When watching a film adaptation of a book...

[agent817]

Do you read the book before or after watching the film?

The reason I started this topic is because throughout the past year, I have done a lot of reading. Sure, some of it started with reading movie novelizations or tie-in novels (like sequel or spin-off stories). When I started reading different books, I became interested in reading novels that were later adapted to film.

To answer my own question, I have been reading the book versions after watching the film versions, but that isn't to say I wouldn't do it the other way around.

Regarding comic books, I remember reading "Watchmen" before seeing the film, which helped a lot because I recall some people not liking the film. However, I think it was because they were expecting a superhero action film, not an adaptation of a deconstruction of the Silver Age of comic book superheroes. Then again, I read the first "Kick-Ass" comic after seeing the film.

So which do you prefer?

[Timeless Hayterade]

I usually read the book before watching the film. I did that with A Clockwork Orange, The Color Purple, The Pianist, and The Kite Runner.

[Ultimo Gallos]

It depends. Sometimes it works better for me to read the book first. The others it is better to see the movie first.

Examples,Saw Blade Runner when it came out. The novel at that time would have went more over my head than the film did. So waiting to read it until after I had seen the film a few times was a good idea.

On the other side, saw Forest Gump and enjoyed the film. Then read the book,since then I haven't watched teh movie. Cause the book is just that much better.

With comics I usually read the comics first. Just been lucky the last decadde most of what gets adapted to TV and movies is stuff I read already.

[chazraps]

I usually read the book after seeing the movie as it's easier for me to appreciate the film on its own merits without my brain jumping to "Why wasn't this included" after a glaring flaw. That said, if I've read the book first it makes me excited to see the movie and I'm comfortable with changes that make sense for the medium.

[saneiac]

If I enjoyed the book, I will probably watch the movie afterwards. I can't think I've a single time I've done it the other way around.

[Mr PONYMANIA Mr Jenzie]

no preference
mostly i prefer movie adaptions, sometimes the book (the lost sympbol being a PRIME example of the book better, because i was bored of the series)

still would like to see a proper jurassic park / lost world adaption

[ayumidah]

it depends. I usually read the book first, unless I learn later that a movie was a book adaption. When I went to see Of Songbirds and Snakes in November, though, I had run out of time and was half through the book. Then finished the book after seeing the movie. it really helped me to clue in to what changes were made.

[thechase]

The Bond movies are like piecing together a jigsaw of the original material, given the films adapt odds and ends of the novels and in random sequence.

[BayleyTiffyCodyCenaJudyHopps]

I already know liberties are going to be taken with any adaption so I don’t make it *that* big of a priority. Like A Wrinkle In Time is a hard book to translate to the screen, and while I wasn’t expecting a gigantic Space Oprah to be a key part of the narrative in Ava DuVernay’s version, I wasn’t too upset by it.

There’s also times when I prefer how the film re-alters the story. Archie’s fate in The Chocolate War is waaay more satisfying for a general moviegoer than how Robert Cormier originally ended his book.

[DoubleDare]

Book first usually, I also I like that the movie won't influence how I picture the characters if I can.

Also Watchmen was movie first then graphic novel for me, it's a shame since there was a mature, graphic novel phase there with Sin City, V For Vendetta then Watchmen, then regular Superhero movies, Marvel-universe became huge with Ironman, Avengers.

[Nr1Humanoid]

Usually the book first, unless I am doing a book report, then I stick to the movie.