Watching Books by James Huskins

Are you a die-hard book lover who refuses to view the movie adaptations of your favorite novels? Or are you someone who can visually enjoy experiencing the worlds our authors have created? Myself, I like comparing the two against the experience I've imagined in my head.

Since this is the 50th anniversary of the James Bond film franchise, I will use this in example. I'm sure everyone is familiar with these movies – M gives Bond his assignments, Q provides the latest gadgetry including a new car and as the debonaire agent dashes off the save the world he pats Moneypenny's derrière with promise of more to come. But have you ever read any of Ian Fleming's books? It's a different world from the movie franchise. In the books, Bond is an aging agent and rather out of shape, who drinks heavily and smokes two packs a day. Her Majesty never provided a car for him; instead, Bond drives his own car – not an Aston Martin but an older Bentley he's restored as a hobby. So while the story / plot-line are essentially the same in both books and movies, the character and details of his life are quite different and would send the die-hard book lover over the edge. Personally, I like both characters – in fact, I sorta separate the two Bonds as different characters in my head, even tho they are supposed to be the same character, and that allows both to co-exist in my imagination.

Contrast these differences to the Harry Potter franchise. Those movies adhere to the books in every detail. If they are guilty of any sin, it is omitting certain scenes that I assume have to do with the length of the movie. But the main character and his world are identical in both the books and movies. A book lover will leave the theatre without feeling betrayed by the movie experience.

So what's your take on watching books as films? Do you enjoy the different experiences, or does the incongruity drive you nuts? Do you prefer strict adherence to the books, or feel it's not lived up to its duty of providing additional details or a different experience? I'd love to hear your thoughts in the comments below.