I read the novel first, and was so glued to it that i got through it in the matter of a weekend. when i went to see the film i was not expecting to be as impressed as i was through reading it, but this adaptation is as magical as the novel and did it the justice it deserved. it is they type of film that can be watched time and time again without losing its appeal. i would recommend it to anyone, regardless of whether they like period dramas or not, because it is not the average period drama - it is a film that transcends time, and will reach some part of every person. personally i would go and watch it innumerable times if i could, and cannot wait for the release of the DVD.