Last time I compared The Shining (post and the still open poll here) and this time I am comparing one of my favorite books and a new movie favorite. My Secret Life of Bees review from 2009 is here. This is going to be a close call.
The Story/Plot This is really a coming of age story for Lily, who has the burden of her mother’s death on her shoulders as well as feeling unloved by her father. Both the movie and the book portrayed that. They were so close in storytelling that the few differences from the two, Lily and Zach at the movies and the Sunday church services at the pink house, were not enough to make me choose either one. Tie
The Visual I thought the movie brought this story to life beautifully. I loved seeing the richness of the south and especially liked seeing the beekeeping on screen. I only wish there had been more of it. Thumbs up-Movie
Characters vs. Actors I love Queen Latifah and thought she was a great choice for August. Actually all of the actresses were great. The only one that didn’t really match my mind’s view was Rosaleen but the actress was fine. Withe that being said, I loved the characters in the book and felt a much deeper connection with Lily in the book. Tie
The Ending The movie had a hollywood ending. It was fine, but I prefer the slight messiness of the book. Thumbs Up-Book
And the winner is…I’m giving a very slight edge to the book, but I think both were excellent.
Now it’s your turn to vote
Other book vs. movie polls you can vote on: (We Have Always Lived in the Castle) (Good Morning, Midnight/ The Midnight Sky) (Before I Go To Sleep) (The Little Prince) (Charlie St. Cloud) (Far From the Madding Crowd) (The Girl on the Train) (Tuck Everlasting) (Northanger Abbey) (Me Before You) (And Then There Were None) (Still Alice) (The Blind Side) (The Fault in Our Stars) (The Hound of the Baskervilles) (Gone Girl) (Jack Reacher) (Ender’s Game) (Carrie, the original) (Under the Tuscan Sun) (The Secret Life of Bees) (The Shining, the original)
Stacy's Books 
I loved both! I’ve read the book twice and watched the movie about 4 times.
I really need to read the book again and know I’ll watch the movie again too.
I read the book and saw the movie at the theater. The book wasn’t fresh enough in my mind to compare the differences. I loved the casting of the movie. Sue Monk Kidd was here last year and she is really funny!
I look forward to reading more from her. I like knowing great writers are good people too.
I only saw the movie but OMG brilliant in my mind. It is probably the movie that has had me cry the most ever, I serious couldn’t recover in time for the next crying moment, sigh. I should read it one day.
You will love it.
I remember really enjoying the book, and now I’m going to have to see the movie.
I waited a long time and was surprised at how good it was.
Loved both versions, but the book was the most excellent!
Agreed!
For some crazy reason my comments on WordPress either post or go right to your spam folder!!
There must be something wrong with my Gravatar!!! Anyway….I loved the book and thought the movie was perfect so for me it would be too close to call!!
I read this book but didn’t see the movie yet. Now I can barely remember the book.