What book do you think should be made into a movie? And do you have any suggestions for the producers?
Or, what book do you think should NEVER be made into a movie?
Good question. I very rarely think of books as films because I know much would be changed and because I’m not a visual person. I don’t tend to picture what I’m reading in my head, not even the characters. I do have one fantasy series that I think would make a fantastic movie, and that’s the Temeraire series by Naomi Novik. Fantasy series are fairly popular in cinemas right now and dragons are a universal draw. I think these books, particularly the first one, have a good mix of characterization and personal moments and potential for flashy battle scenes. They’re relatively small, so I don’t think much would need to be cut, either.
I’d also love to see one of Sharon Kay Penman’s historical novels make it to the big screen, just so I could visualize it, but so much would be cut out that it may not be worth it. A miniseries could do better. I also think The Gargoyle by Andrew Davidson would make a great, if REALLY graphic, movie. Overall, though, I’ve never actually read a book and thought, “This would be a great movie.” It’s only upon reflection that I can consider it.
As for what should never be a movie? Well, my first thought is the Kushiel series by Jacqueline Carey. I adore these books, but not only are they long, they are also way too graphic and too complex for any of them to be crammed into 3 hours or less. I don’t think they could include everything that is relevant to the rest of the series. I also think that Carey’s writing style is exquisite and in part makes the book, and you can’t get that in a movie. I’d go see it, but would be very uneasy about it.
What about you? What book would you make into a movie, or not?
A long, graphic novel would be a bad idea for a movie; I didn’t think of that! Here’s my response:
http://bookcritiques.blogspot.com/2009/03/booking-through-thursday-movie.html
Sally’s last blog post..Booking Through Thursday – Movie Potential
I think you’re right about The Gargoyle.
The director could always tone down the violence too.
marie’s last blog post..Booking Through Thursday: Movie Potential
Good thoughts. Yes, dragons are a universal draw, and the technology is there to make the movies “realistic.”
I don’t usually picture movies in my head while reading either, but in one recent book I did — just in time for this week’s question!
Oh, seconding the Kushiel series! There is no way, no way at all, that could work as a movie. For all the reasons you said- and also, the mythology is far too rich to be conveyed on screen.
Elizabeth W.’s last blog post..Booking Through Thursday: Book- The Movie!
HF and fantasy are great choices because they have the potential to look fabulous on the big screen.
Beth F’s last blog post..Booking Through Thursday: Lights, Camera, Action!
I didn’t think of The Gargoyle, but you’re the second person I’ve seen mention it today. I’d only want it to be made into a film if they could keep it complete, in all its graphic glory, and find a way not to lose the internal monologue and all that stuff about the bitch snake….and I think that’s a tall order.
Rebecca @ The Book Lady’s Blog’s last blog post..BTT: Movie Potential
The Gargoyle is a great book. I hope they could do it well.
Chris@bookarama’s last blog post..BTT: Lights, Camera, Action!
Penman was one of my thoughts too! I thought Sunne in Splendor in particular, but I also had the same hesitance, that they might just cut too much out.
Like you, I don’t ever read a book and think ‘hey, this would make a great movie,’ probably because I’m much more of a book person than a movie person.
You’re the second person I’ve seen mention The Gargoyle and I’m not totally sure if a movie could pull it off. Rebecca’s right that they’d need to keep all the internal monologue and I feel like in a movie it would just come off STRANGE.
Jen – Devourer of Books’s last blog post..BTT: Book to Movie
I have the same problem. I love imagining the characters in my head and when a book gets translated into a movie I sometimes feel disappointed. Not often, but it happens.
Mine’s here. Happy Thursday!
I’m afraid The Gargoyle is one of those books that sounds like it would work, but I could be a disaster too.
Shhh I’m Reading’s last blog post..Booking Through Thursday…Movie Potential
I agree that The Gargoyle would make a great movie, if it’s done right.
Kathy’s last blog post..Paperback Frenzy
I haven’t read The Gargoyle, but the cover is kind of hypnotizing to me! haha. I’m adding that to my TBR list, too.
I went with Laurie Viera Rigler’s Confessions Of A Jane Austen Addict — I’m crazy about Austen! And, if no one else was interested, I would make time to see it in theatres a few dozen times!
Megan’s last blog post..Booking Through Thursday: See the potential
I agree about Temeraire. By the way, Peter Jackson has bought the movie rights to it so we’ll see if anything comes of it.
I also agree about Kushiel. Carey’s style is distinctive part of it and that couldn’t be brought to the screen.
Mervi’s last blog post..Movie Potential
I suggested The Gargoyle too. As most movies don’t stick to the original book anyway I rarely think they’re as good as the book. But I do think the Gargoyle would translate well to the big screen.
BooksPlease’s last blog post..Booking Through Thursday – Movie Potential
I need to give the Kushiel series a try…I’ve heard wonders about it. Anyway, I don’t normally think of a book’s potential as a movie either, so I’m not sure what I would like to see. But something I wouldn’t want to see on the big screen is the Sandman series. I can’t think of how it could possibly be done right. It’s long, it’s complex, and it has too many characters and sub-plots.
Yes, when I read The Gargoyle I thought it would make a terrific movie, too. I guess they might have trouble attracting a star, since he’d have to be covered in heavy makeup and prosthetic devices a lot of the time. But it’s such a wonderful mix of adventure, mystery and romance, it’s perfect for film.
JLS Hall’s last blog post..Booking Through Thursday: Movie Potential
The Gargoyle would make a fabulous movie. It’s on my list of the best books I read in 2008. And the actor wouldn’t need burn makeup during the flashback scenes to the fourteenth century. It would be kind of like “The English Patient,” with scenes moving back and forth from when he was burned to earlier times when he wasn’t. Who should play Marianne, since Ingrid Bergman is no longer a possibility?
Margaret D.’s last blog post..Mar 13, Review of The Unicorn Road; New Listings
I have seen Outlander on a lot of BTT’s today. Most would love to see it on the screen, though there are a couple desenters. It’s on Mt. TBR, but buried deep and wasn’t probably likely to hit the surface this year. However, with everyone passionate about it, I may have to drag it out a little sooner
The Kool-Aid Mom’s last blog post..Friday Fill-Ins ~ Throw Poo at the Birthday Girl!
I’ve never heard of The Gargoyle before, although it sounds like a really intriguing book. Here’s my response:
http://yourlibrarycard.blogspot.com/2009/03/at-movies-with-books-this-weeks-btt.html