August 21, 2024 in Library News

What was better – the book or the movie? Here’s what some of our staff have to say.

The Waste Lands (2003)

by Stephen King

This book is unique and far better than the movie. Two New Yorkers and a cowboy meet a boy who was nearly eaten by a house after defeating a 70 ft. bear and some robots. The boy then befriends a creature that is a mixture of a dog and a raccoon, who proves his worth while dealing with a Viking with a machine gun in a city that very much resembles “Escape from New York.” Their quest is to find a mentally unstable talking train who hates Dad jokes.
- Victor, Reference

Jeremiah Johnson (2007)

by Warner Bros. Pictures

Based on the book "Mountain Man." The book is very well-written, almost poetic. in parts. Based on a true story.
- Tom, Reference

Good Omens : the Nice and Accurate Prophecies of Agnes Nutter, Witch (2007)

by Neil Gaiman

Good Omens is a fantastic novel and the tv adaptation is almost entirely accurate to what has been written down and the spirit of the story. David Tennent makes for an excellent Crowley, adding some of the most brilliant humor I've ever seen.
- Alex, Circulation

The Hunger Games (2008)

by Suzanne Collins

I found the movie adaptation of this book accurate. The casting, costumes, sets, and acting were all excellent, in my opinion!
- Allison, Hoffman Estates Branch

The Great Gatsby (2013)

by Warner Bros. Pictures

This movie captures the lively rush of the era, with dynamic cinematography and vibrant shots that convey the bursting energy of the Roaring 20s. This all comes together to further fuel the central drama at the heart of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s original book, which follows Nick Carraway as he’s swept up in the plans of his enigmatic neighbor, Jay Gatsby.
- Jenalyn, AV

The Chronicles of Narnia, The Voyage of the Dawn Treader (2011)

by Fox 2000 Pictures

The audience gets to experience C.S. Lewis’ fantasy world of Narnia alongside the Pevensie children as they venture into the wardrobe and cross into a new land. With distinctive music scores, a variety of sets, and effects that bring Narnia's inhabitants to life, the film successfully translates C.S. Lewis’ work into a movie experience that's brimming with magic.
- Jenalyn, AV

The Wizard of Oz (2013)

by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer

From book to this fabulous film, Judy Garland portrays young Dorothy who gets swept away by a tornado from her Kansas farm homeland with her little dog, Toto! She gets whirled into the magical Land of Oz, and embarks on a quest with three new friends to see the Wizard, who can return her to her home and fulfill the others' wishes. Costuming, acting & music is brilliant in this classic film!
- Janet, AV

Hidden Figures (2017)

by Inc Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment

Enjoy this film adaptation of three African American women who worked for NASA during the early years of their space program. They excelled and became heroines despite prejudices of that era. This is one of my favorite films as the actresses & actors in this film are exceptional as they bring the story to us in a realistic way.
- Janet, AV

Forrest Gump (2001)

by Paramount Pictures Corporation

All star cast & Academy Award winning film stars Tom Hanks portraying Forrest, an Alabama man with a low IQ, going through life encountering various experiences. Set in the 50's-70's we also see his strong romantic connection to Jenny. A must-see film!
- Janet, AV

The Lord of the Rings, The Fellowship of the Ring (2002)

by New Line Cinema Corporation

This is one of the few movie adaptations where the movies might be better than the books. With a wonderful cast and ahead of its time special effects for the early 2000s, these epic fantasy movies are must-see.
- Jennifer, Fiction

Brooklyn (2016)

by Inc Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment

The movie adaptation and book are both excellent, with the movie adaptation straying very little from the book. Eilis Lacey, the heroine, has a big choice to make in this story: stay in Ireland with her family with no job prospects or go start a new life in the U.S. with the man she loves.
- Jennifer, Fiction

The Help (2011)

by Touchstone Home Entertainment

The Help is one of my favorite books, and even though the movie changes a couple of things, it is excellent. Set in the 60s in Jackson, Mississippi, women from different backgrounds band together to help each other in a very racist and sexist South. Aside from its profound message, the movie's costumes are beautiful, and the acting is superb.
- Jennifer, Fiction

The Devil Wears Prada (2003)

by Lauren Weisberger

Miranda Priestly is one of the great villains in cinematic history, and for all the success of Lauren Weisberger’s novel, the film is an improvement. The novel — which was optioned before it was even completed — ends on a very different emotional note. The film exploits the absolute nastiness of Miranda's character, and the ending of the film is full of possibilities for its heroine.
- Jennifer, Fiction

The Silence of the Lambs (2018)

by Strong Heart/Demme Production

This is one of my favorite movies and it features one of the greatest film villains of all time Hannibal Lecter. The adapted screenplay won an Oscar (not to mention the wins for Best Picture, Best Actor (Anthony Hopkins), Best Actress (Jodie Foster), and Best Director (Jonathan Demme)). I'd recommend the book by Thomas Harris as well.
- Beth, Access Services

The Expanse, Season One (2016)

by Syfy

Great space opera series developed into a fantastic TV series. One of the best adaptations in my opinion, very close to the books. Action packed with great character development and world building.
- Michael, HR

Emma : 200th-anniversary Annotated Edition (2015)

by Jane Austen

Any of the films of Jane Austen's Emma and a cup of tea on a quiet summer evening with the windows open and a soft breeze. Classic story that even in modern times reflects our feelings about each other hasn't changed all that much when it comes to love.
-

Emma (2020)

by Universal Pictures Home Entertainment

The 2020 film adaptation of Emma, although divisive among die-hard Austen fans, is a fun, faithful, and accessible version of one of Austen's most beloved novels.
- Sarah, Fiction

Call Me by Your Name (2018)

by Sony Pictures Classics

Directed by Luca Guadagnino based on the novel by Andre Aciman Lovely coming of age film about a boy’s first love with an older man. LGBTQ, set in early 1980's, great soundtrack.
- Claudia, Hanover Park Branch

A Man Called Otto (2023)

by Columbia Pictures

Funny, heartwarming story about a bitter old man who is grieving the loss of his wife and is contemplating suicide to be with her. His plans are interrupted when a young family moves into the neighborhood and disrupts his fastidious way of life making way for friendship and love.
-Claudia, Hanover Park Branch

A Man Called Ove (2014)

by Fredrik Backman

While I could not get past the first part of the book to the good (happy) stuff, I thoroughly enjoyed the Tom Hanks American version of the movie, "A Man Called Otto," which stuck to the book, at least as far as I had read!
-Kirsten, Fiction

Holes (2003)

by Walt Disney Pictures

Never before have I seen such a fun, entertaining, and shockingly accurate film adaptation! By Louis Sachar, the story follows Stanley Yelnats who is always in the wrong place at the wrong time, supposedly due to a family curse, at a camp in the desert for juvenile delinquents. Be prepared for friendship, adventure, history, justice, and an awful lot of digging! - Sarah, Fiction
-Sarah, Fiction

The Book Thief (2014)

by Inc Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment

About a young girl whose book-stealing and story-telling help sustain her and the Jewish man they are hiding, as well as their neighbors.
- Cheryl, Circulation

Unbroken : a World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption (2010)

by Laura Hillenbrand

I really enjoyed the book, even though there were some horrific things that Louis Zamperini endured while a prisoner of war, which are described. Because of this, I am hesitant to see the movie!
- -Kirsten, Fiction

The Boys in the Boat : Nine Americans and Their Epic Quest for Gold at the 1936 Berlin Olympics (2013)

by Daniel James Brown

I really liked this book and was excited when the movie came out. While the scenery and costumes evoked the era, the movie focused on only one "boy's" story, while the book told many others as well. The book brought back memories of watching the crew team practice at UW-Madison when I was a grad student.
-Kirsten, Fiction

The Light Between Oceans (2012)

by M. L Stedman

Enjoyed the story and looked forward to seeing the movie version. The scenery was breathtaking, as described in the book, and the movie was faithful to the original plot. Enjoyed seeing the story play out on the big screen.
-Kirsten, Fiction

The Prize Winner of Defiance, Ohio : How My Mother Raised 10 Kids on 25 Words or Less (2002)

by Terry Ryan

Fun non-fiction read filled with advertising ditties, although not always a happy story. Made for a good book discussion, and a good movie. Woody Harrelson did an excellent job playing the alcoholic father.
-Kirsten, Fiction

Eileen (2015)

by Ottessa Moshfegh

This is the story of an awkward young woman with little hope of escaping her depressing circumstances living at home with an unstable father. When she meets the enigmatic Rebecca, a newly hired counselor at the juvenile detention center where Eileen works, her world opens. The screenplay for the 2023 film was co-written by the author and is a solid interpretation of a wonderfully unhinged story.
Emily, Fiction

Carrie (2013)

by Stephen King

Stephen King’s legendary debut was turned into an equally legendary movie in 1976 directed by Brian De Palma. I was first introduced to Carrie via the movie, and when I read the book later was pleased in the ways it enhances the movie and deepens the lore of Carrie White. There’s no need to pick one version over the other – I highly recommend both and furthermore recommend the audiobook narrated by the original Carrie herself, the incomparable Sissy Spacek.
Emily, Fiction

The Lord of the Rings, The Fellowship of the Ring (2002)

by New Line Cinema Corporation

This is probably the greatest film trilogy of all time. If you somehow haven't seen these films, get your hands on the gorgeous 4K extended editions (NOT the theatrical cut!!!) and experience 11.5 hours of cinematic brilliance. I'd also recommend listening to Andy Serkis (who plays Gollum in the films) narrate Tolkien's LOTR book trilogy.
- Beth, Access Services

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