Someone read the book?
I wanted to read the book before watching the movie but I couldn't find a copy.
From people who read the book:
1. What is the difference between the movie and the book?
2. Is the book interesting?
Yes. But it was a little while ago. (A little while = well over a decade)
The basic story is the same, as memory serves -- although it's a post-modernist novel, so Bella is an unreliable narrator. Very difficult to pull off in a film, as Stanley Kubrick could attest.
The book has much more politics in it: the feminism and the socialism are much more deeply covered. And it's set in a real-ish Victorian Glasgow, rather than a steampunk London.
As I recall there's also a lot of jokes about 1980s Glasgow City Council, which the screenwriter was probably right to remove.
It's not the Gray I would start with if I were you. I'd recommend Lanark or 1982, Janine over it.
WOW, that's a much better answer than I anticipated. You even provided advice on which book to read first :)
To read the book, I'll likely have to order it on Amazon or another international store since I can't seem to find her books anywhere locally.
I presumed that the socialist ideology was explored in a more comprehensive and intellectually engaging manner in the book compared to the film. The director's incorporation of socialist messages felt superficial, leaving me uncertain if there wasn't a subtle criticism of socialism, a kind of "upside down" perspective. While I'm not a followers of socialism at all, it's disappointing to witness such a lackluster attempt at conveying meaningful messages.
Also I find it interesting the director change it from Glasgow to London. Maybe to emphasize a postcolonial critique?
P.S. I really curious to read some of the jokes about Glasgow City Council.
Yeah, I suppose it's typical of a film adaptation of a 'literary' novel in that respect: it's not as rich. It couldn't be. But Lanthimos probably could've done a bit more with the politics. It looks like a deliberate decision to minimise it and make the film more palatable to a wider audience...
... and I suspect that's why the change from Glasgow to London too. More recognisable to an international audience, perhaps? Although, yeah, you could well be right about emphasising a postcolonial critique too.
For me, Gray is one of the most interesting British novelists of the 20th century, so it's kind of nice just to have anything he wrote adapted for the screen. And by a really good director too (leave the fish-eye alone though, Yorgos)...
I did enjoy the film quite a bit, but there are elements of it that did feel a bit superficial and under-explored.
Definitely worth reading one of Gray's books if you can track them down.
... and I suspect that's why the change from Glasgow to London too. More recognisable to an international audience, perhaps?
Sometimes the simple reason is the right one, maybe you correct about that one.
Lanthimos probably could've done a bit more with the politics. It looks like a deliberate decision to minimise it and make the film more palatable to a wider audience...
I didn't read the book, so I can't make a direct comparison, but the movie is already quite political. Sometimes, it's better to allow the viewer to interpret the meaning for themselves. It's worth noting that science fiction books often delve into politics, particularly ethical and moral dilemmas, each writer approaching them from their own perspective.
I did enjoy the film quite a bit, but there are elements of it that did feel a bit superficial and under-explored.
Agree.
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I didn't read the book, so I can't make a direct comparison, but the movie is already quite political.
Yes. But Bella's political awakening and socialist crusade is clearer in, and more fundamental to, the book. I think people pick up more on the feminist arguments... But that stuff probably doesn't lend itself well to film anyway. Different mediums. Different rules. And I do think if he'd tried to recreate that aspect more fully, it would minimise the audience -- who'd probably be saying 'Just get on with it.' share
Thank you, now I have a deeper understanding of the book's essence. It seems easier to portray the feminist message of the book visually than the socialist one. Bella's actions, like her pursuit of independence, sexual autonomy, unconventional decision-making, and pursuit of education against societal norms for women at that time, clearly embody feminist ideals. Perhaps it would have been more effective to forgo the socialist aspect entirely and focus solely on Bella's journey to challenge social conventions.
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