So, to be fair, I think they’re just completely different stories. I didn’t love Frances Mayes in the book even while I sympathized with her (and I can’t quite put my finger on why) and I also just wasn’t terribly impressed with the writing. I do respect that you enjoyed it, and clearly you’re not alone in that!

Agreed, and that’s what I was expecting of them book (more entertainment). Instead it’s just incredibly bleak. And frankly, boring.

I JUST watched that, and it was a masterpiece. Chef’s kiss. Truly nuanced and balanced storytelling. Surprisingly good pacing for as meandering as it seems to get. I honestly can’t remember anything stronger that I’ve watched in recent years.

That book really is awful. Which is a shame because the movie is one of my favorites.

The movie is about the shark. The book is about depressing small-town melodrama. The only thing I think the book did fractionally better was explain the mayor’s behavior in not wanting to close the beaches.