I have the choice for next book club and I was really hoping to suggest a book that has been adapted for the screen – preferably already out on DVD – or – in the movie theatres.
HOWEVER, if we pick a book and can’t get a date to see the flick in the cinema because it was just pulled from the schedule, I know I would be most upset. I don’t know if there’s anyway to get around that, which is why I am hesitant to suggest we read Alice in Wonderland – what if it bombs, gets pulled from the theatre, and then not yet available on DVD?
Plus, I’m to understand that the movie is actually the RETURN of Alice to Wonderland.
MY QUESTION for my bright knowledgeable readers is this:
Do I need to have read this classic before seeing the flick or do you think it might actually be better if I don’t? (It’s not like I don’t know the basics of the story – just that I’ve never read every word in Carroll’s story.)
Otherwise, I’m thinking about these titles:
Up in the Air by Walter Kirn – oo la la! George Clooney’s Oscar nominated performance is out on DVD TODAY!
Brideshead Revisited by Evelyn Waugh
The Painted Veil by W.Somerset Maugham 
The End of the Affair by Graham Greene
Blindness by José Saramago
A Single Man by Christopher Isherwood (book is highly rated in goodreads; but movie has yet to announce DVD release. AND, less than 200 pages! I am so looking forward to see what is being described as a beautiful luscious stunning film with Colin Firth – oo la la)
I need to do more research to see if books are available as well as make sure the flicks aren’t 3 hours long (ugh) but I do so love to make lists! I need to have it all figured out by next Thursday.
I’m taking suggestions if anyone has a favorite book to movie experience!
and don’t forget to give me an opinion on Alice – read first or not?
HIdeinWhitetoSkipLine
Care's Books and Pie 
I’d love for you to read Up in the Air – I saw the movie and thoroughly enjoyed it, and I’m wondering how the book is.
I SO want to see the movie! I never seem to get to the theatre… and I miss nice theatres – we have to drive some distance to sit in nice stadium seats and/or view obscure films. One of my favoritist things abt living in KCMO.
I haven’t seen Alice in Wonderland, so I can’t offer any opinion on that, sadly. But of the others, The Painted Veil was a good film and a good book. I’d recommend both very highly!
On vote for The Painted Veil! good. I really want to read/see this one.
Yes the title Return to Wonderland would have seemed more appropriate! I went to see this with a friend who’d not read Alice before, while I had many times. The differences for us — I caught quite a few inside jokes -not sure if that’s what you’d call them but close enough 🙂 My new-to-Alice friend did not feel she had missed anything and enjoyed the flashback sequences near the end. So for us it was a win-win film!
THANK YOU! This is exactly the kind of response I was hoping for! I am thinking that I have tried, half-heartedly, to read Alice but got bored? or something else came up? I don’t remember if I just didn’t get into it or was bored or if I’m imagining the whole thing.
I am not sure about Alice in Wonderland; I read the book a long time ago and do not plan to re-read before seeing the movie. Since it is a return to wonderland, I think that you are safe. As for other book to movie suggestions, one of my favorite adaptations is Namesake by Jhumpa Lahiri. The movie and book are both good in their own right and link together nicely.
A lovely suggestion! I’ve been meaning to read Namesake – thank you.
I am not sure about the movie Alice in Wonderland, but I have heard that you do not need to have read the book. I’m hoping not, because I absolutely hated the book by Carroll. I know it is a childhood favourite of many, but I just didn’t get it. I struggled through the book, because I wanted to be able to say that I had read it, but I’m planning never to return to it.
As for the other books & movies you mentioned, I’m afraid that I cannot help. I just wanted to say that I am very curious to see A Single Man, because I have a (oh, just minor :P) obsession with Colin Firth. Of course, I would like to read the book as well.
My vote goes for Blindness! It is one of my favourite books so I try to get people to read it whenever I can!
I have heard that The Painted Veil is a great choice though. I’m going to try to read the book/see the movie later in the year.
If you are looking for a lighter book/movie then I recommend Notes on a Scandal – both are fantastic!
Ooo – must admit, I appreciate at vote for Blindness! Thank you. We have a few English majors in the group who may have read these classics already. But I want to see anything with Edward Norton in it. (fyi, he’s in Painted Veil)
I haven’t read Alice, either. But I do want to see the movie! Just not in 3-D.
Everything Is Illuminated is a good book to movie adaptation…and both are weirdly funny, so you’re book club would have to have a good sense of humor.
I have to agree that it’s a onderful book (although a bit complicated at first, which makes it hard to get into the first half of the book). I had forgotten that there is a movie version of it. I still have to watch it.
I’ve seen the movie. But now I’ve very curious abt the book! Did Foer write? (scampers off to go check…)
3rd time lucky?!
YES! works! 🙂 Thanks for taking the trouble? It was a sign-in-to-WP-comments issue?
Just finished reading Blindness by Saramago. While I am fond of Mark Ruffalo and I find Gael quite cute, I don’t think I can watch the film version just now.
I could say I’m fond of Mark Ruffalo, too. SO. Am I to understand the book was a bit disturbing? (DON’T TELL ME!)
The film is suppousedly totally different from Carrol’s book and amalgamates ‘Adventures in Wonderland’ with ‘Through the Looking Glass’ so I think you can just dive into the film. I really want to recommend ‘The End of the Affair’ though, the film is ok well Fiennes is in it so even if you don’t love it you can oggle him, but the book is so beautiful I think everyone should read it.
Thanks for the vote to forego the book and just see the flick (which is my inclination). Will keep TEotA on the list.
I’ve never read “Alice” and have no plans to see the movie. I haven’t read the novel “Up in the Air” yet, but I LOVED the movie (Clooney wuz ROBBED!) – I would like to compare the two, eventually.
One of my favorite book-to-movie adaptations surprised me – Michael Chabon’s “Wonder Boys.” I really wasn’t sure the movie would be a good idea, but I liked it a lot, and I love the novel.
I was intrigued by an article I read about how Kirn’s book/movie rights being picked up and am so glad they re-released.
I’ve seen the movie Wonder Boys – I liked it a lot, too, and have been meaning to read the book. Good suggestion.
And not seeing UpInTheAir NOR Weary Heart, I can’t speak to your opinion of Clooney being robbed. I do love Mr. Bridges and was very happy to see his win.
I loved The Painted Veil novel. It certainly made it into my favorites list.
I saw the movie last week, actually, and while it was a very good movie, I think it lost some of the magic of the book. They were both very good experiences but in totally different ways. It was interesting to see how the directors/writers/etc. adapted the movie from the book– there were definite add ins to make it more. . . exciting for the audience. It is very beautiful none-the-less and I would recommend watching it for pure cinematics. Personally, I had to look at them separately because they had two different feels for me– both good though!
I think I remember your post/review of TPV – could be why I thought of it? I agree how interesting it is to see how the movie people interpret a book. Thanks for the comment.
I’ve read Alice in Wonderland but I haven’t seen the movie. I see you got the answer you were looking for. The book is pretty wild. You can look up my review of Alice and Through the Looking Glass if you use the little search feature at my blog (if you have any interest in reading my thoughts).
Please read Up in the Air! I’m curious about that one.
Brideshead Revisited . . . I’ve read the book and viewed the mini-series but I heard the movie isn’t as good, so I skipped it. The book is wonderful.
Well OF COURSE!!!! I want to see your review of AiW! (http://bookfoolery.blogspot.com/2009/12/alice.html)
Ok, too bad about BR movie…
We read The Painted Veil for book group…I’m hoping to see the movie soon.
For another book group, we did The Lightning Thief book/movie
Book: Grendel Movie: Beowulf and Grendel
Book: Persuasion Movie: The Jane Austen Book Club
Did you club have a good discussion on the Veil?
Ya know, I almost put The Lightening Thief on the list as well as Inkheart, but have been thinking my group wouldn’t vote for it. But maybe.
Oh, and I don’t know about Grendel! sounds hard. (bad Care!)
I read the Jane Austen Book Club book – I assumed the movie was the same? and I thought there was a movie called Persuasion? You are linking these are you? I’LL DO MY RESEARCH. 🙂
You shouldn’t bother with Brideshead the movie. I didn’t like it at all, despite loving the book and loving the 1980s mini-series.
Two books and movies that are both equally fantastic are Howards End and A Room With a View both by EM Forster and turned into films by Merchant-Ivory. Sublime.
Excellent! on the Merchant-Ivory sugs. Always beautiful – thank you.
MAJOR conflict of interest, but here we go:
“Alice in Wonderland” was enjoyable and I would see it again.
What’s Eating Gilbert Grape
Sense and Sensibility
Breakfast at Tiffany’s
The Hustler
Or anything with Colin Firth. I’m allabouthim. So is Gail. Hahaha.
I have no problem with you making suggestions! 😛
I vote for blindness! I don’t think you need to have read alice in wonderland if you know the gist of the story.
We ended up choosing A Single Man which I am dismayed to know that they have no yet set a release date for so my idea might be ruined. oh well! I bought Blindness so I will likely read/watch this year.