I came up with this post after watching an excellent short series on Amazon Prime last night- Daisy Jones & the Six.
Based on the New York Times best-selling novel, Daisy Jones & the Six follows the story of a 1970s band fronted by two feuding yet charismatic lead singers, Daisy Jones and Billy Dunne. Set to the soundtrack of original music, this is the story of how this iconic band imploded at the height of its powers.
Starring Riley Keough, Sam Claflin, Camila Morrone
I’ve seen many reviews on the novel created by Taylor Jenkins Reid and wasn’t sure if I would enjoy the interview format the story is done in, though all the bloggers raved about the story.
Then I saw the series on Prime and decided to give it a shot, Wow! This is a stark portrayal of seventies rock & roll where sex, drugs, and music is the name of the game. But more than that, it’s a deep dive into two damaged (or broken, as Billy tells Daisy) souls and a desperate attempt to outpace the demons of their past.
Watching the movie made me want to read the book, but I worry now that I have a firm vision of the characters, will the novel live up to the series?
NATIONAL AND NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER
WINNER OF THE 2019 GOODREADS CHOICE AWARD FOR HISTORICAL FICTION
A NEW YORK TIMES EDITORS’ CHOICE
Another series I’ve gotten into is Will Trent. It’s on Tuesday evenings on a variety of channels and is must-watch TV.
From Rotten Tomatoes
Based on Karin Slaughter’s bestselling books, the series follows Special Agent Will Trent of the Georgia Bureau of Investigations. As a child, Trent was abandoned and was forced to endure a harsh coming-of-age in Atlanta’s overwhelmed foster care system. Now that he is in a position to make a difference, Trent is determined to use his unique point of view to make sure no one is abandoned like he was. His personal motivation and background contribute to Will Trent having the highest clearance rate in the GBI.
Starring: Ramón Rodríguez, Erika Christensen, Iantha Richardson, Jake McLaughlin, Sonja Sohn
Once again, I’ve watched the series before reading the books and now question whether I want to take a chance on changing/ruining my experience by picking up the novels.
Have you had the same issue with stories you’ve watched or read?
To finish this post, I have to mention a couple of examples where the novel definitely won out over the movies.
First is Dan Brown’s The Da Vinci Code. While the story left me questioning everything I thought I knew about religion, the movie lacked the depth and breadth to accomplish the brilliance of that plotline, though the character portrayal is excellent. Maybe if it had been longer?
A murder in Paris’ Louvre Museum and cryptic clues in some of Leonardo da Vinci’s most famous paintings lead to the discovery of a religious mystery. For 2,000 years a secret society closely guards information that — should it come to light — could rock the very foundations of Christianity.
Top cast ; Tom Hanks · Robert Langdon ; Audrey Tautou · Sophie Neveu ; Jean Reno · Captain Bezu Fache ; Ian McKellen · Sir Leigh Teabing ; Paul Bettany · Silas.
#1 Worldwide Bestseller—More Than 81 Million Copies Sold
And finally, a childhood favorite that still makes me cry: Black Beauty by Anna Sewell.
From Wikipedia–
It was composed in the last years of her life, during which she was bedridden and seriously ill.[1] The novel became an immediate best-seller, with Sewell dying just five months after its publication, but having lived long enough to see her only novel become a success. With fifty million copies sold, Black Beauty is one of the best-selling books of all time.
As a young horse, Black Beauty is well-loved and happy. But when his owner is forced to sell him, his life changes drastically. He has many new owners–some of them cruel and some of them kind. All he needs is someone to love him again…
Whether pulling an elegant carriage or a ramshackle cab, Black Beauty tries to live as best he can. This is his amazing story, told as only he could tell it.
“If they strain me up tight, why, let ’em look out! I can’t bear it, and I won’t.”
― Anna Sewell , Black Beauty
What do you think, movies or novels? As long as we are inspired by what we see and read, I don’t think there is a right or wrong to this question.
Jacquie Biggar-USA Today Best-selling author 
Reblogged this on Anita Dawes and Jaye Marie.
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Thanks for sharing this post, Anita and Jaye Marie!
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Films made from books have always disappointed me, Jacquie. As you say, the depth is lacking as they concentrate more on the visual. Thanks for including some I haven’t read, yet!
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I’m on the fence. It depends on the director, I think. If they can get their actors to dig deep, magic happens.
In a novel, the gift is in the words and sentence structure.
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After I said that films made from books always disappointed, I remembered Peter Jacksons LOR trilogy. They were brilliant!
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I don’t think I’ve seen that trilogy. l’ll look it up, thanks!
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I can’t recall a film that I enjoyed more than a book. That said, I haven’t been to the movies or watched a TV series in years! 🙂 Thanks for the book suggestions, Jacquie.
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Oh, goodness! I’d be lost without my tv programs, lol
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I love both and I think you have to look at each differently. They are apples and oranges and really shouldn’t be compared. But if a movie is made out of a book I love, I always watch it. For instance, I have seen all the movie adaptations of all the Jane Austen books. I love them for various reasons. The Book Thief was an amazing book and movie!! I could go on.
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Good point, Darlene. In a lot of instances, the movies aren’t meant to follow the books word-for-word, rather more as a basis to build upon.
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Exactly. Enjoy your week. xo
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Jacquie, I loved Daisy Jones & the Six! I read the book first, and I’ve been watching the series. I’ve only seen the first three episodes (which I thought were awesome) and need to catch up with the rest.
I’ve been disappointed in ALL the movies/series made from books I’ve read over the last two years (there have been several) but so far from what I’ve seen of Daisy Jones, the prime series is really holding up to the book. I suspect you will love the book!
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Okay, here’s a question for you; which is better, the book or the series? The dynamics between Daisy and Billy are off the charts on the television, I’m wondering if it carried that well in the book?
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Hmm…well, I haven’t seen the whole series yet, just the first three episodes. Their relationship was intense in the book but very tangled and complex. Daisy’s character is more complex in the book (at least from what I saw of the first three episodes). I really need to catch up with the rest to be a better judge. I just know I enjoyed the heck out of the book and from those three episodes I did see, I’m loving the series!
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I seldom like a movie better than a book. (I say seldom because I try to avoid absolutes, but I can’t think of any right now.) The Dan Brown movies both disappointed me, but there was a Dan Brown series on Peacock that wasn’t bad. (Which, of course, means it only got one season.)
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I hate when they cut off a series I’m enjoying-that’s just rude, lol
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Teri Polen and I lament that all the time. We tend to watch the same shows, and if we both like one, it’s almost certainly the kiss of death.
Those series cutoffs are rude!
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Lol, where do they get their viewer stats from? Not the average person, that’s for sure!
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I’ve discussed this many times Jacquie – a movie that’s based on a book often disappoints me. The series still do some justice if they don’t go round and round to lengthen it.
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I’m waffling on it. I enjoy the visual dynamics of a movie like Daisy Jones, but the character’s inner thoughts are missing. Actors are good at portraying some of it but not at the depth you get in the book.
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I always try to read the books first, then go to the shows. I have not read the Will Trent books but am hooked on the series. Thanks, Jacquie.
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Isn’t it a great series? It makes a difference on who is chosen to act the parts, too. They bring depth to the scenes.
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So true.
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I usually try to read the book before I see the movie, Jacquie. That doesn’t always work out though. I have Daisy Jones on my reading list and then will watch the show after. The books always have so much depth its hard to compare them to any movie or show but, I guess I try to think of it as background to the movies. There has been a rare time or two when I prefer the movie over the book.
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Thinking of the book as the background is a good analysis, Denise. You get into the character’s thoughts and dreams in a way you can’t with the movie.
That said, I find I’m more immersed in a good movie than I might have been with the same book- like Black Beauty.
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I felt that way about Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy. I actually didn’t like the book at all.
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My experience has been whichever one I read/see first is the one I prefer. The problem is I’ve usually enjoyed the first so much I look forward to reading or watching certain scenes. If they’re not there, then I’m disappointed.
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Normally, I prefer the book because you get the character’s thoughts, but if a movie is done right, visuals can be a great stimulus. Something as simple as Will Trent’s relationship with his dog (that he didn’t want) Betty. It shows the innate kindness in his otherwise stoic character. It’s so well done!
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I didn’t read Daisy Jones, but I’m sure enjoying the series. I usually prefer books over movies, and I agree with you about The DaVinci Code. I just didn’t feel the same impact with the movie as I did with the book.
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If they could add another hour to The da Vinci Code, I think it would have made all the difference.
I was mesmerized by the complexity shown in the Daisy Jones movie- so good!
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I don’t mind either as long as the cast is great and the director gifted!
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Agreed. They need to make the experience memorable and I’m all in 🙂
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All of those look great. I do like series better because once I’m vested in characters, I don’t want to let go.
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Agreed, Jacqui. They become friends, don’t they? 🙂
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HI Jacquie, I have never seen a movie that was a patch on the book, so I’ve stopped watching them (and TV too). I could never read Black Beauty, just too sad. Its worse to read about abused animals or children than adults because adults usually have some choices.
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I’ve been hearing a lot about “Daisy Jones and the Six” and it’s on my radar. I never go back and read a book after seeing the movie, but love reading the book before seeing the movie. Great post!
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