Adapting books into films and television series is a common phenomenon in the entertainment industry. It creates a different version of a popular story for a wider and more diverse audience. This often proves to be a controversial decision, as in the case of the recently released It ends with usDespite the controversy, many readers are happy to see their favorite novels adapted, and many viewers enjoy seeing a great story on the screen.
Many television shows today are just as successful as their originals, if not more so, but pose a challenge for viewers who have difficulty distinguishing between the two versions of the same story. Extremely successful shows such as House of the Dragon, FoundationAnd Lucifer are praised by their audiences. However, these series are more fun if you watch them before reading the corresponding books.
The Vampire Diaries (2009-2017) has changed considerably
- the Vampire Diaries is available to stream on Max.
the Vampire Diaries LJ Smith’s book series is a sprawling fantasy world consisting of a four-book original series and three spin-off trilogies. Although the sensational teen drama series is based on the source material, there are several significant changes to the plot, characterization, and world-building.
Although it is questionable whether the Vampire Diaries While the series or the books are the better media overall, it is undeniable that they are both entirely different narratives. While someone may well enjoy the written and filmed stories in different ways, reading the books before watching the television series may prevent a viewer from enjoying the loose adaptation of the source material.
Foundation (2021-present) is another science fiction story
- Foundation is available to stream on AppleTV.
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Issac Asimov’s Foundation The series is a classic science fiction story that began as a collection of short stories and novellas in the 1940s and became a series in the 1950s. Years later, a few novels were added to the world, expanding the rich lore and narrative of the space opera. The overall premise of the story focused on the fall of a galactic empire and a psychohistorian’s struggle to preserve his culture during that time.
The intriguing premise and tone of the classic novels are captivating, but the television series does little to capture the core idea of the original world. Foundation is a great show for sci-fi fans looking for something similar star Wars or Westworldbut the literature on which it is based may confuse modern viewers rather than give them insight into this galactic world.
The Boys (2019-present) does not correspond to the comics
- The boys is available to stream on Amazon Prime Video.
The boyscreated by Garth Ennis and Darick Robertson, is a superhero comic book series that ran for over 70 issues. The unique premise caught the attention of superhero fans and focused on how fame has corrupted the world’s superheroes, making them far more villainous than heroic. A team called “The Boys” made it their mission to stop the corrupted superheroes.
Unlike other TV adaptations of books, most fans agree that the Prime series is far superior to the source material. Although the creators have retained the plot and themes of the comics, the series features some creative changes that make the characters more interesting and nuanced.
The Handmaid’s Tale (2017-present) goes far beyond the novel
- The Handmaid’s Tale can be streamed on Hulu.
The Handmaid’s Tale is based on the 1985 novel of the same name by Margaret Atwood. The dystopian novel vividly addresses what would happen if a religious, militarized society took away women’s rights in order to oppress them. The Handmaid’s Tale is a great science fiction series that deserves all the hype it gets, but it can only be loosely compared to Atwood’s novel.
The series takes the important theme of Atwood’s story and embraces her world-building, making some additions to expand the story and scope of the themes. However, many of the characters are changed in the adaptation, particularly the main character Offred (or June), who is far more rebellious and fiery than her counterpart in the book. The plot also expands beyond the original storyline, making it difficult to compare the source material to the adaptation.
Hannibal (2013-2015) shows a different Hannibal Lecter
- Hannibal can be streamed on AMC+.
The Hannibal Lecter book series consists of four novels written by Thomas Harris between the 1980s and early 2000s. Although these thriller books are popular in the genre, the cannibalistic psychologist became part of pop culture through Anthony Hopkins’ portrayal of the character in T.The Silence of the Lambs‘ Adaptation in 1991.
Although the third season of the TV adaptation is loosely based on Harris’ Hannibal The first few seasons are creative departures, adopting some storylines and characters from the source material but creating a new story for the horror icon overall. The short-lived horror show takes on Hannibal Lecter but portrays him in a different light, making his television character different from the one readers get to know in the books.
You (2018-present) does not have the same protagonist
- You is available to stream on Netflix.
Caroline Kepnes took a risk when she wrote her thriller from the antagonist’s point of view and in the second person. But it was worth it, and You was a huge success with three sequels that continued the eerie and disturbing story of Joe Goldberg. The story was so popular that it was developed into a series that is one of Netflix’s longest-running series.
Fans of Netflix You may enjoy reading the first novel and accepting the changes to the first season of the adaptation. Despite the comparisons between the first season and the book, the series changed course and only loosely followed Kepnes’ story throughout the series. The romanticized version of Joe, who is far more despicable and less of an antihero in the novels, would likely ruin the viewer’s image of the beloved character.
Lucifer (2016-2021) moves far away from the source material
- Lucifer is available to stream on Netflix.
The character Lucifer initially played a supporting role in DC Comics in issues of Neil Gaiman’s The Sandman before making his own debut as a main character in a comic book series written by Mike Carey in the early 2000s. Its storyline focuses on the concept of free will and is set on Earth, but also includes Heaven and Hell.
The Lucifer The TV series took up the concept of the devil taking up residence on Earth, but that is where the similarities end. The comics were not a police series with supernatural influences, nor did they humanize Lucifer or give him a human love story. Fans of the Lucifer series will be disappointed that the lovable title character has nothing in common with her comic book counterpart.
“The Haunting of Hill House” (2018) is a modern version of the classic haunted house story
- Haunting of Hill House is available to stream on Netflix.
Haunting of Hill House is a cult classic horror novel by Shirley Jackson. Set in the 1950s, the creepy, atmospheric story focuses on a group of people investigating paranormal influences in the eerie Hill House. The mysterious and deceptive presence in the house is captivating from start to finish, making the book an unforgettable read.
Haunting of Hill House The miniseries follows Jackson’s narrative in a modern way, focusing on a family haunted for decades after a tragic event at the supernatural Hill House. Although the book’s themes are carried over, the narrative is completely changed, save for a few carried over scenes and character names. The charm of the novel would likely ruin the experience of the modernized series, although it is fun to read about the series’ inspiration after watching the series.
The Witcher (2019-present) is TV fan service
- The Sorcerer is available to stream on Netflix.
The Sorcerer The novel series was written by Polish author Andrzej Sapkoski. The vast world of Geralt of Rivia and his companions has inspired a network of media, including a popular video game franchise. The plot of the entire series is complicated but enticing, drawing the reader into a multi-layered storyline with different characters and timelines.
Although Netflix The Sorcerer Henry Cavill will no longer play the lead role, which has caused great controversy. The cast changes are just the latest point of contention among viewers. Fans of the franchise are disappointed by the changes to the source material and consider it a disgrace compared to the original. Only viewers who have not yet been introduced to the world of The Witcher will be drawn to this fantastic series.
House of the Dragon (2022-present) is ruined by the source material
- House of the Dragon is available to stream on Max.
House of the Dragon has finished its second season and has quickly become the biggest fantasy TV series of the present day. It is the prequel series to game of Thronesexpands on the rich history and culture of Westeros by detailing the epic fall of the great Targaryen dynasty. Many fans of the TV series are extremely impressed with this installment and even believe that it surpassed the original series.
A big problem for fans is the constant spoilers for the source material by George RR Martin, which is written like a historical text documenting the entire Targaryen dynasty. Thanks to this novel, many viewers know the outcome of the war, important events and conclusions about the characters. Avoiding spoilers for House of the Dragon becomes complicated when the popular show is constantly compared to the original.
