A few weeks ago I mentioned I was going to try and read more American classics, specifically Little Women.
I won’t lie, most of my motivation for finally giving the Alcott classic a chance was the new Greta Gerwig movie. I love her work and the cast looked amazing. Every trailer screamed period piece love and I wanted to read the book before I saw someone’s interpretation on screen.
Unfortunately after finishing Little Women I don’t have a lot of love for Jo, Beth, Meg, or Amy. I didn’t want to be a Marsh sister. I didn’t see myself strongly in any of these iconic women. Maybe I came to the story too old, too cynical, or too stressed. Maybe they were never for me. I knew going in that Little Women was a character drama. I knew the plot wasn’t strong. I knew this meant I was going to have to route for the Marsh family. Unfortunately I was unmoved.
But now I know that I am not a Jo or a Meg. I don’t much care about Beth’s fate. I never want to think of young Amy again.
At least not in their original form.
A week after finishing the book I sat down and watched Gerwig’s adaptation. While I still didn’t care about the Marsh sisters I was in love with non linear storytelling. The set was complete eye candy and the acting was superb. It was like being transported.
I actually found myself caring about Amy. Weird, I know. Many have already told me this is the “wrong opinion” but that’s fine.
It turns out what I needed to enjoy Little Women was more than words. I needed brilliant dresses and well cast actresses. I needed a 2 hour commitment, not several days. I needed a feminst tale for 2020.
So yes, this was one of the few times I liked the movie more than the book.
A little more than a week ago my boyfriend and I found ourselves with a bit of free time. We are usually in the middle of several series, and are rarely at a loss for something to watch. So it came as a surprise that we spent 15 minutes scrolling through Netflix looking for something new.
Somehow I talked him into trying Outlander. He likes all things Highlander. Time travel is up his alley. He would put up with the romance.
Score 1, Sarah.
Over 2 days we watched 8 episodes. On Cyber Monday, I saw the books were on sale through Audible. I had already thought about reading about Claire and Jaimie after my whirlwind watching the Starz series, but realistically didn’t think I would finish one 600+ page book, let alone eight.
But audiobooks are my jam. So now I’m frantically listening to Outlander half knowing what is about to happen. I have just surpassed where we left off in the television show and it feels like I jumped out of a plane without a safety net. The new downside is that I cannot talk to my partner in crime about new plot points. Every time a new, exciting, shocking thing happens my boyfriend reminds me he doesn’t want to hear spoilers.
Personally, I like spoilers, but that is a topic for another post…
So I have had to reach out to distant friends in hopes that they understand my Outlander love, and to help motivate me to keep listening when binge watching a show during the holidays proves problematic.
But I am finding the exercise of reading and watching a story at the same time very cathartic. Some plot points carry more weight on screen, and others on the page. I find the history and backstory is strong in written form, but that relationships and emotions work better with real actors playing out the scenes.
The experience lets me fully immerse myself in the Scottish Highlands, and with the characters. I get to spend time at work listening and time at home watching. I wonder if a lesser story, one with less twists and turns, would give me the same experience. I was never one to read a series and then watch the movies. My experience with the Harry Potter books and movies is completely separate in my mind. I usually have to separate the art forms. It is the film student in me. But here I am combining everything and running ahead without a care for how things turn out.
I, like many people, spent a lot of time yesterday with Disney+. First waiting for the app to download, then for Disney to get its crap together and actually load anything. I browsed for a while and found some childhood favorites.
This wasn’t a surprise. I have always been a disney lover. Before Disney+ was even an idea I was holding massive marathon with friends with the goal of watching all available films in chronological order. (I made it to Meet the Robinsons. I think that’s pretty good record in a non Disney streaming service world.) The surprise for me was the amount of adaptations I found. Some are well known, others are a bit more of a surprise.
Today I wanted to bring a few to light, just in case you wanted to check out the source material before you start your own Disney binge. This is by no means an exhaustive list, I just want to point out some adaptations that may be less well known.
Lady and the Tramp – This classic (and now live action movie) is at the helm of all the Disney+ marketing, but did you know it was based off a short story that appeared in Cosmopolitan by Ward Greene. Happy Dan, The Cynical Dog made its debut in 1945 and ten short years later we had our beloved Lady and Tramp.
101 Dalmatians – It is no surprise that Disney loves adaptation. Many of their early films were stories reimagined from popular works. 101 Dalmatians was original a 1950’s era children’s book. I think it is better on screen with talking puppies, personally, but fully expect to read the source material at some point in my life.
The Lion King, The Lion King 2 : Simba’s Pride, The Lion King ½: I’ve told you all how I love Shakespeare, right? I’m pretty sure that has come up more than once…Anyway, Lion King is straight up Hamlet. I know this isn’t shocking news. Most of us were aware of this in our high school English classes. However, fewer people notice that Lion King 2 is a retelling of Romeo and Juliet, and even few get that Lion King ½ is a very fun adaptation of Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead. All are worth reading. I promise. Maybe with a rewatching of Lion King as a reward at the end?
Mary Poppins – Duh! I’m sure all of my bookish readers went in search of the original Mary Poppins books after Mary Poppins Returns came out last year. If not I promosie the books, while not as fun or sweet as the movie, are solid children’s stories that are worthy of a read.
Bambi – Stay with me here. Bambi is based on an Austrian novel called Bambi, a Life in the Woods. It was translated into English in 1928 and became a classic early Disney movie in 1942. I can’t speak for the book, but I will tell you Bambi is a much less upsetting movie as an adult. Give it another shot. Sometimes it is even funny!
Winnie the Pooh – You probably know that Pooh bear was featured in a very well loved children’s book by A.A. Milne, but did you know that he was also a real stuffed bear beloved by Milne’s son? Today you can find Pooh and friends at the New York Public Library’s main branch in the children’s department. They look well loved, but happy in their new version of the hundred acre wood. I grew up on Pooh’s adventures, and read his books countless times. The first thing I searched for on Disney + was my favorite bear, and am going to go to relive my childhood with the New Adventures of Winnie the Pooh tonight.
Honorable but obvious mentions: Huck, Treasure Island, 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, Cinderella, Beauty and the Beast, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, The Sword and the Stone, Inspector Gadget, Aladdin, Alice in Wonderland, Big Hero 6, The Black Cauldron…I could go on and on….
Are you also super stoked to do a Disney deep dive? Did I miss obscure adaptations that you think are worth calling out? Let me know! I’ll talk Disney all day, every day!
I’m sure you’re a busy person. I’m a busy person. I don’t know many people that aren’t. There are too many books to read, meals to cook, dogs to pet and general merriment to be had. Also work. There is always work, and working out, and commuting (why do I spend so much time in my car?!?!)
So this year for Banned Book Week instead of trying to read ALL THE BOOKS EVER I thought maybe I should look into adaptations. I love me some good bookish movies and series and also it is much less hazardous to fall asleep watching something on Netflix then reading a book.
This may be coming from someone who has recently fallen asleep reading and dropped her Kindle on her head. Maybe.
Both the Kindle and I are fine, by the way. Thanks for asking.
Anyway here are a few of the Banned Book Week adaptations I am excited to jump into. I hope you all get a chance to watch a few of them too.
Fahrenheit 451
I love me some Michael B Jordan. I do not love this Bradbury classic. I get how it is important. I understand how it moves people. I just hate Montag. I refuse to do another reread, but will watch the movie.
Catch 22
Major Major Major we have a winner! Okay, I love Catch 22. It was my favorite book for years. Somehow I haven’t gotten around to watching this Hulu series. It is on my watch list, just as the book is a constant on my “reread when the world stops moving so fast” list. Plus I have heard great things about the acting. I just need to convince my boyfriend that this will actually be funny and not just war 100% of the time and maybe I can actually get some quality time with Yosarian and company this week.
The Great Gatsby
Okay, Gatsby isn’t a long book. Don’t judge me too poorly. I don’t have time this week to get disillusioned and lost in the Jazz age. I do have time for a couple hours staring at Leo DiCaprio pining over a lost love while I pack for vacation, tho.
To Kill a Mockingbird – Also Read Furious Hours
Disclaimer: I read To Kill a Mockingbird last week so I could do a Food and Fiction Friday post for this week. It still lives up to its hype in every possible way. However, Gregory Peck is perfect. Did you know he was friends with Harper Lee after filming? He is always how I picture Atticus Finch, and if you haven’t watched his Oscar winning performance yet you should give it a chance. It is old but perfect.
Also, Furious Hours by Casey Cep was one of the best books released this spring, so if you’re looking for something Lee adjacent check it out!
1984
Another oldey, but it is so good. I love everything about 1984 and I love this adaptation. If you haven’t gotten around to reading the book and want to be in the know about Big Brother this is for you!
Gone with the Wind
Frankly, my dears, I do not have the time. I do not. No no no. Margaret Mitchell’s classic is one of 2 books to win a pulitzer prize the year it was also the best selling novel in the US. By every right I should read Gone with the Wind. I went on a HUGE southern fiction kick last year. I just can’t stand reading about the Civil War in fiction. It is too messy. The casualties too great.
The Hate You Give
This was one of the most challenged books of last year. This is one of the few adaptations on the list that I actually want to go back and read. I think the movie may be too much for me to handle. However the subject is deeply imporant and everything I see makes me think it will be a future classic.
A Wrinkle In Time
I didn’t read this absolute classic until last year when my absolute FAVS Oprah, Reese, and Mindy were instagraming about the movie. I got super excited. Then I didn’t see it. I did like the book though and have zero time or inclination to read it again. Maybe it is finally time to watch the movie?
Perks of Being a Wallflower
This was one of the books being challenged when I was still in high school. I loved the book growing up. It was one of the few books geared towards young adults that I actually read in high school. (Sidenote: My YA phase started at like 23.) When the movie came out a few years ago I couldn’t bring myself to watch it. I had too many memories of the book and didn’t want them corrupted. Now I think I can finally go back and see Emma Watson and Ezra Miller turning a Charlie’s life upside down.
Do you have a favorite Banned Book that has been adapted for the screen? Let me know what I’m missing in the comments!
The Library at Woodring Estate 