Book or Movie?

Discuss the April 2015 book of the month, "Paper Towns" by John Green.
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kileiah
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Re: Book or Movie?

Post by kileiah »

P_hernandez wrote:I loved the book. The book spoke to me based on the clues and all the scavenger hunts around the town. And the poetry. And the fact that driving them in their quest was the threat of death. I was disappointed in the movie when the focus was taken off of the possibility of an impending death and placed more on growing up around this vacancy left by someone else's choices. John greens wit and excellent writing carried through from the book to the movie, though, and the characters never wavered from page to screen. It was a good movie, just not what I expected.
I really like what you said about the difference between the focuses of the movie and the book. It's true that the fear for Margo's life almost went unmentioned in the movies, whereas it was a constant pressure in the book. I will definitely keep this in mind when I read the book again.

That said, I enjoyed the movie a lot as I thought the casting was done terrifically. When I watch a movie based on a book, I don't want it to be an exact translation onto the screen, as that's simply impossible. I think seeing a different medium explore different aspects of a story is a valuable reason to adapt a book in the first place. There were moments that more time could have been spent on, like the treasure hunting bits, but I think overall the spirit of the book was captured pretty well.
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kanganvohra10
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Post by kanganvohra10 »

After seeing Paper Towns the movie, I was actually pleased because the director tried his best to focus on the details of the novel. Of course, the novel is far better than the movie, which is the case most of the time. But I think the movie was quite good as well.
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chensea
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Post by chensea »

There was some twists in the movie that are not in the book. But, both is okay.
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Post by shish_by_design »

movie. all the way. Cara delevigne's a great actor.best scene? where she and the narrator prank cara's boyfriend when he's having sex with one of her close friends.
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Naval Aulakh
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Post by Naval Aulakh »

No doubt that the movie is very good and producers have done a great job but, will still go for the book. There are many interesting things in the book that were not covered in the movie.
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Post by naynag96 »

I didn't read the book . I honestly didn't know there was a book , but the movie wasn't that bad , it had elements of suspense , and it kept me wondering . it's only down fall was the end. I am yet to read the book , but I don't think anyone should be discouraged to watch the movie , it is an experience
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George Sparrow
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Post by George Sparrow »

As in most cases, I would say the book is a better choice. It is just that John Green's writing style leaves a lot to the imagination of the reader and that in itself is golden.
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inaramid
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Post by inaramid »

I'm sorry, but I couldn't finish the movie...or the book. I keep seeing the same characters from his earlier books, like they were just re-named and placed in a different setting. The movie didn't really capture my interest either.
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Post by briellejee »

The book, obviously. The movie didn't quite capture what the book was all about. There's no sense of dread where to find Margo. The acting's a bit dry too.
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Post by ameliaalvarezx »

Books are always better than the movies, because you have freedom of imagination. But the movie was really well executed, and I especially loved Lacey in the film. ~xo
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Post by S_Mulla »

I really enjoyed the movie but feel deflated and asking more questions than getting answers. What happened to Margo?
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Post by The BookWorm Nagham »

I definitely liked the book better. The characters were more developed, and there's this charm about books that always makes them better.
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Post by AnnaKathleen »

I watched the movie before I read the book, and then watched the movie again lol. I'm not usually a contemporary reading fan and when I was younger I just assumed John Green was over-hyped. I know, I know. Awful. I loved the movie the first time I watched it. I read the book and I was just as happy, if not more. After watching the movie a second time I couldn't find anything to dampened how happy I was with it. Little things changed here and there but, overall, it was pretty true to the book and I was content with the adaptation.
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Post by jvez »

There's not much different between the book and the film. Overall, the film was a rather faithful adaptation. I liked both book and film so it's really a tie for me.
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Post by Crazybud »

The only thing disappointing with the movie was the lack of actual adventures, including the one at Seaworld. I understand how it must have been difficult to include it in the movie. Otherwise the movie was really good and the lead actors really fit into their roles.
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