Comments on: Maurice Sendak and insight http://www.pertuset.net/openbook/2009/05/16/sendak-insight/ a reader's journal Mon, 09 Aug 2010 00:15:47 -0700 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: Jenni http://www.pertuset.net/openbook/2009/05/16/sendak-insight/comment-page-1/#comment-200 Jenni Thu, 21 May 2009 01:18:20 +0000 http://www.pertuset.net/openbook/?p=400#comment-200 When I saw the recent Seattle Children's Theater production of <em>Goodnight Moon</em>, I knew going in that taking a story I recite in under two minutes and turning it into a hour-long play would require quite a lot of padding. All I wanted was the resulting play to be true to the spirit of the book. It failed. I suppose <em>Where the Wild Things Are</em> could be similarly disappointing, though if my experience with <em>Goodnight Moon</em> is indicative, it won't impact how I feel about or imagine the book. I think it has it's own life in my mind that can withstand a poor film interpretation. Though I don't believe this will be a poor film interpretation. The trailer shows quite a departure from the book, but one that I think honors its spirit. (Related post: <a href="http://www.pertuset.net/openbook/2008/04/02/austen-movies/" rel="nofollow">Jane Austen and movies</a>) When I saw the recent Seattle Children’s Theater production of Goodnight Moon, I knew going in that taking a story I recite in under two minutes and turning it into a hour-long play would require quite a lot of padding. All I wanted was the resulting play to be true to the spirit of the book. It failed.

I suppose Where the Wild Things Are could be similarly disappointing, though if my experience with Goodnight Moon is indicative, it won’t impact how I feel about or imagine the book. I think it has it’s own life in my mind that can withstand a poor film interpretation. Though I don’t believe this will be a poor film interpretation. The trailer shows quite a departure from the book, but one that I think honors its spirit.

(Related post: Jane Austen and movies)

]]> By: Shannon http://www.pertuset.net/openbook/2009/05/16/sendak-insight/comment-page-1/#comment-193 Shannon Tue, 19 May 2009 20:31:54 +0000 http://www.pertuset.net/openbook/?p=400#comment-193 In general, I shy away from movies that either expand short books or mercilessly slash away at long books. I think it's a lot to ask of a Hollywood screenwriter to take a short and perfect book like Where the Wild Things Are and add the equivalent of 100 pages. I doubt he or she is any Maurice Sendak. In general, I shy away from movies that either expand short books or mercilessly slash away at long books. I think it’s a lot to ask of a Hollywood screenwriter to take a short and perfect book like Where the Wild Things Are and add the equivalent of 100 pages. I doubt he or she is any Maurice Sendak.

]]> By: that other librarian friend http://www.pertuset.net/openbook/2009/05/16/sendak-insight/comment-page-1/#comment-187 that other librarian friend Sun, 17 May 2009 14:30:04 +0000 http://www.pertuset.net/openbook/?p=400#comment-187 There are a lot of movies based on books that have a lot to accomplish and don't. Holes is the first one that comes to mind. Charlotte's Web is two. What else? There are some I can't watch. Ella Enchanted is the first one that comes to mind. And I probably won't be in the theater for Where the Wild Things Are. It's just too dear to my heart to see it any other way. The only movie that might be acceptable in both book and movie version is the original Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. No. No. I take that back. There are a lot of movies based on books that have a lot to accomplish and don’t. Holes is the first one that comes to mind. Charlotte’s Web is two. What else? There are some I can’t watch. Ella Enchanted is the first one that comes to mind. And I probably won’t be in the theater for Where the Wild Things Are. It’s just too dear to my heart to see it any other way. The only movie that might be acceptable in both book and movie version is the original Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. No. No. I take that back.

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