Book/Film Adaptations 2019

2019 has had its fair share of books being adapted into film.

There are varying opinions, of which I have a few, when it comes to moving a beloved novel to the big screen and which one is better. Personally for me, the novel usually wins.

Saying that, I wanted to share a list of film adaptations I am anticipating or have been wanting to watch this year.

Some have already been released, others are due out soon. Let me know in the comments what you think about the list as well as others you’ve enjoyed or are looking forward to.

Where’d You Go, Bernadette. (released August 2019.)

Released in August and staring Cate Blanchett and Steve Zahn, this has been adapted from the novel by Maria Semple.

I have to be honest, I have not read the novel. It’s been on my list for a long time so it won’t be long until I read it as I want to see the movie. For me, it has to be that way around.

I heard so many good things about the novel and the premise sounds so interesting.

Just in case you’ve not heard of this novel before, it’s about a mother who is compelled to reconnect with her creative passions after years bringing up her family. This takes her on an epic journey.

Little Women (release date: 26th December.)

I have a bit of a love/hate relationship with adaptations of this novel.

The only one I ever vaguely liked is the one starring Winona Ryder. For the record, my best friend hates that version. It’s one of the few things we disagree on.

Nothing could really live up to the magic of the original novel by Louisa May Alcott but I will give this one a go, if anything because Meryl Streep is playing Aunt March and that should be good.

It’s also staring Timothée Chalament (Homeland and Ladybird) as Laurie, Emma Watson (Harry Potter,) as Meg, Laura Dern (Big Little Lies) as Marmee and Saoirse Ronan as Jo.

The Goldfinch (released September 2019.)

This is due to be released tomorrow (27th September) and is an adaptation of the book by Donna Tartt.

The film stars Nicole Kidman and Ansel Elgort (The Fault in Our Stars.)

This tells the story of Theo who, at thirteen, survives an accident that tears his life apart.

As he tries to navigate his way through life, he’s tormented by a longing for his mother. He clings to a painting that reminds him of her.

As he gets older, he learns to live between the homes of the rich and the dusty Antique shop where he works. All this places him in a dangerous circle.

The Art of Racing in the Rain (released August 2019.)

Adapted from the novel by Garth Stein, this is one where the film brought my attention to the book. I saw a trailer for it at the cinema and have wanted to watch it since then.

Even though I haven’t read/seen it yet, I know it is going to make me cry. It has a Marley and Me feel to it and no matter how many times I see that, its full waterworks.

The Art of Racing in the rain focuses on Enzo, a beautiful golden retriever who in the film is voiced by Kevin Costner. Through Enzo’s bond with his race car driver owner, Denny, he learns how to navigate through life.

This really does sound like my kind of film. It’s good to have a good cry sometimes.

Also, as a side note, the film also stars Milo Ventimiglia (Gilmore Girls, This is Us.) I don’t need to say anything else I don’t think.

The Sun is also a Star (released August 2019.)

This a film based on the novel by Nicola Yoon and again, it’s been a film that’s been on my list of ones to watch for a while.

Natasha is a hard-luck woman who doesn’t believe in love. She believes in science and facts. She doesn’t believe in destiny.

Daniel is a hopeless romantic who is not sure about his future in medical school. He has always been the good student, trying to live up to the high expectations of his parents. He’s never been a chancer or a dreamer, until he meets Natasha.

Like The Art of Racing in the Rain, this looks like the type of book and film that’s perfect to curl up with and disappear into for a while.

by

Laura

I’m Laura. I started Novel Kicks in 2009. I wanted a place to post my writing as well as give other writers like me the opportunity to do the same. There is also a monthly book club, a writing room which features writing prompts, book reviews, competitions, author interviews and guest posts.

I grew up by the sea (my favourite place in the world) and I currently live in Hampshire. I am married to Chris, have a cat named Buddy and I would love to be a writer. I’m trying to write the novel I’ve talked so much about writing if only I could stop pressing delete. I’ve loved writing since creative writing classes in primary school. I have always wanted to see my teacher Miss Sayers again and thank her for the encouragement. When not trying to write the novel or writing snippets of stories on anything I can get my hands on, I love reading, dancing like a loon and singing to myself very badly. My current obsession is Once Upon a Time and I would be happy to live with magic in the enchanted forest surrounded by all those wonderful stories provided that world also included Harry Potter. I love reading chick lit. contemporary fiction and novels with mystery.