Are films better than books?

“Books are a uniquely portable magic.”

– Stephen King

Recently, I decided to reread one of any of the books that I read a long time ago. I picked Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice, because it had been a long time since I first read it, and also because it is an enjoyable and charming book. I remember smiling, even chuckling, as I read the book. It was as though I stood right there at the various balls and social gatherings and watched Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth and also overheard their conversations. I also remember giggling as I read Mr. Darcy confess his love for Elizabeth. The book transported me to another world!

Today, as I was speaking to my book-loving friend, this 'are books better or films?' was a significant part of our convo. She related to me how in one of the films from the Harry Potter franchise, Hermoine was shown wearing a blue dress, while in the book, the dress is mentioned to be pink! This is where we started discussing the 'books or films?' thing. It was my opinion that books are a lot better than films. The #1 reason I think books are better than films is because of the freedom books allow when it comes to interpretation and imagination.

Books allow for a freer interpretation of the setting, characters, and events described, in your own unique way. Films, on the other hand, give you fine and commendable visual representation, but it's only that - it's pretty restricted to what they've portrayed there. Books enhance your imagination and help you visualise better. This strengthens your mind as it acts like a muscle. Reading strengthens your brain ¹. Take this verbatim excerpt, for example, from Hound of the Baskervilles, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. Slow down, use your imagination and engage your senses as you read:

"The moon was shining bright upon the clearing, and there in the centre lay the unhappy maid where she had fallen, dead of fear and of fatigue. But it was not the sight of her body, nor yet was it that of the body of Hugo Baskerville lying near her, which raised the hair upon the heads of these three dare-devil roysterers, but it was that, standing over Hugo, and plucking at his throat, there stood a foul thing, a great, black beast, shaped like a hound, yet larger than any hound that ever mortal eye has rested upon. And even as they looked the thing tore the throat out of Hugo Baskerville, on which, as it turned its blazing eyes and dripping jaws upon them, the three shrieked with fear and rode for dear life, still screaming, across the moor."

Does your mind not give you rich, vivid visuals as you read the text? Reading and visualising can also improve your memory and enhance your mental performance. While reading books, your mind aids in visualising, but a movie doesn't really give you freedom to that extent.

Another reason why books can be better than movies is because they are not really constrained by time, space and monetary budgets. The authors can transport readers to different times, places, realms and worlds, without any restrains of time, space or money.

Books also help in building and enhancing your vocabulary. Most movies do that too, but books perform much better here. Research has found that students who read books regularly, from a young age, develop large vocabularies gradually ¹.

Reading also reduces stress and anxiety ¹ ². This is because reading engages your mind and forces your brain to be creative so you can imagine the story as you read.

Here are a few more benefits of reading:

1. It may help you live longer! ¹

2. It helps alleviate depression symptoms. ¹

3. It prevents age-related cognitive decline. ¹

Reading provides multiple benefits. But even movie watching is not all negative. Movie watching has benefits too:

1. Films help us learn.

2. Watching films can be a great way to unwind and relax.

3. Movies, too, can help in relieving stress.

4. They can also boost creativity.

Ultimately, whether films are better than books is a matter of opinion. It is up to the individual to decide which medium they prefer. The best way to decide is to try both and see what you enjoy more. However, it is perfectly okay to enjoy both. I, myself, prefer movies on some occasions and books on others.

Citations:

1. Stanborough, R. J. (2019, October 15) Benefits of Reading Books: How It Can Positively Affect Your Life. Healthline. Benefits of Reading Books: For Your Physical and Mental Health (healthline.com)

2. Sarah Vallie (2022, November 02). Health Benefits of Reading Books. WebMD. Reading Books: Benefits for Mind and Body (webmd.com)