Book Adaptations Never Go Out of Fashion

Book to screen adaptations always make me slightly nervous, especially when it’s a book I really love.  Will it look the way I imagined it? Will the casting match the characters I had in my mind? Or will they rewrite the ending?  That said, it is also big business, and one that shows no signs of slowing down.  Rights to books are being snapped up faster than directors can call “that’s a wrap” on their current projects.

May sees the return of The Devil Wears Prada and I think it’s safe to say we are all excited to watch it.  It feels like one of these rare adaptations that became just as beloved as the book, if not more so.

But what else is on the horizon?  I’ve picked out a few brilliant reads that I am hoping will translate just as well on the screen.  As I firmly believe that you should always read the book first, these are the ones I think you should get cracking on.  Starting with one that Devil Wears Prada star Anne Hathaway has already snapped up the rights to…

Yesteryear by Caro Claire Burke:  In her acknowledgments Caro writes that “Anne Hathaway was instrumental in bringing the character to life”.  This bodes well as she is set to produce and star as Natalie, a tradwife influencer who wakes up to find herself living in the 1800s, fully immersed in the life has been promoting?  Only this time without the internet watching on.  It’s sharp, relevant and just on the right side of unsettling.

 Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby van Pelt:  You may know this as “that octopus book” but if you haven’t read it yet you really should.  It is warm, emotional and beautiful.  It arrives on Netflix on 5 May with Sally Field playing Tova and Alfred Molina voicing Marcellus the octopus.  The trailers look fantastic, I’ve got my popcorn ready for this one.

The Correspondent by Virginia Evans:  This completely won my heart and has become a huge word of mouth hit.  An epistolary novel that draws us into the life of Sybil Van Antwerp, it is an absolute must-read.  It has just been announced that Jane Fonda will take the lead role, which already feels like perfect casting.

The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah:  I think many of us have been waiting to see real-life sisters Elle and Dakota Fanning step into these roles.  Set for release on 12 February 2027 I know it is going to be a very emotional one to watch.  I already know I will need tissues!

Broken Country by Clare Leslie Hall: Reese Witherspoon secured the rights to this love story that begins with a first love and builds into a murder trial.  Our protagonist Beth has two very different men in her life, leaving you to decide whether you are Team Frank or Team Gabriel.  It has all the ingredients for a gripping adaptation.

There are, of course, plenty more in development, and no doubt many more announcements to come, but for now in the words of Miranda Priestly… that’s all!

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