Read, Watch, and Listen.
Written by JSteeleWrites
Michael Crichton instantly became my favorite author after reading his novel Westworld (1973). In fact, I read that book six times that same year. I would have likely reread it, except the book was loaned out to someone who never returned it. ~Sigh~
Upon learning that a movie based on the same title, WestWorld, was coming to the big screen, excitedly, I was there on the opening day.
This hooked me on the practice of reading the book before viewing the movie. By doing both, you are not just being entertained twice, but rather getting the story from different perspectives.
It s a worthwhile exercise that has only been enhanced over time, and technology has brought improvements in the technological effects on modern video and sound quality we’ve developed along the way. Today, we have the ability to read, watch, and listen from the same device from nearly anywhere.
So, with the year 2024 rapidly approaching. I encourage readers to begin the practice of reading a novel, watching the movie based on that book, and even listening to the audio version as well.
Then, reflect on your experience.
Which did you like best?
Did seeing the characters brought to life in the movie change your perception of them compared to the image you had created in your minds-eye?
Did listening to the audio version add or change an emotion you originally had from reading or watching the story?
Once you’ve begun this practice, at least in my experience, reading becomes more profound with a different clarity and focus on detail, while the theatrical version brings the worlds and characters to a new visual height. Still again, the audionvl version often changes the mood or emotion of the scenes, making for another depth to the story.
Here are a few more page-to-screen favorites with book and movie locations.
Jurassic Park
Maximum Ride
Twilight
Jeff Steele, Writer/Photographer 