Had a good time reading this book. Full of wit and humor, and the author's style is amazing. But this is far from my favorite. ( )

Way better than the movie (of course)! ( )

I read this easy to read book quite quickly while on holiday. It was a bit disappointing to be honest. You know when you see a movie which is based on a novel you have read and you think to yourself “The book’s better” ? Well, in this case the movie is most definitely better.

Some of the book reads like a kids joke book, the adventures Forrest had were quite ridiculous and I was unconvinced and bored. For example, the failed space mission in which a male orangutan named Sue caused the shuttle to crash and Forrest, Sue and Major Fitch landed in New Guinea right in the middle of a cannibalistic tribe. They were saved from being eaten by among other things, Forrest’s chess genius.

Disappointed. I wonder if I had read this book before seeing the movie whether I’d have a different opinion. As I read, the only redeeming point was that I could hear Tom Hanks’ outstanding performance in my head… ( )

Most fortunately, the novel is different than the movie. Not better or worse, just different. These differences show how both media can profit by their own creators. ( )

I have to disagree with most of the reviews here, and say that I preferred the book to the movie - just! Both are great, but they are very very different.

Forrest Gump is, in his own words, "a idiot." He bumbles through life, always trying to do the right thing, and ends up joining a band, going into space on a NASA misson, becoming a tournament chess player, amongst other things! He is in love with Jenny Curran since childhood, and she features heavily in his thoughts and life.

It is quite a moving story, and very very funny. I laughed out loud on several occasions.

My advice would be not to compare it to the movie, and just to take it on it's own merits. Very enjoyable, and I am looking forward to reading the sequel. ( )