Getting the story from reading the books vs watching the films
I have finished reading the entire “The Chronicles of Narnia'' series of 7 books written by C.S. Lewis and it was a super entertaining experience for me!!
I would write a review of the book, but before that I need to explain the goodness of reading a story vs watching a film made of that story. This is because reading the story written by the original author, and watching the film made on that story by some other film director are not going to be the same.
One must understand that the original story was so good that it inspired someone to make a film on it. Any way.
Last year, I read the Lord of the Rings novel by beloved JJR Tolkien, and it too was such a good experience than watching the film of that story.
Let me explain why, reading the story from books is a more complete, rich and wholesome experience than the portrayed story in films.
True story in its form is alive only in the books, not the films
Image by Mystic Art Design from Pixabay
The story in the book is multidimensional, it’s more than life and out of this world experience. Generally, the characters here are far more nobler than they are portrayed in films. I find themes of fun, joy, friendship, loyalty, chivalry, honour and even adventure so sharp in the book stories that films don’t do justice to them.
Infact, films even change the nature of the characters, corrupting their true essence. This is because films I notice over sensationalise and show things in a brute manner, and have to compulsorily include some physically enticing love scenes too.
Therefore, if you want to experience the story of books like “The Chronicles of Narnia'', “Lord of the rings” and feel every element of the story in its purest form, reading the books is recommended rather than watching the film.
Peter Jackson’s Lord of the Rings Films has portrayed the story characters distortedly
Below I explain why I thoroughly feel Peter Jackson’s Lord of the Rings film don’t bring out the real essence of the Lord of the Rings story written by genius author Tolkien.
For ex, in Lord of the Rings, the Hobbits were really fun loving, jolly creatures but in the film, they are all so serious which is not at all like them!!
Film shows Frodo abandons his loyal Sam for Gollum, that’s totally false!!
Frodo in the book, never was mean and suspectful of his trustworthy companion Sam, that he abandoned Sam for that awful wretched Gollum aka Smeagol to continue his quest to destroy the one ring by casting it into Mount Doom.
In truth, Frodo was always a kind and wise Hobbit, who was always delighted with Sam Hamfast Gamgee. He never got so corrupted because of the ring that he suspected Sam to be conspiringring against him that too believing the words and getting brainwashed by Gollum as portrayed in Peter Jackson’s film!!
In fact, Frodo was always cheered with Sam’s company, it brought out the humorous cheery side of him even in very dead, doom filled and gloomy circumstances.
Gentle Faramir portrayed as a rough character trying to steal the One Ring
Also in the LOTR book, Faramir is a pleasant, gentle person, very noble in nature. He comforted Frodo and Sam and became their good friend, enjoying their company and narrating tales delighting the Hobbits who were tired, sad due to the cruel torturous things they have been through in their dangerous journey to cast the ring, the burden of Frodo into Mount Doom.
Infact, Faramir was a great help to Frodo on the way, as they rested themselves, and shared a nice time together in very dark times.
However, in the movie, Faramir is portrayed as an aggressive person who wanted to steal the ring from Frodo. Such a big distortion of a character like Faramir, made me disgusted with Peter Jackson's Lord of the rings film.
Anyway…
Read the story from the books for the complete picture that’s obscured in movies
Image by 愚木混株 Cdd20 from Pixabay
So, you get the drift of what I am implying, that the characters are pure in the book, and are corrupted in the film, their true nature is never explored truthfully in the films.
There are so many humorous elements in the book that are not a tall portrayed in the films which is disappointing. Film is very half or one dimensional compared to the real story in the books. If you want the humorful, cheerful essence of the stories of LOTR and chronicles of Narnia, you really need to read the book.
Refreshing travel scenes since they are so vividly and beautifully described in the book!!
Stories in the book are more immersive and beautiful. The description of places - woods, forests, valleys, gardens, mountains, caves, rivers, sea is so pristinely beautiful.
And there is a map attached in the story book in both LOTR and Narnia books. So charming and adventurous feeling, as we read about the travels of the characters in these books!!
They are a travel junkies and Nature lovers delight. Lord of the Rings and Chronicles of Narnia, both have amazing places with lovely scenery, so well described. The beauty of these places in the stories are overwhelming. So, children may develop an interest in Geography if they these read sort of stories and of course may develop a love for travelling and exploring the world!!
Reading good story books is a absolute delight for me
Movies, though there is visual appeal, that immerseful experience is lacking. Perhaps, it depends on each one’s taste, but reading good stories is such a treat to the soul, it really removes the weariness of my soul away(: .
Now, of late chronicles of Narnia stories entertained me, complete with so many elements - adventure, magic, action, subtle comedy , mixed with danger and such admirable qualities shown by characters like chivalry, loyalty, hospitable kindness and its jolly with lots of fun times different characters have in this story.
Anyway… I obviously cannot do justice to describe these grand reads like Lord of the Rings or Chronicles of Narnia. It's just wonderful, exploring everything these stories offer. At times, I wish I could have good times with the Hobbits of Lord of the rings who are merrily dancing and singing, and visit Narnia ofcourse..
BTW, chronicles of Narnia is a childrens story, but I love reading it as a middle aged adult, shrugs, that’s my taste. I will continue talking about my Chronicles of Narnia read in another article.
Conclusion
So, I hope people read books like Lord of the rings than watch the films, although some scenes in films are very nice too, will talk about such film scenes from Hobbit film made by Peter Jackson. I liked the Hobbit film almost as much as I did the books and that Martin Freeman represented Hobbit Bilbo pretty well. Anyway.
Thank You for reading!!