anne hathaway – Christy Grace Scarlet Pen

Estimated Reading Time 6min

A great movie, that I have seen many times… and apparently based on a book! So I’m putting it to the test to see which is the best…

There is always a level of cutting things out when you go from a book to a movie, but this one was more about the small moments that Andrea went through being cut out and instead being replaced by a more easy to follow thread of related events. Her family life however, was basically eviscerated – a best friend that was removed and replaced instead by two others in the film and parents and a sibling that she saw somewhat regularly was replaced with the rare email and one moment of her Dad coming to New York.

Though I will admit that Andrea not dealing with an alcoholic best friend, distancing boyfriend and parents that worry about her wasn’t that disappointing. Removing the funny security guard at the building was sad, and the combination of various characters at the office merged into Nigel was a genius move! I loved his character in the film, so much that I missed him in the book. Yes, some of his characteristics were taken from other characters but it wasn’t the same.

The relationship with Emily was a little different, it was more confrontational in the Movie (which is a switch, as usually people aren’t as nice in the book), and more in the trenches together. I liked that part of the book, with more detached disinterest rather than outright distain.
It was also interesting to see barely anyone talk about Andrea’s lack of interest in fashion being a factor in her job or her life.

The little changes like how Emily ended up not going to Paris (getting Mono, instead of the car accident… which in the book happened to Andrea’s personal friend instead and actually leads to her telling Miranda just where to get off), how her relationships dissolved, what job her boyfriend had (teacher, not chef), and where she ended up in terms of what writing job she gets after leaving… it wasn’t the end of the world/story.

I did miss seeing the human side of Miranda in the film, the book never offers much in the way of giving her a human side – it just begins and ends with her being sharp and demanding. Though I will admit that the line “Why is no-one ready?” is a personal favourite of mine… I actually say it quite a lot so props to Meryl Streep for that amazing line read.

There was no ‘I’ll do better’ and no ‘glow up’ type of scene, just a gradual acceptance that these things would rub off on her. Christian was given a way larger role in the movie, and I couldn’t believe it when I read in the book that Andrea told Miranda where to get off… then promptly got fired. I was never worried about Andy being fired in the movie, but in the book it was a constant worry…

So, which was better? Well, I did start with a little bias in loving the movie… but I think even if I looked at it objectively, it would still win out. There was a greater sense of urgency for those around Andy in the film when Miranda wanted something (probably due to the chaotic shots and music), but the personal fear was more prevalent in the book. The movie just had something about it that I enjoyed more… the fashion, the actors, the music… whatever it was, I feel lie the Movie wins out.

Grab the book Here

See You in the Adventures!
Christy Grace

I LOVED this movie, and I still do… but when I found out it was first a book, I had to add it to the Book Vs Movie pile!

Estimated Reading Time: 6min

I have a confession. I am secretly the Princess of Genovia…Okay, no. That’s Mia Thermopolis. But after finally reading The Princess Diaries and comparing it to the Anne Hathaway and Julie Andrews movie, I discovered there were far more differences than I expected.

In fact, one of the first things that surprised me was that the movie doesn’t just adapt the first book. It actually pulls material from multiple books in the series. I reached what felt like the middle of the movie and realised I had already reached the end of Book One. So let’s talk about the changes.

As always, spoilers ahead.

The Book Is Actually a Diary

This sounds obvious, but it’s something I never really thought about until I picked up the novel. The Princess Diaries is literally written as Mia’s diary. Every entry comes directly from her perspective. Some days have multiple entries, some days are skipped, and the entire story unfolds through her personal thoughts. As someone who read quite a few diary-format books as a teenager, I actually enjoyed this style. It also makes the title make a lot more sense.

In the movie, the diary itself isn’t a huge part of the story. Outside of a few moments, including the ending, it almost fades into the background. In the book, it’s the entire framework.

Mia’s Dad Is Alive

One of the biggest changes is Mia’s father. In the movie, he’s already passed away before the story begins. In the book, he’s very much alive. The reason Mia becomes heir to Genovia isn’t because her father died. It’s because he has recently undergone cancer treatment and can no longer have children. That means Mia is the only heir. It completely changes the dynamic. Unfortunately, it also introduces a character I didn’t particularly enjoy. Mia’s father is stiff, snobbish, and deeply entrenched in royal life. While I appreciated seeing another side of the story, I definitely preferred the movie’s approach.

The Grandmother Is Nothing Like Julie Andrews

I need to talk about Grandmère. Because wow. The movie version played by Julie Andrews is elegant, strict, and occasionally intimidating, but she’s still charming. The book version? Not so much.

She mostly speaks French, expects Mia to speak French, insists on being addressed a certain way, and generally treats everyone around her as though their feelings are an inconvenience. She isn’t elegant. She’s entitled. And honestly, she was one of the most frustrating characters in the entire book. The movie took a difficult character and transformed her into someone audiences could actually enjoy spending time with. That was a very good decision.

Where Was Joe?

One of my favourite characters in the movie is Joe. His friendship with Clarisse adds so much warmth and humour to the story. So imagine my disappointment when I discovered he doesn’t exist in the book. Instead, there is a driver and bodyguard named Lars. Lars does his job. That’s about it. He lacks the personality, humour, and charm that Joe brings to the film. I missed Joe the entire time I was reading.

The Book Introduces an Important Character

One of the biggest additions in the novel is Tina. She’s the daughter of an extremely wealthy man and constantly has a bodyguard with her. Because of that, most students think she’s strange and avoid her. When Mia learns she’s a princess and suddenly has security around her as well, Tina becomes one of the few people who understands what she’s going through.

I actually loved this part of the book. Tina was kind, supportive, and brought an interesting perspective to the story. I understand why the movie simplified the cast, but Tina is one character I genuinely missed.

Being Called a Freak Matters More

The movie briefly touches on the idea that Mia is considered weird. The book explores it much more deeply. Characters like Tina help establish why being labelled a freak feels so devastating in that school environment. It’s not just a throwaway insult. It’s a social identity. The book spends more time examining how teenagers treat people who don’t fit in, and it adds another layer to Mia’s struggles.

The Supporting Characters Were Very Different

Several characters received expanded roles in the book. Mia’s teacher spends more time in the story. Lily is significantly more unforgiving. Michael and Lily are both portrayed as exceptionally intelligent. Josh is still terrible. In fact, Josh might somehow be worse. The book also spends more time exploring some of the less appealing aspects of his personality, making his actions feel even more selfish. The overall result is that many of the supporting characters feel rougher around the edges than they do in the movie.

The Makeover Isn’t What You Remember

One of the most iconic scenes in the movie is Mia’s makeover. The dramatic hair transformation is unforgettable. In the book? Not quite. Instead of transforming her hair into the sleek style from the movie, they simply cut it very short. She ends up with something much closer to a pixie cut than the glamorous movie makeover audiences remember. As a result, the scene doesn’t have quite the same impact.

The Movie Made Everyone More Likeable

A theme kept appearing while I was reading. The movie made almost everyone nicer. Mia remained likeable in both versions, but many of the people around her were far harder to enjoy in the book. Her father was less sympathetic. Her grandmother was significantly worse. Lily held grudges longer. Several relationships felt harsher and less forgiving. Meanwhile, the movie softened many of those rough edges without losing the core story.

Book vs Movie: Which Was Better?

For me, the movie wins. There were elements of the book that I enjoyed, particularly the diary format and the addition of characters like Tina. But overall, the film made smarter choices. The relationship between Mia and Clarisse worked better. Joe’s addition was fantastic. The decision to make the grandmother elegant rather than unbearable was a huge improvement.

And most importantly, the characters were simply more enjoyable to spend time with. I still liked Mia in the book. I just didn’t like many of the people around her. The movie fixed that.

Have you read The Princess Diaries or only seen the movie? Which version did you prefer?

See You in The Adventures!
Christy Grace