The question of whether novels or their film adaptations are superior continues to be subject to dispute, but some people believe the ultimate objective should be to take pleasure in both forms of art simultaneously. For some, reading the book makes them want to see the show or movie while others may read a book after seeing the film.
“I believe that directors should continue to create book adaptations due to them showing a new perspective, and letting the viewers see the characters and settings in a new way,” senior Randa Dinno said. “As a reader, I love watching the books come to life from another perspective, especially my favorite books.”
As access to films and television has expanded via streaming and other outlets, the interest in movies is significantly outdistancing interest in reading. According to a WordsRated survey, in 2021, 54.27% of all leisure time was spent watching televisions, compared to just 5.31% spent on reading for pleasure. This reality can be seen as an opportunity, however.
“I think there are a lot of great stories and books out there that could reach an even greater audience through the mediums of film and television,” junior Megan Dacey said.
There have long been film adaptations of literature, and their popularity has been a trend that has created a unique genre of cinema. Literary works like “The Godfather” by Mario Puzo, “Little Women” by Louisa May Alcott, and “Jaws” by Peter Benchley’s have been adapted into films that have won Oscars, attracting not only fans of the original novels but also a wider audience through their use of characterization and creativity.
“I think the characters [in “The Godfather”] are depicted in such an intriguing way, especially Vito Corleone, as he is frequently pictured in a dapper Italian suit while conducting his family’s ‘business,’” junior Joseph Ladocsi said.
Many students encourage their peers to first read the books and then watch the series that are adaptations. While this two-part commitment to reading and viewing a multi-episode translation requires more time, students feel doing both can be worth the effort.
“I recommend “The Summer I Turned Pretty” book series, but you should read it before watching the show. It is fun to see how alike the books and show are, and what details the show forgot to add,” sophomore Sienna Zerola said. “I loved the show because it had many ups and downs that made you want to keep watching, especially the thrill of [Belly] deciding between Conrad or Jeremiah. I would recommend it because it was action packed and a great show to pass time.”
For those who would like to begin reading for leisure, students advise their peers to consider participating in reading an enjoyable, understandable beach read, such as “Daisy Jones & The Six” by New York Times bestselling author Taylor Jenkins Reid.
After reading, individuals can really see words transform into film through the “Daisy Jones & The Six” series on Amazon Prime Video with its unique interpretation of the book.
“One of my favorite parts about it was the interview style it is written in. It is a really unique writing style, and it was fun for me to decide which characters to believe and which I thought might not be entirely truthful,” said Dacey. “The television series is a lot of fun to watch and it has a great vibe. The music is also all really cool and the acting is great.”
For novels with greater complexity and imaginative elements such as the Harry Potter series – film adaptations can be seen as a more flexible approach to comprehend a novel’s plot.
“For people who have not read the series to watch the movies, they can understand and get some of the complexities and nuances of the various characters and the plotline,” English teacher Erin McCarty said.
For those who prefer watching a movie without necessarily knowing the book that inspired it, more personal connections often create their interest.
“I enjoyed “The Godfather” a lot,” Ladocsi said. “As an Italian, the movie resonates with me and my family because the Corleones in the movie were a direct product of Italian immigration. The movie depicts so many Italian components with food, a tight-knit family, and Italian characters as they navigate the streets of New York.”
Whatever draws viewers to book adaptations on film or television, true fans of the original writing will always have strong opinions about the translations.
“I have read the Harry Potter series through a million times, so I am more critical of certain choices [the directors] made. I am the book purist and I want it to be just like the book.” McCarty said. “But I think it was done well overall for the entertainment value, capturing all of the characters and the message in the story.”