7 Book to Screen Adaptations Actually Worth Watching

The Haunting of Hill House
Some people think that the best book to screen adaptations are the most faithful ones. But that’s not my take. Instead I think the best adaptations are the ones that spark curiosity about the original text. A good adaptation should make your reading go deeper. That’s why my favourite screen adaptation is Mike Flanagan’s TV show The Haunting of Hill House. Straying quite dramatically from Shirley Jackson’s original source material, many fans of the text were appalled by the adaptation, but I loved it. While updating the story for modern viewers, Flanagan still manages to dive into the core questions and themes of Jackson's text. Exploring madness, loneliness and the home as an extension of self, it’s beautifully done. Lizzy O’Riordan

Of Mice and Men 
Yeah, I know. You’re not meant to enjoy reading books at school. You’re meant to pen naughty words and scribble lewd drawings inside them. But it’s time we face the truth - John Steinbeck’s Of Mice and Men is a stone cold classic, and there’s nothing uncool about that. This layered novel explores everything from the purity of unconditional love between friends to the life-shortening impacts of economic inequality, and does so with some of the most memorable characters of all time. If you can’t be bothered to read it, though, the 1992 big screen adaptation is top quality too. There was no need for Gary Sinise to go in that hard, but he did it anyway. George White

Normal People
No one does the miscommunication trope like Sally Rooney. And, although the book Normal People has been labelled frustrating at times, the TV adaptation was truly sensational. Bringing to life the words on a page, Sally Rooney was able to depict a real life relationship, often ignored in television and movies. No matter where you stand in terms of who is at fault, everyone finishes Normal People crying. Maybe the tears come from realisation of past failed relationships? That’s definitely how I felt! The show takes us through their time at high school and the development of their relationship. It shows how originally Connell was embarrassed to be seen with the deeply unpopular Marianne. We then follow them to University where the roles reverse and then the true character of Connell is discovered. He goes through a deeply lonely and at times depressing period. Marianne on the other hand begins to thrive at University, making many new friendships. They each go into new relationships with separate characters, but no matter what, they gravitate back towards each other. They support each other through traumatic events, and eventually you see how their love for one another is not necessarily compatible with being in a relationship, but rather a friendship. Josephine Ruffles

Kiki’s Delivery Service
Kiki’s Delivery Service is a story all about recognising your own self-worth, of finding that small spark of magic inside of yourself that’s uniquely you. It’s about a girl that puts too much pressure on herself to succeed and faces the loneliness that comes with growing up. But it’s also a tale of the soul-stirring joy of finding your own way, of crafting a life that’s filled with those little moments that bring you happiness. Kiki’s story shows us that it’s possible to carve ourselves a small space in the world, where we can do good. It illustrates that each of us faces the same worries, disappointments, and joys as everyone else, and that with or without magic, we’re all capable of contributing to the world – even if that means using our magic to become the very-best delivery service! “How wonderful it is to have a place to return to!” Kiki declares, and that’s exactly how it feels to experience this story, both between the pages and on screen. Studio Ghibli’s 1985 classic perfectly captures the whimsical nature of the book, and brings to life the nostalgia of childhood adventure, and the wonderful journey of self-discovery. Drew Orchard

The Series of Unfortunate Events (Netflix series)
As much as I love the 2004 movie starring Jim Carrey, it’s not a very satisfying adaptation of Lemony Snicket’s dark and quirky triskadekalogy - a word which here means ‘series of thirteen stories following three precocious orphans on the run from the evil Count Olaf’. Only long-form TV could match the detail and scope of the Beaudelaires’ sprawling tale, and the Netflix series rises to this task admirably. From the exquisite set design and costuming, to brand-new flashbacks showing the heyday of VFD (the secret society at the heart of the Beaudelaires’ parental mystery), the show is a feast both for the eyes and the mind. Book fans like me can marvel as books four through thirteen are brought to life for the first time. The Netflix series gets the books in a way the film didn’t. While the movie reads as a bleak tragedy with brief glimmers of hope and humour, the show is a black comedy. The villains are melodramatic yet truly cruel opposite our solemn, erudite heroes. The scripts are funny and accessible, even if their ideas are high-minded. Every episode is an exploration of what it means to be good in an indifferent world, and it pulls no punches along the way. Sam Marshall

Catch 22
After the success of The Graduate, Mike Nichols was the hottest director in Tinseltown, but he took his time for his 1970 adaptation of the anti-war novel, Catch 22. Nichols, an accomplished stage director, understood the subtle relationship between plot and character, and when it came to making movies he added a visual flair; he was also admired by a coterie of stars who were happy to play a series of grotesque cameos. Both book and film illustrate the absurdities of war - the context is universal, farce and tragedy in every conflict. What gives Catch 22 its unique place in the genre of war comedies is the principle that underpins the plot, the catch – you have to be insane to fly so many sorties, but if you apply for medical leave to drop out of the relentless missions, you can’t be insane, so have to return to the front line. In the movie, Nichols tightens the plot and draws out performances of comic brilliance from the likes of Orson Welles, Bob Newhart, Art Garfunkel, Jon Voight. Time for a revival of the war comedy on the big screen? Rick Hall

Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell
Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell is Susanna Clarke’s epic historical-fantasy novel, set in 19th century England during the time of the Napoleonic Wars and, of course, magic. The story’s plot spans a number of years and revolves around the competition between two magicians turned rivals. However, if you don’t fancy reading all 1000+ pages, Amazon Prime have a brilliant series of only seven episodes, adapted by Peter Harness. Displaying utter faithfulness to the plot and characters, and astonishing attention to detail, this is the best book-to-screen adaptation I’ve seen. The aesthetic is beautifully dark and whimsical, perfectly capturing the tone of the book. Not to mention, the characters are immaculately cast and wear amazingly period-accurate costumes. Whilst there are some minor changes, only natural for an adaptation, these enhance rather than hinder the story. Strange & Norrell is worth a watch for anyone craving an original spin on fantasy and/or period dramas. Amy Child