I recently rewatched “The Woman in Black” movies and decided to read the novel by Susan Hill. I found out that the 2014 movie sequel had a novelization written by Martyn Waites. I found the movie sequel to just barely be ok but found that the novelization was much better. It still followed the movie script but had extra scenes and added context that were missing from the movie. It felt while reading that I was experiencing “deleted scenes”, though I don’t know whether Martyn Waites wrote them of his own accord or those parts had been cut from the movie.
Still, it was a much more enjoyable experience that I thought was a serviceable and decent follow-up to Susan Hill’s original novel.
I just wondered what movie novelizations you have read. What works for you and what doesn’t?
by HRJafael
5 Comments
I’ve read only one because they’re books I avoid but it was written during the filming of a movie based on fiction by the same author. And I preferred the movie 2001 except for an episode near the end that I thought was more far interesting in the novel: that far-out, heavy, man, psychedelic sequence in the former felt less contrived in the latter. (Not really relevant but a similar though much more understated episode in the movie Journey to the Far Side of the Sun has them both beat out.)
A good novelization should remain true to the essence of the film, capturing its key themes, characterizations, and plot points.
The quality of the writing itself is crucial. A well-crafted novelization should have engaging prose, descriptive language, and a compelling narrative style that keeps readers engaged. It should evoke the atmosphere and tone of the film effectively.
While movie novelizations are often read by fans of the film, it’s important that they can still be enjoyed by someone who hasn’t seen the movie. (A well-crafted novelization should be able to stand on its own as a compelling piece of literature, even without prior knowledge of the film.)
In some cases, a movie’s runtime may limit the amount of worldbuilding or context provided. A novelization can fill in those gaps, offering additional details about the setting, history, or culture that enrich the reader’s understanding of the story. This can be particularly valuable for fans who crave a more immersive experience.
Some are good and add little bits to the story that help, some are just regurgitating the movie straight up and then there’s Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith novelisation.
I don’t really read many film novelisations but I do read the Doctor Who novelisations. Every story of the Classic series has been novelised and they’re slowly working their way through Modern Who. The advantage that these have are that they’re often written by the original writer of the episode and thus are expanded upon or reimagined in ways that still feel true to the spirit of it. At their best, they can change your perspective on a televised episode. The very best of the Modern novelisations is Day of the Doctor as it very much lands on the reimagined side of the spectrum.
Someone offered me Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, I read it a bit and thought it was, well, aptly written. But, big problem is Tarantino goes on a bunch of tirades about movies and movie stars, if I recall.