Reading/Watching Cloud Atlas

[John]

I need an experienced opinion on reading/watching Cloud Atlas.

This is one of those books that seems to have been on my to-read list forever, and, in the case of movie adaptations, I always like to try and read the book before I watch the film. With that in mind, I bought the Kindle edition some time over Christmas, with the intention of reading it before the UK release of the film.

...which I've only just realised is in less than two weeks.

So, here's my problem - I'm a third of the way through Stephen Baxter's book, Ring, and I can't stop reading a book halfway to pick up another book, so I'm not likely to get through Cloud Atlas before the film comes out, possibly even before it stops showing in cinemas over here.

With that in mind, would you (as someone who has seen the film and read the book), in this position;

- Hold off on reading the book until after you've seen the film.

- Start reading the book and, in all likelihood, end up watching the film while being part-way through the book

- Finish the book first, and risk missing the chance to see the movie in the cinema, as opposed to watching it at home

At the minute, I'm leaning toward watching the film before reading the book, because I really want to see the movie on a cinema screen, and I don't want to be halfway through the book when I do, but what would those of you who have done both suggest?

Also, minus 10 points to the first person who says "First world problems".

[John]

Its UK release is February 22.

[Ruth (tilltab) Ashworth]

I haven't seen the film yet, also being from the uk, but just wanted to say that I found Cloud Atlas to be a really quick read; I raced through it in just a few days, and I'm not a fast reader (though admittedly I did have plenty of free time) so it might just be possible to have your cake and eat it. Not sure if I'll be rushing to the cinema or not though, since it's so expensive, and my dislike of Tom Hanks battles against my curiosity to see what has been made of the book I loved.

I have heard, and judging from the trailer it does seem, that the film is very different from the book, the film using the elements of the book to make a love story, so perhaps it is fine to see the film first on the understanding that the book will be a whole different kettle of fish.

Probably not too helpful, but hopefully those who've seen both can better judge. :)

[terpkristin]

I really enjoyed the book, I didn't see the movie. I've heard that those who read the book were somewhat disappointed by the movie. I've also heard that they're two entirely different beasts...

The book has some twists and turns. I won't call them spoilers or surprises, but I really enjoyed watching it all come together. I don't know if the movie would ruin that. But from all I've heard, I don't think you'd be too bad off watching the movie first...

[John]

No no, that is helpful, Ruth. If the film is indeed considerably different from the book (I have no problem with that) then it makes the decision easier.

Unfortunately, I am also a bit of a steady reader, and I have almost no free time in the coming months. The current book I'm reading is part of an omnibus of four books, which my Kindle treats as one big book. According to the little dotted line thing under the title, Cloud Atlas is almost as long as all of these four books combined...

[Ivalen]

You need to read the book - the movie is hard to follow otherwise, even with some of the short cuts they implemented.

[Sandi]

I would not have known what was going on in the movie if I hadn't read the book first.

[kvon]

I've only seen the movie, which was beautiful but not very comprehensible as far as theme. I'd vote for reading the book instead.

[terpkristin]

Interesting to see these comments about the movie. I know a few people who saw the movie before reading the book and had no issue following it. Sure, there might have been "missed nuances," but they seemed relatively happy. That said, they're movie people...

[John]

terpkristin wrote: "That said, they're movie people..."

That may be a big factor... I'd say I'm equal parts movie and book person (please don't lynch me), which may be why I'm having an issue. If I wasn't so set on watching the movie in the cinema, rather than on a television, it wouldn't be a problem.

I appreciate all the opinions. Although some of them (to me, at least) read like advice on choosing either just the book or just the film. I'll definitely be doing both, it's just a matter of how I go about it.

Had I never heard of Cloud Atlas (and I've purposely avoided hearing much about the story), I would have wanted to watch the film based on the trailer I saw.

[Tina]

I had the same dilemma, since I hadn't finished the book before the movie came out in the theatre near me. I decided to finish the book first, and I'm glad because the ending was great. I'm planning to watch the movie when it's available for rent.

[bookthump]

This is a difficult question to answer because the answer is so completely subjective.

I read the novel first, then saw the film. I adore the novel, think it is masterfully crafted, and loved the structure. I enjoyed the movie, too, but as others have said above, it is very different from the novel. I cannot say if I would have had difficulty following the film (which is structured entirely differently from the novel) had I not had the novel in my head the whole time. I don't think I would have, but I cannot say for certain.

My wife did not read the novel, but saw the film with me. She enjoyed the film (despite Tom Hanks) and says she didn't have any trouble following the story or theme at all.

Because I adore the novel and only enjoy the film, my opinion would be for you to read the novel before seeing the film. Opinions being what they are though, mine could prove to be entirely useless to you (or even "wrong" if you are that kind of person) if you end up not liking the novel. Or if you do end up loving the novel like I did and don't like the film as much and are the kind of person who gets upset when the film does not live up to the quality of the book (or vice versa), then retrospectively you should have seen the movie first so the book could blow you away.

One thing I would absolutely NOT do is start the book and then see the movie without having finished the book. No, no, no.