Which order do you prefer? - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Silmiel of Imladris · 07-06-2004, 09:53 PM

Here is my rule of thumb. If the movie is based on the book I will read the book first. If the book is based on the movie, ie Star Wars novels, I will see the movie first.

Meela · 07-10-2004, 03:16 PM

I read most of the books first, but I prefer reading them after having seen the movies. This happens with most book/movie adaptations: I find the books easier to follow if I already know what happens. The movies are much clearer, and so I can grasp the plot more easily. This was the most clear with The Return of the King, actually. I had no idea what was happening at the end of the book, until I saw the movie. I had no real understanding of the Battle of Pelennor until just after The Two Towers was released, and Return of the King was being publicised. I think I actually just asked someone outright what was going on.

Boromir88 · 07-10-2004, 04:56 PM

My dad handed me the book when I was 17 (about 20 years ago) and I have loved it ever since. For me, probably the book (or atleast part of it). My nephew likes the movies but I suggested him to read the prologue or first couple chapters before seeing the movie, to give him some background. One doesn't have to do this to understand the plot, but I think it would help out if you knew a little bit about the stories before watching the movies (also, I was trying to sway him to get interested into the books). I will say PJ's movies has gotten a lot of people to read, but I've heard so many people who quit reading because it's boring, or Legolas isn't in it. There have been many people who have watched the movies first and then read and enjoyed, also people who have read but prefer the movies just because there aren't so many names or places to remember. I think it just depends upon someone's preference.

Firefoot · 07-10-2004, 05:30 PM

Quote:

who read the books after the movie seem to have the attitude that "the movie was good and the books were awesome", while some book fans seem to have the attitude, "The books were so much better than the movie!" Maybe that's just my experiance...

I agree that many times, this is how people will respond (book or movie first), at least at first. I would say though, that book fans can (and do) get to the point where "the movie was good and the books were awesome". It just takes a lot more time. I was incredibly disappointed after seeing FotR the first time - I felt that they got some things right but it just lacked the touch the books had. Now, however, about a year and a half since I first saw FotR, I can say that "the movie was good and the books were awesome".

Nirvana II · 07-12-2004, 09:40 PM

its always better to read the books then see the movies

Legolas · 07-13-2004, 09:07 PM

Books first - nothing like creating your own images.

ninlaith · 07-13-2004, 09:56 PM

I love reading the books before the movies sometimes for the fact that when you create your own images of people and places you start to get engulfed and infatuated with these images. Also when you see it on screen it is one of the most fulfilling feelings ever. But if you read the books before the movie you go in with some expectations which can be a bummer. So I like to wait until after I've seen the movies to read the books, however, LOTR was too good to put down.

07-06-2004, 09:53 PM	#1
Silmiel of Imladris Shade of Carn Dûm Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Looking into a crystal ball- still see nothing Posts: 395	Here is my rule of thumb. If the movie is based on the book I will read the book first. If the book is based on the movie, ie Star Wars novels, I will see the movie first. __________________ Legolas 20 ales later: I feel something, a slight tingling in my fingers. I think it's affecting me. Figwit on his name: Are you suggesting that I have the wit of a fig?

07-10-2004, 03:16 PM	#2
Meela Denethor's True Love Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Mirkwood. With Thranduil... swoon Posts: 2,049	I read most of the books first, but I prefer reading them after having seen the movies. This happens with most book/movie adaptations: I find the books easier to follow if I already know what happens. The movies are much clearer, and so I can grasp the plot more easily. This was the most clear with The Return of the King, actually. I had no idea what was happening at the end of the book, until I saw the movie. I had no real understanding of the Battle of Pelennor until just after The Two Towers was released, and Return of the King was being publicised. I think I actually just asked someone outright what was going on. __________________ 'The Hobbit' 1st impressions: 1. Thorin is hot... Oh god, I fancy a dwarf. 2. Thranduil is hotter. 3. Is that... Figwit! 4. Does Elijah Wood never age? 2nd: It's all about Fili & Kili, really. 3rd: BARD! OMG, Bard.

07-10-2004, 04:56 PM	#3
Boromir88 Laconic Loreman Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: USA Posts: 7,521	Book My dad handed me the book when I was 17 (about 20 years ago) and I have loved it ever since. For me, probably the book (or atleast part of it). My nephew likes the movies but I suggested him to read the prologue or first couple chapters before seeing the movie, to give him some background. One doesn't have to do this to understand the plot, but I think it would help out if you knew a little bit about the stories before watching the movies (also, I was trying to sway him to get interested into the books). I will say PJ's movies has gotten a lot of people to read, but I've heard so many people who quit reading because it's boring, or Legolas isn't in it. There have been many people who have watched the movies first and then read and enjoyed, also people who have read but prefer the movies just because there aren't so many names or places to remember. I think it just depends upon someone's preference.

07-12-2004, 09:40 PM	#5
Nirvana II Wight Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: The Yellow Submarine....sandwich Posts: 207	its always better to read the books then see the movies __________________ Это - российская вещь, Вы не поняли бы. Вы - пончик желе! Я оказался снова. Частное сообщение меня, если Вы понимаете.

07-13-2004, 09:07 PM	#6
Legolas A Northern Soul Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Valinor Posts: 1,847	Books first - nothing like creating your own images. __________________ ...take counsel with thyself, and remember who and what thou art.

07-13-2004, 09:56 PM	#7
ninlaith Wight Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: in my hobbit hole Posts: 204	I love reading the books before the movies sometimes for the fact that when you create your own images of people and places you start to get engulfed and infatuated with these images. Also when you see it on screen it is one of the most fulfilling feelings ever. But if you read the books before the movie you go in with some expectations which can be a bummer. So I like to wait until after I've seen the movies to read the books, however, LOTR was too good to put down.