Thinking that the book, Forrest Gump would be just as amazing as I think the movie is, I decided to read it. The book and the movie have the same general idea, where there’s a man with a low IQ, who is part of many major events during the 20th century, but there are few similarities besides that. The book is in no way a bad book but I think seeing the movie first ruined the book for me. I started reading it thinking that it would be almost identical to the movie. After the first few pages I realized that it wasn’t going to be exactly like the movie, but I still hoped. I kept waiting for Jenny to tell Forrest to run but it never happened. A lot of my favorite parts from the movie were not in the book, and this for some reason made the book disappointing. If I just read the book without seeing the movie I am almost positive that I would have a different opinion. I would not have been expecting things to happen and I could have just enjoyed reading it. If I had not seen the movie Forrest Gump, reading the book would have been so much more pleasurable. Even with this there were many parts of the book that I liked.I liked how Forrest was so naïve to all of the bad things that were happening to him and around him. Some people would probably find this frustrating. But, I liked how it showed the world from a different perspective and I was intrigued by Forrest’s view on life. He shows the reader that even people with a low IQ can have a positive view on life, and not let their problems affect that view. Forrest says “Well so what? I may be an idiot, but most of the time, anyway, I tried to do the right thing.” This shows that Forrest does not care that he is an idiot and that he can still be a good person. This made the story very interesting to me.Also, I liked how all of the crazy adventures that Forrest went on kept me entertained. Even though many of Forrest’s adventures were not in the movie I still enjoyed reading them. They kept me turning the page and wanting to know how Forrest was going to get out of the strange situations that he found himself in. Like when Forrest was stuck on an island, acting as a slave to cannibals, I had no idea how he would get out of that situation. One thing that I did not like about this book was how the adventures that Forrest went on started to seem unbelievable. This may have been what the author was going for, but I defiantly got annoyed with all of the ridiculous things that happened to Forrest. I especially didn’t like how Forrest was sent into space with a crazy monkey. It just seemed to unrealistic for my liking.I would recommend this book to people who have not seen the movie or people who have seen it, but they did not think it was the best thing ever. People who have not seen the movie would not have any expectations, so they would be able to just enjoy the book. For people who were not in love with the movie, you would not be disappointed when your favorite parts of the movie are not in the book, so you also would be able to enjoy it. I think that Forrest Gump is an overall good book, but seeing the movie first ruined the book for me.
It's amazing how good the movie is considering this source material. It seems to me the movie only resembles about 40 percent of the book--Forrest is an idiot from Alabama who has a lifelong friendship with a girl named Jenny and he is unintentionally funny and finding himself in misadventures. Plus, there is a Lt. Dan.But beyond that, the movie is quite different. The biggest difference? The movie has a lot more heart and depth. The tone of the book is, for the most part, just flat out silly and ridiculous with Forrest having just way too many misadventures that make you say, "Yeah, right." It's all supposedly in good fun, but it sort of wears thin after a while (probably about the time he and his orangutan friend go to outer space and then crash in New Guinea and spend 4 years raising cotton with some cannibals).Sure, I laughed at parts. But the movie also made me cry.Another big difference is the movie seems like it is a snapshot of America from the 1950s to the 1980s, where the book only touches on history for a few moments.Anyway, if you love the movie, the book is sort of fun to read to compare the two and to consider how a good Hollywood screenwriter can take a decent idea and really flesh it out into something spectacular. It's a rare thing when I read a book and watch its movie that I say the movie was way better, but this is one of those times.
What do You think about Forrest Gump (2002)?
Alright. Before I say anything about the book, I have to tell you that I never saw the movie. Never. In fact, before my boyfriend lent me this book I was simply under the impression that this book is about a southern man who likes ping pong and thinks that life is like a box of chocolates. So, no comparisons to the movie here.To sum things up, this book follows the life of Forrest Gump, a lovable idiot with a few remarkable skills. A bunch of crazy stuff happens, including Forrest becoming a Vietnam war hero, going to space, being stranded on an island with cannibals, and a whole lot more. One of the best things about this novel is that every bizarre thing that happens to Forrest is actually explained in a somewhat believable manner, and every event connects seamlessly. The plot is (obviously) unrealistic, but that is one thing that is to be expected when you start reading this book.This was one of the funniest books I've ever read. The way Forrest reacts to his different situations is priceless, and a satire element is definitely present. My favorite thing about this book is that Winston Groom gives every character a unique voice, especially Forrest himself, which is probably one of the reasons that this book is so popular. It's difficult not to love the dumb oaf by the end of the book, so I know I have to pick up copies of the sequel and movie soon to get my Forrest fix.
—Shelby
The only thing that kept me from rating this book a 5 star was it got a bit weird. In a fun way but still weird. I loved this book. I can't remember a novel that made me laugh out loud like this one did. I read this while I traveled and I had several times where I had to stifle my laughs in public places. This is not the ultra sweet movie Forrest Gump but a much funnier bawdy version. I love the story telling style of the book and even the "spelling as it sounds" technique. Much fun and a quick paced read. I think watching the movie first was a good idea (I love the movie) as i was able to hear Forrest talk in the book with that wacky lilting cadence. That works for me with this character. Great book, great movie. Fun.
—Kevin
I was like 7 or 8 years old when I saw the movie and all I can remember of it were the words "RUN FORREST RUN!." My thoughts after watching it was "yikes! what a boring movie!"November 22, 2010...Then, everything changed within the span of 3 hours. I read it and now I like it! needless to say, it's a must read book not just for the Americans but for ALL types of people, for the humble-idiots or just plain innocent like Forrest and hypocrites (those who think they are better than Forrest) alike. Everyone has the right to dream BIG! as grande as becoming a NASA worker :D, from a chess player to becoming an actor then, from wrestling, to owning a big business of shrimp industry, and to even have a breakfast in the White House and spend it with none other than the most powerful man in the world, America's president! Life holds a lot of surprises for us may we be idiots or not. *I salute Forrest*"I may be an idiot, but I am not stupid. I am just doing the right thing." -Forrest Gump
—Julie
