Because of Winn-Dixie by Kate DiCamillo
I was first introduced to this book when I saw the film. I was sixteen or seventeen at the time and my local theater was re-showing this film in theaters for a dollar. As my friends and I had nothing better to do, we decided to check it out.
That probably would have been the end of my experience, except I was helping a friend’s mom clean out her house, I spotted the book. I asked her if I could have, it as she was tossing it anyway, wondering if it was better or worse than the film. And of course with the start of this new blog, it’s the perfect time to review it.
As I saw the film before reading the book, I’m going to review it first. After all, the method in which you view/watch something, often determines your opinion of it.
Background:
Kate DiCamillo graduated from the University of Florida in the ’80s, and went on to work at a book warehouse. This ended up being her inspiration her to write her own children’s novels, Because of Winn-Dixie being the first of sixteen.
DiCamillo’s personal life inspired her novel. When she was a little girl she suffered from chronic pneumonia, forcing her family to move to Florida for her health. Her father stayed behind to sell his orthodontic business, but never rejoined the family again.
This book has been praised by many. In 2000 it won the Newbury and Josette Frank Award. In 2003, it won the Mark Twain Award. In 2007, the National Education Association named the book one of its “Teachers’ Top 100 Books for Children”; and in 2012 it was declared one of the “Top 100 Chapter Books of All Time” by School Library Journal.
This book has only one appearance on the screen, in 2005, as Because of Winn-Dixie.
Film Synopsis:
I didn’t like this movie when I first saw it and that hasn’t really changed. Ten year old Opal has just moved to Naomi, Florida with her preacher father. Her mother left them years ago, so long ago that Opal doesn’t remember anything about her.
Opal is very lonely this summer as she has no friends. There are only four kids in church but she’s not interested in them as Amanda seems like a snob; Dunlap and Stevie are boys; and Sweetie Pie is a baby who sucks on her knuckles.
So this was my first problem with the film. Opal was cute when she was playing baseball by herself and showing how sad she is. But then she seems so judgmental and rude, that now we don’t feel for her at all as she is sounding like Bella from Twilight. (Please don’t ask me to review them).
And don’t get me started on the father character. He is supposed to be hurting from his wife leaving him, but instead he just seems mean, cruel, and that he is completely uninterested in his daughter’s complete well-being.
This doesn’t happen in the film. It is just a metaphor for his lack on interest in his daughter.
One day Opal is sent to the market, the Winn-Dixie, to pick up a few item, when a dog runs in. In order to save him from going to the pound, she pulls an Annie and claims that dog belongs to her, his name being Winn-Dixie.
Her dad does not want her to keep the dog, making signs to post around town. This brings about our villain, you know other than her father (yes I am stating that her father is the villain), the landlord. Yes the landlord is a grumpty-grump, Mr. Alfred.
He wants the dog gone or else they will lose their free rent at the mobile home. The Preacher is going to send him to the pound, but changes his mind and takes a loan out to pay the rent.
Winn-Dixie and Opal go around town, finding new places and people. Opal wants to buy a collar for Winn-Dixie, but doesn’t have enough money. She works out a plan with Otis, the man who runs the pet store, to work some odd jobs at the store to pay for it. Otis is a great character and was played well. Otis is a musician who has recently been released from prison. He had been playing music in the park, and when the officer tried to take away his guitar. He fought him, later being charged with assault. Otis is a kind person who all he wants is to make music. Opal and Winn-Dixie help him trust others as they don’t care about his background.
Winn-Dixie and Opal visit the library where they meet Miss Franny. She is single as she never wanted to marry, content with her money and books.
Courtesy of my sister blog janeaustenrunsmylife.wordpress.com
Miss Franny tells Opal stories and shares her “sorrow” candy, candy that’s sadness and sweetness can only be tasted by those that have felt pain.
And then they meet the “witch” Gloria Dump. Gloria is a recovering alcoholic who is going blind. They become the best of friends as Opal provides Gloria with company, and Gloria helps Opal see the quick judgements she has been making about the people in her life are wrong.
Opal and Gloria decide to throw a party inviting everyone: Otis, Mr. Alfred, Miss Fanny, Amanda, Dunlap, Stevie, Sweetie Pie, and the Preacher. Everyone comes except the Preacher (see why I say he is the “villain” of the film. Even Mr. Alfred came and he hates everything.) Everything is going well until a summer storm picks up.
Winn-Dixie is afraid of storms and takes off. Opal runs all over town looking for him, being followed by her father who finally decides to help him. They work out all their issues and return to Gloria’s, without Winn-Dixie. The group sing together, Winn-Dixie returns, and everyone has become friends. End.
The Book:
The story is pretty similar although in this one, while the dad is not happy with the idea of adopting a dog, he quickly gets over this as it makes his daughter happy. There is no threat of being kicked out or any issues with the landlord. In fact, he isn’t even in the story.
Truth be told, there are no villains whatsoever in the book.
No one is a “bad guy”. The book is more about moving to a new place and trying to carve out your place in the community, along with trying to figure out who you are as a person.
In the book we have more character development, of course, as we get to know more of everyone’s personal issues and the problems they face.
The relationship between the father and his daughter are much more poignant and kind. The preacher comes to the party and not only enjoys meeting all her friends, but helps her look for Winn-Dixie immediately; instead of being forced into the situation.
The Differences:
The biggest difference between in the book and the film was that the film felt the need to add a villian. While the book just focused on a young girl adjusting to the changes in her life and connecting to her new community. The film however felt that wasn’t strong enough and added, not one but two villians: the grumpy curmudgeon Mr. Alfred; and her selfish, indifferent father. This weakens the film as it causes you to disconnect and dislike the father, rather than understand and feel his pain.
Which Is Better:
In this case it was easy:
.
Winner: Book
The film was not that good. The characters were not really lovable or enjoyable; except for Otis, Miss Fanny, and Gloria Dump; but sadly they are not in enough of the film to make it really enjoyable.
The book was so much better, not only in the character development, but in the father and daughter relationship, I cannot stress this enough. His wife left him when his daughter was three and he has a lot of issues surrounding this. He had to not only raise his daughter on his own, but lost his helpmate and had to deal with his moral and religious beliefs. He knows he isn’t being the type father his daughter needs, but is trying.
For Opal she is lonely and grows to not only love but become a part of the community. However, these past few years she has been worried that she was the reason her mother left, finally having those fears put to rest when she realizes that her mother made that choice of her own free will; and the love of her father and friends are more than enough to guide, help, and support her.
For the previous post, go to Four Women Versus Two: Mrs. McGinty’s Dead
Is there a film based on a book that you’d like me to review next?
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From Print to Screen 