Everything is about marketing. After all, what sells is what will be produced. Sadly, this is generally true even of Hollywood. Novels are turned into movies and disappointed readers leave the theatre in tears. This is, of course, true even of classics such as Truman Capote's Breakfast at Tiffany's.
Capote's novel turned movie has captivated the imagination of almost every teenage girl at some point or another. The movie created a fashion icon in Audrey Hepburn and is often referred to, even today. It seems to be the perfect romantic comedy and many fans, like me, in time decide to read the novel.
The movie is preferred by many because it provides a sense of bliss. Overall, the mood of the movie is much happier than the novel's. This is because, Holly is more wholesome and childlike. She asks for $50 for the powder room, but isn't explicitly depicted as a call girl. From her actions, she is shown as an innocent figure just going along with life. If one had to guess, they'd assume Holly was 22 or 23 at the most. This creates a slightly higher level of tolerance for her actions than if she were a teenager-- which she is in the novel. However, this emphasizes her childish attitude. We expect a 22 year old to act in a more mature fashion than a teenager, yet she is very childlike in not only her innocence but also her actions. She dares Paul to steal something from a store, so later, they run out wearing animal masks. Much like a child, she has no idea what a library is until Paul takes her to one. He teaches her the ropes of life. It is almost as if she really is a child, especially when she beings throwing a fit, and Paul has to calm her down.
In the novel, on the other hand, she is mature and knows what she is doing. Of course, even in the novel, Holly is a flight risk. She does what she wants, when she wants to. The novel starts off with Holly being gone for years and is told in a flashback. The way Paul describes Holly sets the novel up so we expect her to disappointment us in the end. The novel also lacks the wholesome character from the movie. Holly, in the novel, is a true night creature. She invites various men to the Brownstone at all hours. Furthermore, she is only 17 in the novel. She is a runaway who wants to make it big. The fact that she is so young brings her actions into a new light, causing readers to take into account her young age and juxtapose it with her sense of maturity. Holly, in the novel, knows exactly what she wants. She is even willing to move to Peru to get it. Even Paul is unable to stop her. She believes she deserves better, packs up, and moves away even though her Peruvian fiancé abandons her. She doesn't allow herself to be swept away by Paul, unlike the movie.
Overall, while the movie depicts an innocent Holly Golightly, the book shows her personality as complexly mature despite her young age.
In the novel, on the other hand, she is mature and knows what she is doing. Of course, even in the novel, Holly is a flight risk. She does what she wants, when she wants to. The novel starts off with Holly being gone for years and is told in a flashback. The way Paul describes Holly sets the novel up so we expect her to disappointment us in the end. The novel also lacks the wholesome character from the movie. Holly, in the novel, is a true night creature. She invites various men to the Brownstone at all hours. Furthermore, she is only 17 in the novel. She is a runaway who wants to make it big. The fact that she is so young brings her actions into a new light, causing readers to take into account her young age and juxtapose it with her sense of maturity. Holly, in the novel, knows exactly what she wants. She is even willing to move to Peru to get it. Even Paul is unable to stop her. She believes she deserves better, packs up, and moves away even though her Peruvian fiancé abandons her. She doesn't allow herself to be swept away by Paul, unlike the movie.
Overall, while the movie depicts an innocent Holly Golightly, the book shows her personality as complexly mature despite her young age.
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