By Ella Parastaran
With recent book adaptations like The Housemaid, Wuthering Heights, and the upcoming Reminders of Him, it’s hard not to think about which other books deserve to make their way to the screen. Movie and TV adaptations are everywhere right now, from the ongoing buzz around Tell me Lies to the conversation that still surrounds the It Ends With Us movie adaption based on the Colleen Hoover novel.
As someone who reads frequently, I find myself thinking about this often. While adaptations are exciting, they also change the reading experience. One of the most enjoyable parts of reading is that so many details are left to the reader-s imagination. Chatcaters, settings, and even the tone of the scene can be interpreted differently by every person reading the book.
Film adaptations, on the other hand, remove some of that ambiguity. Instead of imagining the story yourself, everything is presented explicitly through costume, casting, set design, and director’s interpretation. One of the biggest complaints usually being that the film adaptation was not how readers envisioned a particular scene or character. Sometimes adaptations work incredibly well, and can even be better than the book, and other times readers prefer the version they envisioned in their own head.
There have been many successful book adaptations over the years. One standout is Breakfast at Tiffany’s, based on the novel by Truman Capote and released in 1961. The film is iconic in nearly every way, from the casting and wardrobe to the memorable characters and lines. Interestingly, the movie changes from the narrative point-of-view in the book and changes the original ending, which ultimately made for a more satisfying and engaging storyline on screen.
Another excellent adaptation is the 2019 film version of Little Women. Although Louisa May Alcott’s novel has been adapted several times, this version felt particularly new. Instead of telling the story chronologically like the book, the film uses childhood flashbacks that merge between past and present. The structure gave the classic story a new depth while still keeping in classic moments readers expect.
As more movie adaptations continue to be announced and released, there are plenty of books that I think deserve their own moment on screen.
The Summer of Broken Rules by K.L. Walther
Published in 2021, The Summer of Broken Rules follows Meredith as she returns to Martha’s Vineyard for a family wedding after the sudden death of her sister. Set at a picturesque island house, the story blends themes of grief, love, and healing with the energy of a classic summer gathering. Between beach days, family dinners, and lively parties, the book’s most memorable element is the family-wide game of assassins played across the massive property. Watching the characters strategize and hunt for each other throughout the property would translate perfectly on screen. The Vineyard setting alone, creates the perfect summer movie that covers classic themes with a playful, idyllic tone.
The Siren by Katherine St. John
Published in 2021, The Siren takes place on a Caribbean island for the filming of a major Hollywood production. The story centers on Stella, an actress who finds herself starring opposite her ex-husband, immediately creating tension and drama among the cast. As filming continues, secrets, rivalries, and hidden motives begin to surface, turning the glamorous set into a web of mystery and drama. With its tropical setting, drama, and constant twists, the story would be an entertaining mystery-filled film with visual drama and layers of character tensions.
Meant to Be by Emily Giffin
For lovers of the recent Ryan Murphy show, “Love Story,” Meant to Be, published in 2022, draws inspiration from the iconic relationship between Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy and John F. Kennedy Jr, but reimagines the story through fictional characters. Rather than retelling their real-life story like a documentary, this novel captures the same glamour and complicated romance associated with the couple while creating its own narrative and context. The book reinterprets the famous photos and public fascination surrounding them with original scenes and hints of the details the public knows to be true about them. This book is lighthearted and fun, and incredibly easy to read, it would make for an especially compelling film adaptation.
… As movie adaptations continue to gain popularity, it is exciting to see which stories make their way to the screen next. In the meantime, readers can look forward to upcoming adaptations like Reminders of Him, releasing March 13, along with television adaptations currently in development for the Rose Hill series by Elsie Silver and Things We Never Got Over by Lucy Score.
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