Books v. movies (and Gormenghast), fanfiction, Germlish and Engrish

[saintbacchus]

Katze writes:
<<
Neverending story is by Michael Ende. The movie was
really good, and cohesive, but they left out about 1/2
of the book.
>>

I may be the only person in the world who thinks this
way, but to me, the enjoyment of a book and the movie
it's based on (or vice-versa) is mutually exlusive. I
didn't care that there were no hedge animals in "The
Shining," or that the entire plot of "Who Censored
Roger Rabbit?" was changed to be unrecognizable. If
the movie is good, I like it. OTOH, I think movies
can be too faithful to their sources. And the prime
example of that would be...Harry Potter!

Oh, speaking of movies that were once books, thanks to
everyone who answered my question about Gormenghast. I
picked up the first book from the library today and I
can already tell I'm going to love it!


David writes:
<<
In consequence those with a scientific background tend
to make a sharp distinction between interpreting canon
and writing fanfic; those with a humanities background
don't and indeed can't.
>>

If that's true (I think it depends on the fic), it's
probably due to the rich literary tradition of fan
fiction. One excellent example is J.M. Coetzee's "Foe,"
which, although it's a retelling of "Robinson Crusoe"
stands by itself as great literature. Sure, calling it
fan fiction is a bit crude, but it's the same idea.


Amy:
Ooh, Flannery O'Connor! I absolutely love her. I don't
know if you're an anti-fanfiction person, but if you're
not, I must recommend one to you:
Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Slack
(http://www.fanfiction.net/read.php?storyid=571456).
Friday Jones' writing style reminds me strongly of
O'Connor - if not in this particular story, then
certainly her other SubGenius works.

"To Kill A Mockingbird" was another school-required
book, and I enjoyed it muchly...but not as much as my
dear Gatsby. ^_^


Kimberly:
<<
-Alice in Wunderbarland and Other Tales and Poems Mein
Grossfader Told (I think that's right) - I include
this to cheat, as it thus includes both Alice in
Wonderland and this absolutely hilarious Germlish spoof
thereof.
>>

That sounds awesome - I wish I would get ahold of a
copy! I suppose I'll have to be content with this
delightful USEnet thingie:

"Achtung! Alles lookenseepers! Das computermachine ist
nicht fuer gefingerpoken und mittengrabben. Ist easy
schnappen der springenwerk, blowenfusen und poppencorken
mit spitzensparken. Ist nicht fuer gewerken bei das
dumkopfen. Das rubbernecken sichtseeren keepen das
cotten-picken hans in dem pockets muss; relaxen und
watchen das blinkenlichten."

If you enjoy corrupted English, you might also like
www.engrish.com. Go, Eric Crapton! Woo! ^_^

--Anna