Gold Customer

"Re(1):Battle Royale question" , posted Sun 6 Jul 11:24

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I've heard of Battle Royale from these and several other forums. While I really have no interest in seeing the movie I happened across an English translation of the original novel yesterday and was somewhat intrigued (since the book's always better than the film).

So my question is whether this book is worth buying and reading? Is it more than just a modern day version of Lord of the Flies?

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Okay, first of all, the book is not always better than the film. Often, it's a lot different, and very subjective. I know a lot of people who liked Blade Runner better than Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?, but I didn't. They practically tell two different stories, the way they emphasize different things. I wouldn't say Jurassic Park made a more entertaining movie than it did a book, but a lot of people have. The latest example I've heard of a book not being better than the movie(s) that followed is The Ring. I've seen reviews of the English translation of it, and people seem to think the original Japanese movie is more effective in every way, simply because the book doesn't let you care about the characters. Of course, that may have just been the reviewer's opinion, and the translation might have suffered, even.

As for Battle Royale, I've heard the plot sticks pretty closely to the way the movie plays out, and I've seen the movie, and I loved it. If that's true, the book's going to be a great read. I ought to pick it up sometime.

To call BR a "modern day Lord of the Flies" is somewhat accurate, but it kind of traps it and prevents it from being what it really is if you just think of it that way. Lord of the Flies is about the breakdown of society, whereas BR is about survival and the lengths one will go to, to protect one's own life, and to a lesser extent, those one loves.

So yeah, if the book's at least as good as the movie, it's going to be really good. I can't say that for sure, though, but I do recommend the movie.

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Magus Darkstar
161th Post

Regular Customer

"Re(1):Battle Royale question" , posted Sun 6 Jul 13:45

I loved the Battle Royale movie.

I loved the Battle Royale novel even more.

Buy it.

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|Darkstar Okonomiyaki| Now featuring Japanese TV show distrobution!

Mog
213th Post

Frequent Customer

"Re(2):Battle Royale question" , posted Sun 6 Jul 19:46

quote:

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I loved the Battle Royale movie.

I loved the Battle Royale novel even more.

Buy it.

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Love isn't the emotion I would use to descibe my feelings towards BA (it's hard for me to 'love' a book about a bunch of people being forced to kill each other and all), but I found the concept interesting.

quote:

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Buy it.

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I second that. By starting this post you already seem to be interested enough in the book to justify buying it. I say you should go for it.

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GameStop customer quote of the moment: "A friend of mine is a professional assassin so I'm sure I would be good at Hitman 2."

Red Carpet Regular Member

"Re(3):Battle Royale question" , posted Mon 7 Jul 00:13

New Red Carpet Member

"Re(4):Battle Royale question" , posted Mon 7 Jul 07:51

I've seen the movie a little while back and plan on seeing the second one when I go to Japan in August. I personally don't like it when people compare Battle Royale to Lord of the Flies. It's like comparing Apples and Oranges to be honest with you people (plus, I never liked lord of the flies).

Lord of the Flies is pretty much where the kids have to work together to survive until they are rescued and some kids end up dying and they get too greedy.

While with Battle Royale, it's every man for himself and the only way off the island is that you're the only survivor.

Even though they sound similar, they're actually opposite. I don't know what Lord of the Flies is suppose to teach us about society and all, but the first Battle Royale was about incidents like Columbine and the rising of school violence in Japan.

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Don't make me angry you wouldn't like me when I'm angry.

Variable Savior
174th Post

Regular Customer

"Re(5):Battle Royale question" , posted Mon 7 Jul 13:57