Is the film ever better than the book? - Part 2: Children's Books

The problem with book adaptations

The picture above illustrates one of the main problems with book to film adaptations -  that key plot points and character details are deemed unimportant by the film-makers but of utmost importance by the readers. The is often much more upsetting when it comes to children's books because we, as readers, have so much more ownership of a book that was part of our childhood - as Harry Potter was to mine.

Is the film ever better than the book? - Part 1: First Person Narratives

Book vs. Film

I am prone to making sweeping statements in life concerning my bookish loyalty, such as:

"Oh my God the book is always so much better than the film."

"Do film makers have any original ideas at all?"

"You haven't read the book!?!"

"I don't like to be told how to think and feel - I prefer to use my own imagination."

And I will continue to use them on a regular basis so people know I am more well read than them and generally better at life than them - obviously. Despite the smug joy of almost always having read the book first, for the most part it is always true - how could the intricacies of the book ever be properly translated? Particularly in books written in the first person. 

Literary Tidbits: George Orwell - Part 2

George Orwell quote

Literary Tidbits: George Orwell - Part 1

George Orwell by cartoonist Ralph Steadman

'Literary Tidbits' is going to be a regular feature I think. Its a nice way to binge on an author and revisit your favourite moments of their work. George Orwell will have the prestige of being our first literary hero - mainly because Animal Farm was on BBC 2 last night.

You only have to dip your toe into Pinterest to find a George Orwell quote, from real life rather than one of his books more often than not. The man was not only a beautifully descriptive writer, but also an old fashioned socialist - firmly on the side of the working man and loudly opposed to totalitarianism and political games (just in case you couldn't tell from reading one chapter of 1984).

A quick rambling un-review: "Pretty Monster" by Kelly Link

Pretty Monsters by Kelly Link

I often shy away from short story books as I find them frustrating. I think it is the feeling of losing characters too soon, just as I get to know them. Sometimes they are worth the extra effort your brain has to make when reading them - and you do get a lot of narrative for you money with a good book of short stories.

Un-Review: "Mort" by Terry Pratchett and yet more Pratchett love.

Death and Terry Pratchett

There have been times when I have thought 'Do I mention Terry Pratchett and Discworld too much on the blog?', and 'Maybe I should review a book written by someone other than Pratchett of Neil Gaiman?' - Then I laugh at my own silliness and decide which one to re-read.

What We Learnt From Daydreaming About Books

Our New Logo - Books And Stuff

Exciting things are on the way, for us and me. Wait and see, bookish plans have we!

For now, I have been thinking about books and what they can make us feel. This bout of introspection has been brought on partly due to the plans I have been making (or thinking about making) and partly due to my obsession with Twitter and Pinterest. In between reading actual books in my actual life, I love thinking about what my #bookadayuk answers will be on Twitter each day, and poring over hundreds of Pinterest images like a magpie hoarding trinkets.