Book first, visual adaptation second has long been my mantra, and other than it happening the wrong way round by accident, I have stuck with it. That is until we started watching the TV series of Slow Horses.
Whenever we watch something well-crafted, I immediately check on the writing, which is how I came to discover the books by Mick Herron. Each series is based upon one of the books and, in a moment of weakness – or you could say love – I agreed that I would not read the books until after we’d watched the series.
The reasons for this were two-fold…
- The series is absolutely the best thing on TV at the moment
- I know I’ll find it hard to keep what I know to myself, and I don’t want to spoil the viewing for Himself
But I have fallen….
I found some standalone volumes lurking on Amazon, so decided to pounce. The first one came absolutely guilt free for it was a “what came before” and simply filled in the details on a number of things which had already been eluded to.
But the next one mentioned something very big happening…. and when I checked, that particular standalone volume turned out to be numbered episode 8.5 – so fitted in after book 8 in the series, the most recent release. Damn!
Then, because I couldn’t wait to find out when this something big was going to come, I gave myself carte blanche to buy the whole series and binge read them all as a little treat while recovering from concussion.
And I tell you what’s been different – this way, instead of comparing and contrasting with the TV series, I got to enjoy the writing – the strength of the descriptive passages, the way Herron goes about scene setting – and it is absolutely masterful. The trademark cutting wit is very much to the fore, indeed one episode had me laughing out loud on multiple occasions such that Himself asked what I was laughing at. I stuck with my story of it being a standalone offering, and hope that by the time it gets to TV and we’re watching it, he’ll have forgotten š¤
In short, it’s not just great viewing, but great reading too.
But honestly, love him though I do, I don’t think I’ll be quite so quick to make this offer to Himself again. And I say that despite knowing that not all books which go on to become films/TV series are good books. Still, this experience has taught me it was a good rule, and one I should not have strayed from.
Is this a rule that you follow? Are there any other rules – be they weird, wonderful or quirky – that you follow or just know about?
Ā© Debs Carey, 2024
debsdespatches.com 
I prefer to read the first books and, generally, if I watch the movie/show first I will not go back and read the book.
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Oh, that’s interesting Tater. So you compartmentalise, or you’re just not there for a repeat of the same story?
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I think it’s very rare that the adaptation is better than the book, usually because the books are hard to condense into 2 hours (and because folks who work in development in Hollywood sometimes come up with really stupid suggestions in order to justify their paycheck). So difficult to do justice to an entire book in a movie. Off the top of my head, only “The Hunt for Red October” and Emma Thompson’s “Sense and Sensibility,” and the three LOTR movies managed it well. Miniseries tend to do it better, like the BBC’s “Pride and Prejudice.” And sometimes an entire series can utterly eclipse the books, like in “The Expanse,” where the two male authors are the first to admit they are in awe of the show and that the women writers really improved upon the source material. If I liked a book, though, I’ll probably watch the adaptation because it will undoubtedly be better than the endless remakes of other movies and TV shows. Maybe I will try the ones by Herron, even though I’m not usually a fan of thrillers. You make them sound like so much fun!
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Wait, I’m going to add in “Crazy Rich Asians” because the portrayal of the rich Asian matriarchs in the book is incredibly misogynistic, one-dimensional, and damned near cartoonish. Screenwriter Adele Lim made Michelle Yeoh’s character much more relatable and realistic for the movie.
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I usually read the book first, then see it on some screen. But occasionally that doesn’t happen and I spend the whole time I’m watching the adaptation wondering how it compares to the book. I’m a confused mess sometimes.
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I normally try to read the book first too… mostly because if I’ve watched the visual version, I often don’t want to take the time to read the book (so many books, so little time).
We loved Slow Horses, and I’m embarrassed to admit that I wasn’t aware of the Mick Herron novels. Based on what you’ve read, will there be a third season?
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I just added Slow Horses to my Amazon “wish list.”
In my answer to you on my blog, I mentioned the book, The Boys in the Boat. Tonight I finished watching the movie. The book had so many interesting things that were left out of the movie. I particularly liked the whole first part before Joe started rowing and all the details about the British craftsman than made the shells. Also all the background about Germany before and during the Berlin Olympics. But the movie was dramatic (of course) and beautiful, and the race scenes were dramatic and made me cry.
If both the book and movie are well done, it’s fun to read the book and see the movie. Book first, of course.
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I hope you enjoy them Autumn. I find it an interesting premise – a place to send spooks who have spectacularly failed in one way or another, led by the genuine article, who’s now both utterly loathsome and yet somehow, quite magnificent. Gary Oldman’s portrayal is brilliant, but the whole cast works well.
I agree with you about miniseries having the time and space to properly develop a book. The one book and film which I love equally is “To Kill A Mockingbird”.
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Ah. I’ve dithered over the books, but only after hearing good things about Michelle Yeoh in the adaptation. Thanks for the heads up.
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Ally, that made me smile. The one thing I don’t ever regard you as is a confused mess – but then there are people who would never consider me thus, yet I know I am.
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Janis, delighted to know another fan š We’ve watched the third season, so that one is a definite and you should be able to find it. I believe they will be confirming a release date for the fourth season soon, and have also confirmed there’s a fifth in the offing. So far Mick Herron has written eight books in the series, so there’s plenty of excellent raw material if the cast is willing.
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That’s really interesting Nikki, thank you. I already had the book on my TBR (probably from your recommendation) but these details have really added to my interest, so it’s zoomed right up the list. I’ll have to wait till I’ve read it before mentioning the film to Himself, or I’ll find it served up for my viewing pleasure before I’ve been able to keep to my rule š
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I usually find that the book is far better than anything adapted for the screen. The Firm by John Grisham was my first adult book reading experience, and the movie left me disappointed. After that, everything was downhill. š¤£
Although, after reading Autumn’s comment, I’m glad I did not read Crazy Rich Asian’s first. I really liked that movie. I might not have watched it if I had read the book first.
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Kari, I remember both reading the book and watching the film quite some time later. As you say, the film was most disappointing.
I’m also considering just watching the film of “Crazy Rich Asians” after Autumn’s recommendation, as even I have to admit that there are occasions where a bad or average book is made a whole lot better in the adaptation.
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I was going to mention Lord of the Rings as the rare adaptation that does the book series justice but Autumn beat me to the punch. Man. Way to steal my thunder, Autumn! I might also add Daisy Jones & The Six, because they did an excellent job turning a bunch of random song titles into actual period-specific rock ‘n roll music.
I can’t think of a single time I’ve watched a movie or TV show before reading the book.
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I usually read the books first, and then I may or may not watch the television program or movie. Once in a while I do watch something and then discover it’s based on a book, in which case if I enjoyed the adaptation, I may go back and read the book. I have not watch or read Slow Horses, but it is now on my list. Thanks for that!
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Not a single time? Serious, kudos to you!
I really must add Daisy Jones & The Six to my TBR…
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Christie, I totally understand those who don’t go back to the original source material, as there’s only so much time and oh so many books.
I hope you enjoy Slow Horses.
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With a few exceptions, I’m almost always starting with the film/tv series first. I guess the book is usually better, mainly because you’ll get all the nuances and details that they just don’t have time to include in the filmed adaptations. I’m writing down “Slow Horses” and hope it shows up for us on Britbox or PBS at some point. – Marty
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Ah, you’re the direct opposite to me Marty. When a book is good, then yes it does provide all the nuances and details they’ve not been able to include in adaptations. But, sometimes what you get from a book is a good idea with nothing more to offer – they make great films and somewhat disappointing reads. I hope you get to catch up with Slow Horses – it’s an Apple TV product, but will hopefully become more widely available as time passes. Gary Oldman is *chef’s kiss* š
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