Movies vs. Book

[Steve]

--- , "Teri Gardner" <malra at ...> wrote:
>
> steve wrote earlier:
> >> As a professional writer this might sound a bit strange,
> >> I have not  read any of the Novels I prefer the movies 
> >> which from my perspective are far more entertaining.
> 
> > Magpie asked reasonably:
> > But how would you know the movies are far more entertaining
> > if you haven't read the books?
> 
> I post here rarely, but this conversation has been intriguing
> me. I'm one of those people who love the books and love the 
> movies too.  ...
> 
> For me, as long as the spirit of the book is preserved, and 
> I feel it is very much so in the Harry Potter films, I'm happy.
> ...
> 
> Teri

bboyminn:

To Steve (New-Steve),I urge you to read the first book in the
HP series. It is short and easy read, and I am confident that
you will find the world much richer and much deeper than the
movies. And, if all you read is the first book, that's fine,
but I'm confident you will never regret having read it.

Fortunately, each book, but more so the first book, stands
alone as a complete and enjoyable story. You can read the first,
and be completely satisfied with the story told and the plot
resolution. 

The movies are a nice diversion, and a nice reminder of the
HP world, but they barely scratch the surface of what is there.
I do enjoy them, though I frequently come away annoyed at the
choices they make. But, I don't let it bother me too much, they
had to make difficult to impossible decisions to keep a given
movie from turning into a week-long mini-series. And they can't
possibly satisfy everyone by their choices. 

So, I just take it as it comes and enjoy them. But again, they
are a tiny fraction of the books. If you enjoy the movies, then
I would say, don't read the book until you have seen the movie.
If you do that, I'm certain you will enjoy both the book and the
movies that much more.

Personally, I could have never read Lord of the Rings if I hadn't 
seen the movie first. But the movie having established a frame of
reference for the books, allowed me to slog through the long
winded parts of the books easy enough because I knew that better
thing were coming soon. 

If you are not a big reader, then certainly allowing the movies
to establish the frame of reference, should make it that much 
easier and more enjoyable to read the books.

So, again, I urge you to read the first book. But to read it 
with no expectations, certainly with no expectation of continuing
to read the series (too much pressure). The first books stands 
alone. It is a short, easy, enjoyable read; a captivating story
with captivating endearing characters. Do it just for that.

Steve/bboyminn