Reading a good book is like watching a movie in the mind. A well-written book can make you visualise everything that’s happening in the book. If there’s one thing that readers fear, it is a translation of their favourite book onto the screen. Will the actors do justice to their favourite characters? Will the screenplay live up to the original book? All book lovers fear the worst when a book to TV adaptation is announced. While the book generally turns out to be better, there are a few times where we feel the TV series did justice to the original story. In an even rarer scenario, some TV adaptations have even been better than the book. Well, here are some book to TV adaptations you can check out when you are ready to see your favourite characters come to life.
1. Shadow and Bone
Shadow and Bone is based on two different series of books by Leigh Bardugo; the Shadow and Bone trilogy and the Six of Crows duology. This fantasy show that follows the Grishaverse has managed to stay true to its source. On one hand, the series follows Alina Starkov, a mapmaker who discovers that she is a Grisha. Her ability to summon light can change the tide of war against dark forces. On the other hand, Kaz Brekker, a thief, is tasked with kidnapping Alina. He, along with his merry band of thieves, must navigate through treacherous territory to complete their mission. It’s a fun fantasy series with a good set of actors who do justice to their roles.
You can stream the series on Netflix.
2. Bridgerton
Bridgerton managed to make everyone’s hearts flutter when it first came out. But, did you know it is based on a historical romance series of the same name by author Julia Quinn? Each season of the show is slated to follow the romance of one Bridgerton sibling. The first season follows Daphne Bridgerton, the eldest daughter of her family, as she makes her debut in Regency London. Anyone who’s read a historical romance can guess where the story will go from there. As she navigates the marriage mart that is Regency London, she falls in love with the handsome Duke of Hastings, Simon Basset. Pretty costumes, gorgeous men and women, lots of sexy times, and good acting make the show a must-watch.
You can stream the series on Netflix.
Related: Which Bridgerton Character Are You, Based On Your Personality? Take This Quiz To Find Out
3. The Witcher
All you Henry Cavill fans, gather around! The Witcher is in town. The show is based on a series of books by Polish author Andrzej Sapkowski. The series follows Geralt of Rivia, a magically enhanced monster-hunter. As he meets more people, he finds out that people may actually be worse than the monsters he fights.
You can stream the series on Netflix.
4. You
There might not be a lot of people left who haven’t watched the creepy “romance” that is You. The first season is based on the novel You by Caroline Kepnes, whereas the second and third seasons are loosely based on the sequel Hidden Bodies. The series follows a New York bookstore manager, Joe Goldberg, who has taken up serial killing as a hobby. If you enjoy dark and twisted crime shows, you won’t be disappointed with You.
You can stream the series on Netflix.
Related: On A Scale Of Joe Goldberg To Love Quinn, How Toxic Are You? Take This Quiz To Find Out
5. The Handmaid’s Tale
The Handmaid’s Tale is a dystopian series based on the novel by Canadian author Margaret Atwood. The series is set in Gilead, a totalitarian society. It follows the stories of women who are treated as the state’s property. The city forces women into sexual servitude to repopulate the world. Offred is one such woman, determined to survive under the fundamentalist regime and find her daughter who was taken away from her.
You can stream the series on Amazon Prime Video.
6. A Discovery Of Witches
A Discovery Of Witches is a fantasy series based on Deborah Harkness’ All Souls Trilogy. The series has already released two seasons based on the first two books in the trilogy. A third and final season based on the third book will release in 2022. The series follows Diana Bishop, a historian by profession and a witch by birth. She is reluctant to embrace her powers and has been trying for years to suppress them. As she prepares for her doctorate, she unwittingly calls forth a bewitched manuscript in Oxford’s Bodleian Library. A vampire, Matthew Clairmont, who was also looking for the book, crosses paths with Diana. The rest as you know is history. Diana and Matthew navigate the supernatural factions who are out to get the book and fall in love. This is one of those rare shows where we think the series is better than the book.
You can stream the series on Sony Liv.
7. The Baby-Sitters Club
The Baby-Sitters Club is a comedy-drama series based on the children’s novel series of the same name by Ann M. Martin. The series follows a group of teenage girlfriends as they start their babysitting business in Stoneybrook, Connecticut. The series stays fairly true to the books, though it has been modernised to stay up to date. The book was originally written in 1986. The Baby-Sitters Club is a fun and light watch to ease your mind on a stressful day.
You can stream the series on Netflix.
What are some other book to TV adaptations you think have done justice to the original source? Tell us in the comments.
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