In 1902 the movie “Robinson Crusoe” was released; “Alice in Wonderland,” in 1903. It is nothing new that wonderful books are adapted to screens, both big and small. More than 100 years later, our favorite characters are coming to life faster than ever. The rights of current best sellers get snatched up immediately and older classics are continually remade. Sometimes the details can be altered but it’s hard to imagine a world without Al Pacino as The Godfather or never meeting Harry Potter. Here are a few of the latest book-to-screen winners.
Bridgerton, The Duke and I
By Julia Quinn
Watch on Netflix
Daphne Bridgerton is a debutante ready to be matched. Her upper crust family of Regency Era London will guide her through the annual season filled with glamorous balls and decked out dinner parties, making sure to keep her dance card filled. As the fourth of eight children, Daphne has three older brothers to contend with and a mother who dreams of the perfect marriage. Less focused on love, the match will cement her place in society, as well as that of her sisters. In walks Simon Basset, Duke of Hastings. The most handsome yet frustratingly enigmatic man Daphne has ever met, Simon is an old mate of her eldest brother and officially off limits. Facing similar societal pressures, Simon and Daphne come up with a scheme to develop a fictitious relationship and survive the tiresome season. The plan falls apart as the beautiful and sexy young couple fall passionately in love. A series filled with dozens of books, Bridgerton’s recent craze on Netflix has all the girls swooning for more.
Beartown
By Fredrik Backman
Watch on HBO Max
Bjornstad is a small community hidden in a deep dark forest where temperatures plummet and everyone’s lives focus on hockey. The Beartown Bears Junior Team have been working for 10 years toward this moment. To the surprise of the country they are in the national semi-finals. For Coach David, these teenage boys have sacrificed every ounce of blood, sweat and tears they possibly could to this game, the team and to him. As the finals approach, a tragedy occurs, leaving a young girl traumatized and the entire season hanging in the wind. This tiny town needs to dig deep into their hearts and weigh the meaning of good and evil, crime and punishment. Turning neighbors into enemies, the pressure is on and either way, the truth will be told. Translated from Swedish, author Fredrik Backman’s gentle prose will have the reader shivering as you hear the scraping of skates and the slap bang thwack as the puck shoots across the ice. Mesmerizing to read and fascinating to watch.
Firefly Lane
By Kristin Hannah
Watch on Netflix
Kate Mularkey and Tully Hart meet in the summer of 1974. In their quaint suburban homes near Seattle, shy Kate is a typical dorky middle schooler hiding behind her too-thick glasses, while Tully defines the new girl role — beautiful, smart and cool. She takes Kate under her wing and they become inseparable. Having suffered through a difficult childhood, Tully clings to Kate’s steadfast friendship and swears that someday they will become an unstoppable broadcasting duo. Years later, the girls have survived as many heartbreaks as triumphs and remain best friends. Although Tully’s fame and wealth are more than she could have imagined, she finds herself lonely and jealous of Kate, who settled down and has a beautiful daughter. Kate quietly masks her own fears of inadequacy, abandoned dreams and a stubborn teenager. Kate and Tully’s memories flash back through the decades. I read this after I watched. Loved both but the verdict stands — I am a read first, watch second kind of gal.
