater. Maybe its release wasn't timed well. The trailers looked wonderful!

Lisa See is one of my favorite authors so, if it was faithful to the novel, I can't imagine why it was so short-lived in the theater.

Haven't seen but have read Snowflower and the Secret Fan. So very sweet and sad.

I'm planning to watch soon and have mentioned on my blog that it's wonderful that's been made into a movie.

I'm somehow glad I'm not the only one who hasn't seen the movie. Thanks! for the invite Patrick.

Loved the book - didn't get a chance to see the movie.
Would love to hear from Lisa how she did her research for this book.

I was surprised and disappointed the movie didn't come out in my city since I live in a big city. I'm hoping to see it on dvd...it comes out today!

I wanted to see the movie as I enjoyed the book, but it was not shown in my area. Then I read a review which basically said the movie was very faithful to the book & was a disappointment. Wondering what others (who have seen the movie) think about this?

While I have not seen the film, it is my hope that the movie is not damaged like so many other great literary novels adapted to screen by more of an interest in the cast and "star appeal" than in the intrinsic merits of so very a fine a novel. My hope is that Lisa's book will receive the screen treatment it so very much deserves. The story should be the star.

I loved the book, so I eagerly awaited for the movie to play at the theaters. However, to my great disappointment, the movie never came to our metropolitan city, so I have yet to see it. I shall look forward to renting the DVD very soon! Lisa See is one of my favorite authors, and also being Asian, I love the way she immerses Chinese culture into her stories.

I thought the movie was actually a different work that should be judged on its own merits. I enjoyed the performances in the movie and the way the contemporary and historical story lines flowed into each other.

The cinematography is spectacular. The last scene of the movie is nicely done. I think it signifies the perpetuation of the tradition of "Lao Tong", although I have never heard of the term "Lao Tong" before reading this book and know of no one who is carrying on with this tradition. I don't feel the "cheapness" or "slutty" in Elyse's comment, but I do think the sex scene is unnecessarily long. I do admire Lisa See's meticulous and in depth research in her novels, including this one.

I'll add this to my netflix right away. I loved the book.

I can't wait to see the movie. I flipped out when I saw the trailer!

I am anxious to see it. I have gradually come to realize that the visual story (film) has to be different from the novel to effectively tell the same story. So I will try to keep an open mind.

I live in rural western New York, and of course the movie never played in our area. I am going to get the DVD.

I understand Lisa will be in Naples, Fl. in March for a Friends of the Library event and I'm hoping to get a ticket since I will be there visiting.

I selected Snow Flower as my book club choice this month because I loved it so much when I read it. Should we wait to see the movie before discussing the book, or will it help foster discussion of the book's themes?

I read the book and absolutely loved it, and was really excited to see the movie. I'm sorry to say I was disappointed in that it is very different and barely touches on the topic of binding feet, which I felt was a huge part of the book. If I hadn't read the book I probably would have liked it more.

I read the book with my real world book club. We occasionally as a group go to movies made from books we've read, and we meant to get to this one, but we never managed it. We all really liked the book. I'll probably eventually rent the movie.

Patrick wrote: "Now that the movie adaptation of Snow Flower is coming out on DVD (November 1), .......time to ask what you thought of the movie?''

I have not seen this movie. However, in general, I nearly always think a book is better than a film. It does not ruin my enjoyment of a film though, I always try and read a book first and then I hope to see someone capture the essence of it whilst always holding in my mind the idea that the book is the whole, and the movie is the smaller part.

If I have not read a book and see the film first, then it usually encourages me to go and read the book. I have seen bad movies (mainly classics) before and still enjoyed the book.

I will be very interested to see this film, so must get hold of it. I really want Lisa See to write something of this sort of theme again. Her research is so thorough, but her own cultural background really sloughs away that 'colonial' type of aspect you can get when an author writes of the Far East etc. I want to imagine what it might be like to be born somewhere else, sometime else. I don't want to be a tourist, I want to be those characters, live in that time and place, and I really feel that Lisa See is able to do that for me.

I have not yet seen the movie, but loved the book. It is not an easy thing for a movie to measure up to the book. I'm looking forward to seeing if this movie does that.

I was so disappointed with the movie. I wanted to spend time in Snow Flower's world, and it seemed the contemporary story dominated the movie. Snow Flower is one of my all-time favorite books, and I could have accepted a movie less than the book, but this left me longing for more Lily and Snow Flower, not just "flash backs".

I saw the movie and was very sad. I was so excited for this one and it was a definite bust. I thought Wayne Wang would have done this more justice but the plot was confusing and I had a hard time even following the movie and I even read the book! It got a unanimous two thumbs down by critics and viewers. I hope she gets a chance to do another movie but after this one it's hard to see.

İ adored the book and enjoyed the movie but i must admit i found the book so much better. İ stayed up all night to read it. İ wish there would have been more about Snow Flowers world in the movie the modern day story line wasn't as enchanting or facinating as the historical one.

I loved the parts of the movie that were directly from the book. I would think that the modern portion of the movie might have made it appeal to a broader audience, who would then get to experience the parts that were from the book. This is one of my favorite books of all time.

Erssie wrote: "Patrick wrote: "Now that the movie adaptation of Snow Flower is coming out on DVD (November 1), .......time to ask what you thought of the movie?''

I have not seen this movie. However, in general,..."

I completely agree that Lisa transports you to that place and makes you feel as if you were born there!

I agree with Schomert's post that the movie and book should be judged independent of each other. I thought the movie was a beautiful adaptation of the book.

Having watched the movie, I was disappointed to hear the director say he didn't like "period pieces". (It's in the film extra's on the DVD).
He only liked contemporary pieces. That shows in this film making. I felt that there was more emotion and explanation in his modern China story and the "book" part of the film was as if it was an after-thought and very rushed. Quick flash-backs. If you had not read the book and just saw the film, I think you'd be wondering what it was all about :(

The books are always better than the movies especially good books like these. Just watch the movies to enjoy the show otherwise you get too frustrated. Its nice to see pictures of the real places that are the setting of a story.

What did I think of the movie? First, I was so thrilled to see it get made, and there are certain scenes that I realy love. But a film is not the same as a book. It can't possibly be the same. As you know, the director, Wayne Wang, added a modern story. Some people like it. Some people don't.

Patrick wrote: "Now that the movie adaptation of Snow Flower is coming out on DVD (November 1), I think it's an appropriate time to ask what you thought of the movie? Have you seen it? Did you think it was a faith..."

What did I think of the movie? First, I was so thrilled to see it get made, and there are certain scenes that I realy love. But a film is not the same as a book. It can't possibly be the same. As you know, the director, Wayne Wang, added a modern story. Some people like it. Some people don't.

Meagan wrote: "I still have to see it. I don't live near any movie theaters that had it, but I'm supposed to get the DVD on my birthday next week.

I saw the official trailer, and it was pretty. My friends who ..."

The film opened in limited release. In some cities it only played for a day.

Elyse wrote: "I saw the movie in the theater when it was first released. The book was MUCH better. I'm not just saying this to make Lisa See feel better---or because I am a 'book-snob'.

Many times ---I th..."
Don't worry about being a book snob. We're all book snobs here!

Joy wrote: "Loved the book - didn't get a chance to see the movie.
Would love to hear from Lisa how she did her research for this book."

I did research in every way you could imagine. I looked on the Internet, spent time at the UCLA Research Library, went to China to the area where the nu shu women wrote, and interviewed lots and lots of people.

Shomeret wrote: "I thought the movie was actually a different work that should be judged on its own merits. I enjoyed the performances in the movie and the way the contemporary and historical story lines flowed in..."

I agree with you in the snse that a film is always different than a book. I think they should be judged -- and enjoyed -- differently.

gratia wrote: "The cinematography is spectacular. The last scene of the movie is nicely done. I think it signifies the perpetuation of the tradition of "Lao Tong", although I have never heard of the term "Lao Ton..."

What sex scene? The one with Snow Flower and the butcher?

Pat wrote: "I live in rural western New York, and of course the movie never played in our area. I am going to get the DVD.

I understand Lisa will be in Naples, Fl. in March for a Friends of the Library eve..."

How fun that you'll be in Naples. I look forward to meeting you. Make sure you come up and say hi.

Kathy wrote: "I selected Snow Flower as my book club choice this month because I loved it so much when I read it. Should we wait to see the movie before discussing the book, or will it help foster discussion of..."

Seeing the movie will definiately change the nature of your discussion about the book. So I guess it depends whether you want to focus on the themes in the novel or the differences between the nove and the film.

Theresa wrote: "I read the book and absolutely loved it, and was really excited to see the movie. I'm sorry to say I was disappointed in that it is very different and barely touches on the topic of binding feet, ..."

There isn't very much in the film about footbinding, true. But do you think you could have watched a ten minute scene with bones cracking and children sobbing? I think that would have been much harder to take than reading that scene, which seemed to be very hard for a lot of readers.

Erssie wrote: "Patrick wrote: "Now that the movie adaptation of Snow Flower is coming out on DVD (November 1), .......time to ask what you thought of the movie?''

I have not seen this movie. However, in general,..."

I really appreciated what you wrote at the end of your post. I really try to be in the room with the characters. I don't feel like a visitor. I don't want readers to feel like visitors. I don't want to make judgements. I want readers to make their own judgements.

Merlee wrote: "I was so disappointed with the movie. I wanted to spend time in Snow Flower's world, and it seemed the contemporary story dominated the movie. Snow Flower is one of my all-time favorite books, an..."

For those who haven't yet seen the film, if I tell you that there's a scene with Hugh Jackman singing and dancing, then you'll know that, yes, there have been major changes to the story.

Lisa wrote: "Theresa wrote: "There isn't very much in the film about footbinding, true. But do you think you could have watched a ten minute scene with bones cracking and children sobbing? I think that would have been much harder to take than reading that scene, which seemed to be very hard for a lot of readers. "

Yes, reading it was nearly unbearable (and sent me researching where I found some highly disturbing photos) and seeing such pain on film is always harder for me than reading it in a book. That goes for scary or sad or otherwise disturbing content. But, it was such a crucial portion of the book, it's too bad it's not in the movie.

I think that the movie took so much away from the book. Honestly, the modern story line seemed to take precedent over Snow Flower and Lily's. I did not like the parallel nor found it to be necessary or even a beneficial supplement to the novel's story.

I went with my best friend, who absolutely adores all of Lisa See's novels and was so excited for a movie adaption, and we both found the movie to be disappointing. If it had another title I wouldn't have even realized that it was supposed to be based on Snow Flower and the Secret Fan. I really wish it would have simply followed the plot line in the novel, we loved all the Lily and Snow Flower scenes.
I 100% agree with Merlee.

I loved the book so much and I'm goona watch the movie as soon as i can find it somewhere to rent, but I might just buy it :)

author:Walter Isaacson|7111]
Book "Steve Jobs"

Am reading this book now on my Kindle, 20% into it. How are other readers liking it?

Loved the book, but my friend and I both found the movie confusing with too much time spent on the contemporary parts of the plot. We missed the emphasis on foot binding that was such an important and interesting part of the book. The movie was shown only at our small local art film theater. I'm currently reading Dreams of Joy, and have also read Shanghai Girls, and Peony in Love. I really enjoy Lisa See's writing!!

I'm sorry I couldn't enter the discussion yesterday, but I loved the book and will watch the DVD when available to me. As usual not many movies match the book in enjoyment but I'll withhold judgment.
Love all Lisa See's book.
sue

1. Lisa See is a prolific and amazing writer with the artistic flair of imagery in her pen/keyboard.
2. The movie was sandwiched between two blockbuster movies (Harry Potter and Capt America) in the most competitive month of July. So not much advertising to compete.
3. The two lead actresses looked too modern or way too pretty as if they looked like models for a perfume ad. I didn't feel that it was picked they way Lisa wrote them but I could be wrong. (usually I am)
4. I wished Mr. Wang had consulted and collaborated with Lisa more on this movie but this happens a lot in this industry.
5. Lisa! Way to go! A movie! Keep going!
6. If I had to wish for Lisa to write is a novel of your GGF Mr Fong See's second wife, Lettice Pruitt (Ticie). A story from your dreams and personal impressions. An amazing woman of her period!

Elyse wrote: "Again...(just my opinion) --I wasn't a fan of the movie "Snow Flower". No big deal--it just didn't engage me-- (I didn't even feel the casting was right). Plus, it needed much more editing. (way t..."

I am in total agreement here and your original post.

Kung wrote: "1. Lisa See is a prolific and amazing writer with the artistic flair of imagery in her pen/keyboard.
2. The movie was sandwiched between two blockbuster movies (Harry Potter and Capt America) in th..."

I'm so glad that I checked in here today after this Ask Lisa thing was supposed to be over. I didn't know that this would still be up to chat.

I love all of your comments and observations. While I haven't thought of writing about Ticie, I have thought a lot about writing more about my Grandma Stella and the women in her family. One of these days...

Lisa wrote: "Kung wrote: "1. Lisa See is a prolific and amazing writer with the artistic flair of imagery in her pen/keyboard.
2. The movie was sandwiched between two blockbuster movies (Harry Potter and Capt ..."

I think this movie should had come around the Chinese New Year or on Oct/Nov.

Grandma Stella novel would be fantastic and the women in her family. Yes!!!!!

The fascination I have always with Ticie is her tenacity and spirit to prevail after she left home. Then of all places to meet Fong See and against the norm of interracial marriages at that time with the Exclusion act in full force, I find her the diamond of the human spirit. I have to read those chapters again.

Lisa, thank you and BTW, you look fabulous on the red carpet!!! Let's see what happens at the Academy!

Cheers, Kung