We all have a favorite book or series of books, and nothing is more exciting than finding out your favorite book is coming to the big screen.
Its like the great gods of literature have blessed you with a precious gift. You watch every trailer—comparing them to the books and trying to match scenes. You spend a whole paycheck on merchandise to wear to the premier, although the movie doesn’t come out for another year. You spend the entire year rereading the books to refresh your memory. You tell all your friends about it. You get as many of them to read the books as possible so you can go the premier with a huge group of people who have also read the book. You flood your Tumblr with stills from the movie, theories about the movie, cast reviews, and trailers and clips as they are released. Then the movie comes out. You buy your tickets as soon as they go on sale. The fateful day comes.
You see the movie...and it is nothing like the book.
There is no disappointment greater than that. The betrayal is too real. You sit there on the verge of tears as you watch the monstrosity that is the movie. “What is this?” you ask your friend. You painfully sit through the movie. You leave the theater, head hanging low in shame of what you just saw. You really want to cry.
“That was great! Can’t wait for the second movie,” your friend that didn’t read the book says. They don’t even know the danger they are in after that statement.
“Are you serious? That was horrible! It was nothing like the book," you respond. And how could they possibly think it was "great?" All they did was use the character names. They created a whole new story. You are contemplating getting your money back.
By this time your friend realizes they are in trouble and quickly tries to do some damage control.
“I need to read the book. Can I borrow it?” they respond. They know by asking to borrow the book, they will instantly be back on your good side.
You go home and flood Tumblr and Twitter and every other social media site there is. You feel it is your duty to let the rest of your fandom know how terrible the movie was. No one that had anything to do with this movie is safe at this point. You start “@ing” cast members, directors and writers with your true feelings about the movie. You try to be polite at first them you remember how horrible the movie was. The you hit the entire cast and crew with the same question: “Did you even read the book?”
It is taking everything in your power not to find each and every one of them and throw a copy of the book at them, screaming “READ THE BOOK!” But that might get you arrested, so you don’t do that.
Lastly, you email the author of the book with a sincere heart felt message saying something along the lines of: I recently saw the movie. I am so sorry. I know you had nothing to do with that. They have destroyed you’re beautiful story. The real fans and I will do our best to keep the true story alive. Signed, a real fan. After that you make one last Tumblr rant you go to bed hugging the book.
