Book vs. Movie: Every Day by David Levithan

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Don’t Judge a Book by its Movie is a feature on The Candid Cover spotlighting and reviewing book to movie adaptations.

Book vs. Movie: Every Day by David LevithanTitle: Every Day (Every Day #1)
Author: David Levithan
Also by this author: Another Day (Every Day #2)
Narrator: Alex McKenna
Publisher: Listening Library
Cast: Angourie Rice, Justice Smith, Debby Ryan
Director: Michael Sucsy
Screenplay: Jesse Andrews
Genres: Contemporary, Young Adult Fiction
Publication Date: August 28, 2012
Rating: four-stars

Summary (from Goodreads):

Every day a different body. Every day a different life. Every day in love with the same girl.

There’s never any warning about where it will be or who it will be. A has made peace with that, even established guidelines by which to live: Never get too attached. Avoid being noticed. Do not interfere.
It’s all fine until the morning that A wakes up in the body of Justin and meets Justin’s girlfriend, Rhiannon. From that moment, the rules by which A has been living no longer apply. Because finally A has found someone he wants to be with—day in, day out, day after day.

With his new novel, David Levithan, bestselling co-author of Will Grayson, Will Grayson, and Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist, has pushed himself to new creative heights. He has written a captivating story that will fascinate listeners as they begin to comprehend the complexities of life and love in A’s world, as A and Rhiannon seek to discover if you can truly love someone who is destined to change every day.

Amazon “iBooks”

Book vs. Movie: Every Day

When I first learned that David Levithan’s book, Every Day, was going to be made into a movie, I was thrilled. The concept is so unique and the experiences that A, the main character, has waking up as someone new each and every day are eye-opening. The film, however, is quite disappointing and does not do the book justice.


Every Day Books Pull at Your Heartstrings

The novels Every Day and Another Day give the reader a glimpse of life from so many different perspectives. For unknown reasons, A wakes up each day as a new person. What is so enlightening is the fact that A learns from each host that he/she inhabits. A is never the same person twice and can take the form of any race, shape, disability, or sexuality. When A attempts to find some sort of constant in his/her life, he/she falls in love. It is through the love interest, Rhiannon, that A comes to the realization of what one will do in the name of love. This is not your typical love story, but it really pulls at your heart strings and makes the reader think.
 

The Every Day Movie Misses the Mark

The film version of Every Day seems to attempt to portray the story created by David Levithan, but it really misses the mark. The movie starts off telling about A’s life, but for those who had not read the book, I am not sure how much is understood up until the point that A confesses to Rhiannon his/her situation. It is hard to discuss too much without spoiling the plot, however, the concept that David Levithan created for A, becoming a different person each day is abandoned during this movie. It totally changes the whole game plan and just ruined the entire story. The acting is sub-par, although I did enjoy seeing such a large cast portraying one character.
 

Skip the Movie and Read the Books

If there was ever a time where I would advise one of my readers to skip a movie, this would be it. While I always anticipate that there will be changes in a book to movie adaptation, this one is too far from the original to really be enjoyable for fans of the books. Even if you have never read the Every Day series, this film is not worth the time or the money.
 

About David Levithan

Image of David Levithan.

David Levithan (born 1972) is an American children's book editor and award-winning author. He published his first YA book, Boy Meets Boy, in 2003. Levithan is also the founding editor of PUSH, a Young Adult imprint of Scholastic Press.

 

 

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About The Candid Cover

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26 thoughts on “Book vs. Movie: Every Day by David Levithan

  1. Alyssa says:

    I was a little worried about this one, because the concept seemed so difficult to translate; the book is so internally driven, I wondered how they’d be able to make it a movie. I’m sorry it didn’t turn out so great, but thanks for reviewing it so I know not to go out of my way to see it!

  2. Cynthia R says:

    I haven’t read the book so I probably would not know what to expect or have expectations for the movie. It’s difficult for movies to translate so many great books. Your review did make me want to read the book!

  3. Stephanie - Bookfever says:

    This is so disappointing! I knew this would be tricky book to movie to make but still had some hopes for it because Every Day is one of my favorite books. I also haven’t seen a lot of advertisement for the movie either because I only found out about it a couple of weeks ago. I think I’ll still see the movie at some point but I have a feeling I won’t enjoy it either. 🙁
    Stephanie – Bookfever recently posted…Review: The Battle of Thermopylae: 300 Spartans and the Forgotten Citizen-Soldiers Who Fought with Them by in60Learning

    • The Candid Cover says:

      I was surprised to see Jesse Andrews’ name on this one because Me and Earl was such a great movie. I loved the series as well and I really think the film could have been so much better. I’d love to know your thoughts on it if you do see it. 🙂

  4. Jaime Lynn says:

    I was not a fan of the book, but always curious to see what people think of the movie. Apparently, it wasn’t all that great. At least you loved the books!

  5. Mary @StackingM BookShelves! says:

    Sorry you didn’t care for the movie. I have not read the book or seen the movie. But the book sounds really good. I would love to read about what happens as a different person each day. Not only could that be awesome but scary as hell too.

  6. Noa B. says:

    I liked the book and I’m very Judgmental when it comes to movies that are based on books I read so I guess I better skip the movie!

  7. Lauren @ SERIESous Book Reviews says:

    I really didn’t enjoy the novel (I opted not to read the sequel) but I was curious about its adaption to the big screen since it is such an intriguing concept. I always wonder the motivation for changing the plot in a movie form. Usually it’s to wrap it up or set up for a sequel but I wonder why you’d want to alienate the champions (aka the readers) of the book by changing something they love.

    • The Candid Cover says:

      Exactly! I do understand that things need to change so that they work for the screen and the time-constraints. I just don’t get why they have to change the actual concept.

  8. Kym says:

    I liked the book and I had a feeling the movie wouldn’t be able to pull it off. I can see how to concept of one person inhabiting a different body can be lost or muddled in a film form. This probably would have been better as an indie film that Hollywood. I still want to watch to make up my own mind, but I’ll wait for Netflix.

    • The Candid Cover says:

      I think that it is a perfect movie to stream! I did enjoy seeing lots of different actors portraying A. The end of the book is not the same in the movie, so if you remember how it plays out, just be prepared. 😉

  9. Calvin says:

    lol so true usually the book is a lot better, but sometimes they are both good and has different portrayals..

    Fightclub was a good one

  10. Amy Nick says:

    i am always looking for new reads. i just started to get into books last year and this one right here looks amazing !

  11. megan allen says:

    It seems to me that in most cases the book is always better! It does sound like both versions are great though!

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