Chris Dietzel's Blog, page 3
November 29, 2018
New Release - Avalon
The sixth and final book in my Space Lore series is officially available for sale. In the final installment of the Space Lore saga, every answer will be given, including the origins of the Word, the Excalibur vessels, Avalon, and much more. Like the other books in the series, it combines Arthurian legend with epic space fantasy similar to Star Wars.
Best of all, the it's only $0.99 for the next couple days. Grab a copy today.
Best of all, the it's only $0.99 for the next couple days. Grab a copy today.
August 6, 2018
Writing Milestones Achieved
The past two weeks have been hectic but also noteworthy in terms of achieving many of my goals as a writer. Here are some of the things that happened in the last 14 days:
- My Space Lore Boxed Set became an Amazon Bestseller and was also featured on iBooks (Apple), Barnes & Noble, and Kobo (Sony) as a must-read.
- Book 4 in my Space Lore series was published and immediately became an Amazon ‘Hot New Release’ and best seller in multiple science fiction sub genres.
- My Amazon author rank got all of the way up to #16, surpassing many of my favorite authors. At one point I was right in between Timothy Zahn, who wrote some of my favorite stories when I was a kid and whose latest book just became an New York Times Bestseller, and George Orwell, who is a true writing idol of mine.
- The audiobook version of the ‘Bridge Across the Stars’ anthology was released by Tantor. This is noteworthy because Tantor is one of the three biggest names in audiobooks and this marked the first time that any major audiobook producer took a chance on creating and distributing the audiobook version of an anthology that was entirely made up of independent authors.
While I didn’t achieve every goal I had hoped for, it was still quite a two weeks and brought me many steps closer to fulfilling my dream.
- My Space Lore Boxed Set became an Amazon Bestseller and was also featured on iBooks (Apple), Barnes & Noble, and Kobo (Sony) as a must-read.
- Book 4 in my Space Lore series was published and immediately became an Amazon ‘Hot New Release’ and best seller in multiple science fiction sub genres.
- My Amazon author rank got all of the way up to #16, surpassing many of my favorite authors. At one point I was right in between Timothy Zahn, who wrote some of my favorite stories when I was a kid and whose latest book just became an New York Times Bestseller, and George Orwell, who is a true writing idol of mine.
- The audiobook version of the ‘Bridge Across the Stars’ anthology was released by Tantor. This is noteworthy because Tantor is one of the three biggest names in audiobooks and this marked the first time that any major audiobook producer took a chance on creating and distributing the audiobook version of an anthology that was entirely made up of independent authors.
While I didn’t achieve every goal I had hoped for, it was still quite a two weeks and brought me many steps closer to fulfilling my dream.
July 11, 2018
Cover Reveal - Book 4 in the Space Lore Series
My Space Lore books combine Arthurian legend with Star Wars.
Well, now the 4th book in the Space Lore series is going to be released and the cover will blow you away.
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In the years since the Round Table was formed, a campaign began to spread its message throughout the galaxy. Most planets willingly join, but others are hesitant.
Deep inside the Cartha sector, the course of history will forever be altered, not only because the Carthagens are a cunning and deadly species unlike anything the Round Table forces have met before, but because they are led by Lancelot, renowned as the greatest warrior in all of the galaxy.
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Book 4 of the Space Lore series can be pre-ordered today for only $0.99. But order it now because it will go up to its regular price after it’s released.
And to celebrate the release of Book 4, the Space Lore Boxed Set: Vol 1-3, will be 800% off its normal price and will also be only $0.99, but only from July 23-29. If you aren’t already caught up on this incredible blend of Arthurian legend and Star Wars, make sure you grab the boxed set July 23-29 for an incredible deal.
Well, now the 4th book in the Space Lore series is going to be released and the cover will blow you away.
----------
In the years since the Round Table was formed, a campaign began to spread its message throughout the galaxy. Most planets willingly join, but others are hesitant.
Deep inside the Cartha sector, the course of history will forever be altered, not only because the Carthagens are a cunning and deadly species unlike anything the Round Table forces have met before, but because they are led by Lancelot, renowned as the greatest warrior in all of the galaxy.
----------
Book 4 of the Space Lore series can be pre-ordered today for only $0.99. But order it now because it will go up to its regular price after it’s released.
And to celebrate the release of Book 4, the Space Lore Boxed Set: Vol 1-3, will be 800% off its normal price and will also be only $0.99, but only from July 23-29. If you aren’t already caught up on this incredible blend of Arthurian legend and Star Wars, make sure you grab the boxed set July 23-29 for an incredible deal.
May 30, 2018
Top 5 Fictional Authors
Classic novels have given us memorable characters of all sorts, from heroes we never forget to villains we can never forgive. In this list, here are the top five most memorable fictional writers of all time.
5. Elizabeth Costello – Costello is J.M. Coetzee’s alter ego. Like Coetzee, she lectures about literature and animal rights. She also happens to be one of Coetzee’s less likeable characters because she is overbearing and obtuse. In addition to appearing in a couple of Coetzee’s works, an entire book is named after her.
4. Jack Torrance – “All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy.” Ever since a crazed Torrance wrote that over and over in Stephen King’s The Shining, readers and moviegoers have loved being terrified by the abusive and alcoholic writer. Jack Nicholson’s portrayal of Torrance helped elevate the fictional author to popular culture.
3. Benno von Archimboldi – 2666 is considered Roberto Bolano’s masterpiece and Archimboldi, a fictional German writer, is at the center of many of the plotlines in the story. At the beginning of the novel, he is introduced as an elusive writer who not even his most loyal critics and professors know much about and have never seen a picture of. At the end of the novel, you find out exactly who Archimboldi is and how his life has driven varying storylines to converge. The amount of mystery at one point, combined with the amount of depth throughout, makes Archimboldi impossible to forget.
2. Ellsworth Toohey – Toohey is a journalist and critic in Ayn Rand’s The Fountainhead. He represents the embodiment of establishment opinion and the power of creating popular conformity. In the novel, Toohey starts off as a sort of bumbling and lowly critic, but as the story progresses you come to understand that he’s more powerful than the business owners and the men and women of true ability because he shapes the public’s opinion. How many times have we heard of a lackluster movie or book that became a success just because the critics all said it was great, or a movie or book of true genius that bombed because critics convinced people it wasn't worth their time? Toohey is the embodiment of that idea, and Rand’s success in using him to that end makes Toohey a highly underrated villain.
1. Kilgore Trout – Although the character was inspired by one of Kurt Vonnegut’s friends, in many lights, Trout is also Vonnegut’s alter ego. Like Vonnegut, Trout is a science fiction writer. Also like Vonnegut, many readers simply don’t know how to interpret much of Trout’s writing. He is noted as being a prolific writer and even writes his own memoir. Trout is mentioned or appears in almost a dozen of Vonnegut’s stories, most notably in Slaughterhouse-Five.
Honorable mention - Richard Bachman – Bachman was Stephen King’s pseudonym for many of his early novels and isn’t a fictional author in the classic sense. He’s included here because the idea of two different writing personas within one man, which is what Bachman represents, was King’s inspiration for The Dark Half. I include Bachman here because he went from being a pseudonym to a fictional author when King dedicated The Dark Half to "The late Richard Bachman."
5. Elizabeth Costello – Costello is J.M. Coetzee’s alter ego. Like Coetzee, she lectures about literature and animal rights. She also happens to be one of Coetzee’s less likeable characters because she is overbearing and obtuse. In addition to appearing in a couple of Coetzee’s works, an entire book is named after her.
4. Jack Torrance – “All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy.” Ever since a crazed Torrance wrote that over and over in Stephen King’s The Shining, readers and moviegoers have loved being terrified by the abusive and alcoholic writer. Jack Nicholson’s portrayal of Torrance helped elevate the fictional author to popular culture.
3. Benno von Archimboldi – 2666 is considered Roberto Bolano’s masterpiece and Archimboldi, a fictional German writer, is at the center of many of the plotlines in the story. At the beginning of the novel, he is introduced as an elusive writer who not even his most loyal critics and professors know much about and have never seen a picture of. At the end of the novel, you find out exactly who Archimboldi is and how his life has driven varying storylines to converge. The amount of mystery at one point, combined with the amount of depth throughout, makes Archimboldi impossible to forget.
2. Ellsworth Toohey – Toohey is a journalist and critic in Ayn Rand’s The Fountainhead. He represents the embodiment of establishment opinion and the power of creating popular conformity. In the novel, Toohey starts off as a sort of bumbling and lowly critic, but as the story progresses you come to understand that he’s more powerful than the business owners and the men and women of true ability because he shapes the public’s opinion. How many times have we heard of a lackluster movie or book that became a success just because the critics all said it was great, or a movie or book of true genius that bombed because critics convinced people it wasn't worth their time? Toohey is the embodiment of that idea, and Rand’s success in using him to that end makes Toohey a highly underrated villain.
1. Kilgore Trout – Although the character was inspired by one of Kurt Vonnegut’s friends, in many lights, Trout is also Vonnegut’s alter ego. Like Vonnegut, Trout is a science fiction writer. Also like Vonnegut, many readers simply don’t know how to interpret much of Trout’s writing. He is noted as being a prolific writer and even writes his own memoir. Trout is mentioned or appears in almost a dozen of Vonnegut’s stories, most notably in Slaughterhouse-Five.
Honorable mention - Richard Bachman – Bachman was Stephen King’s pseudonym for many of his early novels and isn’t a fictional author in the classic sense. He’s included here because the idea of two different writing personas within one man, which is what Bachman represents, was King’s inspiration for The Dark Half. I include Bachman here because he went from being a pseudonym to a fictional author when King dedicated The Dark Half to "The late Richard Bachman."
December 13, 2017
My Top 5 Favorite Books Read This Year
Each year, I look back at all the books I’ve read. Here are the five books I read for the first time this year that I most enjoyed (regardless of when they were originally published).
5. Slapstick, or Lonesome No More! (1976) – This is yet another example of what makes Vonnegut so great. "Slapstick" combines sarcasm, humor, an absurd plot, and a critique of society, and each aspect comes together just right. This is no where near his best work and yet it's still leaps and bounds over most other books.
4. The Zahir (2005) - Combine autobiographical details of Coelho's life (his mindset before following his dream, his life and mental state before and after writing The Alchemist) with a Romantic's version of the movie, "The Vanishing" (the original French version, not the terrible U.S. remake) and you have 'The Zahir.' Coelho does a great job of writing to a spiritual mystery and providing the type of life-learning story that readers of the author have grown to enjoy. It says a lot about how much I love 'The Alchemist' that I give this book 5 stars and yet acknowledge it is no where as good as his best-seller, which I would rank as one of my favorite books of all time.
3. Norwegian Wood (1987) - This was very different from the other books of Murakami's that I've read. Those had fantastic and surreal aspects. This, on the other hand, was very 'ordinary' in its story and characters. If that was how this book was described to me I wouldn't have guessed that I would enjoy it as much as Hard-Boiled Wonderland and the End of the World or Dance Dance Dance but shockingly I enjoyed it even more than those. This was a great book, and I can see why it made the author popular.
2. Words from the Myths (1969) - I really enjoyed Asimov's charting of how Greek and Roman myths influence many of today's words. The book was filled with names and ideas that have evolved over the centuries, many of which I had no idea about. Reading this is a great combination of learning about ancient myths, appreciating today's language, and a little bit of Asimov's recounting of epic tales.
1. Wages of Rebellion: The Moral Imperative of Revolt (2015) – I read this all the way back in February and knew even then that I wasn’t going to read a better book all year. Hedges starts with the premise that revolutions occur when the point between people's expectations for their government and the actual reality of what they get instead reaches a tipping point. He then goes into detail on all of the areas where the U.S. is rapidly trending in the wrong direction. He concludes by going into detail on all of the ways governments that fear a revolt manage to maintain control. Those chapters in particular read like a nonfiction version of Jack London's dystopian classic, The Iron Heel. There is nothing pleasurable about reading this book and yet I know I won't read anything more worthwhile in a long time. Highest possible recommendation for anyone interested in real-life dystopians, sociology, and "the powers that be."
Honorable mention. Between the World and Me (2015) – This was my favorite book read in 2016 so I decided to read it again in 2017. If my list wasn’t only for books I read for the first time, Coates' letter to his son would have easily been in the top 2 again. It’s impossible to read this and not feel incredibly saddened by the injustices all around us. My highest possible recommendation to everyone.
5. Slapstick, or Lonesome No More! (1976) – This is yet another example of what makes Vonnegut so great. "Slapstick" combines sarcasm, humor, an absurd plot, and a critique of society, and each aspect comes together just right. This is no where near his best work and yet it's still leaps and bounds over most other books.
4. The Zahir (2005) - Combine autobiographical details of Coelho's life (his mindset before following his dream, his life and mental state before and after writing The Alchemist) with a Romantic's version of the movie, "The Vanishing" (the original French version, not the terrible U.S. remake) and you have 'The Zahir.' Coelho does a great job of writing to a spiritual mystery and providing the type of life-learning story that readers of the author have grown to enjoy. It says a lot about how much I love 'The Alchemist' that I give this book 5 stars and yet acknowledge it is no where as good as his best-seller, which I would rank as one of my favorite books of all time.
3. Norwegian Wood (1987) - This was very different from the other books of Murakami's that I've read. Those had fantastic and surreal aspects. This, on the other hand, was very 'ordinary' in its story and characters. If that was how this book was described to me I wouldn't have guessed that I would enjoy it as much as Hard-Boiled Wonderland and the End of the World or Dance Dance Dance but shockingly I enjoyed it even more than those. This was a great book, and I can see why it made the author popular.
2. Words from the Myths (1969) - I really enjoyed Asimov's charting of how Greek and Roman myths influence many of today's words. The book was filled with names and ideas that have evolved over the centuries, many of which I had no idea about. Reading this is a great combination of learning about ancient myths, appreciating today's language, and a little bit of Asimov's recounting of epic tales.
1. Wages of Rebellion: The Moral Imperative of Revolt (2015) – I read this all the way back in February and knew even then that I wasn’t going to read a better book all year. Hedges starts with the premise that revolutions occur when the point between people's expectations for their government and the actual reality of what they get instead reaches a tipping point. He then goes into detail on all of the areas where the U.S. is rapidly trending in the wrong direction. He concludes by going into detail on all of the ways governments that fear a revolt manage to maintain control. Those chapters in particular read like a nonfiction version of Jack London's dystopian classic, The Iron Heel. There is nothing pleasurable about reading this book and yet I know I won't read anything more worthwhile in a long time. Highest possible recommendation for anyone interested in real-life dystopians, sociology, and "the powers that be."
Honorable mention. Between the World and Me (2015) – This was my favorite book read in 2016 so I decided to read it again in 2017. If my list wasn’t only for books I read for the first time, Coates' letter to his son would have easily been in the top 2 again. It’s impossible to read this and not feel incredibly saddened by the injustices all around us. My highest possible recommendation to everyone.
December 11, 2017
The Space Lore Boxed Set
My Space Lore books are epic space fantasies that blend Arthurian legend with Star Wars. Now, you can finally get books 1-3 of my Space Lore series in one volume. Each will transport you to a world that combines mythology with Sci Fi action and adventure.
Space Lore Boxed Set
The Space Lore Boxed Set contains:
The Green Knight - Space Lore I
The Excalibur - Space Lore II
The Round Table - Space Lore III
See why critics have said:
"Dietzel proves a master at swashbuckling space opera." Kirkus
"An amazing sci-fi journey into fun. A must read for galactic war sci-fi readers." The Full-Time Book Reviewer
"An absolutely wonderful Sci-Fi adventure." The Quilting Tangent
"Stirring sci-fi action that should appeal to fans who applaud the introduction "A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away."" Kirkus Reviews
"Nothing in this tale was disappointing, from the great world building, to the vivid battle scenes, to the depth and heart of the central characters." Amazon Top 100 Reviewer
Get your copy today!
Space Lore Boxed Set
The Space Lore Boxed Set contains:
The Green Knight - Space Lore I
The Excalibur - Space Lore II
The Round Table - Space Lore III
See why critics have said:
"Dietzel proves a master at swashbuckling space opera." Kirkus
"An amazing sci-fi journey into fun. A must read for galactic war sci-fi readers." The Full-Time Book Reviewer
"An absolutely wonderful Sci-Fi adventure." The Quilting Tangent
"Stirring sci-fi action that should appeal to fans who applaud the introduction "A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away."" Kirkus Reviews
"Nothing in this tale was disappointing, from the great world building, to the vivid battle scenes, to the depth and heart of the central characters." Amazon Top 100 Reviewer
Get your copy today!
October 9, 2017
The Great De-evolution: The Complete Collection
For the first time, you can finally get all three Great De-evolution novels in one volume.
The Great De-evolution: The Complete Collection presents all three of my apocalyptic stories. Be warned, these are not stories for people who need action sequences or pretty endings. But if you love introspective, reflective stories or want a different take on the end of mankind, these stories are for you.
In 2013, the first of three novels was released that depicted a quiet and bleak ending of mankind. ‘The Man Who Watched The World End’ provided a gradual and inevitable extinction without fighting or action, only people growing old and witnessing each aspect of society slowly fading away around them. Readers loved the unique take on the end of the world and two more novels set in the same reality were subsequently published.
The Complete Collection contains:
The Man Who Watched The World End – An old man, the final resident in the neighborhood of Camelot, recounts all the ways society changed as the human population continued to shrink.
A Different Alchemy – Following a senseless act of violence, one man travels north, toward forgotten lands, passing reminders of mankind’s impending extinction.
The Hauntings of Playing God – Alone and overwhelmed, will the final member of the human race be thought of as a caretaker or as a monster?
Critical acclaim for the Great De-evolution books:
“One of the best dystopian series to come out in a long time.” – Three Cats and a Girl
“[Dietzel] has accomplished something remarkable: he really has written a book that is one of a kind.” — Nancy Roberts
“All I can say is trust me and give this book a read.” — The Lazy Book Reviewer
“A true wakeup call to everyone… One powerful novel.” — Fran Lewis – Just Reviews
“Dystopian in focus yet incredibly human in its exploration and atmosphere… This is a book, a work, worthy of each and every one of those 5 star reviews.” — Mack Meijers – Authors on the Air
“One of the best books I have ever read… Plays on one of our deepest fears, something we all know will happen one day.” — Terry Reid – The Four Corners of Santerria
“A highly addictive book… A must read for everyone.” – The Reading Room
“Highest possible rating.” — OnlineBookClub.org
Get your copy today!
The Great De-evolution: The Complete Collection presents all three of my apocalyptic stories. Be warned, these are not stories for people who need action sequences or pretty endings. But if you love introspective, reflective stories or want a different take on the end of mankind, these stories are for you.
In 2013, the first of three novels was released that depicted a quiet and bleak ending of mankind. ‘The Man Who Watched The World End’ provided a gradual and inevitable extinction without fighting or action, only people growing old and witnessing each aspect of society slowly fading away around them. Readers loved the unique take on the end of the world and two more novels set in the same reality were subsequently published.
The Complete Collection contains:
The Man Who Watched The World End – An old man, the final resident in the neighborhood of Camelot, recounts all the ways society changed as the human population continued to shrink.
A Different Alchemy – Following a senseless act of violence, one man travels north, toward forgotten lands, passing reminders of mankind’s impending extinction.
The Hauntings of Playing God – Alone and overwhelmed, will the final member of the human race be thought of as a caretaker or as a monster?
Critical acclaim for the Great De-evolution books:
“One of the best dystopian series to come out in a long time.” – Three Cats and a Girl
“[Dietzel] has accomplished something remarkable: he really has written a book that is one of a kind.” — Nancy Roberts
“All I can say is trust me and give this book a read.” — The Lazy Book Reviewer
“A true wakeup call to everyone… One powerful novel.” — Fran Lewis – Just Reviews
“Dystopian in focus yet incredibly human in its exploration and atmosphere… This is a book, a work, worthy of each and every one of those 5 star reviews.” — Mack Meijers – Authors on the Air
“One of the best books I have ever read… Plays on one of our deepest fears, something we all know will happen one day.” — Terry Reid – The Four Corners of Santerria
“A highly addictive book… A must read for everyone.” – The Reading Room
“Highest possible rating.” — OnlineBookClub.org
Get your copy today!
June 30, 2017
Anthology deal, e-book deal, AND audiobook deal
New Anthology Deal:
A new science fiction anthology is on Amazon and immediately became a bestseller in a bunch of different categories. It features original short stories by 19 of today’s best sci fi writers, and I have a story in it! Orphans in the Black is for readers who love their science fiction based around internal struggles more than explosions, and it’s getting great reviews. The best part: the entire anthology is only $0.99.
Anyone who has read The Man Who Watched The World End or my other apocalyptic books will love the short story I contributed to the anthology. The Last Astronaut takes place in the same world of the Great De-evolution as many of my novels, a world where mankind is slowly fading away. If you read it, I’d love to hear what you think.
An e-Book Deal:
If you aren’t familiar with my most popular series, the Great De-evolution, now is a great time to get introduced. Each takes place in a world where the human population is slowly going extinct over a lifetime. There is no fighting or zombies, just people trying to find their place in the world as the society around them fades away. They are very bleak and quiet stories, geared for fans of Cormac McCarthy’s ‘The Road.’ To give everyone a chance to become familiar with that world, I have one of the books discounted to only $0.99 for the next couple days. A Different Alchemy was my second book and one of my personal favorites.
An Audiobook Deal:
Last year, my Great De-evolution books were all turned into amazing audiobooks produced by Podium Publishing. Each is set up for WhisperSync, so that means if you buy the ebook of A Different Alchemy for $0.99, you can buy the entire audiobook, narrated by Ray Chase, for only $3.99. That’s a crazy price. I hope you take advantage of it.
A new science fiction anthology is on Amazon and immediately became a bestseller in a bunch of different categories. It features original short stories by 19 of today’s best sci fi writers, and I have a story in it! Orphans in the Black is for readers who love their science fiction based around internal struggles more than explosions, and it’s getting great reviews. The best part: the entire anthology is only $0.99.
Anyone who has read The Man Who Watched The World End or my other apocalyptic books will love the short story I contributed to the anthology. The Last Astronaut takes place in the same world of the Great De-evolution as many of my novels, a world where mankind is slowly fading away. If you read it, I’d love to hear what you think.
An e-Book Deal:
If you aren’t familiar with my most popular series, the Great De-evolution, now is a great time to get introduced. Each takes place in a world where the human population is slowly going extinct over a lifetime. There is no fighting or zombies, just people trying to find their place in the world as the society around them fades away. They are very bleak and quiet stories, geared for fans of Cormac McCarthy’s ‘The Road.’ To give everyone a chance to become familiar with that world, I have one of the books discounted to only $0.99 for the next couple days. A Different Alchemy was my second book and one of my personal favorites.
An Audiobook Deal:
Last year, my Great De-evolution books were all turned into amazing audiobooks produced by Podium Publishing. Each is set up for WhisperSync, so that means if you buy the ebook of A Different Alchemy for $0.99, you can buy the entire audiobook, narrated by Ray Chase, for only $3.99. That’s a crazy price. I hope you take advantage of it.
May 21, 2017
a HUGE sci-fi giveaway you don't want to miss
I’m taking part in a huge book giveaway that you won’t want to miss. It’s being organized by a group called the ‘Sci-Fi Bridge,’ a collection of science fiction authors dedicated to promoting exclusive deals, new releases, and other great stuff straight to your inbox!
The Sci-Fi Bridge crew just announced their 4th massive book giveaway and five of my books are included! There are free prizes available for everyone who enters between May 20 and 27 but the big news is that 5 lucky winners will receive 30+ e-books from some of today’s hottest upcoming Sci-Fi authors. Not just that… 1 lucky Grand Prize Winner will also receive 20+ Signed Books, including two of my Great-De-evolution books and some bestsellers by authors you won’t want to miss.
All you have to do is enter here: www.scifibridge.com. Good luck! I hope you’re one of the winners!
The Sci-Fi Bridge crew just announced their 4th massive book giveaway and five of my books are included! There are free prizes available for everyone who enters between May 20 and 27 but the big news is that 5 lucky winners will receive 30+ e-books from some of today’s hottest upcoming Sci-Fi authors. Not just that… 1 lucky Grand Prize Winner will also receive 20+ Signed Books, including two of my Great-De-evolution books and some bestsellers by authors you won’t want to miss.
All you have to do is enter here: www.scifibridge.com. Good luck! I hope you’re one of the winners!
March 26, 2017
5 Movies That Are Better Than the Book
Most people tend to prefer books over the movies that they’re turned into. In a couple instances, though, the movie winds up being better. Here are five examples of movies that surpassed the books they were based on.
5. Stand By Me (Based on The Body by Stephen King)
Just about everything Stephen King writes is great and ‘The Body’ is no exception, but the movie managed to blend a ton of different elements together (humor, childhood innocence, adventure, etc.) and each worked perfectly. Add to that an incredible cast and you see why the movie makes an already good story even better.
4. The Curious Case Of Benjamin Button (Based on The Curious Case of Benjamin Button by F. Scott Fitzgerald)
This was originally a short story, which didn’t allow Fitzgerald to develop the characters and story behind the premise the same way the movie did. One of the nice things about the movie is that it allows scenes to play out slowly so the impact of each scene is more fully appreciated. In a short story of such scope, that just isn’t possible.
3. The English Patient (The English Patient by Michael Ondaatje)
Ondaatje’s book is good but the movie is great. Whereas the book manages to convey the beauty of scenes with its descriptive language, it isn’t able to convey the raw emotion that the movie possesses. Both the book and movie have good paces, good character development, and nice scenes, but the acting and cinematography in the movie push it into a different category of excellence.
2. Atonement (Atonement by Ian McEwan)
Something about McEwan’s writing didn’t connect with me. I liked the book but it felt cold, like someone recounting a series of events after they had long since gotten past them. The movie was the opposite. While watching it I found myself irritated, interested, sad, etc. That’s the sign of a powerful movie.
1. Blade Runner (Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? by Phillip K. Dick)
This was by far the easiest pick. Whereas the movie is one of my favorites of all time, I didn’t enjoy the book at all. Ridley Scott’s direction and the tone of the movie are perfect. Dick’s version felt like pulp writing meant for young adults rather than a serious attempt at telling a fully developed story.
Have an example of your own? If so, I’d love to hear them.
5. Stand By Me (Based on The Body by Stephen King)
Just about everything Stephen King writes is great and ‘The Body’ is no exception, but the movie managed to blend a ton of different elements together (humor, childhood innocence, adventure, etc.) and each worked perfectly. Add to that an incredible cast and you see why the movie makes an already good story even better.
4. The Curious Case Of Benjamin Button (Based on The Curious Case of Benjamin Button by F. Scott Fitzgerald)
This was originally a short story, which didn’t allow Fitzgerald to develop the characters and story behind the premise the same way the movie did. One of the nice things about the movie is that it allows scenes to play out slowly so the impact of each scene is more fully appreciated. In a short story of such scope, that just isn’t possible.
3. The English Patient (The English Patient by Michael Ondaatje)
Ondaatje’s book is good but the movie is great. Whereas the book manages to convey the beauty of scenes with its descriptive language, it isn’t able to convey the raw emotion that the movie possesses. Both the book and movie have good paces, good character development, and nice scenes, but the acting and cinematography in the movie push it into a different category of excellence.
2. Atonement (Atonement by Ian McEwan)
Something about McEwan’s writing didn’t connect with me. I liked the book but it felt cold, like someone recounting a series of events after they had long since gotten past them. The movie was the opposite. While watching it I found myself irritated, interested, sad, etc. That’s the sign of a powerful movie.
1. Blade Runner (Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? by Phillip K. Dick)
This was by far the easiest pick. Whereas the movie is one of my favorites of all time, I didn’t enjoy the book at all. Ridley Scott’s direction and the tone of the movie are perfect. Dick’s version felt like pulp writing meant for young adults rather than a serious attempt at telling a fully developed story.
Have an example of your own? If so, I’d love to hear them.
