WSS, book or film?

After the BBC showed their adaptation of Jane Eyre, it was only fitting that they then showed one of WSS as well. There are, however, some major differences between the film/drama (unsure which) and the book...

The one of the most glaring differences is the lack of part one, this makes up over a third of the whole novel, and explains a lot of things, including how Antoinette was treated as a child, and it also draws many comparisions to JE. Without this part, the film seems to be missing a major chunk of the storyline.

Another difference between the film and the book is that in the book you are left to create your own opinion of what is going on, and who is really mad. In the film you only get the directors etc. point of view, who seems to believe that Antionette was not insane, at lest, not to start with, and that we should pity her. Another view that comes across is that Daniel Cosway is made to look much more sinister. He frequently appears from nowhere, and seems much more malicious that the book suggests.

The most obvious difference though, at least to be, is the graphical nature of the film. In the book Jean Rhys only hints at sex, and leaves the reader to figure out a lot of things for themselves. The film is much more straightforward, simply showing you exactly what is going on. Most of the film seemed at times to revolve around sex, maybe because this is the honest opinion of the director (or whoever), or perhaps it was just to keep certain people of the audience interested.

Overall, I prefered the book to the film, although to be honest i didn't enjoy either. The book leaves the reader to form their own opinions and make up their own minds over who is mad, and what has happened, whereas the film is much less subtle. I did like where it was filmed though, very pretty.