The book is ALWAYS better than the movie, right? That’s usually right but there are a couple of incidences when I felt the movie was actually better than the book. Today, I am sharing the two books I think paled in comparison to their movie counterparts.
In most cases, the book will be better than the movie. In fact, I can’t tell you how many times I have left a movie theater disappointed because I had previously read the book and the movie was not nearly as good.
But there are exceptions. In fact, two exceptions immediately come to mind. Two movies that I adore. Two books that (in my opinion) fell flat in the shadow of its movie adaptation.
And at the risk of catching some flak from fans of these incredibly popular books, I will tell you which two books/movies I am referring to.
It is The Notebook and Bridget Jones’ Diary.
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Two Times the Movie was Better than the Book
It is so rare that I consider a movie to be better than the book that I find myself scrutinizing my reasoning as to why I feel so strongly that the movie is better in the case of The Notebook and Bridget Jones’s Diary.
In both cases, I watched the movies first. I loved the movies. I had watched the movies repeatedly for years before I ever read their corresponding books. Did that play into my dislike for the books themselves? I would like to think that I have been objective in my critiques… but I’m not 100% sure.
The Notebook
Noah and Allie fall in love as teenagers but they come from different social circles. Their relationship is frowned upon by Allie’s prominent parents who eventually separate the young couple. After years apart, Noah and Allie find each other again. Unsurprisingly, they learn that their love for one another is as strong as ever.
The Movie
I love the premise of the story, I love how their love for each other wins out despite hardships and even dementia, and I love its tragically beautiful ending.
The Book
While I still liked the overall story, I felt as though the writing was somewhat lacking. The love scene was so awkward that I physically cringed while reading it. *shudder*
Also, I did NOT care for the ending in the book.
SIDE NOTE: I have often thought that Nicholas Sparks’ writing style has matured greatly over the years. While I think all of his books have great concepts, his earlier books (especially his first three novels) seemed predictable and his writing style seemed experimental. The Notebook was his debut novel. I have truly enjoyed some of his later books, and I especially loved his memoir titled Three Weeks with My Brother
Bridget Jones’s Diary
Like every woman of a certain age (mid-20s to late 30s), Bridget Jones struggles with her weight, her self confidence and her romantic relationships. In this story, she decides to transform herself in hope of finding her way into a mature romantic relationship. Enter meddling parents with their own host of problems and drama, a charming womanizer for a boss, and the bumbling neighbor from her childhood who has grown into a handsome lawyer (and isn’t quite as bumbling anymore). Hilarity ensues, lessons are learned, and characters mature.
The Movie
I have loved this movie
Plus, the movie was hilarious and endearing… from start to finish.
The Book
I read the book, Bridget Jones’s Diary
Have you ever found a movie to be better than the book?
Have you seen these two movies? Have you read these two books? Do you agree that the movies are better than the books?
What other movies do you think are better than their book counterparts?
SHOP FROM THIS POST:
I’m not sure I read The Notebook or not, but I did love the movie! However, I’m a big fan of both versions of Bridget Jones. At least, Book #1. Movie #3 was definitely better than Book #3!
Don’t tell Mr. Sparks that I said this but don’t bother reading The Notebook if you haven’t read it yet already. Seriously. Parts of that book made me cringe. On the other hand, I am anxious to read the book’s sequel, The Wedding. Now that he has mastered his craft better, I bet that book would be great!
I have never read books 2 and 3 of the Bridget Jones series. Maybe I should give them a chance. I loved all three movies of the series.
I agree with your choices. Funny, I just re-read The Notebook this summer because we stayed a night in Charleston and visited Boone Hall Plantation where a few scenes were filmed. Another book I would add is Forrest Gump. I hated the book, but I loved the movie.
Forrest Gump is such a good movie! How did I not realize before now that it is also a book???
I’ve never read the Notebook but I do love the movie.
I love the movie, too. Every time it comes onto TV, I find myself plopping down on the sofa to watch it through to the end. I just can’t help myself. I like the movie that much!
Hmmm. Now you have me thinking about when this has been true… I know plenty of opposites. Off the top of my head, as much as I love Jane Eyre, the live musical is next level.
Oh, I am so jealous that you have seen a live musical of Jane Eyre! Sooooo jealous!
Twice now! And I will go any time it comes back in the future 🙂 Go listen to the soundtrack – it is so so good.
I actually liked Hidden Figures better as a movie than as a book. I still appreciated reading the book since it gave a lot more historical context; it just didn’t flow as well as the movie. And now I know that there are at least two more movies who top their books, too. Lol.
Interesting! I loved the Hidden Figures movie! I’ve never read the book though.
It’s certainly rare that a movie is better than a book. I have seen The Notebook but never read the books. I have neither seen not watched Bridget Jones’s Diary. The one movie I can think of that is better than the book is Fried Green Tomatoes – the book was great but the movie was even better.
The Fried Green Tomatoes movie was soooooo good! I was just thinking about that movie the other day. I need to watch that again.
Hey April, great post! While I can’t comment on the books of The Notebook or Bridget Jones Diary, I can tell you that my wife has read the Notebook and prefers the book over the movie. I asked her why and she said simply cause she doesn’t care for Ryan Gosling or Rachel McAdams. I can’t argue with that. Lol
To add a new dimension to your comments, I’ll add my personal choice with The Lord of the Rings series. I’m a HUGE fan of this series. I own them all on DVD and watch them often. Actually want to plan a trip to New Zealand to see the filming locations! I’ve listened to the unabridged audio-book twice in length (52 hours of listening each time). While I enjoy the books very much, the movies are so much better in my honest opinion. Peter Jackson did an amazing job with the series. The long parts that drag out in the book (which are many) are shorted in the movie superbly and keeps the viewer on the edge of their seat wanting more. The only flaw with the movies are that they don’t cover everything in the story. Not even close! Not sure if you’ve seen them, or that’s your type of movie, but there are so many great parts of the book that are left out completely – I guess due to time. Each of the 3 films of the LOTR series is already over 3 hours in length and that only covers some of what’s in the book!
But, like I said, I really think Peter Jackson did an amazing job with it cause he covered the best parts and the essence of the books – (though the Tolkien family would strongly object – not really sure what they wanted to see).
Lastly – this doesn’t apply to “The Hobbit” series. While the movies were also really good, there was much more filler in these movies that was not in the book at all. Probably because the Hobbit was 1 book, and they wanted to stretch it to make 3 movies (more $$$). While I still enjoyed them, they should have left that at 1 movie.
I totally get where your wife is coming from. If you are not fond of how a character is portrayed by a certain actor, it can really spoil a movie for you.
As for Lord of the Rings, I have never read the books but I looooved the movies. They did such a great job of moving the story line along while keeping enough detail that there were not plot gaps. That must have been a huge task considering the size and (from what I hear) the rich details of the books. A few people have recently told me that the LOTR movies were as good as (or possibly even better) than the books. So, you are definitely not alone in thinking that!
I love bridget jones book! It was also very groundbreaking when it came out in the late 90s or early 2000s this is when sex and the city was in its infancy and it was okay to be an aggresive woman. I do love the movie, but not sure I agree on movie better. The notebook is so fantastic as a movie, but i have not read the book!
I enjoyed the movie version of The Jane Austen Book Club way more than the book – in fact the movie inspired me to read the book. Disappointed in how dark some parts of the book were, given that I am usually always “You HAVE to read the book, it was SO much better than the movie” type of gal.
I struggled to like a couple of the characters or even empathise with them during some pretty icky scenarios where as in the movie, the same characters had much more appeal and their back stories didn’t leave me feeling as depressed and alienated.
As a long time Jane Austen fan, I really want anything bearing her name to leave me feeling as satisfied as her books have done.