So, I've finally got round to reading Once Upon A Time In Hollywood and it's fantastic, by the way. Read through the whole thing in two days. Without giving anything away I can say that it's a bit different to the movie and the parts of the movie that proved controversial are not exactly changed in the book, it's just that they're not the focus of the story being told. The book leaves out a lot of what the movie's ending was and instead explores more of the Brad Pitt character's backstory and the DiCaprio character's attempt at an acting comeback. Great book and I'd even recommend it to people who didn't like the movie (Trivial, that means you!)

But it also got me thinking. I've never really been bothered too much with novelisations of movies. If I watch the movie, I don't really feel like reading the book. Now, I'm not talking about things that were novels first and then turned into movies. I'm talking about movies that were turned into novels. They never interested me in the slightest. But after reading, and thoroughly enjoying, Once Upon A Time In Hollywood I'm curious about whether any other movie novelisations might be worth a read.

Someone told me that the Alien novelisation was pretty good so I might check that out. But is there any others you guys could recommend?

When I was a kid, I read two of them, E.T. and Poltergeist. I enjoyed both of them, tho I wonder if adult me would like them.

I think Poltergeist was the one that had a sex scene, and I showed it to another guy or two. Pretty exciting for a kid.

I was actually 12, but they were more innocent times, pre-web.

The only one I can think of is Dances With Wolves and as far as I know, they first had the idea for the film and then the book came out so they could make a film about it. But I never read it and I don't think novelisations of movies are very common. As for QT's book, I didn't expect too much at first, but I've been going through it and it might be a good read after all. I think I'll get it eventually. And watch the film again.
[Edited 7/30/21 6:53am]

PJMcGee said:

I can't be dealing with E.T. Even in book form. I'd be having nightmares for weeks.

I might check out Poltergeist though. I really love that movie so that's a great suggestion, thanks.

The devil wears prada as a novel is completely different from the movie

The closest I've ever read a novelization was the continuation of The 4400 which I don't think that's the same thing. I have seen Pitch Black and The Chronicles of Riddick were turned into novelizations. But from everything I've heard they're just repeating the movie.

I can´t really think of any off the top of my head other than Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome.

But that one was pretty good and went into some details regarding Max Rockatansky´s previous adventures, specifically the events of Mad Max 2.

purplethunder3121 said:

Why would you do that? I thought we were friends

PJMcGee said:

When I was a kid, I read two of them, E.T. and Poltergeist. I enjoyed both of them, tho I wonder if adult me would like them. I think Poltergeist was the one that had a sex scene, and I showed it to another guy or two. Pretty exciting for a kid.

I read both of those back in middle school. I felt like "Poltergeist" was much better.

ufoclub said:

Hot stuff, huh?

I remember some of the E.T. was from the alien's point of view. I think he was a botanist, really into plants. So yeah, not too exciting. But an interesting change of perspective.