I find that with book to screen adaptations, it’s best to be careful what you wish for. For while there is little joy greater than seeing your favourite book adapted well, that is also a rather rare thing. That being said, there are some books that simply feel so cinematic that it is impossible not to imagine them on the big screen, and sometimes, when it does go right, it’s the best thing ever. I think One Day by David Nicholls is the perfect example of a book adaptation going both disastrously and perfectly, because that movie is a train wreck, but the Netflix show is without a single flaw. I can’t even begin to imagine how daunting a task it must be to turn a book into a film or show, but with these following novels, I would really like someone to try!
The Flatshare by Beth O’Leary
I don’t know what’s in the air, but I’ve been craving a good romcom for months now. The kind that makes you giggle on the sofa as you watch it, with actors so good you forget they are pretending to feel those emotions, and gorgeous settings. If you ask me, The Flatshare by Beth O’Leary has the potential to be turned into such a movie, if handled by the right people. The basic plot is simple and yet holds endless opportunities for both drama and comedy: two strangers move in together into a tiny apartment that is really only big enough for one person. This is supposed to work because their work schedules don’t overlap, so one of them is only ever there during the day, the other in the night. They start leaving sticky notes for each other all over the flat and in this way slowly get to know each other, and I can already see all the silky montages in my mind. This movie would basically shoot itself, all we need is actors with great chemistry and someone to nail the set design!
If We Were Villains by M L Rio
I’m absolutely flabbergasted that we don’t have an If We Were Villains adaptation yet, given how popular this book has been for years. I want an entire mini series to give us enough time to really set the scene and get to know the characters. Just imagine the visuals: a boarding school, brooding main characters, a lake in the semi-distance, books everywhere. It would be the definition of dark academia on film and I would gobble up every single crumb. The slow building up of intrigue as we learn more about these troubled students and what has happened to them, paired with lots of drama (pun intended) as they stage the various plays needed to finish their drama degrees. I keep hearing rumours that If We Were Villains is actually being adapted, which makes me very excited but also scared, because I don’t know how I would be able to cope if they ruined this. They have to get this pitch-perfect, this has so much potential! I need this to happen, but exactly the way I picture it in my mind. Basically, this can only go wrong, but my God, I’ll be first in line to watch it all if this rumour actually turns out to be true.
The Original by Nell Stevens
I love me a period piece, especially one set in England. A lot of those are based on classics, which is fine, but I think it would be fun and refreshing to see an adaptation of a newly released novel set in the 1800s. And The Original by Nell Stevens would be such an intriguing choice, because of all the ever-relevant questions this stunning novel poses. It follows our protagonist Grace, who is unable to remember people’s faces and is asked to identify her long-lost cousin Charles who has come back from sea. Mixed into this is her astonishing skill at faking paintings, all of which brings up questions of authenticity and how one can tell the truth from a lie that comes very close to what actually happened. It’s such a unique and beautiful book, and I would love to see it being turned into a movie. It would look gorgeous with the setting and all the beautiful colours of the paintings. For some reason, I have cast Domhnall Gleeson as Grace’s cousin Charles in my mind, so whoever adapted that movie would have to take that into consideration, because I absolutely refuse to change my mind. Cheers in advance!
The Safekeep by Yael Van Der Wouden
Ah, The Safekeep. WHAT A BOOK! I will never ever tire of singing its praises, it was one of the best books I read last year and its images are still living in my mind rather vividly. I think more than with any of the other books mentioned, getting the casting right would be crucial for a successful adaptation of The Safekeep. The two protagonists Isabel and Eva’s connection is so central to the book that whoever would portray them would be able to really bring that to the screen in a believable way. I would love for two unknown actresses to play their parts, that just feels much more right than two movie stars we have all seen in a dozen movies giving this a go. The story told in The Safekeep is a tender and layered one, there is much to uncover there, and I believe it would lend itself beautiful to being captured with a camera. If done right, this could indeed turn into a very special movie. Oh well, now all I want to do is read the book again. If you haven’t yet, might I strongly urge you to run, not walk to the nearest book shop or library?
These are my top choices for the books I would most like to be adapted as soon as possible! Have you read any of them and if so, do you agree? I’ve written one of these blog posts before, which you can read here, in case that wasn’t enough of my ramblings for you yet. Happy reading!
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