Customer Reviews

V for Vendetta

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(6)

 

 

I'm always a bit suspicious when someone releases a novelization of a movie based on a novel or, in this case, a graphic novel. After all, one would expect that the original work upon which the movie was based would suffice. My suspicions of this novelization were heightened by the cover which proclaims "an uncompromising vision of the future from the creators of The Matrix trilogy" and "a novelization by Steve Moore based on the screenplay written by the Wachowski brothers". Admittedly Alan Moore doesn't want his name associated in any way with the movie but these two statements create the impression that "V For Vendetta" is entirely the creation of the Wachowski brothers.

Once you get into the book...well let's just say its done nothing to change my opinion of novelizations of movies based on novels. If you want to read "V For Vendetta" do yourself a big favor and get Alan Moore's graphic novel instead of this novelization.

...Until the DVD comes out.

I was pleasantly suprised to find that the author of this novelization is fond of the original graphic novel enough to incorporate elements that were absent in the film. He tones down V's emotional side and enhances the sequences such as the Larkhill flashback and Evey's incarceration with lots of background information that got left out.

I love the movie but I was disapointed with some of the changes made. This novel is a great combination of the two and is very evocatively written besides.

The only thing that loses a star is that it follows the script of the movie nearly to a word. Usually novelizations are based on earlier versions of the script and so they contain extra scenes and such, but this one doesn't. If you're really attached to the script this is a good thing, but I was sort of hoping for a new spin on things.

I'd still highly recommend it, though.

I have not read the graphic novel so will not get into a debate of format. I can only say that I thought the film was brilliant; a 1984ish parable updated for the ominous times in which we live today. I think people need to be reminded that the fight and sacrifice for freedom is not something that a previous generation did for us, but something we have to do for ourselves day by day. The abdication of that fight, in reality and in the fictional England of "V for Vendetta", will always lead to deprivation and despair; chaos and violence.

Now about the book...

...Novelizations based upon films are justifiably viewed with skepticism; however, Steve Moore did right by the film and wrote an engrossing novel as well. Fans of the film will be relieved to know that the dialog in the novel is verbatim the same dialog as in the film, with all of those excellent Shakespeare soliloquies coming through intact. It was worth reading the novel just to have those passages near to hand. As some art forms can only be properly portrayed in film, so too, depths of character and backstory can only be properly portrayed in print. The novel provides just a little more exposition than was possible in the film; a little more insight into V and Evey and Finch, et al. Steve Moore's novelization can stand alone as an excellent work of political fiction.

After seeing the movie, V for Vendetta, and instantly becoming a fan, I bought this novel to read. I thoroughly enjoyed reading it, finding it to be very well written and comprehensive. It is very like the film, with some small differences, details that allowed me more insight into the characters, particularly V and Evey. If you loved the film as I did, I would definitely recommend this novel.

I know some you out there are purists and it is understandable that you do not like the changes made from the original graphic novel and that is alright, but my approach to this situation is to invite everyone to experience all three (gn, novel and movie) and take a moment to view each as a separate entity. I enjoyed all of them actually for what they were and not trying to impose upon each my impression of the other. It is our ability to take different perspective and view thing through as many frames as possible that allow us to better understand. Preconcieved notions are often our downfall. Don't miss out on what could be a great experience. Try it and see what you get. You might be surprised.

I am a big fan of film novelizations, especially ones that are based on comic books such as this. The book is about a masked man named V who befriends a troubled and afraid girl named Evey and invites her on a quest to overthrow their evil government and it's leader Adam Sutler. v is a mysterious character who is dying for revenge (I can't ell why you have to read it!) against the people within the government who hurt him. The book is pretty violent but you should expect it to be because the film has recently been rated R for strong violence and some language. It's a great book filled with action and mystery and when there is a part where something doesn't make sense (and there will be if you're a slightly younger reader like me) just keep reading and soon you'll see that the story elements are connected in some really cool ways. Great writing. Can't wait for the movie but read the book first because you may not understand the movie! In theatres March 17th and starring Natalie Portman (from Star Wars) and Hugo Weaving (Agent Smith from the Matrix). Enjoy!

Get the original comic book instead.

Yes, I said, "comic book," not, "graphic novel." The term is an attempt to tart up the terminology to sound more respectable, implying that the comic book is not a respectable medium. But I digress.

This novelization is just standard movie merchandising. No offense to the author of this adaptation, but when the source material is just as accessible, what's the point?

V for Vendetta (9.5 hours, eight CDs, Unabridged, Blackstone Audio) is the spoken word version of the novelization of the movie script based upon the DC comics graphic novel (DON"T ASK ME TO REPEAT THAT SENTENCE AGAIN!). Simon Vance is a wiz in his narration. In this production, he is a one man band who preforms so this so well. Vance mesh characters so complete that you would think the studio was filled with people instead of the party of one. The fantasy story is part Count of Monte Cristo, which is eluded to many times the piece and part 1984. It was an interesting movie and an equally marvelous audiobook.

Bennet Pomerantz AUDIOWORLD

This book is actually very good. It is great to have V as a point of view character at times, such as when he sees the unconscious Evey in Jordan Towers, or confronting Creedy underground.. This may well be one of the best 'tie-in' efforts ever produced.

Some of the political and other history related to countries other than England is given more detail in the novel.

I won't enter into the controversy of how this novelization compares with the original graphic novel or the movie. My review is based only on the quality of the audio version, which is excellent. Simon Vance reads clearly, with wonderful distinction between the various characters in dialogue. V is for Vivacious Vocalization.