I've never read the books, so i can't comment on them. However I did see the movie. I guess you have to read the books first, because the movie wasn't very good. That acting was stilted, and the "spark" between the two lovebirds was non-existent. I wasn't feeling the love at all. I think it's more for a younger audience. I was expecting something far greater after all of the attention it got, but I was severely disappointed.