Book Review: Little Children

Here's a pattern I will most likely never repeat: See movie. Movie is based on novel. Read novel.

I really liked the movie Little Children starring Kate Winslet, Patrick Wilson and Jennifer Connelly, I liked it so much I actually purchased the book after seeing it because I wanted to dive back into it. Whenever I read a book first and then watch a movie, I'm constantly struck with how much they leave out and how different it is from my mind. This time around, given the order I chose to do things in, I was surprised at how similar the movie and the book were. I kept thinking about how perfectly cast Patrick Wilson and Jennifer Connelly were (a little skeptical of Kate Winslet as Sarah, the frizzy haired, nothing-special, other woman) and how nicely the story mirrored the book. I was impressed. This story is a spin on the typical adultery tale where the man cheats not with a hot woman he meets at work but with a stay-at-home mother who sometimes doesn't shave her legs. His wife at home is the smoking hot woman but the chemistry between Sarah (Winslet) and Brad (Wilson) is undeniable. Romantic days sitting by the town pool, rendezvous while the children are sleeping, sneaking away on weekend trips (while Brad is supposed to be taking his bar exam) are all easy to get caught up with. One thing that struck me is how young the characters are in the book (31, Brad) and that they cast these three as the main characters in the movie.

I'd say this is a fantastic read if you need a little drama in your life. If you've got drama in spades it may be a nice yardstick to measure your own drama by. But definitely, if you can help it, read the book before you watch the movie or every time Sarah is feeling awkward you'll be picturing a not-so-awkward Kate Winslet.