Dear readers, the next installment due in my Literary Adaptations series is an adaptation of a very - very - long classic. I have never read it, but I feel like I ought to read it before I write my review of this movie adaptation. But then, it would take me a long time to read the book, so it would be a while before I'd be able to write the review. Which would put my Literary Adaptations series on hiatus for a while (again).
Hellllp!! What should I do! I could just go ahead and write the darned blog post, but the perfectionist in me is rearing its provoking head, telling me I need to read the book first so that I can write I balanced, informed review of this adaptation! Aargh!!!
+JMJ+
ReplyDeleteNow you have me wondering what it is. William Makepeace Thackeray's Vanity Fair? George Eliot's Middlemarch?
I agree that it's best to read the book before reviewing the adaptation--especially since you likely won't let yourself have any peace of mind until you do. ;-) I've run across adaptations that were very good movies but which seemed to be telling different stories from the books. I don't just mean little changes in the plot, but major reworkings of what the author originally wanted to say. Yes, that matters.
So I agree that a "balanced, informed" review requires that you know about the source material as well as the adaptation.
I hope this helps! =)
Now you have me curious... which novel is it?
ReplyDeleteIndulge your inner perfectionist. :)
ReplyDeleteRead the book. It will be worth while in the long run.
ReplyDeleteGrace
Charity - wait and see. :-D It's a miniseries that I watched because you recommended it. ;-)
ReplyDeleteAndrew - thank you, I think I will. :-)
Grace and Enbrethiliel - you're right, I will challenge myself and read this book (soon-ish, if possible) before writing my review.
It isn't a really *really* long book. . . only 800-900 pages. Which is long, but certainly doable. . . I, mean, hey, it's not Clarissa! :-)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clarissa
Aaaah!!! There are so many clues now as to what adaptation it is! I *think* I might know. Of course, I may be wrong, but... ;) Hmm...now's a good time for me to put up a post on my blog, Elise. You shall see.... *grins mysteriously to self*
ReplyDeleteOn your "dilemma," I couldn't really say. But usually it makes for a more balanced review if you were to read the bk. first, as you said.
~Rachel S.
Read the book, you'll feel better about it. And as far as a guess goes I will wildly guess that its North and South. But its just a guess. I have been enjoying this series and look forward to your next review.
ReplyDeleteStaci
Listen guys, I *know* what it is!! Its BLEAK HOUSE! I know what I'm talking about! Trust Ross. Please, have I ever lied y'all?
ReplyDeleteBleak House.
It ain't Bleak House - or N&S! :-)
ReplyDeleteHi Elise,
ReplyDeleteWhat! a nice book just sitting there and you are hesitant about reading it? Read it, of course.
Beth
Is it Middlemarch? It took me AGES to read that one :)
ReplyDeleteYou could always do the post now, and then after you read the book you can do another post about whether your opinions have changed.