I watched the movie first with no foreknowledge of what the source material was, the universe, anything.

I found that I much preferred the book's handling of the core characters and events in the story.

It is a bit more dark than the movie, while also giving a better peek into how ridiculous some of the character's personalities and motivations really are, even in-universe.

I think the movie handled the chaotic aspect of Nimoa herself quite well visually.