Speaking Volumes

Fans of Jodi Picoult are eagerly awaiting the release of her first novel to make it to the big screen. Scheduled for a June 26^th, release, My Sister's Keeper stars Cameron Diaz and Abigail Breslin. If you haven't read the book, this story is pure Picoult. There is much to tug the heartstrings and lots of issues to discuss. Anna (Breslin), thirteen, is healthy but has had many surgeries, transfusions and hospitalizatons. She has been conceived as the donor for her older sister Kate, played by Sofia Vassilieva, who has leukemia. Anna begins to question if her role as her sister's keeper should continue and at what cost to herself. There are no easy answers to this dilemma and the book is very controversial making it a hot book club pick and a choice on many high school reading list.

The controversy continues with the film version as the producers have seen fit to change the ending and Jodi's legions of fans are not happy. Picoult has not seen the movie, but did read the script. "Having the ending changed would certainly not have been my choice. I wrote the ending very intentionally because I wanted to leave the reader with a certain message. And changing that ending changes that message. However, I am excited to see the movie and to judge it on its strengths."
 

Does it annoy you, as much as it does me, when Hollywood changes endings or messes around with other things when bringing a novel to the screen? I'm curious to hear your comments about My Sister's Keeper or other book to novel adaptations. Please try not to reveal the actual ending here so as not to ruin the reading or viewing experience for others
 

One adaptation that really upset me was the changed ending of Cujo by Stephen King. The producers saw fit to give it what I call the Hollywood happy ending. It completely ruined the movie for me. Read the book. It's far superior and has a more realistic ending!