Initial Impressions: Forrest Gump, by Winston Groom: November, 2020

[Tom, "Big Daddy"]

Comments on this board should be written with the assumption that not all readers have finished the book. Please avoid revealing any spoilers.

[Diane, "Miss Scarlett"]

I read this one early so I could be ready for the discussion. To anyone who chooses to read it, please be aware that this is quite different from the movie. Some of the events and most of the characters are in the book, but what happens to them is completely different. It's interesting to see the changes that Hollywood made. Had they stuck with the book as written, I don't believe it would be the classic movie it has become.

[Jane]

I couldn t get into the book at all and gave up quite early on so I do agree with you , Diane

[Laura, "The Tall Woman"]

I did the audio. I thought it was very well done. I liked the first part but after “space” it was too ridiculous and out there. But by all means listen to it or read it. It’s on hoopla and goes quite fast if you bump up the speed bc the reader takes on the slow draw and thought process of Forrest. It was no where close to me abandoning the read and some scenes are quite funny.

[Diane, "Miss Scarlett"]

Some may be offended, but it does read quickly and is worth it for the comparison. His scene with Nixon was really very funny.

[Tom, "Big Daddy"]

This book is available on Hoopla, as are all the other selections for November.

[Sara]

I have so many musts on my list for November decided that I would not tackle this one. (mainly because I thought having seen the movie more than once it would be anticlimactic). Seems my reasoning was wrong, but the result may have been correct.

[Tom, "Big Daddy"]

Sara wrote: "I have so many musts on my list for November decided that I would not tackle this one. .."

I'm in the same boat. Hopefully I will get to it later.

[Diane, "Miss Scarlett"]

I have a theory that people who enjoyed "Confederacy of Dunces" will like this more than those of us who didn't . We'll see. I certainly understand not wanting to read this because the movie is so iconic. I'm fairly certain Winston Groom became very wealthy as a result of the movie, not the book.

[Barry]

I attended a readers/writers retreat at the High Hampton Inn near Cashiers, NC in the late 90's. Winston Croom, PJ O'Rourke, and
Kaye Gibbons were among the writers. Croom didn't want to talk about the movie much. Maybe because that's what most people mentioned to him. He was a very personable character otherwise.
I was a little let down when I read the book after seeing the movie, but upon reflection decided both stood very well on their own.

[Diane, "Miss Scarlett"]

Interesting Barry. Did he mention whether he had any input with the producers or on the screenplay?

[Barry]

He just didn't want to discuss the movie much. A couple of people asked him a question or two about it and he said he was glad it was so successful but now "Let's move on along...."
It was an interesting gathering. Kaye Gibbons was personable, sorry to hear she's had some serious health problems in recent years.
PJ O'Rourke was hilarious... he could drop a witticism on most any topic.

[Laura, "The Tall Woman"]

Thanks for sharing Barry. You can really tell a lot about authors at these types of gatherings. I love hearing the stories. Some authors are so humble and then a handful are just egotistical jerks. Really only 2 in my book 😉

[Grace]

As I recall I read the book before I saw the movie... it was some time ago. And I thought the book was stuffed a bit too full... a good, entertaining read but maybe needed some editing. But I may have been influenced by how stripped down and fast moving the book was.
Always fascinating to see how Hollywood deals with big elaborate books when turning them into movies. In hindsight, I liked both the book and the movie, even though they were considerably different.