Novel-To-Film Adaptions. Do They Ever Get It Right?

It’s mid-winter here in Melbourne, Australia, and I’m on the couch, bundled in a blanket watching romantic comedies. So it’s no surprise my muse has refused to show up and sprinkle her magic on the Fireworks theme my fellow genre-istas are rocking this month. Even thinking about the night sky is enough to freeze me to the bone!

But lucky for me, lounging in front of the television has proven beneficial - it's given me a blog topic. A number of the films I've watched recently have been based on novels. Some have been good, but not great, while others have flopped completely. This got me thinking... 

Can a movie adaptation ever be as good as the book? 

It’s a debate that fires up book worms and movie buffs alike—usually those of us who have a foot planted firmly in each camp. I’m a lifelong reader and movie-goer. My childhood copy of The Secret Garden is worn and tired from too much love, and my VHS copy of the 1993 movie adaptation must have been watched and rewound hundreds of times. I adored them equally. 

Each art-form brings something different to the storytelling experience. Books tantalize my imagination, inviting me to build worlds and characters in my mind. Movies are like a large fleece blanket in winter, bundling me up in a warm comforting embrace where I can settle in and enjoy the sensory experience of watching worlds come alive before my eyes.

Most criticism of movie adaptations come from readers who have loved the book, then found the film lacking. The characters aren’t what they imagined. Plot lines have changed. Or some of their favorite scenes or characters are missing altogether. But that doesn’t necessarily mean a film is bad.  It’s often good enough to stand on its own, and viewers who haven’t read the book—who go in free of expectation—have a completely different, positive experience.

We all know of the countless book-to-movie failures, but here are some movies that are often touted by critics as actually being better than the book (many people wouldn’t even know they’re an adaptation).

Fight Club – Author, Chuck Palahniuk loved the film adaptation of his book and even felt that it managed to draw together plot-lines he’d overlooked. 

Jurassic Park -  The book was a bestseller, but the movie won over viewers an action-packed plot, likeable characters and amazing special effects (for the time).

The Princess Bride – This one is debatable as the book was also fabulous, but the 1987 movie has garnered a cult following.

Stand by Me – It’s hard to improve upon anything Stephen King creates, but the movie expanded upon the world and characters of his novella and captured the hearts of viewers and is now a popular classic.

Die Hard – Honestly, did anyone even know this was an adaptation? This classic action movie - also an unlikely Christmas movie favorite - was more of a thriller in the original novel.

The Notebook – Nicholas Sparks’ books are bestsellers, but the film adaptation of The Notebook struck a chord with romantics all over the world and has become far more popular than the novel.

Jaws – By today’s standards, the mechanical shark may not be too impressive, but audiences were terrified by his fin slicing through water and his rows of giant teeth. And along with the iconic Duuun dun duuun dun dun dun dun dun dun music, the movie was able to instill a level of fear the book could never achieve.

We all have novel-to-film adaptations we love, or love to hate. What are yours?

Medeival Time-Travel Romance by Diane Darcy

You’d like me to write about medieval time-travel romance?

As. You. Wish. (heehee)  

Thank you so much for the invitation to talk about time-travel romance here at Romancing the Genres! I love everything medieval and if you throw in a contemporary character, then this is true love. Do you think this happens every day? (Please tell me I’m not the only one who quotes The Princess Bride on a regular basis?) (*Quotes from The Princess Bride are in italics.) 

Why I write these books, or Murdered by pirates is good!

They’re magical and full of adventure and they always have been! I’ve been reading romance books for years and I love them. The more romantic the better. The more action adventure, the more fabulous! My introduction to time-travel romance was Constance O’Day Flannery, Jude Deveraux, Diana Gabaldon, Lynn Kurland and others. Once introduced to the genre, I searched for more and more books. There were never enough to read as far as I was concerned.  

I’ve always liked books with a bit of a paranormal element to them. I started out writing books that didn’t fit easily into any genre, and when I couldn’t sell them to editors, I eventually tried writing to market. I sent out manuscripts to agents and editors for years. And then one day I’d just sort of had it. I’d been told editors weren’t interested in medieval time travel romance books, but I went to lunch with a friend and told her, I’m done. I’m not going to write books for agents and editors anymore. I’m just going to write what I’d write if I knew I’d never sell a book.  So I sat down and wrote She Owns the Knight. It’s definitely a book straight from my heart.  

Why I chose this genre or Mawage. Mawage is wot bwings us togeder today.

True love. (Twu Wuv ha!) I know that historically, people living in medieval times didn’t bathe very often, probably had rotten teeth, and that women were considered property. But I don’t care. Anyone who reads my books knows I love the type of men who treat women like gold and feel lucky to have them. Of course, that’s true of any book I’ve written, but there’s just something about English Knights and Scottish Warriors, isn’t there? Men who trained to fight to hold what was theirs, and when they find that special girl, he’ll hold tight to her, too. After all, it’s who he is.

 What is difficult about writing in this genre or Boo! Boo! Boo! 

I just can’t please everyone. I’m essentially writing in the fantasy genre but I tend to offend historical purists. I love reading about history, and have fun researching, but I do get reviews that mock my ability to stay true to historical facts even though I’m trying to do so! I try not to let it bother me. I know if a modern girl were dropped into medieval England or Scotland that she wouldn’t understand the spoken English or the Gaelic. And I know that most of the aristocracy spoke French. Still, some readers do seem to mind and I’m suddenly the queen of refuse.

What I love about writing in this genre or have fun stormin’ the castle!

The other day I went to Medieval Times, a jousting tournament in California. It was so cool! Goblets, chess sets, flags, pageantry, armor, swords, daggers, food that could be eaten with our hands! Too fun!

When I’m immersed in writing a medieval time travel romance, it’s the same type of fun. It’s the stuff of fantasy and magic. English Knights, Scottish warriors, castles, sword fighting, damsels in distress and in cool dresses. Big brawny sword fighters and horses. Myth, legend, witches, and history all wrapped up in a sweet romance.  

Anything you think readers might enjoy? 

Here’s an excerpt from my latest book Murdoch. It’s Book 25 in the Ghosts of Culloden Moor series or they’re kissing again! Do we have to read the kissing parts? 

 Kenrick ended the kiss. He looked into her face, his expression astounded. How could this amazing, virile, drop-dead-gorgeous man be astounded by her?

She couldn’t deny she’d started it.  "Wow."

His lips tugged into a slow smile, his earlier shyness completely gone as happiness filled his face. “Wow." Those mobile lips formed the word as if tasting it, testing it.

She’d obviously given him the wrong idea. “Maybe this isn’t such a great plan after all.”

 His smile faded. “The kissing?”

“You staying with me.”

“Ye’re not to worry. I’ll not take advantage of ye.”

 She actually believed him. Or maybe she just really wanted to take him home. She certainly didn’t feel uncomfortable in his presence. But the situation would probably look bad from the outside. She couldn’t imagine what her mama would say.

 “Look, I don’t want to give you the wrong impression.”

“And what impression might that be?”

“All I’m saying is, I’m giving you a place to stay in return for your assistance.” She gave a helpless shrug. “Just don’t expect anything else, all right? I know I kissed you first, but I give you my word, I won’t try anything, either.”

That slow smile again. “Ye’re not to worry, lass. I’ll not hold you to that.”

Thanks again for having me here! ~ Diane Darcy

Diane Darcy is a USA Today bestselling author who loves to read and write lighthearted and funny books. She’s a member of the Heart of the West and RWA. She was a finalist for Romance Writers of America's Golden Heart® Award. She’s written romantic comedies in several different genres—some historical, some contemporary, all lighthearted and fun. She makes her home in Utah with her family and is hard at work on her next book. You can contact her at www.DianeDarcy.com.