Why the Book is Always Better Than the Movie

In recent years, books and reading have become less and less popular. If a new book comes out, most people wait for the movie to come out. Even though, anyone who reads the book version always says, "The book was better." Most of society forgoes the literary original.

So, what's the difference? What makes the books so much better? Most of all, why doesn't anyone read anymore? Well, I'm going to try to answer some of those questions.

First, whenever somebody says, "The book was better." They are most likely an avid reader (or avid by today's standards, anyway) and will always present a somewhat biased view towards books against movies, but is that all it is? Clearly, the movies have to cut out a lot of story time. They have to figure out ways to condense what is sometimes thousands of pages, into about two hours. So, naturally they'll have to cut out certain non-essential events that detract from the main storyline. It's the only way they can manage. Is that a good thing? Probably not. It detracts from character development, realism, story value, and overall interest.

Sometimes though, things go further than that. In the movie, "Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban" many essential plot points, scenes, and situations that appeared in the book, were cut. The book is 435 pages long in the US edition, so we can forgive some of that. However, due to what I can only guess is the director's desire to appeal to a special-effects-loving society, there is a three-and-a-half minute long flight sequence with Harry and a hippogriff. Why? He flies out over the lake and brushes against the water, then they go back to the movie. Is this what the world has come to? Nobody cares about intelligent story or character development, as long as they can see pretty colors and shiny objects.

The main advantage of a book is this: you can put it down. It's as simple as that. Because you can put a book down or pick it up at any time you please, it can be as long as the author feels is necessary. So, as much plot, story, character development, or anything else can be included. However, movies are rarely allowed by production companies to be longer than certain lengths. In fact, most movies are released as short as possible. In today's fast-paced, instant gratification society, people feel that they need to get their entertainment, then go back to whatever they were doing before. With a movie, you sit in front of a screen and are spoon-fed information. With a book, you have to immerse yourself, and focus or you'll lose track of the story. So, why do most people prefer movies to books. The simple answer: laziness.

Personally, I love reading. I read everything that's put in front of me or I can get my hands on. I love movies too, though. But, given the choice, I'll take the book. Also, if a movie version comes out from something based on the book. I get the book from my library before I even consider watching the movie. If I haven't read the book, I don't watch the movie.

If you don't read much, if it's "not your thing," then I suggest really sitting down and just opening up a book anyway. You don't have to read the classics. Some people don't get into them. There are new novels out there. If you're a "Love Story" person, I'm a big fan of Nicholas Sparks. If you're a horror story person, I'm a big fan of Stephen King. If you're looking for a story that tells it like it is and shows society for it's strange ways, give Chuck Palahniuk a try. Never heard of him? He's the guy who wrote "Fight Club." That's right Fight Club was a book, before it was a movie.

So, go read a book.