A philosophy to maximize joy: Watch the movie before you read the book.
If you enjoy the film, the book will give you a slower, more intimate burn of what you enjoyed and more!
This approach is rooted in personal experience, a tried-and-tested method of maximizing enjoyment. It's a shield against disappointment, a safeguard against the all-too-common scenario of the big-screen adaptation falling short of a beloved book source material. Don't let yourself get hurt.
Take, for instance, the journey through Stieg Larsson's gripping "Millennium" series. Begin with the Daniel Craig and Rooney Mara version of "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo," soaking in the intensity of its portrayal. Then, delve into the Swedish miniseries (with Michael Nyqvist and Noomey Rapace), immersing yourself in its unique interpretation. Finally, when you turn the pages of Larsson's novels, it's like peeling back the layers of an intricate puzzle, revealing the full scope of his masterful storytelling.
People who start with Larsson's books (while full well knowing they may watch the movies someday) are more likely to find disappointment.
A few movies/books to consider:
- "The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring" (2001) - J.R.R. Tolkien's "The Fellowship of the Ring"
- "The Shawshank Redemption" (1994) - Stephen King's "Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption"
- "The Silence of the Lambs" (1991) - Thomas Harris's "The Silence of the Lambs"
- "Fight Club" (1999) - Chuck Palahniuk's "Fight Club"
- "Jurassic Park" (1993) - Michael Crichton's "Jurassic Park"
- "The Shining" (1980) - Stephen King's "The Shining"