Aug 1, 2021
Best Adaptations
Let’s take a break from all the bullshit to talk about something fun. (Don’t worry, I’ll be back on my bullshit next time.)
Anyway.
**What are your favorite film / tv adaptations?**
I loooooove books. Actual, physical books I have to lug around town with me. And, I love movies and television.
I’m pretty forgiving about book-to-screen adaptations, because it’s a different medium, and mostly I’m too interested in the adaptation process itself to get too judgy about it. (Except The Dark Tower adaptation. That shit sucked.)
I recently saw the trailer for the new Dune movie, and it looks SO FREAKING COOL, I can’t wait, and bonus! I recently read it for the first time a couple years ago, so I’m fully prepped. 🙂
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A few of my favorite adaptations*
📔 Gone Girl 📔 (book & film both great)
🌫️ Big Little Lies 🌫️ (book is better but only by a hair)
✨ The Magicians ✨ (show is better)
🍅 Fried Green Tomatoes 🍅 (film is better)
🧙♂️ The LoTR trilogy 🧙♂️ (films are better)
⛏️ The Shining ⛏️ (book is better)
🐉 The Girl with The Dragon Tattoo 🐉 (Swedish version; book & film tied)
✒️ Little Women ✒️ (Greta Gerwig’s film is better)
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*I’m only counting it if I both read the book AND watched the movie. I’m sure Alias Grace is an amazing adaptation, but I haven’t read the book so I can’t say.
Also, notice Game of Thrones is absent from this list. First two seasons were great, casting was great, books are way better, finale sucked, I’m over the whole situation.
Update: I’m looking at some lists online, and there are some really excellent shows / films that were adapted from books I’ve never read. The Leftovers; Nomadland; Killing Eve; Sharp Objects; Lovecraft Country… guess I need to hit up Goodreads. 📚🤓
Also, controversial opinion: I prefer watching the movie / show first and THEN reading the book. A movie won’t ruin a book, but a book can ruin a movie. Change my mind >>

About Sam
Samantha Pollack is a Copywriter & Creative Director who works with ethically minded, mission driven businesses who are actively trying to reshape our culture (and possibly tear down the patriarchy). She’s also the founder of The Highly Sensitive Business Owner, a 12-week online program that helps HSPs & neurodivergent business owners create healthier, more sustainable systems in their work.
Sam also writes about feminism, privilege, pop culture, entrepreneurship, the creative process, and whatever else is on her mind. She currently lives in Asheville, NC.
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