One of my favorite movies, Pride and Prejudice, is based on a book. And that isn't the only Jane Austen book made into a movie. There are several others. There are so many movies based on books, this would be one long blog if I were to delve into them all. So, I'll cover my favorites.
I almost always read the book before I watch the movie. This is because I don't want the movie to skew my imagination of how the scene is and what the character looks like. Chances are I don't like the book if I've watched the movie first. These are not in any order.
- Divergent, Insurgent, Allegiant by Veronica Roth
- Hunger Games, Catching Fire, The Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins
- Harry Potter Series by J.K. Rowling
- The Da Vinci Code, Angels & Demons by Dan Brown
- Cold Mountain by Wiliam Frazier
- Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen
- Princess Bride by William Goldman
I have watched movies before reading the book, and it wasn't on purpose. Sometimes, I just couldn't wait. Take, for instance, the Lord of the Rings series by J.R.R. Tolkien. Reading The Hobbit took me so long, I said forget it and watched the movies. I just haven't watched the last one yet. Those movies are quite a time commitment. The Color Purple by Alice Walker . . . never read the book. I didn't read Little Women by Louisa May Alcott, either. I will admit it's been a long time since I've watched these movies, so I might be fine with reading the book now.
There are a few that I refuse to watch the movie until I read the book. These are oldies, but goodies. Gone with the Wind by Margaret Mitchell. Haven't read the book, haven't watched the movie. To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee and A Streetcar Named Desire by Tennessee Williams. I have these books on my bookshelf. It could be why I'm holding out on watching these movies.
Then, there are the movies that I didn't know were books first. Forest Gump by Winston Groom and Fight Club by Chuck Palahniuk. There are several more on my list that I didn't know were books, too.
What are your thoughts about reading books before seeing the movie, or the opposite? Do you read the book before the movie, or do you watch the movie first? I'm interested to know if I'm in the majority or the minority here.
Happy Reading!