The Pillars of the Earth
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Read or watch Pillars of the Earth first
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Daniel
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Apr 19, 2014 07:02AM
Should I read Pillars of the Earth or watch the mini-series first?
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Definitely read. I was disappointed by the series at it missed out on so many events and even distorted some.
I'd say watch the TV series. The novel takes about 200 pages to really get going (it's about 1000 pages long) so it would be a waste of time to slog through it if you end up finding the eventual plot boring. If you watch the TV series first, and enjoy it, then it will drive you on through the slower parts to get to the good bits.
Rachel wrote: "I'd say watch the TV series. The novel takes about 200 pages to really get going (it's about 1000 pages long) so it would be a waste of time to slog through it if you end up finding the eventual pl..."But in that case, I might not want to get through the slow bits since I already know how it ends.
I loved the book, in fact, it is my all-time favorite book. I read it 3 times and I watched the TV series as well after reading the book. The book was wonderful and I thought they did a good job on the mini-series...I always recommend reading before seeing, any book.
John wrote: "Rachel wrote: "I'd say watch the TV series. The novel takes about 200 pages to really get going (it's about 1000 pages long) so it would be a waste of time to slog through it if you end up finding ..."
You don't need to watch the series to the end, do you?
You don't need to watch the series to the end, do you?
I have no interest in watching the series. If I had watched the show first, I highly doubt that I would had read the book. It's really a good book and an awesome series. If you are going to watch instead of read, you could be missing out of a lot of content. Just saying.
Tim wrote: "I have no interest in watching the series. If I had watched the show first, I highly doubt that I would had read the book. It's really a good book and an awesome series. If you are going to watc..."
I watched the series first. If I hadn't, I would probably have put the book down around halfway. In my opinion, this is one of those occasions the TV series is better than the book.
There are some great things about the book however - the description, in particular, gets the world of the era across wonderfully.
I watched the series first. If I hadn't, I would probably have put the book down around halfway. In my opinion, this is one of those occasions the TV series is better than the book.
There are some great things about the book however - the description, in particular, gets the world of the era across wonderfully.
Rachel wrote: "You don't need to watch the series to the end, do you?"You're suggesting that I watch the first few episodes then read the book then watch the whole series?
John wrote: "Rachel wrote: "You don't need to watch the series to the end, do you?"
You're suggesting that I watch the first few episodes then read the book then watch the whole series?"
Yes that's what I'd recommend. It will increase your enjoyment of the novel tenfold, as you won't be thinking "where is thing going?" all the time. (Not in terms of "What's going to happen next?" but in terms of "Why am I bothering with this?") Instead, you'll be able to really enjoy the rich world he creates through his description (the amount of research he must have done into the 1100's must have been immense!).
You're suggesting that I watch the first few episodes then read the book then watch the whole series?"
Yes that's what I'd recommend. It will increase your enjoyment of the novel tenfold, as you won't be thinking "where is thing going?" all the time. (Not in terms of "What's going to happen next?" but in terms of "Why am I bothering with this?") Instead, you'll be able to really enjoy the rich world he creates through his description (the amount of research he must have done into the 1100's must have been immense!).
I haven't watched the series and nor I want to. Much rather read the book, but maybe you are not willing to take the under taking of the novel. Watch the show instead and forget the book.
I always say read first and then watch....as a rule, tv shows leave a lot of details behind and instead,and for rating pourpuses only, include, change the order of the events or even distort what the book has in order to be more "appealing" to the viewers. We all know that there are things that work in the books but are not very catchy ratings-wise, so tv / picture adaptations sometimes slaughter the book for you.
But, you will know what´sbest for you...
John wrote: "Rachel wrote: "You don't need to watch the series to the end, do you? "
Are you suggesting that I watch the first few episodes, read the book, and then watch the whole series?"
Haven't you asked me this twice now? Yes is my answer.
By the way, this isn't a good place to ask this question. This is a site about books, and many - if not most - people on here will have a bias towards novels rather than TV/movies in the mistaken belief books are an inherently better (and more intelligent, whatever) form of storytelling. Of course people on here are going to recommend you read the book and shun the series haha! When do they not? :D
Are you suggesting that I watch the first few episodes, read the book, and then watch the whole series?"
Haven't you asked me this twice now? Yes is my answer.
By the way, this isn't a good place to ask this question. This is a site about books, and many - if not most - people on here will have a bias towards novels rather than TV/movies in the mistaken belief books are an inherently better (and more intelligent, whatever) form of storytelling. Of course people on here are going to recommend you read the book and shun the series haha! When do they not? :D
Rachel wrote: "John wrote: "Rachel wrote: "You don't need to watch the series to the end, do you? "Are you suggesting that I watch the first few episodes, read the book, and then watch the whole series?
Haven't you asked me this twice now? Yes is my answer."
Yeah, I'm sorry. It didn't appear when I checked back so I posted it again.
Rachel wrote: "John wrote: "Rachel wrote: "You don't need to watch the series to the end, do you?"You're suggesting that I watch the first few episodes then read the book then watch the whole series?"
Yes that's what I'd recommend.."
So: First 2 episodes->book->whole series? Another way I think that could make the book better is because that way I'll know what all the characters look like.
Time for me to unsubscribe to this thread :). Enjoy reading or watching.
After reading "The name of the rose" and " The Pillars of the Earth" I saw respectively the film based on Umberto Eco's book and the TV series made out of "The Pillars of the Earth" and being the best adaptations, even so, I'd always read the book first. With luck you'll find better descriptions of characters and many other details that either the movie or the TV series must omit becuase of production problems
The book is much better than the TV series. I would definitely read the book first.
Just read the book. You won't be disappointed :)
I discovered it through the mini series first and it was okay, but then I read the book and I liked it way better. But watching the series first didn't ruin my image of the book :)
Read the book. It's definitely better. The series left a lot out:(
The Pillars of the Earth is one of my favorites. I first read it when it was released, then I watched the miniseries. By the time the miniseries came out, I had forgotten most of it. I found that the miniseries left so much out that I had a hard time following the characters and fully understanding their motivations. When I re-read the book, everything became clear again. I would definitely recommend reading first. I did like the miniseries, however, I just wish it were longer.
I loved the book! Very disappointed in the show, as they changed so much of the story, it didn't even seem like the same story, just the same characters.
WHatever... they are just a little related by the name of the characters. The mini series is "based upon", but honestly has too little to relate to the book. It is not a bad mini series on its own, and some characters are depicted exactly as I imagined in the book (like Waleran), but most of them are almost unrecognizable to what you read in the book.
Read it, no show can encompass the whole story. After it watch it and say "Hey they skipped that part..."
I always read the book before I see the movie. If I see a movie first, I never read the book. Pillars of the Earth is definitely worth reading!
Definitely read first; then the movie! The book is one of my all-time favorites. And what is wrong with a great book being long? Why the rush? Take your time and relish and enjoy each word.
Dale wrote: "Definitely read first; then the movie! The book is one of my all-time favorites. And what is wrong with a great book being long? Why the rush? Take your time and relish and enjoy each word."Yep, you are so right!
It seems that, in our society, people value haste, instead of enjoying themselves, while getting there: half the fun a trip is the journey, so...enjoy, read an take you time to savour the book.
i always say read it before you watch it for anything that has both options. the books will have more detail and a more developed story since they cant fit every single detail and second they may describe in a book into a movie or series
I agree. Seldom do I prefer the movie to the book and after the movie I am not interested in the book. Example: "The Book Thief". I saw the movie first. Loved it!!! I probably would have loved the book. But find it hard to do now in the fear it would lesson the beauty of the movie.And there are some examples of movies that I believe are beter than the book. Especially the Merchant and Ivory films (like "Age of Innocense)...one's that go all out to show the costuming, sets, locations, characters, etc with excellent screen writing. The best example that comes to mind is "Anna Karenina". Being married for 46 years I always found it difficult to sympathize with the heroine. In the book and the first several versions of the movie. Then along came the last one with Kierra Knightly. Wow! I finally got it. That first silent scene did it. Then seeing her Prince at the dance...what marvelous casting. It all made sense to me. And I loved the movie version.
I doubt I would have enjoyed the book "The Godfather" as much as the movie version. Get my point. But those movies are few and far between. Much better to read first when the opportunity presents itself, then see the movie.
I actually had to give up on the book, but I enjoyed the series. I think watching first would be a good way of finding out if you're going to enjoy reading the book, because it is heavy going. I'll be honest, it bored me. That said, the series made me consider giving the book another chance because I now know where it's going, as someone else said here earlier.
I love to enjoy the book first and the movie, second.I positively loved PotE. Took me 8 years to decide to read it. I devoured the pages...........and then I had the opportunity to see the movie. I watched every single corner of the screen and then watched it a second time.
Onto the sequel when I have a couple months to read. LOL.
Hi Ter'e: No problem. The sequel is almost as good as the first. Definitely worth reading. I give Pillars 5 stars, World Without End (Sounds like a James Bond movie title) a 4.75. Maybe the difference is just because Pillars was the first. Relax and enjoy. Then watch the movie version. It lacks a lot, I think, but definetly worth seeing. Just think of the joy awaits you!
Both are excellent. I read the book first and loved it, yes it took a long time, and then watched the mini-series which I also loved. My husband hadn't read the book so I had to keep him on track as to who the characters in the mini-series were. Somewhat hard to follow if you haven't read the book.
The series led me to the book, which I enjoyed just as much as I did the series. I would go out on a limb and say it does not matter which you do first, they are both excellent.
Absolutely, positively, read the book/books!! The mini series was disappointing to me but the books are on my list of all time favorites!!
Maybe try the book first. If you really don't like it after the first 100-200 pages, then try out the mini series. I believe in reading the book before watching the movie adaptation but it's such a good story I'd hate for you to miss out on it just because you don't like his writing style or something. I absolutely loved it and couldn't put it down. My husband's not a big reader but sat down and watched the series with me. We both liked it but the first thing he said was "I feel like they took a lot of stuff out" and he was right. I much prefer the character development and twists and turns in the plot in the book but both are decent. They altered the series a fair amount but I understand why.
Let us know what you think!
John wrote: "Should I read Pillars of the Earth or watch the mini-series first?"Please read the book first. The mini-series was horrible.
I always want to read the book before I see a Movie or TV adaptation of the book.
Without a doubt read the book & then give the TV series a wide berth. It was awful:(
Majority books are better than their Tv shows. Personally i would like to know the "original" stories first.
While I thought the series is surprisingly good, there is no way it could have matched the book. Pillars of the Earth is a sweeping epic, rife with sub plots and nuances which can't be depicted on film. If HBO did a longer series like Game of Thrones,then perhaps the film version would rival the book. Still, books are invariably better than the movie.
Definitely read first. Book was better; the series was very Hollywood. Some of the stuff in the series was just stupid, a lot of it was not true to the book, and some of the history was wrong. Other than that...
You know, I'd never realized before that beginning of the book was slow plot-wise. There was just something about the writing and depth of character that had me hooked even as I'm going, "Why the hell do I care if these people get their pig back?"Then things became epic and I declared PILLARS one of the greatest novels ever written.
I thought the miniseries was okay, but the series based on WORLD WITHOUT END was terrible. I lost my voice screaming at the TV.
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