The English Patient is a novel written by Michael Ondaatje that was published in 1992. It was later adapted into a movie directed by Anthony Minghella in 1996. While the movie stays true to the novel’s essence, there are some significant differences between the two.
Below are the main Differences Between English Patient Movie and Book
- Structure: The novel uses a non-linear structure, jumping back and forth in time, while the movie follows a more chronological order.
- Characters: The movie has more focus on the character of Hana, the nurse, and her relationships with Kip, the Sikh sapper, and Caravaggio, the thief. In contrast, the novel places more emphasis on the relationship between the English patient and his lover, Katherine.
- Ending: The novel has a more ambiguous ending, leaving the reader uncertain about the fate of some of the characters, whereas the movie provides more closure.
- Historical context: The novel provides more details about the historical context of the characters, such as their involvement in World War II and the political situation of the time. The movie, on the other hand, simplifies this aspect and focuses more on the romantic and emotional elements of the story.
- Narrative voice: The novel has a poetic and introspective narrative voice that is absent from the movie.
Overall, both the novel and the movie are excellent works of art, but they differ in their structure, character development, and narrative style.