Helpful Score: 5
Netflix is an interesting thing. You view a movie or two and its recommendation engine gets going. The next thing you know you've got fifteen movies in a row all starring Raquel Welch, or some such.
In my case, it all started with Batman Begins, which lead to a string of movies staring Christian Bale. Among the things I wound up watching eventually was The Prestige, a movie about a pair of feuding magicians in the late 1800s. The movie is pretty dark, and there are some very interesting twists in it as well. David Bowie as Nikola Tesla was a great surprise.
At some point I learned that the movie was based on the book of the same name by Christopher Priest. I wanted to read the book because the movie is pretty convoluted. I thought I might learn a thing or two I'd missed in the movie. Also - as those who've read my reviews know - I am always curious about the adaptation process. Going from book to movie isn't always straightforward.
And so it turns out in this case. The Prestige isn't quite as distant from its book ancestor as Blade Runner is from Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?, but it's pretty far from the original. And, in all honesty, I'm still trying to decide which one I like more.
The book has additional characters - set in the present - who are looking into their ancestors. Beyond that, though, the book is mostly in the form of long extracts from the diaries of the two main characters: Rupert Angier and Alfred Borden. Nikola Tesla does appear in the book, and performs essentially the same task, but other characters, though present, are different in various ways.
The book is even darker than the movie, and more of a fantasy as well. At times it borders on horror. The cause of the bad blood between the magicians is entirely different, and various details about the apparatus created by Tesla are different as well. The diary extracts are very different in the two versions of the story, and to my mind the movie did a slightly better job there.
If I have a gripe with the book, it's that the diary extracts get a bit long at times, leaving the reader a bit unsure of where things are in time. That, however, is a minor issue. The story definitely still works, and the book won both the World Fantasy Award and the James Tait Black Memorial Prize for best fiction in 1996.
This is one of those cases where the book and the movie are so different that they don't impinge on each other, at least for me. Which one you like more is entirely up to you, of course. I find them both interesting and thought provoking, thus, both are recommended.
In my case, it all started with Batman Begins, which lead to a string of movies staring Christian Bale. Among the things I wound up watching eventually was The Prestige, a movie about a pair of feuding magicians in the late 1800s. The movie is pretty dark, and there are some very interesting twists in it as well. David Bowie as Nikola Tesla was a great surprise.
At some point I learned that the movie was based on the book of the same name by Christopher Priest. I wanted to read the book because the movie is pretty convoluted. I thought I might learn a thing or two I'd missed in the movie. Also - as those who've read my reviews know - I am always curious about the adaptation process. Going from book to movie isn't always straightforward.
And so it turns out in this case. The Prestige isn't quite as distant from its book ancestor as Blade Runner is from Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?, but it's pretty far from the original. And, in all honesty, I'm still trying to decide which one I like more.
The book has additional characters - set in the present - who are looking into their ancestors. Beyond that, though, the book is mostly in the form of long extracts from the diaries of the two main characters: Rupert Angier and Alfred Borden. Nikola Tesla does appear in the book, and performs essentially the same task, but other characters, though present, are different in various ways.
The book is even darker than the movie, and more of a fantasy as well. At times it borders on horror. The cause of the bad blood between the magicians is entirely different, and various details about the apparatus created by Tesla are different as well. The diary extracts are very different in the two versions of the story, and to my mind the movie did a slightly better job there.
If I have a gripe with the book, it's that the diary extracts get a bit long at times, leaving the reader a bit unsure of where things are in time. That, however, is a minor issue. The story definitely still works, and the book won both the World Fantasy Award and the James Tait Black Memorial Prize for best fiction in 1996.
This is one of those cases where the book and the movie are so different that they don't impinge on each other, at least for me. Which one you like more is entirely up to you, of course. I find them both interesting and thought provoking, thus, both are recommended.
I requested this because I enjoyed the movie and then never really felt like reading it because I was familiar with the story. When I finally got around to it, I was surprised at how different the book was from the movie and how many plot differences there were. Entertaining.
I had seen the movie and wanted to read the original version. The story is quite different, and was quite a satisfying read. It gives a telling look at the substantial (and unnecessary?) changes Hollywood makes.
Loved the movie, also loved the book. A great, spellbinding read, but not necessarily something I'd want to read over and over again.
It's been a while since I read this, but the very fact that I still think of it often is exactly why I felt the need to write this review.
I watched the movie several years ago, when it was in theaters, and was spellbound, if you will excuse the pun. Over the years I had thought occasionally of it. When I realized that it was based on a novel, I was interested, but unsure if it was worth reading since I had seen the movie. From many of the reviews I determined that it was different in many aspects, so I gave it a try.
The tone of the book is immediately different from the movie. Even though I thought I knew the story, I was thrust into a web of intrigue and revenge, gothic themes and slight of hand. From the moment I picked it up until I put it down I was captivated and, to be completely honest, found it eerie and was slightly disturbed by it.
I actually suggest both the book and the movie to people, but don't be deceived, they are different stories, both of which will haunt your thoughts for a long time to come.
I watched the movie several years ago, when it was in theaters, and was spellbound, if you will excuse the pun. Over the years I had thought occasionally of it. When I realized that it was based on a novel, I was interested, but unsure if it was worth reading since I had seen the movie. From many of the reviews I determined that it was different in many aspects, so I gave it a try.
The tone of the book is immediately different from the movie. Even though I thought I knew the story, I was thrust into a web of intrigue and revenge, gothic themes and slight of hand. From the moment I picked it up until I put it down I was captivated and, to be completely honest, found it eerie and was slightly disturbed by it.
I actually suggest both the book and the movie to people, but don't be deceived, they are different stories, both of which will haunt your thoughts for a long time to come.
Read this great book and then watch the equally excellent movie. Filled with interesting characters and situations and an unusual, misleading narrative style. Sometimes, you're not sure what direction is up or down.
I zipped through this book in a day and a half, I was so anxious to find out how things turned out.
I zipped through this book in a day and a half, I was so anxious to find out how things turned out.
Very interesting book that takes place mainly in the late 19th century as the same story is presented through 4 different points of view.
Probably the first book I have ever read where the movie is better than the book. I don't know if it would be the same if I had read the book first. I have read other books after seeing the movie first and the book is always better, except in this case. The only two distinct parts I find a little more descriptive and interesting in the book is the very last pages, (super creepy) and finally knowing the whole backstory on Angier which is completely non existent in the movie.
I watched the film first and was expecting the novel to be "better" than the movie. I was disappointed. I LOVE the film adaptation of this book, but the book falls flat for me. I have a hard time seeing how the movie was based on this book, more like inspired. You may be disappointed like I was if you are reading the book after seeing the film.
The Prestige was re-released because of the movie of the same title. The book begins like the movie, but the middle and ending are different. It was written in the 70's and has a twist ending (like a sci-fi book of that era).
I thought it was very good. It was interesting, but a little slow......
Liked the book but I hope the movie is better
Personally I preferred the movie, but the book is a good read too.
