I “Wonder” Whether the Book or Movie is Better

Wonder is a story about a young boy named August (Auggie) Pullman. Auggie has been diagnosed with Treacher Collins syndrome, which leaves his face disfigured even after many surgeries. Auggie’s starting fifth grade, but instead of being home-schooled like the previous years, he is going to school at Beecher Prep. This story showcases the twist and turns Auggie must face with his condition. He learns and teaches others along the way that he doesn’t need to blend in when he was born to stand out. 

Wonder, the novel, is written by R.J Palacio and was published in 2012. Wonder, the movie, directed by Stephen Chbosky, was released in 2017 and is based on the book. The screenplay is written by Stephen Chbosky, Jack Thorne, and Steven Conrad. Both of these pieces were major hits when released leaving the audience with lasting impressions. I read the book before watching the movie and have to say that I love both! However, which was better? 

Wonder the Book 

Wonder is an amazing book, which I really enjoyed reading. R.J Palacio perfectly describes the many struggles someone would go through in life. Her descriptions were realistic and relatable, like when Olivia and Miranda, who were once inseparable best friends, drift apart. Olivia and Miranda’s relationship was so close that they “never have to explain things to one another” (Palacio 92). Losing connection with people you were once close with is a common occurrence that happens in life. This subplot helped me connect with the characters even more. Another relatable incident was when Auggie and the fifth graders who taunted him become friends in the end. Becoming friends with past peers who may have taunted or criticised you is a common experience for some. As life goes on and time passes, people change and learn from their mistakes. Wonder really showcases that sometimes people must put aside their differences to become open-minded and enjoy life to the fullest.

There are also plenty of moments I was so immersed in the Wonder universe that I forgot about reality.

The excellent character development really helped me connect to the characters. When Auggie was afraid of attending school due to his appearance, I felt that it was very relatable because it’s something many people go through when attending a new school. It’s human nature to want to fit in. Later when Auggie becomes confident after making numerous friends who accept him, I felt inspired not to fear my own uniqueness. Or when Julian changed from being a bully to becoming a decent student, I was proud of his character development from being a person who was rude and shallow to an empathic human being.

The pace of the book flows well with the various events by ensuring that readers are not bored. The use of impactful messages throughout August’s journey, such as “it is never too late to start over” really sticks in the reader’s mind.

This is a go-to book for anyone who wants to relax and be able to relate to the characters portrayed in the story.  

Wonder the Movie

I really enjoyed the movie adaptation of Wonder and felt the writers did a pretty good job translating the book into a movie. However, they included scenes I felt weren’t needed for the overall plot. For example, when Mr. Pullman presents Mrs. Pullman with a gift and she opens it, the viewers are left wondering what the present was. This scene may have been used to place some originality in the film, but it wasn’t necessary as it did not bring any value to the main message of the movie of “not judging a book by its cover.”

The actors and actresses casted for Wonder did a “wonderful” job at portraying the characters. Their performances brought justice to the characters written in the book.

I give special note to the part when Olivia gives her performance for her school play. This scene allowed the audience to be immersed in the story. I also want to highlight the scene when the principal meets Julian’s parents. I felt ecstatic and proud of the principal’s final decision. I also felt sorry for Julian; he only acted out after suffering from daily nightmares from meeting Auggie. However, that does not excuse him for being a bully and causing someone else to suffer. These tiny details that the actors deliver through their performances really affects how the audience perceives the scene or character.

The movie is a great option for people who haven’t read the book because it gives them a general idea of what Wonder is all about. Though it had some impactful scenes, it wasn’t the same as the book, which had more. However, the scenery of the film was aesthetically pleasing to the eye.

Overall Thoughts

Even though the movie had aesthetic sceneries and emotional scenes, in the end, I would have to say Wonder is better as a book. R.J Palacio’s writing helped shed light on the struggles people with or without disabilities face, which is judgement and acceptance. The movie was impactful, but I felt that the author’s words stuck more. Throughout the book, the author describes in—great detail—the daily struggles of Auggie and his family. These descriptions help the readers (including myself) to truly reflect and understand the struggles people go through.