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3.92 AVERAGE
3.92 AVERAGE
I really liked this book but wish it was a bit more written out in full. Because it is adapted from a movie, small, unimportant, “in-between” scenes are completely absent and there is no real descriptions of thoughts or emotions. I wish it was adapted more thoroughly and the format was actually changed to a novel.
Dead Poets Society by N.H. Kleinbaum
4.7 Stars
VAGUE SPOILERS AHEAD - Nothing major but if you want to go into this book blind then don't read this.
Dead Poets Society was originally a comedic drama film released in 1989, directed by Peter Weir. It is set in 1959. The film follows a group of male students in their junior year of high school at Welton Academy, a prestigious and strict boarding school in Vermont. The lives of these students are transformed when they get a new English teacher, Mr Keating. He teaches them the philosophy of 'Carpe Diem', which means seize the day. The story follows themes of education, passion, rebellion, love, friendship, conformity, life and death. All of these ideas are tied together through poetry. This book is N.H. Kleinbaum's translation of the film into a novel.
Dead Poets Society is one of my favourite films of all time. As somebody who lives to write and read and has always found my passion in the field of literature, this movie changed my life completely. I was very excited going into this book because of this. One thing I immediately noticed was that there were several lines and moments that occurred differently in the book then in the film (which is a sign that I've seen it too many times). At first I wasn't sure how to feel about this, but I think that the moments that were changed helped to better express the meanings within the text and the characters on the page. There were also a lot of scenes in this book that were either originally deleted scenes (look them up on YouTube, they're great) or scenes that may have even been completely original. These scenes were my favourite because they added to the character development a lot and defined the relationships between these characters a lot better. I think, as a novel that came after the film, it did a great job at expanding on the events of the film and breaking my heart even more.
My only criticisms for this book would be that it wasn't as descriptive as I'd liked it to be. It is a very short novel and even though it only exists to be a book version of the film, I feel like there could've been more emphasis on the scenery of Welton Academy. It had the opportunity to bring in that imagery and world building and it didn't, and was more plot and character focused. In my opinion, this doesn't lower the quality of the writing but it does sometimes feel like there's a lot missing from scenes. There are also the issues with Knox Overstreet's character, which I had when watching the film as well. However, don't expect Knox to be any better in this book. In my opinion, he actually comes across much worse here. His actions could be interpreted as a message to the audience saying 'this isn't what we mean when we say seize the day', but I just think the whole situation was problematic.
Despite these issues, I really enjoyed this book. There is something so special about the story of the Dead Poets Society that I think every writer, poet, artist and literature nerd should get to experience. If you haven't already, I strongly urge you to go and watch this film even if you think that you're none of the things I've listed. The message and impact that this film has applies to all aspects of life and it is definitely one of those films I think everybody should watch at least once. In terms of the book version, I'd recommend it to people who liked the film and also to people who enjoy the academia genre of literature and are studying/want to study English. To all the book nerds out there, this film is for you!
Favourite Character:
I love so many of the dead poets, but Todd Anderson will always hold a special place in my heart! He is such a specifically relatable character for me. The representation of his anxiety and lack of self esteem paired with his fear to show his writing is something that resonates with me so strongly. His journey as a character is so important to me and I think he'll always be my favourite of the group. I do think that when you watch/read Dead Poets Society, there is always a specific dead poet that you relate to the most.
Favourite Line:
“No matter what anybody tells you, words and ideas can change the world.”
4.7 Stars
VAGUE SPOILERS AHEAD - Nothing major but if you want to go into this book blind then don't read this.
Dead Poets Society was originally a comedic drama film released in 1989, directed by Peter Weir. It is set in 1959. The film follows a group of male students in their junior year of high school at Welton Academy, a prestigious and strict boarding school in Vermont. The lives of these students are transformed when they get a new English teacher, Mr Keating. He teaches them the philosophy of 'Carpe Diem', which means seize the day. The story follows themes of education, passion, rebellion, love, friendship, conformity, life and death. All of these ideas are tied together through poetry. This book is N.H. Kleinbaum's translation of the film into a novel.
Dead Poets Society is one of my favourite films of all time. As somebody who lives to write and read and has always found my passion in the field of literature, this movie changed my life completely. I was very excited going into this book because of this. One thing I immediately noticed was that there were several lines and moments that occurred differently in the book then in the film (which is a sign that I've seen it too many times). At first I wasn't sure how to feel about this, but I think that the moments that were changed helped to better express the meanings within the text and the characters on the page. There were also a lot of scenes in this book that were either originally deleted scenes (look them up on YouTube, they're great) or scenes that may have even been completely original. These scenes were my favourite because they added to the character development a lot and defined the relationships between these characters a lot better. I think, as a novel that came after the film, it did a great job at expanding on the events of the film and breaking my heart even more.
My only criticisms for this book would be that it wasn't as descriptive as I'd liked it to be. It is a very short novel and even though it only exists to be a book version of the film, I feel like there could've been more emphasis on the scenery of Welton Academy. It had the opportunity to bring in that imagery and world building and it didn't, and was more plot and character focused. In my opinion, this doesn't lower the quality of the writing but it does sometimes feel like there's a lot missing from scenes. There are also the issues with Knox Overstreet's character, which I had when watching the film as well. However, don't expect Knox to be any better in this book. In my opinion, he actually comes across much worse here. His actions could be interpreted as a message to the audience saying 'this isn't what we mean when we say seize the day', but I just think the whole situation was problematic.
Despite these issues, I really enjoyed this book. There is something so special about the story of the Dead Poets Society that I think every writer, poet, artist and literature nerd should get to experience. If you haven't already, I strongly urge you to go and watch this film even if you think that you're none of the things I've listed. The message and impact that this film has applies to all aspects of life and it is definitely one of those films I think everybody should watch at least once. In terms of the book version, I'd recommend it to people who liked the film and also to people who enjoy the academia genre of literature and are studying/want to study English. To all the book nerds out there, this film is for you!
Favourite Character:
I love so many of the dead poets, but Todd Anderson will always hold a special place in my heart! He is such a specifically relatable character for me. The representation of his anxiety and lack of self esteem paired with his fear to show his writing is something that resonates with me so strongly. His journey as a character is so important to me and I think he'll always be my favourite of the group. I do think that when you watch/read Dead Poets Society, there is always a specific dead poet that you relate to the most.
Favourite Line:
“No matter what anybody tells you, words and ideas can change the world.”
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Clearly an adaptation from the film, think the lack of prose and in depth description put me off
inspiring
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
It has some really messed up parts, but this book genuinely means so much to me. I relate to Todd perhaps a bit too much and also relate to Neil a decent amount, which makes this book absolutely HEART BREAKING
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
fast-paced
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide
emotional
funny
inspiring
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes