Would you rather read the book or watch the film version or both? I would like to do both.

[debm55]

[MiHale]

1. Usually both...

But the more complex novels with running subplots that enhance the story, film, most of the time falls short because of time constraints.

[debm55]

2. I always read the book first, then watch the film version. Many things are cut out of the film

version that that are in the book.

[bottomofthehill]

6. I am with you

It’s funny how our minds work, I read the Pelican Brief. While reading I usually form a picture of the characters in my head. The Gray Grantham ( hero) character was played by Denzel in the movie. He was very good. He was not the image of the character I had formed in my head but well exceeded his n the roll. Bias, maybe, but every once in a while something like this happens to further change the perception.

[emulatorloo]

11. Yes, always book first!

[LisaM]

3. If you're talking about Lord of the Rings....

the Peter Jackson movies must be vanished from the face of the earth!

[bucolic_frolic]

4. For films that become top 100 classics, I'll do both

Books are often better, there is more time to develop characterization. Films cut dialogue. Characters are lost because they only pay the 2 stars, and 90 minutes.

[sueh]

5. I prefer to read the book first. When I watch the movie I can see what was cut from the book.

[Luciferous]

7. Read the book first, then watch the movie.

[Mr.Bill]

8. I often read the book first,

but that can make the movie be a let-down of sorts.

I read Tom Wolfe's The Right Stuff first. It made the movie look like a cartoon.

[Jrose]

9. Always best to read the original story first..

then view the variety of interpretations.
The writer should always be remembered as the creative source of the plot, language, dialogue and construction of the story.
Imo, best interpretation of an original work: the movie 'Moby Dick' with Gregory Peck based on Melville's novel.

[marble falls]

10. Both, book first.

[WVreaper]

12. Definitely book first.

Sometimes watch the movie, sometimes not.

[FakeNoose]

13. The movie version of a well-written book will sometimes get me hooked on the story

If I enjoy the movie version, it will get me interested enough to read to book. Inevitably I'll love the book version better. But I don't have time to read everything - nobody ever does. So a good movie can point me towards the book that I want to read next.

I believe that's how I ended up reading "Jurassic Park" by Michael Crichton, and a few of Stephen King's novels and short stories. Recently I saw "A Man Called Otto" and it got me interested in reading "A Man Called Ove" by Fredrik Backman. That's just to mention a few - there have been many more.