the book!



who else loves the book? and oh, any news on the casting and when's the production.

Kobe Bryant: Love me or hate me for the same reason.

reply

what about delirium? it's gonna be a adapted into a movie, too? anyone else had read that book?

Kobe Bryant: Love me or hate me for the same reason.

reply

I think this has the possibility to be such an amazing movie. It was one of the only books that wowed me enough by the writing and plot that I didn't care that I hated the characters. XD

Yeah, fine I'll be team Wonderbread. Just because Gale's kind of an ass. T_T

reply

Is planned movie based on book BEFORE I FALL by Lauren Oliver? I listened to audio book version read by Sarah Drew and it was amazing! She even did voice of Kent (and other male characters) believably.

I think point of story was to show what is behind the surface image--we gradually find out what shaped the characters, why they behave the way they do, so even people who at first seem unlikeable--and even repellant--are understandable, and we can feel pity for their past and hope for their future.

Another main point of how story was presented is how life has so many posibilities, so many choices we can make to make things better (or worse) for other people we come in contact with, although briefly--even in the space of a single day. Altho Sam is in a way trapped in one day, she finds out how in many ways she is free to choose, if she looks beyond her routine unthinking habits.

I hope movie will bring book to attention for adults as well as teens it was originally marketed to. I just noticed that local Barnes & Noble bookstore moved their Young Adult/Teen section from just outside their children's area, to over by Adult Fiction--B&N YA now takes up SEVENTEEN bookcases of six shelves each (in contrast, Westerns are now only 3 or 4 shelves total).

This trend of YA crossover or breakthrough novels may have been pushed by success of HARRY POTTER (New York Time finally created separate "Children's Best Sellers" list since HP books took up long-time residence on so-called Adult Best Seller list). Other major crossovers are HUNGER GAMES trilogy and TWILIGHT series.

I'm also looking forward to movie version of LEVIATHAN, inspired by Steam Punk trilogy by Scott Westerfeld.

P.S. Trend used to be (before "invention" of teenagers) that novels intended for adult reading were discovered, taken over by young readers--i.e. ROBINSON CRUSOE, GULLIVER'S TRAVELS, Charles Dickens, Robert Louis Stevenson, etc. I think "YA classic" CATCHER IN THE RYE was originally intended for adults--who would have the experience and insight to see how young man narrator (I can't spell his name--initials H.C.) is himself a "phony", a word he uses to disparage what he dislikes about world around him.

I'm trying to think of name of TV series (with I think a blond lead actor) that aired at same time as similar themed series titled "Do-over"--both about a man being able to re-live, and hopefully improve the outcome of his teen years. It may have been quote from a popular song of the time...

Maybe teens & adults can grow to understand each other better with help of eye-opening, enlightening stories like BEFORE I FALL. P.P.S. Lots of songs are mentioned in book--the "soundtrack" of lives of characters--might a song I don't think was mentioned, IF I DIE YOUNG, be a good pick to use in movie version?

reply

Found answer to my question in my post above: late lamented, all too brief TV series I LOVED about man finding that seemingly little changes could make big differences in how his future life turns out, was titled "THAT WAS THEN".

Possibly both that series and "DO-OVER" could have helped inspire author of
"BEFORE I FALL". In latter book, character mentions some famous teen pop culture (such as Stephen King's CARRIE, movie GROUNDHOG DAY & possibly movies like ANIMAL HOUSE, or any other of countless teen movies about House Party held while the parents are out of town--I've never watched any myself!)

However, "BEFOE I FALL" isn't a re-tread or rip off of exploitation flicks; it uses some classic pop culture themes, and like a kaleidoscope, rearranges the element angles to come up with a new view, a new voice, a new vision.

reply

I really hope they change the ending. I HATED how the book ended: she went through all of that just to end up dead anyway? Since she ends up dead anyway, her whole journey of self-discovery is pointless since she doesn't get to do anything with her newfound self. In my opinion, the book could've ended after her 'first' death.

reply

You hope they change the whole point of the story? Um, you're probably the only one. Her journey of "self discovery" wasn't about just her. It was about saving a life she spent years helping ruin...Juliet's. She died, but Juliet didn't and that was why she was giving the chance to redo it. So JULIET wouldn't end up dead because of things that Sam and her friends did to her. If you think she could have stayed dead after the first death then you missed the entire purpose of the book.

reply

I have 6 kids and I work as a stripper. How the hell do you think I have time to read?!

reply