Depends. The Godfather I would watch the film and not read the book at all
generouscake on
I would say, watch the movie first and then read the book. You’re always going to be disappointed because the book is always better, so reading the book first is gonna lead to a disappointing experience. However, because books are so much more vast, I found tons of books I loved because I enjoyed the movie and wanted more. Ex. House of Sand and Fog.
ShrimpSherbet on
No. Books provide context that movies oftentimes don’t. They let you into characters’ minds, explain environments, etc.
Silly-Resist8306 on
If you watch the movie first, you are bound to be disappointed in both.
sysaphiswaits on
I watched the last 2 Harry Potter movies before I read the book. I think that’s the only time I’ve done that. I never got around to reading the book.
Double_Maize_5923 on
I think reading the book first is better cause it keeps you more engaged in the book. If I know how it ends I may lose interest.
ApparentlyIronic on
I think it goes both ways. Read the book first and you’ll be disappointed it the movie. Watch the movie first and it spoils the best parts of the book without the same emotional weight (in most cases).
BogusIsMyName on
I enjoy reading the books first. A prime popular example is Harry Potter. I loved those books and read them many times before watching the first movie. So i recognized the departures in the movie when they happened. PEEVES! It was fun to compare the screen play writers interpretation of events and what they needed to cut for time constraints.
rolypolypenguins on
I always watch the movie first. Often the movie isn’t loyal to the book. And the book is always better – so I can enjoy both the movie and the book
nzfriend33 on
It really depends for me. Generally, I read the book first. But things like Dickens or other intimidating books I will watch first so I know how it goes first (Bleak House and The Forsyte Saga come to mind). And then sometimes I don’t know there was a book and so those obviously have to be after.
Smooth-Respect-5289 on
I can say this:
Movies almost always have the superior soundtrack.
realsquirrel on
I grew up on Jane Austen adaptations and they motivated me to read the books way before I would have otherwise. Many things would have gone over my head without the movies to refer to, but the books are obviously the best.
ichii3d on
I could see how watching Dune Part 1 and 2 may be better than reading the books first as it would give you a lot of visual ideas to support characters and locations as it can be fairly complex to absorb all its layers.
dumbandconcerned on
I definitely recommend book first. That’s the best experience and I don’t want that experience to be marred by already knowing all the major plot points
14 Comments
Depends. The Godfather I would watch the film and not read the book at all
I would say, watch the movie first and then read the book. You’re always going to be disappointed because the book is always better, so reading the book first is gonna lead to a disappointing experience. However, because books are so much more vast, I found tons of books I loved because I enjoyed the movie and wanted more. Ex. House of Sand and Fog.
No. Books provide context that movies oftentimes don’t. They let you into characters’ minds, explain environments, etc.
If you watch the movie first, you are bound to be disappointed in both.
I watched the last 2 Harry Potter movies before I read the book. I think that’s the only time I’ve done that. I never got around to reading the book.
I think reading the book first is better cause it keeps you more engaged in the book. If I know how it ends I may lose interest.
I think it goes both ways. Read the book first and you’ll be disappointed it the movie. Watch the movie first and it spoils the best parts of the book without the same emotional weight (in most cases).
I enjoy reading the books first. A prime popular example is Harry Potter. I loved those books and read them many times before watching the first movie. So i recognized the departures in the movie when they happened. PEEVES! It was fun to compare the screen play writers interpretation of events and what they needed to cut for time constraints.
I always watch the movie first. Often the movie isn’t loyal to the book. And the book is always better – so I can enjoy both the movie and the book
It really depends for me. Generally, I read the book first. But things like Dickens or other intimidating books I will watch first so I know how it goes first (Bleak House and The Forsyte Saga come to mind). And then sometimes I don’t know there was a book and so those obviously have to be after.
I can say this:
Movies almost always have the superior soundtrack.
I grew up on Jane Austen adaptations and they motivated me to read the books way before I would have otherwise. Many things would have gone over my head without the movies to refer to, but the books are obviously the best.
I could see how watching Dune Part 1 and 2 may be better than reading the books first as it would give you a lot of visual ideas to support characters and locations as it can be fairly complex to absorb all its layers.
I definitely recommend book first. That’s the best experience and I don’t want that experience to be marred by already knowing all the major plot points