Cloud Atlas - My Thoughts on the Book vs the Film
Cloud Atlas - My Thoughts on the Book vs the Film
I have posted many book reviews here over the last several months. Each one is an attempt to be honest about how I feel about the book, and to help make a recommendation based on my thoughts and feelings regarding those particular books. I'm not in the habit of hating on books, although I have posted several lowers starred reviews at GoodReads that I kept from here. And one of them was just this week, and has left me somewhat annoyed as a reader. It regards a book that has been very well reviewed by many people (although not all, as I found out after trawling through the reviews over at GoodReads).
I tried a couple of times to read this book. Each time the writing just left me severely underwhelmed, unable to connect, or even care about what was happening. And this is why I was so annoyed, because I knew there was a good story in there. A great one, even. I gave up on the book, something I rarely do. I watched the film, and yes my feelings about the story were correct. It is a great story, and made a great film. But the book, ahhhhh! I'm sorry, I don't like not liking great novels. But it happens.
The book I refer to is Cloud Atlas, written by David Mitchell. I have read reviews from those who didn't like it that consider it pompous and a writer playing a joke on his readers. Even attacking the story itself. Those are not my views. As I said, the story actually appeals to me, as confirmed by the brilliant interpretation displayed in the film version. But the writing in the book! It does feel distant and conflicting to me. All of this has left me confused, but I have to accept that not all writing styles will appeal, and that is what this post is an attempt to communicate. Perhaps this book did appeal to you, or it will if you haven't read it as yet. Because at its heart is a complex, original, and highly entertaining story of non-linear time, connections through lifetimes, and a deeper meaning to our own individual lives. I find this idea appealing. So I offer this as my thoughts and feelings, and suggest that if the book doesn't grab you, at least give the film a go.
Although it is rare, sometimes the film is better than the book.
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Ohh I am sad you did not like the book even though you tried so hard to read and enjoy it. I too hate not liking books, but there are some that never appeal to me. The Twilight Saga was one of those series.
I read so many great reviews about this one, which made it worse when I couldn't enjoy it myself. But I was glad the film made up for it. I have had a good run of reading books I enjoy, so I was bound to hit one that didn't work for me sooner or later.
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Thank you.
The film does have a pretty good telltale message behind it, but a bit too long for my liking.
That being said... 2 hours of film to sort of equal to finishing a book is a pretty good investment hahah! I'd rather watch the film than the book in this case haha!
Good piece of writing! :)
It is a very long film, at almost 3 hours. Mind you the book will take 10 times longer to read, or even longer if not the quickest reader (which I'm not). That's why I couldn't finish the book. About 3 hours in (the length of the film), and bored. So the film was a better investment in time.
I usually like books better than the movies, I have not read cloud atlas so I cannot say, One movie I liked a 1000x better than the book was Practical Magic they created a more tight knit family it was so much better and more magical :)
I usually prefer the book, which is why I made two attempts at this one, but just couldn't get into it. I watched the film and knew it was a great story, but in this rare case, the book left me seriously underwhelmed. The story is complex, and the did translate that to film quite well. However my main issue is the writing style. Glad the film captured it well though.
I've tried watching that movie and ended up bored and confused... couldn't make it until the end, I also found the make up horrible!!, specially the fake asians...not sure what were they aiming at?
Anywho haven't given a try to the book yet, the story doesn't seems that bad...but well maybe if I find it in audiobook with a nice narration I'll do it.
How the film made you feel is what the book did to me. The film actually appealed a lot. Yes it does have issues, as you noticed. The race issue was one of those. The directors were seeking to create continuity between lives by using the same actors to play the various roles, despite ethnicity. The fake asians being the most obvious let down in that approach. I like the idea, given the central theme to the movie, but just a bit jarring in that respect.
But the fact that they managed to get that complex (and to me, underwhelming) book onto screen at all was a testament to the directors and screen writers. It would be interesting to hear whether the audio book appeals to you, if you do give it a go.
Audiobooks are an interesting spinoff from books, it's indeed a bit different, a good narration can sometimes improve a not so great book, same as a bad narration can wreck a magnificent one.
The last Audiobook I listened to was "A Wizard of Earthsea" found it in youtube...to my surprise the narrator did a terrific job...I tried to listen to the following up books...sadly couldn't find a narration that appealed to me....so decided to leave it there until better times hehe
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If it's any consolation I liked the recent Narnia films more than the books (and definitely more than the original tv series). It was a very unusual feeling for me too XD
The premise does sound interesting.
I've neither read the books, or seen the film/TV series for the Narnia series. Not sure why, but I just never did. But perhaps the films will be the place to start if I ever feel the need. That's good to know, thanks.
Correct review, I would say that some books can cure the insomnia within a few seconds.
Yes, this is one of those.
Great review! Usual people say that the book is better than the movie. This one doesn't seem to be the case. It's nice to see the movie get the job done!
Usually the book is better. In this case, for me mainly due to writing style and the distance it created between me and the story, this was one of those rare instances where the opposite was the case.
Years ago people used to tell me some stories are better left as words in books, while some are more suited for the visual mediums, and even then not every visual medium is suitable, ie movie, TV series, graphic novels, video games etc.
Over the years I find this to be true, especially when it comes to adapting books into films or TV series. Sure there are some good ones, but they are either good films that are less than faithful to the source materials, or films that shoot themselves in the foot by following the book too closely and ended being a bloated, less-than-stellar product.
In your case with Cloud Atlas, I suppose the opposite was true, the film was a better medium for the story.
It can be a tricky one. Normally books will be better than the film adaptations. That owes a lot to the differences in the medium, and mainly the length of them. Sometimes a skilful rendition is made, but usually I prefer the book. I was surprised that given I couldn't even get into this book at all, that the film not only appealed, but was far superior (in my opinion) to the book. It happens some times, I guess.