Once Again, For You Steveomedic - Re. Book Versus Film

Seven years ago, I posted a Blog 'Book Versus Film'. I am not going to post that Blog again, just his comments and my reply to my dear friend Steveomedic ... below:

Titled - My Reply To S. re. 'Book vs. Film'

It appeared that my recent Blog titled 'Book Versus Film', had started the 2 of us, Steveomedic and me, both thinking quite a lot on this topic, especially about what makes a certain book so very special. The following passage was part of Steve's last comment on that Blog. I found it so interesting his point of view, together with his earlier ones on the same page, that I thought it would be good for me to reply to him here, as it might be too long for the comment section, but most of all, it's interesting perhaps to other book lovers who might stumble across here and give their views as well.

Steve: "There was this novel called "The Great Santini" by Pat Conroy. I loved it so much that while in the middle of taking in its flavor, I decided I didn't want it to end. So I stretched out the experience by reading only several pages, like, every other day. Portions of this story evoked strong emotions, and this is when I realized how others can effect our lives in such strange ways. Although Mr. Conroy and I will never meet, his writings opened the door for me to realize that there are experiences outside my orbit that have such substance, making continued exploration of my world a requirement.

It was one of the very few times where I didn't want this relationship to end, and when it did, I was depressed for a short time there after. When I became aware of the book being made into a film version, I felt that actually seeing what I read would bring this great satisfaction.

Robert Duvall was to star in the film version, and such a fine actor would surely bring substance to the story. But sadly, this is when I realized that the vision of others can't be a substitute for the rekindling of experiences. What a disappointment."

Me: To like a book, or not, is a bit like falling in love. It's impossible to explain. If you like it a lot, the rational explanation or analysis comes afterwards ... sometimes not even then, or at all. You feel the same tickle, the same euphoria, like electricity lightly passing through your whole being. The dazzling quality of the story seduces and drags you along, and you don't care where. Anywhere; just don't let it stop. The quality is in the originality. You feel, and you are sure, that you have never read anything like it. Once started, you don't have the option to stop; you don't want it to stop. Much like love huh, Steve?

To adapt it later as a film, it's the obligation of the script writer to read the whole book thoroughly then work closely with the author. Edit he must, to transform much of the text into visual scenarios, but not to alter the all important essence of the original work. I guess this transformation also partly consists of other factors like commercial value, budget, time scale, star quality, what to keep and what to omit, etc etc. In other words, a thousand unavoidable variations impossible not to change the book version in some degree. How much of that degree also depends on the audience's own education level and personal interest in the subject matter, as well as his or her valuation and appreciation of the 2 forms of art, book versus film.

Back to you Steve, your turn ...

Tags:film,book

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