I’m a believer in reading a book and then seeing the film. Or not. Let’s be honest. Some stories are best left as books, with the images swimming around your mind for weeks, months, years later. Savouring it. Watching the film version would never live up to your imagined images. The story is best left between the book cover.
I’ve been looking forward to reading and seeing Hidden Figures, after being introduced to it by fellow Yarn-Alongers reviews (thank you). I bought the book and intended to read it before our trip to the cinema. Needless to say, I conformed to my norm, and ran out of time. Like I didn’t see that coming!
The Film
This weekend, we went to see the film. It’s only just been released in the UK. I loved it. It is brilliant. If you haven’t seen it yet, put it on your list of must-go-to. You can thank me later.
With the subject matter, it would have been easy to go down the sensationalizing route, or to try and shock. I don’t think it does and that makes the story somehow stronger. I didn’t feel lectured or patronized. It has been a long time since I’ve felt the urge to stand up and applaud at the end of a film. It is that good.
It’s OK, I didn’t. I maintained my english reserve. My children would have died on the spot, if I had. Incidently, they (14, 12 and 9) loved it too, but were less moved to express their appreciation in the same way. Part way through the film, I did have to explain segregation to my 9 year old. The film gave all three children, a lot to think about and we have talked so much since, about the issues it raised. I’m probably most glad that they saw it.
The Book
Our cinema trip left me wanting to know more about the story and the women in it. I couldn’t wait to start reading the book and I’m now half way through. This book bucks the trend. I’m convinced that watching the film first, was the right way to appreciate the book, for me. It is not a light read. At points, it verges on text book depth. If aeronautic engineering or maths isn’t your cup of tea, please don’t be put off reading this book. If you are techy (like me), you’ll eat it up, but by no means does it get in the way of anyone else enjoying the book.
I am in awe of the strength of the brilliant women that the story follows. So many obstacles. So many people telling them that they couldn’t achieve their ambitions because they are women and they are black. As a woman in tech, decades later, I can’t remember anyone sitting me down and telling me I couldn’t follow my chosen career, because I wasn’t a man.
No-one told me I couldn’t. So I went ahead and did it. I followed my ambition.
Although, on the first day of an early job, I do remember looking around the huge, open-plan office and wondering where all the other women were. So maybe I just didn’t hear them saying it, while others did. I had it easy, which makes the journey of the three women, in the film, even more moving to me. They had so much more to contend with.
(I did learn a bit of Fortran and I did hold court in the head office boardroom of the bank I worked for, a few times, because I knew more about a subject than they did, but that is as far as comparisons go.)
There is only so much that can be included in the movie. In any movie. The book includes other woman that paved the way before the film picks up the story. Providing more context.
I’m only half way through. I’m looking forward to reading the rest of it.
The Knitting
And on to the knitting, seeing as it’s Wednesday….. I broke my no-buy rule. I bought sock yarn to knit a birthday (late) present for my husband. It is 4 ply Regia Snowflake. There was a knitted up pair of socks using the same yarn, in the shop, and I was won over. The band of snowflakes absolutely grabbed me and refused to allow me to leave without buying a ball of the self-patterned wonder.
I know. I’m weak. Resolve has now been re-established. I’m on the first sock and nearing the heel. I’m not sure the snowflake band is standing out as much. More of a snow blizzard.
So, what are you reading and knitting? Have you seen Hidden Figures? Please, I’d love to know what you think.
I actually watched Hidden Figures Monday night. I really enjoyed it. It infuriated me how the women were treated. But I loved the story. I did not read the book. I usually like to get the book read first before checking out the movie. I can’t blame you for caving in and getting that yarn. Those will make some nice socks!
It is a thought provoking story, or maybe I should say stories. Glad I’m not alone in loving it.
Thanks for your take on book after movie – I’ve been wondering whether I should read the book before the movie, and now I have my answer! Also, that yarn is beautiful!
Glad to help and hope you enjoy them both.
I love to read books before watching the movie – but it took watching the movie Pride and Prejudice (the BBC version) to really help me sit down and read that book, now it is one of my all time favorites! I have been looking forward to this movie as well 🙂
I read Pride and Prejudice when I had the freedom to read a book in a day or two. No longer a luxury for me. Easier to immerse then. I wonder if now films help me to decide if a book is worth investing time in. Maybe.
I love to read books before watching the movie – but it took watching the movie Pride and Prejudice (the BBC version) to really help me sit down and read that book, now it is one of my all time favorites! I have been looking forward to this movie as well 🙂
I prefer to read books before seeing the movies, and then waiting a while to see the movie. Otherwise I sit and nit-pick all the differences (because, of course, the book was better!). I haven’t read or seen “Hidden Figures” yet but I definitely plan to! Glad to see you gave it a ringing endorsement! 🙂
The book always is better. Yet to find the exception.
the book, the movie, i am so intrigued!!! i don’t read, can’t read, i have memory issues but i would love to see the film. i am so inspired by the women before me, the strong women around me, it sounds like a great movie!!
your sock looks lovely or manly, maybe that’s a better word. i really like sock yarn!!!
It is a great story with strong woman as the leads. Worth seeing, for sure.
I have been wanting to see that movie for a while. Maybe Hubby and I (both mathematicians) will make time this weekend. I ran into the all boys network at the first school that I attended for my masters degree. I switched schools quickly. That sock yarn is very pretty. Enjoy your knitting.
I’m sure many will see something in the story to relate to. Hope you made it to the cinema.
I’m glad to read your take on the film and book. The movie previews intrigued me, but I am weary of the political lens that everything is focused through now, and I was concerned that rather than the real story of their struggle (which does encompass political and social issues), it would be a diatribe and sermon.
It is interesting to see it in the historical context. I didn’t feel lectured at, especially true of the book, but I am viewing it from a distance.
Oh Good for you! Sometimes just simply walking around barriers can be more effective than arguing . There is power in confidence .
Calling someone out is harder when you not only have to stop someone but also justify nonsense.
Hidden figures sound great it’s on our To Watch list!
Goodness. So much I could say. With me it has been more about being in the right place, at the right time and seeing no barriers. Coupled with determination, and I have been lucky. I have worked with some amazing people who gave me a chance. I do admire people that fight for a cause. It is a real skill. Hope you do see Hidden Figures. I’m so glad we went and saw it as a family.
I really want to see the movie now it sounds like a really good movie and the book sounds great too. I like that your children saw the movie too and you had important discussions afterwards. I love the color of the sock yarn!
I just saw the movie it was excellent! very inspirational!
So glad you enjoyed it!
I’m glad the children took to it so well. Tey had so many interesting questions and points to make.
no knitting for me, but i am sewing linings on the bedroom curtains, it’s just too light in the mornings. I’ve no idea what book I’m currently reading it sits by the side of the bath, but it’s usually a chicklit. I tend not to red a book if i’ve seen the film version and vice versa, it confuses me, i either try to picture the actress and actors as I’ve seen them in the movie or when reading the book i form my own opinion of what they look and sound like, then get confused with the movie. Hope that makes sense. Thank you for your comment on my blog post #pocolo
I do know what you mean. I think it is part of the reason that I wouldn’t choose to watch some of the movies of books I’ve read. The curtain lining sounds like a very good idea.
Love books and creativity. So thank you for the insights into both in your world at present. #PoCoLo
Hope you have a good week.
My children are too little for me to go to the cinema, but I didn’t know there was a book, maybe I can access the story that way! The sock colours are lovely, gentle but not dull. Thanks for sharing
Yes. Read the book. I thought it was really good.
this movie looks good but i think id like to research the topic more than watch it! hahaha #PoCoLo
Ha! I know the feeling I wonder if NASA would hire me.