By The Bel: John Green’s – “The Fault in Our Stars” Book vs. Film
Belinda discusses the movie vs book versions of this crazily popular story.
Book
I managed to get my hands on a copy of the unabridged audio book–cheaper than the paperback and it’s lovingly narrated by Kate Rudd.
I knew I was in for a blubber fest; YouTube is positively buzzing, and has been for years, about this book by John Green. I think the whole world will have read this book by the time the DVD comes out.
It covers themes that are well and truly in your face. There is no hiding or sugar-coating here, and in the brutally honest storytelling there is a delicate love story.
Though there were tears, there were stretches of incredible joy. Kate told the tale unflinchingly. How the heck she managed to do this through the emotions is beyond comprehension. She isn’t dissimilar to how Hazel is in the movie, so if you have a chance to give the audio book a go, I do recommend it.
Cancer is an abhorrent disease; it affects so many. When it touches and takes the lives of children, the pain is all the more excruciating. My only hope is anyone who has been moved by the book (or the film) will take the time to consider giving to charity, donating their time where possible, and striving through scientific fields to find a cure.
Okay? Okay.
Paperback, 316 pages
Published January 3rd 2013 by Penguin Books (first published January 1st 2012)
ISBN 0141345659 (ISBN13: 9780141345659)
Film
I managed to see the film in the cinema by myself on a Friday night. There were plenty of dates happening, a bunch of school girls taking up the entire row of seats in front of me, and probably about 40 of us in the theatre in total. *Sorry if I coughed too much everyone, I did try to keep it to the transitional scenes*
You could obviously tell those who had not read the book, because they didn’t always get that the actual punch line was yet to come in some scenes. Pre-emptive laughter is usually a dead giveaway.
We ALL cried our eyes out. Hugs were handed out (man, I wish I wasn’t alone) and tissues were in high demand. Boyfriends snuffled quietly and, oh jeez, we were glad the lights didn’t come up immediately. Was it worth the red noses and swollen eyes? HELL YES!
The cast was perfect. From Sam Trammell (True Blood) to Shaileen Woodley (Divergent), they could not have picked it better. I honestly hope the award season does them justice.
This was, by far, the best screen adaptation of a book I have ever seen in my life.
Verdict
BOTH. Book first, for the other tiny bits the film couldn’t fit in. Then watch the film because it is really going to be a classic. It’ll be one of those movies you put in when you want the bitter sweetness of a good, sad, love story.
Some links to consider…
http://www.starlight.org.au/Pages/default.aspx
http://www.thekidscancerproject.org.au/
