lou's library

Spoiler: The Hobbit sure as heck ain’t on this list.

THE BOOK WAS BETTER, am I right? For me, that usually is the case with adaptations (and I often have strong feelings about it, too, hence the very necessary caps lock). While I understand that a movie (or TV show) is a different art form than a book, and that this necessitates certain changes, there are some things I won’t negotiate when it comes to adapting a book for the big screen.

The characters don’t need to look exactly like how I envisioned them, but they need to feel like a good fit. Same goes for setting. When it comes to plot, I can see how it can be tricky to fit a 500 page book into a two hour movie, but please, for the love of good, don’t cut out the wrong half!! And don’t start making stuff up that serves no purpose at all or doesn’t even make sense (looking at you, Percy Jackson movies).

As I said, I know all of this is easier said than done (and also I don’t know shit about making movies lol). Still, I think it’s fun to think about how a book can translate into a film or show, why some work and others don’t. This list is incomplete and obviously subjective, but in my opinion, these book adaptations are the creme de la creme.

Call Me By Your Name by Andre Aciman

I mean, this whole movie is one big advertisement for getting yourself a summer house in Italy. The vibes are IMMACULATE. And for me, a big part of the book was centred on the chill but melancholy vibe it gave off. It definitely falls into the ‘no plot just vibes’ category and somehow, Luca Guadagnino managed to copy and past that feeling onto the screen. Timothee Chalamet being at his best here obviously helps, too. Also, this is one of the very rare instances where I might actually prefer the movie cover of the book to the original (this usually never happens, but what can I say? THE VIBES!!). They very much nailed the casting in this one, which is what I think the success of this adaptation really relied on, given how character-driven the story is. I love everything about this adaptation, although I must admit I haven’t seen it in a while (I also haven’t read the book in years). Maybe I’m due a rewatch.

Normal People by Sally Rooney

I mean, this was obviously going to be on here, since it’s the best book to screen adaptation I’ve ever seen. Again, very much no plot but many vibes going on in this one. Again, immaculate casting (Daisy and Paul might be my Roman Empire). I loved how true they stayed to the novel, and how turning it into a series allowed them to explore the story in depth. I really don’t think this would’ve worked as a movie. They captured the feeling of the book so well, it’s almost eerie. I’ve only watched the series once, and felt quite low for the week after, but boy did I love it. There’s not a lot going on at all, and at the same time, so much happens. I wish I was still in uni and could write a paper on this adaptation!! Imagine getting to spend so much time diving into this world! I wish!!

The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald

I’ve only seen the 2013 movie adaptation directed by Baz Luhrmann and starring Leonardo di Caprio as Gatsby. I know the one with Robert Redford from the 70s is a favourite among many, but I’ve never seen it and, truth be told, I can hardly imagine it being better than the new one (although I should probably watch it anyway, just to make sure). I loved how bold the director was when it came to music and colours, how he blended the contemporary with the old-fashioned and how perfectly Leonardo di Caprio fit the role. So much of the book’s brilliance lies in what’s written between the lines, and somehow it’s the same in the movie. It’s usually what’s left unsaid or not shown on screen that has the most relevance, and I think it’s a great testament to Baz Luhrmann that he pulled that off. With such an iconic work of literature, you’ll never please everybody, but to me, this adaptation captured the book beautifully and I love both its aesthetic as well as the way it handles the story.

Atonement by Ian McEwan

Oh, how I love this book. Sure, it broke my heart, but I love it nonetheless. I watched the movie pretty much instantly after having read the book, and I had high expectations going in (Saoirse Ronan is in it, after all). And I wasn’t disappointed! They nailed the casting (James McAvoy looking mighty fine in this did not impact my judgment at all, what are you talking about?). What I love about the book is how it credibly shows how much can depend on one tiny moment, a misunderstanding, a different perspective and how the consequences of our actions can haunt us forever. It’s obviously quite a heavy subject, but the movie did it justice and it broke my heart, just like the book.

The Fault In Our Stars by John Green

This book was my everything when I was 16. I was thoroughly obsessed with it. I feel like a lot of readers have a young adult book like this, and the Fault in Our Stars is mine (and also probably that of approximately 2.6 million other people who were 16 at that time). Hazel and Augustus still have a special place in my heart and I’m so very glad the people making this movie didn’t fuck it up and also didn’t fuck up the casting. Yes, everything (well, almost everything) about this story is incredibly sad, but it’s also uplifting at the same time?? John Green is a genius and his books deserve adaptations that are nothing short of genius and this one DELIVERED. The only thing I don’t like about the movie is the casting of Hazel’s Mum. I don’t know why, but she rubs me the wrong way and I simply don’t buy it whenever she opens her mouth to say something heartfelt. But that’s okay, because the rest of the movie is pretty damn close to perfect.

So, these are some of my favourites! I’m sure I’ve forgotten some absolute classics, but maybe that just means I’ll have to do a part two at some point.