2022 has brought a lot of book transformations into shows and movies. Some adaptations were everything we wanted and more while some did not give what needed to be given.
Whether you’re a fan of adaptations or not, it may be interesting to see how your favorite books get translated for the screen. Book to screen adaptations allow your favorite stories to come to life and exist outside the confines of your brain’s imagination.
With some time left before the year ends, there are still many adaptations for us to look forward to. This list may help you add to both your to-read list and your watch list.
1. White Bird: A Wonder Story by RJ Palacio
Thanks to the ever-expanding world of Wonder through Auggie & Me: Three Wonder Stories, also written by RJ Palacio, we were introduced to bully Julian’s French grandmother, Grandmère. Grandmère decides that it is time for her grandson to know her story and the moving power of kindness. White Bird follows a young Grandmère as she lives through World War II in a Nazi occupied France. As a young Jewish girl, she is helped into hiding by her selfless and courageous schoolmate. This story is one of immense compassion, love, and beauty in a time when it felt like the world was devoid of it.
Set to release on October 14, 2022, White Bird is directed by Marc Forster and was adapted for the screen by Mark Bomback. The movie adaptation will be starring talented actors Ariella Glaser, Orlando Schwerdt, and Bryce Gheisar, with Hellen Mirren and Gillian Anderson filling out the cast as well.
2. The Stars at Noon by Denis Johnson
This gripping novel was originally published in 1986. An American journalist and English businessmen cross paths in the landscape of 1984’s Nicaragua. Filled with mystery and betrayal, Johnson has you questioning everything. With shady dealings occurring over a precarious tower of lies (and an even shadier romance), can these two strangers trust each other despite knowing virtually nothing about one another?
Filled to the brim with passion and lies (and passionate lies), this movie directed by Claire Denis and written for the screen by Claire Denis, Léa Mysius, and Andrew Litvack, is also set for release on October 14, 2022. Leading lady Margaret Qualley from Once Upon a Time in Hollywood gives an alluring and steamy performance opposite Joe Alwyn from another book to screen adaptation which came out earlier this year, Sally Rooney’s Conversations with Friends.
3. The School for Good and Evil by Soman Chainani
First published in 2013, this treasured book series had people wondering which school they would be sorted in and what powers they secretly possess. In the world of this novel, the likes of Cinderella, Snow White, and Rapunzel are real. Not only that, but they are also alumnae of The School for Good. Sophie is geared and ready to go to The School of Good with her love for good deeds while her bestie Agatha is ready to rock The School of Evil with her wicked ways and black cat. That is of course, until they are dropped in the schools they weren’t expecting.
With Sophie taking uglification, death curses, and henchmen training classes and Agatha learning all about princess etiquette and animal communication, these two besties are about to find out what it really takes to live in a fairytale and get your happily ever after. Directed by Paul Feig of Bridesmaids fame and written for the screen by David Magee and Paul Feig, this fantastical fairytale is set to rock the screens on October 19, 2022. Sophia Anne Caruso and Sofia Wylie take the helm as the destiny swapped besties. Superstars Charlize Theron, Michelle Yeoh, Kerry Washington, and Laurence Fishburne also take part in this magical ride.
4. My Policeman by Bethan Roberts
It was love at first sight for Marion when she saw her best friend’s big brother, Tom. When she grew up to be a teacher and he a policeman she became even more determined to get him. And get him she did when they eventually got married. Though this isn’t the end of their love story. Love at first sight might also describe Patrick’s feelings for Tom. The Brighton Museum curator shows Tom a world he didn’t know existed. Set in 1950’s when homosexuality was still illegal, My Policeman is told through the eyes of those who loved Tom the most, Marion and Patrick’s.
Coming out in theatres on October 21, 2022, this film stars Emma Corrin from The Crown, David Dawson, and Harry Styles as the policeman. Adapted by Ron Nyswaner and directed by Michael Grandage, this tender and tragic story explores the confusing complexities of love in a time when it was made out-of-reach for some.
5. The Peripheral by William Gibson
The first installment of The Jackpot Trilogy, The Peripheral was brought to us by William Gibson the New York Times bestselling author of the Neuromancer and Agency. Jobs are hard to come by in Flynne Fisher’s world. There are plenty of openings in the illegal drug world, but Flynne steers clear of it. She manages to get by assembling products at a 3D printshop despite previously making more money as an online gamer funded by a rich sponsor—a job she had to give up. When her brother asks her to help out on a game he’s been secretly working on, her world is about to be expanded. She unintentionally finds herself in a very real alternate reality where Flynne meets new people and learns what dark future might await her in her own reality.
Also coming out on October 21, 2022, this series adaptation has a lot of sci-fi power backing it. With the original source material being created by a sci-fi legend, William Gibson who has been attributed as the creator of the term “cyberspace”. It seems only right that critically acclaimed Westworld show creators took the lead on this adaptation. Westworld writers Jonathan Nolan and Lisa Joy took charge of bringing this novel to screen with the help of writers Scott B. Smith, Jamie Chan, Greg Plageman, and Bronwyn Garrity. Vincenzo Natali, who has also worked on Westworld, has been tapped to direct with Alrick Riley. With the heavy ammo behind the scenes, the show also boasts acting veterans Chloe Grace Moretz, Jack Reynor of Midsommar, and Gary Carr as the on-screen power in this adaptation overflowing with potential (let’s hope it delivers).
6. Dear Zoe by Philip Beard
This precious novel is a heartfelt expression of grief and coming of age. Tess DeNunzio is 15 years old and writing a letter to her sister that passed away due to a tragic accident. Despite the sad situation, Tess is still a feisty teen trying to figure out the ways of the world. With the help of her charming slacker dad and the alluring next-door neighbor, Tess learns about her place in the world and takes the first step towards a life of healing.
Stranger Things’ Sadie Sink takes the lead role in this film adaptation coming out next month on November 4, 2022. Starring alongside her are Theo Rossi and Jessica Capshaw. All of which are directed under Gren Wells with the adapted screenplay formed by Marc Lhormer and Melissa Martin.
7. She Said: Breaking the Sexual Harassment Story that Helped Ignite a Movement by Jodi Kantor and Megan Twohey
Pulitzer Prize winners for journalism Megan Twohey and Jodi Kantor lay out all the details behind their groundbreaking investigation which outed film producer Harvey Weinstein’s acts of sexual harassment and abuse. As the terrifying rein of this powerful man came down, a dam was broken completely. Their story marked the beginning of an even larger movement with #MeToo splattered across everyone’s timelines as more women started to speak up about their own experiences of sexual harassment, outing predators and finally getting the peace and justice that they deserve.
Set to come out in November 18, 2022, Zoe Kazan and Carey Mulligan take on the powerful roles of Kantor and Twohey respectively as writer Rebecca Lenkiewicz and director Maria Schrader help bring this monumental story to the screen.
8. Bones and All by Camille DeAngelis
A deeply disturbing and emotional book, Bones and All tells the story of Maren Yearly. Maren has had a terrible affliction since she was young: whenever someone showers her with too much affection, she has a tendency to… eat them. Her mom has been cleaning up her mess since she was a child, but one day she just up and disappears. Now, Maren looks for the father that abandoned her in the hope of finding some answers. Along the way, she meets Lee a fellow lonesome drifter. As they grow more attached to each other and travel more and more miles, they begin to discover that no amount of distance can protect them from themselves.
Call Me by Your Name and Suspiria director Luca Guadagnino takes this story to the screens on November 23, 2022. As writer David Kajganich transforms the novel to a film, Taylor Russell and Timothée Chalamet rise and give life to the characters of Maren and Lee.
9. The Amazing Maurice and His Educated Rodents by Terry Pratchett
The first young adult novel done by Terry Pratchett and the 28th edition of his Discworld series stars, as you may have guessed from the title, The Amazing Maurice (plus his educated rodents). Maurice is amazing in the way that he is street smart. After coming up with a plan to con a town by getting rid of their rat infestation (which his educated rodents would of course stage) for a reward, Maurice immediately goes to find his first unlucky town aided with the help of humans Malicia and Keith. But it turns out that he is the unlucky one, as he gets to Bad Blintz he finds that they are already infested with a rat problem lurking in the underground. Instead of getting their easy money, Maurice and his rodents need to fend for their life.
The beloved Terry Pratchett novel adaptation will be taking the screens on December 9, 2022. Directors Florian Westermann and Toby Genkel have taken up the challenge with the help of Terry Rossio’s screenplay adaptation of the novel. This animation features the lovely voices of Hugh Laurie, Emilia Clarke, Himesh Patel, and Gemma Arterton with both David Thewlis and David Tennant, and even internet personality Joe Sugg.
10. The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah
In 1939 France, two sisters must learn to deal with World War II in their own ways. Older sister Vianne must say goodbye to her husband as he goes to fight. In his absence, a German soldier takes his place at home demanding Vianne house him or risk the dire consequences. Vianne’s younger sister Isabelle is determined to play an active role in the war and joins the resistance. Despite the distance and difference of the two sisters’ morals and beliefs, each will learn about the love that it takes to survive.
Kristin Hannah played a part in adapting this story of the women’s war for the screen along with Dana Stevens and Ann Peacock. Director Mélanie Laurent takes Hannah’s words to the screen with real life sisters Dakota and Elle Fanning playing out the tragic and tender stories of Vianne and Isabelle. The Nightingale will be gracing screens on December 23, 2022.
It’s always an interesting time to see how creators translate novels into shows and movies. Fill your watch and to-read lists with some quality content. It might be an exciting challenge to check out these books before their adaptations come out, not only for some great reads but also to check out how their adaptations hold up.
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