Film vs Novel – Bitten

What’s that smell? Blame the dog…

There has never been a clearer winner in a comparison of book to tv show. It’s the show hands down! I found the book laborious and only brief shining moments where I was actually getting into the novel.

My biggest problem in this universe is the treatment of Elena by Clay (and other werewolf males quite frankly). It is dominating and misogynistic. Even though Elena does rally against it, she ultimately gives in time and time again. I understand Kelly Armstrong was using dynamics of canine behaviour for the pack mentality (mostly men) and tried to create an animalistic and unrelenting love between Elena and Clay, but I ultimately found it dominating and abusive. Both the book and tv show left me uncomfortable.

I enjoy other aspects in the television series however, it is watchable, but only just. Having other story lines and other women included in the production help redeem ‘Bitten’ on the small screen. I was a little confused about the book: on the cover it quotes “Meet the Women of the Otherworld,” and well… what women? There was only Elena, and the way she was treated was abhorrent.

Although Armstrong’s writing style is okay, I could not get past the subject matter and it tarnished the entire experience for me.

I’m not a huge fan of Laura Vandervoot, who plays Elena Micheals, but she does a commendable job; as does Greyston Holt as Clayton Danvers. Some of the other cast are a little hit and miss, but the overall production of the show is top rate and is certainly a visual feast with plenty of eye candy.

I found parts of the novel to be a little graphic (either sexual or gore by nature) and that is certainly translated to the screen… maybe I’m getting soft in my maturity, but I was skipping forward in those parts both on screen and page.

So the novel is a big thumbs down from me, and I won’t be picking up anything else in this series; and the tv show… average viewing, but neither something I would mention to my friends to partake in.

© Casey Carlisle 2015. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Casey Carlisle with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

Film vs Novel – The Perks of Being a Wallflower

Quietly confronting

Comparing Chbosky’s novel to the cinema release is a bit like comparing apples and oranges… the book used the adjunct of a sole point of view from an unreliable narrator, where the movie delved more into the development of personal relationships.

Although, I have to admit I appreciated the viewing experience much more than I did reading the novel. It basically came down to two points: 1. Some of my favourite actors playing the lead roles (and it doesn’t hurt that they are complete eye-candy); and 2. The journal/letter writing tone of the book felt somewhat disconnected and distant from the story.

But that is me nit-picking, I definitely enjoyed both versions of The Perks of Being a Wallflower. Both mediums managed to portray that there is something ‘off’ with our main protagonist/narrator Charlie (played outstandingly by Logan Lerman). He is anxious and told to be suffering from PTSD, but we never get the full story (that comes later).

The movie really let imperfect and damaged characters shine – I did not get that so easily in the novel. Chbosky makes you work to get to learn about the inner workings of the cast; whereas in the film they bask in their quirky individualism, and it’s only later that we learn why they behave that way.

I pictured Sam very differently in the novel to how Emma Watson played her on the big screen, however Watson was an outstanding casting choice and certainly captured that elusive air which Sam existed in.

The symbolism in the novel really hit the nail on the head, and I felt it lost a little in translation to the big screen, but definitely visually dynamic. Especially the tunnel/bridge scenes in the back of the truck with the teens.

I’d love to do more in-depth discussions over apparent differences, but given the story is all character driven, I’d just be listing spoilers… and I definitely don’t want to detract from anyone’s enjoyment of either.

There is a lot in both the novel and film, it’s quiet and unassuming. But that went to its detriment in my own experience, making it feel a little flat.

Where the film is poignant and idiosyncratic, the novel was deceptively insightful and layered, but both worthy of checking out.

But it’s definitely the film for the win!

© Casey Carlisle 2015. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Casey Carlisle with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.