I've decided to see movies based on books first, and then read the original. This strategy seems to let me enjoy both of these medians equally. All this to say...The Painted Veil was unbelievably amazing. I liked the movie, but where the book veered from the movie I was surprised and challenged. It's an amazing story of a woman coming into her own. It was a bit reminescent of The Awakening for me, but without the death and drowning. I loved it.