Movie based books
For a long time books turned into movies have been popular among movie-goers, but now movie makers and book publishers are busy turning movies into books.
Our reporter Zhao Kun gives more:
Reporter:
On the most recommended shelf at the Xidan Bookstore in downtown Beijing, Mei Fei Se Wu written by film director Chen Kaige is in a prominent position. Manager of the culture section Wen Na explains:

"Chen Kaige's Mei Fei Se Wu is crammed with photographic stills from his lasted film 'Forever Enthralled', behind-the-scenes stories, comparisons between the movie and the script and how he captures the essence of the characters. It is one of our bestsellers. To support the movie, we bought more than ten kinds of books about it or its leading character Mei Lanfang. "

Wen Na says it has been a new trend of recent year to publish books along with blockbusters. From Kungfu movie Shaolin Soccer directed by Stephen Chow in 2001 to Chen Kaige's another movie 'Promise' in 2004 and Zhang Yimou's blockbuster Curse of the Golden Flower in 2006, behind the scenes books have been willingly adopted both by movie producers and publishers.

Apart from the behind-the-scenes stories, there are other types of movie based books. Director Feng Xiaogang's new book is a good example. His novel 'If you are the one' is an adaption of his latest comedy film of the same name. Here's what he says about the book:

"This book contains more funny dialogue and detail than the movie. It is like an extended version of the film. If you did not get enough laughs from the movie, I suggest you read this book."

As just one of the peripheral products associated with movies, these books undoubtedly bring more profit for the publishers and movie producers. And they are certainly welcomed by fans of the movies or the actors, but different people have different preferences. Audience and reader Zhang Ting says:

"I prefer Feng Xiaogang's novel to those behind the scenes books, because it can exist as an independent cultural product and it does not need the movie to sustain its shelf life. Just like those stuffed dolls and key chains inspired by Japanese cartoons, people buy them for their cute appearance or practical function and do not care which cartoon they are from."

And some people think movie based books are just another symptom of the fast food culture syndrome which exists in many areas like music, literature and film. If everything is made to earn money as quickly as possible, nothing classic can be produced. In that case, movies and the books are not helping each other, but killing each other.

For China Drive I am Zhao Kun.