"Movies can't ruin books. They can only ruin movies"

In this quote, author S. E. Hinton is revealing the concept that films can not decrease the worth or effect of books. Instead, it is the motion picture adaptations themselves that can be negatively affected by the comparison to the original source product. Hinton is suggesting that books hold a particular power and depth that can not be replicated on screen, and therefore, movies can never really mess up the experience of checking out a book. However, if a film stops working to precisely catch the essence of the book, it can be seen as a disappointment or a failure in its own right. Ultimately, Hinton is emphasizing the importance and originality of literature in its ability to transfer and captivate readers in such a way that films can not.