Finished The Help *no spoilers*

[Deleted]

I now see why many of you couldn't believe I thought The Help seemed like a daunting read........I finished it in 3 days. I really loved the book.

We rented the movie yesterday right after I finished it to watch....I was so excited to watch the movie and see the characters depicted. But I was very disappointed. I really don't think the movie did the book any justice. I don't even think the characters were really casted well or acted out well.

Anyway....thanks for urging me to read it. Now, I am sad that it is over. And I have no idea what to start reading now. Haha. I am so bad about picking up new books.

[apelila]

Glad you enjoyed the book! I also thought the movie was a bit lackluster in comparison. It seemed to me that if I hadn't read the book I wouldn't have really 'got' what the characters driving forces were. Or maybe that's just me preferring a book over the movie version in most cases...

[Deleted]

The movie didn't do the book justice as per usual. I loved the book, the movie was okay. I think if I hadn't read the book I would have liked the movie a lot more.

[aurora]

Jul 5, 2012 13:11:37 GMT -5 @kinmir30 said:

...And I have no idea what to start reading now. Haha. I am so bad about picking up new books.

I used to have this problem until I started keeping a list of books recommended on this board (and others). Now my TBR list is way too long! But I agree it's always hard to get into something new after finishing a really good book.

I'm glad you enjoyed The Help. I haven't seen the movie and this post isn't really making me more likely to do so.

[briedrew]

I saw the movie, but haven't read the book yet. I'm glad to hear that I'm doing it in the right order!

[lemondrop]

Jul 5, 2012 16:58:28 GMT -5 apelila said:

Glad you enjoyed the book! I also thought the movie was a bit lackluster in comparison. It seemed to me that if I hadn't read the book I wouldn't have really 'got' what the characters driving forces were. Or maybe that's just me preferring a book over the movie version in most cases...

I agree. They didn't really show the depth of the characters in the movie.

[imoan]

The movie is enjoyable. You obviously aren't going to be able to get the backstory and character depth into a 2 hour movie like you are a book. I find that I'm very good at seeing the movie and the book as two distinct and separate things. Otherwise you'll drive yourself nuts. The Help the movie was an enjoyable 2 hours of my life (minus the crying). The Help the book just enhanced my experience. The movie wasn't good or bad. It was a decent adaptation of the original story.

(Sorry, as you can tell I get a little passionate when people are like "the movie sucked compared to the book". How long did it take you to read that book? A few days? How long was that movie? Two hours. That's what I thought! ;o))

[5kcandlesinthewind]

I took my husband to see the movie, and he'd never read the book. He liked it, and he got most of the nuances of the story. I mean, sure, it was a richer experience when you can fill in from the book, but that doesn't mean it's not a good movie. I really think it's one of the better book-to-movie translations out there. It was certainly better than the original trailers led me to believe- they practically made it look like a light-hearted comedy.

I watched the last 45 minutes or so again last night, and lord, did I sob. Man, Viola Davis is amazing.

[PinkSquirrel]

I think it can be hard to not compare a movie to the book, but usually I'm able to view them separately unless they do a complete disservice to the book. I virtually always like the book better, but there's more to it because it's not crammed into 2 hours. Now, mini series/tv series are on more of a level playing field and there have definitely been times the TV show will win for me. True Blood is the first example that comes to mind. The first season was pretty true to the book and while I could barely get through the book, I loved the show.

[BlackCanary]

I thought the book was good. IMO, the movie was just ok.

[whitepicketfence]

I have yet to see the movie, but I really enjoyed the book. I have a girl crush on Emma Stone though so I'm pretty certain I'll enjoy the movie, too