Book vs. Movie
When it comes to the consumption of literature materials, different people have different tastes and preferences. In some cases, movies and books perform the same function particularly in cases where both the book and the movie are based on similar stories thus have related content. Some people argue that watching is better than reading but such an argument is subject to debate. This paper holds the view that one gains more by reading content than watching.
Movies are a good source of entertainment and information. One can watch a documentary within 2 or 3 hours. This is one of the key reasons why most people prefer to watch movies to reading a book. Instead of taking a couple of hours or days reading a novel, they want to ‘watch for 2 hours and get over it. However, that is as far as movies go. Books have proved time and again, that they are more valuable than any other literary technological advancement tool that man comes up with. From the early bible to modern books used in libraries, books are a permanent source of knowledge. They are more engaging than movies, and a reader can delve deeper thus understanding content more than he would for a movie.
A movie is usually limited by time. An account of the deeds and works of Jesus Christ, for instance, are given in details and elaborately in the bible. A step by step explanation enables the reader of the bible to fully understand who Jesus was. However, movies on the works and deeds of Jesus are brief, as they are limited to 2 or 3 hours only. Consequently, during editing, the editors remove some of the key parts of the story due to time limits, implying that the movie audience does not get a chance to watch every aspect of the storyline due to time and other budget constraints.
Such books as “DA Vinci Code” and “The Notebook” have corresponding movie titles but the movies are not even half as engaging or popular as the books, some of which are best sellers, having sold millions of copies all over the world. “Fifty shades of grey” is an erotic romance novel written in 2011. In 2015, a film was made from the movie and given a similar title. However, readers continue identifying themselves with the book, not the movie due to the compelling nature of the book, how vivid and detailed the author describes scenes and makes the reader picture exactly what he means. The book brings about an emotional connection between the reader and the characters in the book and is deeply endearing and compelling. A movie requires the actors to emulate the storyline and behave in a certain manner but human beings are prone to inadequacies and some end up failing to act or behave as expected thus viewers find some movies to be unfulfilling in comparison to the characters vividly described in books.
Moreover, books are an eternal source of knowledge. A book that one read 20 years ago is still as relevant, entertaining, and inspiring as it is today. Take Robert Kiyosaki’s inspirational books and tips on how to excel financially, for instance. Such books still make sense half a century after their publication because they give a detailed breakdown of how an individual can effectively pursue wealth and manage his finance. Movies are, however, subject to change in technology. Movies of the 19th century, for instance, are not as desirable as books written during a similar period because most of them employed inferior technology, and are mostly done in “black and white.” Books are eternal as no technology can render a book unfeasible.
In conclusion, books are a timeless treasure. They are more detailed and are highly informative and educative in comparison to a movie. Authors are not limited by time and budgetary constraints as movie editors are. Technological changes have little impact on the effectiveness of the book whose greatest value lies not on the paper on which it is written, but on the content of the pages. Books will definitely stand out for the next limitless couple of centuries.
