Unless you've been reading under a rock, you'll not have been able to escape the conversation surrounding the latest adaptation of Wuthering Heights, starring Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi. Emerald Fennell's somewhat leftfield take on the enduring classic has been lauded as genius by some camps and heartily laughed at by others. Yet whether it is "good" or "bad" is perhaps irrelevant, when you see the uptake in Bronte readership since the film was announced. Books for everyone!
Discussion about the merits of film adaptation is nothing new. The old "book was better" idea has been doing the rounds for a long time now and is not going anywhere anytime soon, with writers and directors taking a punt on many an interesting story and novel, much to the chagrin of loyalists to the written word.
One contingent of the book lover community will sometimes decry the lack of fidelity if the film diverts from the source material in any way ("Margot is too old to play Kathy!") There is a strong argument, however, that the best adaptations are those that refer to the original text, but create something wholly new and distinct, in a way that challenges the audience's preconceptions and potentially adds nuance or layers of meaning. A film can be in conversation with the book, making the experience of both mediums even more interesting!
After all, we all interpret novels differently to one another, so why should a film not do the same? That isn't to say that the argument for faithfulness to the book isn't a valid one. (Criticisms of casting for example are definitely required in a healthy discussion of adaptation!)
It's common for adaptations to lift stories from obscurity and become the most famous version of the story, with many people ignorant of the fact that the film was once a book. Unless you're a fan of the author, chances are you won't have known that this epic, sprawling film was a 64-page story in the New Yorker by the wonderful American writer, Annie Proulx. Forrest Gump was a mildly-reviewed 1986 satire by Winston Groom. The characters and story were taken and completely changed to make a more palatable and loveable story of Forrest and Jenny. There are countless other examples of films that have seen the potential in a book and elevated it to another, higher level.
There are other novels, however, that fall short as films, such as Donna Tartt's immense The Goldfinch and JRR Tolkein's The Hobbit Trilogy. Some things are perhaps just more suited to the page. A fallacy is assuming that a good book will make an equally good film, but there is also the case to be made that actually not every book needs an adaptation. Books and film are both art forms and can exist either separately or side by side with one another. The arguments are exhaustive!
What we can probably collectively agree on is our very real need for stories that speak to us, sate our curiosity, entertain us, and sometimes, reveal something new to us as we continue spinning on this strange little planet of ours. We've compiled a list of some of our favourite film and TV adaptations, so please let us know which would make your "best of" list!
Wuthering Heights (2011) dir. Andrea Arnold, starring Kaya Scodelario and James Howson. Based on the 1847 novel by Emily Bronte.
Atonement (2007) dir. Joe Wright, starring Keira Knightley and James McAvoy. Based on the 2001 novel by Ian MacEwan.
Die, My Love (2025) dir. Lynne Ramsay, starring Jennifer Lawrence and Robert Pattinson. Based on the 2012 Argentinian novel by Ariana Harwicz.
Passing (2021) dir. Rebecca Hall, starring Tessa Thompson and Ruth Negga. Based on the 1929 book by Nella Larsen.
The Birds (1963) dir. Alfred Hitchcock, starring Tippi Hedren. Based on the 1952 short story by Daphne Du Maurier.
All of Us Strangers (2023) dir. Andrew Haigh, starring Andrew Scott and Paul Mescal. Based on the 1987 novel Strangers by Taichi Yamada.
The Handmaiden (2016) dir. Park Chan-Wook, starring Kim Min-hee and Kim Tae-ri. Based on the 2002 novel Fingersmith by Sarah Waters.
Howl's Moving Castle (2004) dir. Hayao Miyazaki. An animated film, based on the 1986 children's book by Diana Wynne-Jones.
10 Things I Hate About You (1999) dir. Gil Junger, starring Julia Stiles and Heath Ledger. Based on 16th century play The Taming of the Shrew by William Shakespeare.
The Lost Daughter (2021) dir. Maggie Gyllenhaal, starring Olivia Colman. Based on the 2006 Italian novel by Elena Ferrante.
