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What book would you love to see dramatised in a film or serial?

(54 Posts)
bookaddict Mon 11-Dec-17 21:21:41

Hi - got to thinking of all the books I've read which have been made into films etc and how much I enjoyed some or perhaps thought the film let the book down a little? I can think of many books I've enjoyed a great deal which unfortunately haven't been put on screen - I wish some producer would!
I would love to hear from other contributors their recommendations but perhaps I can, after a lot of thought, start the ball rolling with one of mine?
I think "The Belle Fields" and its sequel "Ashes of Roses" by Lora Adams would be my initial choice. It would be a mixture of Downton Abbey, Upstairs Downstairs, Love Story with a bit of Catherine Cookson thrown in for good measure! Plenty of twists and turns and unforeseen events both happy, moving and in some parts sad.
Would enjoy hearing the thoughts of others - have a lovely Christmas and best wishes for the New Year!!

Fennel Wed 13-Dec-17 11:36:45

Trying to think - they seem to have done all my favourites.
Maybe some of Dostoevsky's novels - The Brothers Kalamazov?
Or Crime and Punishment?
As for those already done, we watched The CiderHouse Rules last night, brilliant. We were both in tears at the end.

Christinefrance Wed 13-Dec-17 12:02:17

I didn't know the BBC had the Shardlake rights Deeda wonder why they didn't go ahead with it. I agree about Branagh.

gulligranny Wed 13-Dec-17 16:29:29

I would love to see Robert Harris's wonderful Cicero Trilogy as a major television series. The books bring Ancient Rome to marvellous, believable life and Marcus Tullius Cicero himself (with whom I must confess to being rather in love!) is such a fascinating character, as is the narrator of the books, Cicero's secretary/companion Tiro. I think Kenneth Branagh would be superb as Cicero with perhaps John Simm as Tiro ....

dbDB77 Wed 13-Dec-17 17:32:25

Yet more votes for Shardlake - maybe we should lobby the BBC since they have the rights? - and Shadow in the Wind - so haunting & atmospheric - imagine that library!
Another book I'd love to see dramatised is A Suitable Boy by Vikram Seth - a classic.

nigglynellie Wed 13-Dec-17 18:27:56

The Sunne in Splendour is a fantastic book. It covers the life and times of Richard 111 from 1459 -1485. I think it would make a fab film.
I loved The Flight of the Heron and the two other books in the series. I read them years ago, and was fixated!!

Bathsheba Wed 13-Dec-17 19:22:17

Another vote here for Shadow in the Wind. Also for Winter in Madrid.
Others I'd love to see made into films are The Art of Hearing Heartbeats by Jan-Philipp Sendker; The Girl You Left Behind by Jojo Moyes; An Officer and A Spy by Robert Harris.
But above all I would dearly love to see In Falling Snow by Mary-Rose MacColl (but only if I can be casting director tchgrin)

Grandma70s Wed 13-Dec-17 19:46:33

I’ve always thought Miss Read’s Thrush Green books would make a perfect nostalgic Sunday evening series, but yggdrasil is right. I know exactly what those characters are like in my imagination, and they might get it wrong.

Bathsheba Wed 13-Dec-17 19:56:20

Oh and another one: The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd.

Jalima1108 Wed 13-Dec-17 20:19:23

I enjoy Liane Moriarty's books so felt very pleased when Big Little Lies was made into a tv mini-series.
However, the location was changed from Australia to America (why?) and it was only broadcast on Sky, so I did not see it.

Be careful what you wish for!

However, I would like to see the Steven Saylor series 'Roma sub Rosa' about Gordianus the Finder made into a tv series. Rather similar to Lindsey Davis's books about Marcus Didius Falco, which are also enjoyable.

grannyactivist Wed 13-Dec-17 20:26:09

Somewhat worryingly I have read a great number of these books and yet without prompting I have no memory of what a lot of them were about. I know that I recently re-read Secret life of Bees, and having read it twice you would think I could remember vaguely what the plot is, but I don't.

I just looked it up and as soon as I read the first few words of the review I vaguely remembered the story. tchconfused

lemongrove Wed 13-Dec-17 20:28:25

Jalima Big Little Lies* was really, really good on tv.

Thinking about the subject of books/films I read a book a few years ago that would make a great film or tv series called Miss Smilla’s Feeling For Snow ( Peter Hoeg?) the central character is a strong, and strong minded young woman who decides to investigate a death, and uncovers all sorts of things.

BBbevan Wed 13-Dec-17 21:05:36

Just read Cat's Eye by Margaret Atwood I think that would make a great film. Also years ago I read The Silver Sword , a WW11 story for children. That would be great dramatized.

Deedaa Wed 13-Dec-17 21:24:37

The Silver Sword was made into a TV serial many years ago. Nearly 60 I think. Melvyn Hayes was brilliant in it and Frazer Hines was the boy whose white mouse is killed. Gwen Watford played the children's mother. I wonder if a new version would be as good.

hildajenniJ Wed 13-Dec-17 23:07:01

I loved the Sunday afternoon serial of The Silver Sword. We have a photo of me, my sisters and cousins taken in our garden, all looking glum because the last episode was on TV and we were missing it!

Jalima1108 Wed 13-Dec-17 23:18:59

Thanks lemongrove smile through gritted teeth

Jalima1108 Wed 13-Dec-17 23:19:15

grin is that it?

Jalima1108 Wed 13-Dec-17 23:21:51

I loved the Borrowers when it was televised with Ian Holm and Penelope Wilton.

Nelliemoser Thu 14-Dec-17 00:02:33

Deedaa I still have a copy of "The Silver Sword" I am sure there was a very old film or TV adaptation.
It has me in tears every time as does "Good night Mr Tom" of which there was a more recent film.

Both cover the WW2 and they are quite tough stories for children about ten and older.

I really do not get "Lord of the Rings" or anything else with eleves and dwarves .

("Andrew Marr repeated a story of CS Lewis, in his college rooms at Oxford, listening to JRR Tolkien reading aloud from The Lord of the Rings, and interrupting with: "Oh no! Not another fucking elf!" ..." )
I will go with that sentiment.

SueDonim Thu 14-Dec-17 02:55:25

No need to wait for an adaptation of The Secret Life of Bees. It was made into a wonderful film almost 10 years ago!

www.amazon.co.uk/Secret-Life-Bees-DVD/dp/B001PBD0JG/ref=pd_lpo_sbs_14_t_1?psc=1&_encoding=UTF8&tag=gransnetforum-21&refRID=JYE45W3QJX70QMB9AJCH

Grandma70s Thu 14-Dec-17 06:57:29

How I agree with nelliemoser about Lord of the Rings. My English teacher at school had been taught by Tolkien and never stopped going on about it. I ploughed through the three volumes when I was 17 or so, was bored then and am bored now.

BBbevan Thu 14-Dec-17 07:13:32

Deedaa I have a vague recollection of that, now you mention it. And I too have my original book.

Franbern Thu 14-Dec-17 11:28:50

With all the wonderful digital work they can use these days in films I would love to see some of the PERN books by Anne McAffery. I think there was some sort of attempt many years back to make a film of these, but she stopped it as she was not happy with the way the Dragons were being shown.
I would also thoroughly enjoy seeing the Sub Rosa Series (Stephen Saylor), maybe as a TV series.

Bathsheba Thu 14-Dec-17 22:11:17

No need to wait for an adaptation of The Secret Life of Bees. It was made into a wonderful film almost 10 years ago!
Oh thanks SueDonim, I had no idea!

bigcol1 Thu 11-Jan-18 11:21:21

I think I would like to see a full adaption of Margaret Mitchells "Gone With The Wind". A full adaption. Not just sort of highlights or edited ones. One that actually told the whole story of Tara and the civil war and everything. I'm sure it could be possible. Maybe over 26 episodes or something like one of those mini series or something, but I'm sure it could be poss. There are probs many others that I haven't thought of as well, but this came to mind Love, hugs and kisses cxxxxx - BIG COL

mollie Thu 11-Jan-18 11:28:44

Not a particular book but I’ve always thought the 18c South Sea Bubble scandal would be a fascinating story to tell. So many parallels to modern times - clearly lessons are never learned!