(no subject)

[bluesilverkdg]

So, let's say that I was inclined to start reading the Harry Potter series. Yes, I have finally succumbed to the masses. It only took a few years. Anyway..

Would it be wise to see the movies first, then read the books? Or should I read the books before seeing the movies? Typically, I get very disillusioned when seeing a movie that has been based on a book, especially if it's a book that I like a lot. Stephen King and his array of disappointing movies (Shawshank Redemption and The Green Mile not included) springs to mind. I read Interview With the Vampire first, then saw the movie and was massively disappointed. Even Brad Pitt's prettiness couldn't save it, I thought. There are a few other examples, although I'm at a loss to remember them here. I was largely impressed by both the movie and book versions of Grisham's A Time To Kill, although the movie varied widely from the book. Still, they were both darned good.

I recently joined Goodreads, which I'm hoping will prompt me to get back into the habit of reading regularly. I used to devour books, but lately, that's not been the case, and I've gotta admit, I really miss curling up with a good book. Or even a bad book. So, join me there, if you wish, and motivate me to read more.

Back to my original question..Potter People, what might you recommend? I've been hesitant to undertake this series, but after being told by eleven billion people "you'll loooove them!", I guess I sort of feel compelled. At least it will keep me in the house and out of trouble..



In other news, I left a message for my massage therapist about getting in today. Fingers crossed that she has an opening. The back is no better, and I can barely move without screeching in pain. I need to take out trash and do a plethora of other things, but I'm thinking that's not going to happen when I can't even take a deep breath comfortably.

I've taken Flexeril and Darvocet until my head is a total fog and I can barely speak coherently. I've gone through a box and a half of Thermacare pads. Yet it still hurts this much. This just really, really sucks. And I'm craving M&Ms. Why? Probably because I don't have any.

Comments

[mosaicjulz.livejournal.com]

Read the books. Don't ever see the movies. :)

[ex-calicoey.livejournal.com]

Read the books first, then see the movies.

The books get darker and more intense the further you get in the series.

[darcyzero.livejournal.com]

My opinion won't matter at all because I absolutely HATE fantasy type writings and refuse to read those books. I only saw one of the movies because Cory forced me into going to the movie with him a few years ago.

But I like the idea of that website!!! I just joined it! You should be my friend. I think you can find me under siamesedream17@yahoo.com

[wlotus.livejournal.com]

If you're a reader, I recommend the books. They are rich food for your imagination. I have only seen the first two movies, because I prefer books over movies any day.

I will need to find you on Goodreads!

[spiritofjoy.livejournal.com]

Read the books first.

The movies are good, but can be slightly confusing if you haven't read the books because the movies cut out important bits due to time.

Deinitely read the books first. :)

[dda.livejournal.com]

I usually read the books first (and did so both Harry Potter and Narnia); as others have pointed out, as the books got longer and longer, more little bits and details had to be chopped out to make the movies. Personally, I'd rather know the details up front and see how they adapted things to make the movies than the other way round.

I'm sorry you're still in pain; that sucks and you might have to get to a doctor and see what they can do.

[phenomenull.livejournal.com]

Definitely read the books first.

[cortneytree.livejournal.com]

Not that you need anyone else chiming in, but yes, books first, then the movies--just because there is SO MUCH to the books that just can't possibly get jammed into the movies. The movies, however, are great, and I enjoy seeing how they translate objects and ideas that are mostly sort of abstract descriptions in the book to the screen--very often I go "Yes, that's exactly how I thought that looked!"--which is something a lot of adaptations don't get right. Also, you have the excellent opportunity to watch them (and with the books, read them) in rapid succession, so you can really see how they start very child-like and progress to become darker and complex (just like the books, of course). I still can't watch the end of "Goblet of Fire" without sobbing.

Enjoy the reads, and let us know what you think! I resisted for years too, but I'm so glad I caved and read them, I love them!

[easybeef.livejournal.com]

The movies aren't bad, but still read the books first. There's just so much detail in the books there's no way they could fit it in the movies, esp. once they started making the movies not as long and the books that much longer. (Book 7 is going to be two movies because they realized they just couldn't cut it down that much).

This is one of the better book-to-movie adaptations I've seen. I'm usually really disappointed.

Sorry you're hurting so much. :(

[baseballchica03.livejournal.com]

Oh, read the books first! There are so many things that don't make it into the movies, especially the later ones as the books get darker and longer. The most recent movie (Order of the Phoenix) was disjointed and practically incomprehensible if you hadn't read the book. Not to say I don't enjoy the films, but you get much more out of seeing them if you already know the story.

Also, keep in mind that the series started out for a younger audience. I've heard a number of people complain about the first book, and I can understand that. (I actually read the fourth one first, after my "I hate reading!" little brother breezed through the 800 page monster in three days. Then I went back and started from the beginning.) The Sorcerer's/Philospher's Stone is probably the "youngest" of the bunch, if that makes any sense, with a lot of exposition and not a whole lot of action. After all, it has to lay the groundwork of the world in which this entire series takes place! So if you don't love it straight away, at least try the second or third book. The series builds upon itself and *mostly* gets better as it goes along. (Although the 4th was my favorite.)

[raptorboy.livejournal.com]

AS a fan of both, read the books first. THere are things you'll understand more watching the movies after you read the book. They had to leave out a lot of details to condense the movies down, but they left in some, but no explanation to why things happened that way.

And really, the movies are good enough to follow the books in this case.

[wyckhurst.livejournal.com]

DEFINITELY read the books first.

[theldara.livejournal.com]

Books first, then movie marathon :)

The movies are good in their own rights, but the books are better.

I haven't been able to get Kaity to read the HP books yet. OY.

I've got them all if you want to borrow 'em.

[tnrkitect.livejournal.com]

Ditto on reading the books first, for all the reasons listed above. If I had known you were interested, I would have been glad to let you borrow them when you were down Sat.

[nonspecific.livejournal.com]

I'll just second (22nd?) the same thing everyone else said. I've only got the first three movies, I need to catch up. :(

[nounsandverbs]

Read the books. The movies are worth seeing -- but I've gotta agree with one reviewer I read who said the first couple movies aren't films so much as staged readings. Diehard HP fans quibble that the movies aren't faithful enough to the books and leave a lot out. I don't insist on complete faithfulness in my adaptations. Movies and books are different media.

[solfox.livejournal.com]

I was reluctant to pick up the series when it first came out. I believe book three was out, and book four scheduled soon before a couple friends whose judgement I trust told me I really /should/ read them. Grumbling, I picked them up, expecting more overhyped fluff. They're wonderfully written and compelling reads that will keep your attention throughout the majority of the series. And they're written in a way that is appealing to both youth and adults. I ended up buying the first three books within three days of each other.

However, because of the cinematic elements that changed from director to director, I would recommend reading the books before seeing the movies. Don't get me wrong, the movies are nice. Just read the books, first.

[ellettra.livejournal.com]

the consensus seems to be to read the books first, and i guess i agree. although, i saw the first movie before i even knew anything about harry potter or the phenom that it became. i loved it so much that as soon as it ended i rewound the tape and watched it again. yes, VHS. and yes, i was in my late 20s when i watched it. i was ENTHRALLED.

so i ran out and got all the books that were available at that point (which were the first 4). i devoured them. they were amazing.

and since then i have seen all the movies (some of which i enjoyed more than others), and have collected the extra books and all of the soundtracks. i have attended book releases and movies IN COSTUME. i sobbed through the last book because of what it all meant, and like many others, was actually DEPRESSED for days afterwards. i dread the final movie because truly, a span of about 15 years of fandom will have to come to an end.

i would hasten to add that i am a profesisonal woman, who has never ever in her life been the kind of person who has done fandom stuff. i don't even write fanfic, and i'm a writer. i never did the star trek thing, or the star wars thing (other than seeing the first few movie sin the 701s and 80s), for some reason this series, these characters, this author, this world GRIPPED me.

still to this DAY, when i am depressed or in need of comfort, i watch one of the movies, or grab one of the books. the movies and the books are completely different entities for me, and serve different purposes. i didn't like the 4th movie at ALL, but it's my favorite of the books. the 5th movie was very good, but the 5th book was one i'd be hard-pressed to read again. the music never ever fails to soothe me, though.

hmmmm. this is a long reply. :) anyway, read the books, and augment with the movies. they are amusing, especially the first, which is so very dated in appearance now. the movies are good for some things, like figuring out how Quidditch is actually played....

[passaddhi.livejournal.com]

I'm sure everyone has already said it, but -- books first. In order. Movies rarely live up to it, but you can enjoy em cause of the effects after reading.

[mpurple.livejournal.com]

i'd say -- watch the movies and call it a day. ;)

[samuraigrrrl.livejournal.com]

read them first. expect NOTHING. forget the hype. remember you are reading books aimed at KIDS. and have fun with it. i cannot stand to take these books seriously - and seriously, do not feel guilty if you SKIM. :) some pretty cute stuff in there, otherwise.
if i were closer, i would bring you some m&ms.

[nessachan.livejournal.com]

You'll looove them!

Read the books first.