I’m taking this week’s #FaveFiveFriday challenge, an initiative of Buzz Magazine. The topic is Favorite Five Movies or TV Series adapted from Books.
I’m not very fond of books that have movie or television series tie-in cover art. It’s one of my pet peeves. But I have watched some of those movies or series. Today’s FaveFiveFriday asks me to share my favorite five such adaptations.
My Favorite Movies/Series Adapted From Books
1. Game of Thrones (adapted from A Song of Ice and Fire series by George RR Martin)
I have read only a couple of the books so far. Without a doubt, the books have aspects that are better. I feel, at least with the first season of Game of Thrones, the series was adapted quite well from the first book. The main events happen in the same order. Some of the relationships between characters are portrayed correctly. Not every reader would love this series, but I know people who are yet to read even one book, and yet love the TV series a lot.
2. The Book Thief (adapted from the book of the same name by Markus Zuzak)
This is a book I read last year. I even gifted to some of my friends. I think the character of Liesel Meminger, in particular, was very beautifully portrayed by Sophie Nelisse. Even Roger Allam’s voice as the voice of Death, the narrator, felt right. I will be reading this book again soon.
3. The Fault in our Stars (adapted from the book of the same name by John Green)
I must confess that it’s a book I have read only in parts, but one of my friends had the movie adaptation and I watched that. Shailene Woodsley portrays Hazel Grace almost like how I had imagined the character to be portrayed when I read the book. My favorite character in the adaptation is that of Augustus Walters. Hearing Augustus’s letter in his voice at the end of the movie was beautifully sad.
4. Kandukondain Kandukondain (adapted from the book Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen)
I watched the movie before I read the book. I realized that the movie was an adaptation of this book only when I was checking Wikipedia afterward. The character sketches match quite well. Indian movies add their own touch of masala, but with the beauty of the setting and the characters themselves so true to the book, I felt happy.
5. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone (adapted from the book of the same name by JK Rowling)
I have watched all eight movies, and read all seven books. It is not possible for every aspect of the book to become a part of the movie. I know that too. And I like all 8 movies as well. But to be honest, most of them weren’t excellent adaptations of the books. The first movie was the best. The script covered almost all important events, the characters felt like how I had imagined them to be, and it is a movie I watch even now.
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Vinay Leo R.
Poetry & writing are to me, a breath of fresh air in a life that is sometimes covered by the smoke of sorrow or self doubt. They also become the sweets I share to celebrate when life offers me a reason to. But most of all, they are to me, my life. For each word I write is a piece of my heart, a thought that just had to find its way into the world.
Brilliant list few on here I haven’t tried ?
Thanks! Hope you enjoy those when you do read them, BookingGoodRead.
Haven’t watched any of the movies. Yes not even Harry Potter. Once I read the book , I never feel like watching the movie. I had only watched Namesake & Life of Pi and I liked the books more.
You can try, Aesha. 🙂 Once you read the book, the movie may not be a big deal. But some are really worth the time!
Once again Leo, I realise how diverse our tastes are. I haven’t even attempted reading Game of Thrones since my daughter and her husband are addicted to the book and series. I’ve seen the Book thief but haven’t read the book since I was put off with the movie. I found the theme revolting. I watched the movie Kandukondain Kandukondain and loved it. I can’t obviously read the book since it’s not written in my mother tongue
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Sense and Sensibility is written in English, Sunita. 🙂 You can read it for sure. It’s a classic!
Game of Thrones, I’m hooked to the series, but have to persist a little harder with the books. * fingers crossed *
Wow I like this tag. Where is the link for this? I would like to do this. I liked your choices also. I have seen Kandukondain… though I do not remember the story now, I remember I had liked the movie. It has some lovely songs.
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There’s no link as such, Lata, but I think will ask the Magazine admin to clarify. 🙂 I get the topic sent to me via eMail.
Lovely songs in that movie, absolutely! 😀 Some of them are my favorites to this day!
I loved the book and movie BOOK THIEF – amazingly written and then the enactment, settings and characters were heartbreakingly true to the book!! I agree with you on the book to movie bit but there are time when I have watched a movie first and then picked up the book later – that has to be a compliment to the movie maker 😉
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I think Kandukondain movie is the only time the movie was watched before the book, and even then, it wasn’t the exact replication of the book either, Shalini. 🙂
Good to know we’ve loved The Book Thief both as movie and book..
YES! This is such a lovely list. I have to admit that Philosopher’s Stone was the most brilliant adaptation because everything was done so well and had me feeling welcome in the world of Harry Potter. High five for the TFiOS love!
I really need to check out the rest from your list. (Yes, I’ve never watched GoT. Forgive me!)
Absolutely. 🙂 The first movie was really almost perfect, Sarika. 😀
Nothing to forgive. 😛 It’s not a deal breaker by any stretch of the imagination. 😉
Here are some of my personal favorites – The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, P.S. I Love You, Game of Thrones & The Da Vinci Code.
Thank you, Shalu. 🙂 Good to see we have one in common! 😀
It’s interesting to read about theses series inspired from popular books. But I am also not a fan of TV or Movie series from books. Happy to join with you for #MyFriendAlexa !!!
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I have a few series that interest me, but the books are, more often than not, better than the series of course. 🙂 Thank you, Vasantha.
Never knew that movie Kandokondein…. was adapted from Jane Austen’s Sense and Sensibility. Good post
I didn’t either. It’s not a perfect adaptation, but a good movie for sure. 🙂 Thanks, Hena.
Harry Potter takes the cake for me! I think Forrest Gump is even a better adaptation of the book. Happy Alexa Season
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Forrest Gump? Not read, but will look into that! 😀 Thanks, Tina.
Interesting list of movie/tv adaptations. I have watched all except the 4th one “Kadu…” I couldn’t even pronounce it, actually.
Haha. 🙂 Yes, it doesn’t roll off the tongue that nicely, Ajay. But a good movie.
Except for Fault in our stars and HP series have seen none. Though I’ll be binge watching Game of thrones soon. 😀
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Binge read A Song of Ice and Fire first if possible. 🙂 Though not a must, I think that’ll give you a better perspective, SSJ.
I have read books/seen movies 1, 3, 5, but not 2 & 4. I will look them up, as I am always looking for new books to read and great movies to watch. Thanks for sharing.
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The fourth is a Tamil movie, so I am not sure you’ll follow it much. 🙂 But the book is good, of course. Hope you enjoy your reading/watching, Cheryl.
Hey I’ve already commented on this post even before I saw you listed in MyFriend Alexa and wanted to comment on another post, but couldn’t manage to connect….. But I will still go to more posts as I love your writing even though most of what you write about is Latin and Greek to me. I consider it as a lesson in Modern Literature or an Introduction to Authors & Genres Unknown to Me . ( No offence Leo – it’s just that I’m a fossil!)
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Haha! 😀 No offence taken, Sunitha. I don’t think all my posts would be Latin and Greek. So welcome to read any time. I’m happy to see a friend come by. 🙂
I’ve seen three of those. Agree with you on them. They were fabulous films. Still to get to Game of Thrones – just about everyone seems to have watched the series. I read a few books – loved the first few but then just got jumbled up in the names and the kings and the armies and I hated the fact that my favourite characters kept dying – so gave it up. The series would be easier to follow I suppose.
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Nah, Tulika. I wouldn’t say easier to follow, because you’ll still have to watch your favorite characters dying. 🙁 But I prefer the books. Definitely.
I loved and still love the songs in Kandukondain Kandukondain movie.. Picturization was beautiful and lyrics of songs were awesome!!
I agree with that, Sadhuvi. 🙂 That village setting just brought out the beauty of the story so well. 😀
Whats your opinion on the fact that most of the times there is a complain the movies have not been able to communicate or emote effectively what the book had done? How about a follow up post on successful and disaster movie adaptations ?
Well, for a bookworm, I’d say no movie adaptation would ever be perfect in being able to emote effectively. 🙂 So that’s almost always a complaint.
Interesting idea, Anindya, but I may have to give that a pass. I’ve not watched a lot of movies based on books. Let’s see! 😀
The fourth entry is the only one that I didn’t know about rest I knew. One thing that I now really wish to read is the The song of ice and fire.
Hi Ruby. I hope you enjoy reading ASOIAF. 🙂 It’s an epic series, but worth the patience.
I love harry potter books but have not watched any of the movies yet. My girls are addicted to the Harry Potter series though. Great list Vinay. I am going to check rest soon.
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I’ve read all, and the book series is a good thing to get addicted to, Deepa. 🙂
I shamefully admit that I haven’t read The Book Thief yet. Neither have I seen the movie. have to add it to my to-do list.
As for Harry Potter, I always liked the 3 rd movie the best. Azkaban changed the tone for me from the bright cheery world of the 1st two to a more (relatively) realistic world where the students have major insecurities. The ending 45 minutes was a pure delight for me to watch in the big screen.
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Yeah, Roshan. Do read/watch Book Thief soon. 🙂 It’s nice! You’ll like it, I think.
Doc, for me, Prisoner of Azkaban is one of the worst adaptations from book to movie in the series! 🙁 So many missing parts. No Quidditch final, the important broomstick coming at the end… no, I wouldn’t say I loved that movie. I loved the book for sure! It’s my favorite in the series.
I am not easily pleased with movies adapted from books..they rarely do justice in my opinion. However having said that, I prefer to watch movies rather than read books for sci-fi and fantasy genres (Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings etc.)
I’d say fantasy series are better read. 🙂 The world would be so much more beautiful in your imagination, Mahak.
I would be declared an outcast if I said that I havnt seen even a single episode of Game of thrones. But I do plan to read the book series in my lifetime. Else apart from “K&K” I have seen the other three and yes they definitely are beautiful adaptations of the books.
Nicely written.
Not from here. 🙂 I think each series deserves its own time. Maybe it hasn’t come yet for you to watch Game of Thrones. 😀 Glad you liked the post, Anupriya.
Lovely list there- Apart from your list, I i also love the adaptation of V for Vendatta
Neither read nor watched V for Vendetta. 🙂 Goes into my TBR/TW lists. Thanks, Avinash.
Agree about both GOT and Harry Potter .GOT I have read all that the author has written .Don’t want to watch the show to avoid being irritated .Harry Potter I adore the books but the movies I am still not sure.
I hadn’t watched the series until much later. Need to re-read, Amrita. 🙂 Thank you.
Interesting list. Haven’t watched+read The fault in our stars and Sense and Sensibility though. Time to pick it up from the TBR pile.
Loved the movie adaptation of Lord of the Rings and The Help as well.
Hope you enjoy the reads/watch, Janhavi. 😀 Thank you for dropping by!
I follow that movie which has been adapted from a book. In fact after watching sometimes I like to buy the book. I did this for Twilight series!!
Oh. I am not fond of Twilight series at all. Neither book, nor movie. 😛 And always, books before movies too, geethica.
If I had made my list it would have The Godfather in it for sure. 🙂
I might seem like an odd duck but I am neither a Harry Potter nor a Game Of Thrones fan. I want to see The Fault in our Stars but will prefer reading the book first.
Oh well, some ducks are odd. 😉 That’s perfectly acceptable at the pond, Varsh. 😀
Hope you enjoy Fault in our Stars. 😀
Hi,
I am more of a book person. Reading is my passion. For a book lover, movies/series adopted from book is usually a disappointment.
And with your article I can sense the same 🙂
May be case would be different if we watch movie before book!
Yeah, Iram. Books before movies, definitely! 😀 I don’t think that’ll change, because I have read a few books after watching the movie, and loved the books better! 😉
Loved the post Leo, you know how I feel about GOT, but the book has made me to believe (Just the title) that Snow & Dragon Queen get hooked. 😛
I love the Harry Potter series.
I thought so too when I read the series name. 🙂 So you’re not alone there. Thanks, Z.
Haven’t watched GoT and or Kandukondain Kandukondain, though I wholeheartedly agree with the other three you’d listed. I had to skip this edition of Fave Five and was kinda bummed. Good to read your list 😀
I knew you’d agree wholeheartedly with the other three too, Sam. 🙂 Maybe next edition of Fave Five. 😀 Would be nice!
I really need to watch more TV it seems. I have only watched Harry Potter. I think Prisoner of Azkaban was a good adaptation too.
If you’re reading more books, less TV is always acceptable. 🙂 Thanks, Ashwin.
Hi Leo!
I’ve added ‘The Book Thief’ in my reading list for the year. Being an ardent GOT fan, I think it’ll only be fair to read all the books as well before season 8 is back.
Have you seen or read ‘The Time Traveler’s Wife’ and ‘P.S. I love you’?
I’ve not read either, though I’ve heard good things of both. Both are on my TBR already though, Diya.
Fault in the Stars has to be the best in this list. Of course, there’s GoT too but that movie is just too beautiful. The cast and the crew has done a fabulous job.
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The Book Thief is quite nice too, but I agree with you that TFIOS was an excellent reproduction. 🙂 Thanks, Asmita.
Interesting compilation. I didnt know Kandukondein was an adaptation of Jane Austen’s novel
I didn’t when I watched it for the first time either, Karthik. 🙂 It’s not an exact adaptation, but based on that plotline, I guess.
Good informative read for someone like me who has just started watching Game of Thrones and going to start with the book as well. This post pushes me to read books as well and watch other adapted series as well.
I hope you love the books more than the TV series, Paresh. 🙂 And hope you find some more adapted series and books too. Thanks!
Game of Thrones is my favorite too.. i think its one of those really few and rare series that has managed to do some justice to the literature it is based on
One of the few, yep. I agree, Sonia. 🙂 But it seems to have wavered off track of late though.
This list is fabulous. I love movies and this post attracted me instantly. Thanks for sharing!!
Hope you enjoy watching these movies/series then, Shamik. 😀
I have read all the Got books released till date but still love the TV series like crazy. Of course, since further books aren’t released the TV series is making up stories, trying to conclude. But that’s how things are. Cannot find everything written in the book..just like the HD series.
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I’m not that fond of the TV series as I am of the books, T. 🙂 But then again, I’m more bookworm than movieworm 😛 You’re more balanced with both, I guess. 😉
I personally like ‘The Fault in our Stars’ the most. Have not yet read ‘A Song of Ice & Fire’, but do watch the GOT series. Maybe I would start reading it now. 🙂
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I prefer the books for sure, so would recommend it. 🙂 Happy reading, disha. 😀
I haven’t seen Kandukondain one – but I have read the book (of course!). And for all these five I can safely say -Book is better than the movie – I am sure you agree 😀
I definitely agree. Books are better than movies, no doubt! 🙂 Thanks, Richa.
I agree with the GOT adaptation of TV series not being as solid as the book, being die hard GoT book fan I dont connect with the series. Harry Potter was a good one and so is Fault in our Stars. Haven’e seen/read others 🙂 would search more about it now.
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The series overall has actually been quite nice, Dipika. Only from the sixth season on, it seems a little unbelievable, mostly because it is not really based on the books anymore.
Harry Potter, I loved the movies, though I wish some events were not cut in some of the movies. TFIOS was also quite good. 🙂
I so want to read Harry Potter as well. I just keep watching those movies repeatedly and go in my own zone. Wish could stay there forever.
Read! 🙂 They’re wonderful. You’ll love them, Manisha.
The first Harry Potter movie was definitely the best. And TFIOS has been a huge part of our lives, isn’t it? 😀 I cannot believe I forgot The Book Thief when I was making my list. 😛 I was too busy thinking of the ones that made it to my list 😉
TFIOS has been a huge part of your life, Anie bon. 😉 Not so much mine. There are a lot of movies to think of, so it’s okay if if you forgot one I suppose. 😀
Yet to read or watch TFIOS .. maybe some day I will simply watch it. Can’t read I know.
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You could if you wanted to, Pratsie. 😀 Try. You may surprise yourself.
Actually I have always felt that movies or series aren’t generally able to do justice to a good book as the time constraint and commercial aspect always comes in. That doesn’t mean movie directors don’t try but in my opinion its never the same as reading a beautiful book.
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I agree. A good book is a good book, and the movie can almost never be as good. At times, the movie is better than the book (which isn’t telling much about the book I suppose). Thanks, Aseem.
Harry Potter is mine favorite too even now I can watch it again and again Fault in our stars is another good series I love
Even I can watch that series again and again, Bushra. And I often do. 🙂
I haven’t read/watched GoT yet.
Loved The Book Thief (movie) yet to read the book.
The Fault in our Stars somehow didn’t make me go crazy (like it did to numerous others) – found it sweet but yeah, that’s about it (liked the movie better than the book, for a change).
Kandukondein Kandukondein – not watched or read.
Harry Potter – obviously enough, I love the books much more than the movies. HP 1 movie I agree was one movie which was true to a large degree to the book.
Nice list Vinay 🙂 Enjoyed nodding along.
Glad you nodded along, Venice. 🙂 I hope you enjoy reading The Book Thief too.
Wow…you have covered my favourites, Leo. Thanks.
Yeah. Knew we’d have a few in common for sure, Resh. 🙂
Wow vinay this post pushes me to get hold of those books right away!
I am surprised about kandukondein kandukondein 🙂
I was surprised about Kandukondein Kandunkondein being a partial adaptation too, Ramya. 🙂 Hope you enjoy the books!
Interesting choices, Vinay. I’m of the view that when books are adapted to movies or TV series, it should be true to the original. The director or producer or scriptwriter should not take the liberty to add their own stuff because the original wasn’t theirs. I think that’s a fair rule to have.
I don’t have too many favourites in this category but certainly Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone is up there. Mystic River and Jurassic Park also would feature but I wish some things hadn’t changed in the movie versions.
That’s a very fair rule to have, I agree with you, Sreedeep. But script writers do have to take a few liberties to make some parts more appealing to non-readers, I suppose. Maybe that’s why.
I didn’t think I’d have a lot of options in the category too, given I prefer books over movies. 😀 I’ll watch Mystic River soon too, I hope. (Reading first).