h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

I read the book after the film and thought it was an almost exact copy. So what was added / removed?

Differences between the novella and the film (I won't list certain names to avoid spoiling the story):

- The title of the novella is 'Rita Hayworth and the Shawshank Redemption'
- Red is a Caucasian redhead in the novella and an African American in the film
- Andy wears glasses from the start in the novella, but in the film, he doesn't until towards the end
- over a period of time, Andy has three different posters of actresses. In the novel: Linda Ronstadt, Jayne Mansfield, and Hazel Court. In the film: Marilyn Monroe, Raquel Welch, and Rita Hayworth.
- the opera record scene doesn't take place in the novella
- there is a time when Andy has to share his cell with a different inmate. This inmate doesn't appear in the film at all
- A senior warden merely resigns after Andy's escape, but in the film, he commits suicide
- that senior warden doesn't visit Andy during Andy's solitary period like he has in the film
- A significant character is transferred to a different prison, unlike his film counterpart who gets killed.
- Andy is seen meeting up with Red in the film's ending, but in the novella, there is nothing definite that he'd find him.

There are more, I'm sure, but these are what I could remember the most.

"Andy has three different posters of actresses. In the novel: Linda Ronstadt,"

What the 70s popstar? Tremendous.

Wow! That's an accurate list of differences Catkane. I think my original comment was really trying to suggest that there are no significant changes to the overall narrative. I think I may have to dig out my copies of both book and film for a rewatch!