I think I read it as a novel as well and like it better in serial form... if you can find the serials still and read them one at a time, it might be better for you. I donno.. Maybe it was just the novelty I liked.

It's been a long time since I read it, but I think the movie was faithful to the book. I don't think he goes into the violence that much, though the electrocutions. especially the one that got screwed up i remember being a touch graphic... but it's a small part f the story. So I say GFT, with caution for unsettling moments.