Peter Jackson’s big-screen adaptation of The Lovely Bones lands in theaters this Friday, which presents me with a dilemma. Read the full post.
Dec 7
2009
09:00 AM ET
The book-loving moviegoer's dilemma: Should I read 'The Lovely Bones' before seeing the film?
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I bought the novel for my grade 12 English class. The kids were swept up by the raw description and the interpretation of Heaven. Most of them are planning to see the movie. I personally usually find that the book is better than the movie, but it’s nice to see a visual interpretation. I have great faith in Peter Jackson’s abilities to bring this novel “to life”!
I would definitely read the book first in this case. From the previews the movie seems kind of different and I wouldn’t want your experience reading the book to be colored by the movie (not that I think the movie looks bad, just different). It also isn’t that long and is a quick read.
I just finished this book and glad I made it to the end, because I found the first half to be DREADFULLY boring. Second half was just okay. I understand the movie is a snoozer too. BTW, the rape scene in the book, which critics say is not at all in the movie, was not as horrific as it could have been, thankfully. All in all, I like to read my books first so I can “cast” my own actors. I NEVER pictures Rachel Weisz as the mom (though Wahlberg comes close to how I pictured the dad).
Usually, I end up seeing the movie first and then reading the book. I try to read the books first when I can, though. I find that the books are usually better, even if I really enjoy the movies. I read the book Fight Club before I saw the movie and I pretty much loved both of them equally, even though some stuff was omitted from the movie. One example I can think of where I read the book first and thought the movie was better was Paranoid Park.
See the movie but read Forgiving Ararat by Gita Nazareth instead! This book is THE must-read, life trainsforming supernatural thrillerof 2010 and is aiming to replace Lovely Bones.
I’m a publicist and fan of Forgiving Ararat. Great read!
This is not a great movie, and I will not recommed this movie. Their were parts in this movie that were not necessary.
the book is completely different from the movie jlyk.
Peter Jackson’s take on Alice Sebold’s novel The Lovely Bones is absolutely hideous. Every major part of the book has been taken so far out of context it doesn’t even make sense. I took my boyfriend to see the film last night (he hasn’t read the novel) and he was left feeling disappointed and very confused. Jackson has taken almost all the emotion out of the novel and replaced it with ridiculous CGI to compensate for bad actors, namely Mark Wahlberg. Susie’s father is portrayed as a strong family man who adores his eldest child. In the movie, Jack seems to be as affected by his daughters murder as he would be to find out that he’d forgotten to record CSI on Friday evening. I’m so disappointed in this adaptation and feel robbed of a beautiful story.