Books on the Nightstand discussion

In Ann's latest blog, she addresses the dilemma of when to see the movie first. Here’s my problem, I prefer to read the book first, but sometimes I am simply not alerted that there is a book. A few months ago, I watched Evening and Away from Her completely unaware that they were from anything other than a screenplay. Away from Her I quickly found out was from a short story by Alice Munro but I only discovered the origins of Evening by Susan Minot recently. Further complicating things is the occasional problem I have encountered of reading the book “inspired by” the movie, before watching the movie. I did this with My Girl and began crying as soon as the movie started, mourning the loss of poor Thomas J right from the beginning. In my defense, I was a very emotional 16-year-old. In any case, it just seems that there ought to be some type of disclaimer. Not the original…watch at your own risk.

Summer,

Interesting perspective, and one that I (and many others, I think) have not thought of. Sometimes the trailer or ads will say "based on the book by ..." but those are normally only for the huge films, like Da Vinci Code.

Our company publishes both Away From Her and Evening, so I can speak to that a little bit.

Often, if a movie looks like it is going to be "big" enough, we will publish a new edition of the book with movie art on the cover. We refer to this as the "movie tie-in" edition. It's a way of tying the book into the movie, hoping that people spot it in the bookstore and make the connection.

But a lot of booksellers tell me that they'd rather just carry the "regular" edition, because that is the edition that their customers want. I've heard other readers say that they don't like to buy the version with the art from the movie on it. So it's a tricky dilemma, and lately we've been doing both versions simultaneously. Booksellers can choose to carry one or both (or none).

In the case of Away From Her, we even went so far as to publish a movie tie-in version that contained just the story on its own.

Thanks for weighing in! I will keep this in the back of my mind next time I'm talking to a bookseller about movie tie-ins.

(The Road is going to be a movie this fall. Read the book first. The film is supposed to be spectacular, but I can't see how it will be better than the book).

"Brokeback Mountain" was published as just a short story after the movie, as well, I believe. I discovered that story when it was first published in The New Yorker and was absolutely knocked over by it. I posted about it on Constant Reader at the time, telling everyone they had to read it. But, so far, I haven't been able to see the movie because I knew how sad I was going to be. My husband recently copied it from the TV on our DVR, so I think I may try to brave it soon.

I read The Road already. I didn't realize anyone was making a movie. I wonder how. I don't know if I will risk it.

I purchased the movie tie in of Away from Her and enjoyed the essay by Sarah Polley.

So an offshoot question to the group:
How do you feel about movie art on book jackets?

I'm pretty openminded about covers. I may be attracted to a cover if I know nothing about a book, but for reading purposes I rarely care about the cover. Mass market paperbacks are good enought for me, if it's content I'm looking for.

(How did your reading day go, Ann?)

Some movie-tie in covers, I fall in love with because I loved the film but if I already own the book I won't buy another copy usually. If I wasn't especially fond of the film and haven't read the book, I might opt for the original publication cover. Very nebulous, I realize.

Dottie, I am the same way! Sometimes if I just absolutely loved the movie, I like to have the movie-tie in edition. In some cases, it was the film that introduced me to the even greater book in which case I also sort of cherish having the movie art version.

Many times though, I do prefer having the original. That's what I did with Brideshead Revisited. I wanted to read it before the new film adaptation came out and chose to purchase the original paperback over the movie tie-in. I just love the covers of the Waugh titles with the wallpaper patterns and what not.

Usually I prefer to read the book before seeing the movie.This goes way back. My husband read a little paperback called Star Wars, back around 1975 or 76. On the back it said, Soon to be a major motion picture. My husband loved the book and eagerly awaited the movie. We saw it opening day, and the theater was hardly full. By the next weekend, the lines were around the building and a phenomenon was born. Who knew then what had begun?

Ann - I am one of the customers who prefer to buy the "regular" editions. I'm not sure why I'm turned off by the movie tie-in covers... I think I like to have the book as a stand alone item, something that is not related to the movie (especially if I don't like the movie or if it tanks at the box office).

My gut level reaction is that I like the regular or original edition. As I think about it, I guess I feel manipulated by a movie tie-in cover, that the feeling is that I will only be attracted to reading a book if it is related to a movie.

I tend to avoid movies based on books as they usually disapoint me. This all started when I watched "Firestarter" after reading the S.King book of same name. (I do take note that very few of the movies made of his books are very good). I have avoided fictional movies like Harry Potter, The Hobbit, etc. as my imagined images of characters, places, and objects is often much more spectacular than any Hollywood budget can produce and I am frequently disappointed.
On occasion I will see a movie based on a novel or bio, but only AFTER I have read the book. Sometimes I like where the movie takes the story, and sometimes I don't, but at least it can't ruin my opinion of the original source (the book).
As for covers, I guess I tend to opt for the original cover. Makes me feel the text is more authentic.

I heard they are making a film version of Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close, which is now one of my favorite books of all-time. I don't think a movie can capture the charm of this character. I listened to this on audiobook and it was a FANTASTIC recording.

I saw Revolutionary Road and am now reading the book, and (GASP!) so far I am appreciating the film more. The book is good, don't get me wrong, but Winslet and DiCaprio were UNBELIEVABLE in their roles. They MADE that story. Anyone else have thoughts on this?

No thoughts, but it's now going on my Netflix list. It comes out on DVD on April 21.

I'm generally a read the book an dthen see the movie. I'm always disappointed!

Just found out Revolutionary Road DVD release has moved to June 2nd.
I do, however, have an advanced DVD of The Reader, though I won't get to it until after my vacation, which is after it will be in stores. So much for the advance!