'The English Patient' and 'Birdsong'

I read The English Patient in one sitting. As beautiful as the movie is, the book is so much better... it captures Ondaatje poetic language and longing. I didn't really think that the book could be made into a film, but was quite nicely. Yet it necesarily left out some of the most touching points... that Catherine so loved water, and the humidity of English weather, would often not dry after bathing.. yet died in the desert.