This genre of television series is a treat to both bookworms and movie buffs. Book adaptations, if done right, can make the stories come alive. However, there are many ways that it can go wrong as well. But today we will discuss the top 10 series that have done the book adaptation on point.
The series on this list have big fandoms and are no doubt famous. The books that the series are based on are even more popular. You might come across one of your favorite books or series on this list. So let’s get into it!
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10. The Handmaid’s Tale
Although on number 10, both the series and the book are remarkable tales of resilience. This American dystopian series is created by Bruce Miller. The award-winning series is based on the 1985 novel of the same name by Canadian author Margaret Atwood.
‘The Handmaid’s Tale’ has received eight Primetime Emmy Awards and also a Golden Globe for Best Television Series. This is a story of female perseverance and how easily women are targeted in any political upheaval. The story delves into a totalitarian, theonomic government that has divided society into classes and subjects fertile women to slavery.
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9. Outlander
This Ronald D. Moore television series is based on Diana Gabaldon’s novel series. ‘Outlander‘ premiered in 2014. The novel has won many awards itself with the series bagging many awards including Critic’s Choice Awards. A romance with time travel and war ‘Outlander’ is a story that will leave you wanting more. Caitríona Balfe and Sam Heughan have done an incredible job portraying the fearless characters from the book. If you like time travel and romance, ‘Outlander’ is a must-watch and a must-read.
8. All The Light We Cannot See
This book does not need any introduction. This 2014 war novel by Anthony Doerr has won the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction, has been featured on The New York Times Bestseller list for over 200 weeks, and sold over 15 million copies. The book was adapted into a miniseries for Netflix and directed by Shawn Levy.
The series stars Aria Mia Loberti, Mark Ruffalo, and Hugh Laurie. Just like the book, the series has been critically acclaimed too. Set in a war-torn France during World War II, the story revolves around a blind French girl named Marie-Laure and a German soldier named Werner.
7. The Queen’s Gambit
This Netflix series has been one of the most talked about and most watched series at the time of its premiere. The Anya Taylor-Joy starrer is based on the 1983 novel of the same name by Walter Tevis.
‘The Queen’s Gambit’ refers to a chess opening. The story centers around Beth Harmon, a fictional American chess prodigy. She struggles with drug and alcohol dependency as she makes her journey to the top of the chess world.
6. The Witcher
Another Netflix series that requires no introduction. This series has made Henry Cavill a household name. Did you know that ‘The Witcher’ is a book adaptation of a Polish book series by Andrzej Sapkowski? The fictional world of the Continent is full of danger at every corner. But our knight in shining armor is Geralt of Rivia, the monster hunter. Along with Yennefer of Vengerberg and Princess Ciri, they set off on a mission that can make or break their world.
5. Bridgerton
The ‘Bridgerton‘ fever has taken over the internet with the drop of the third season. The Netflix series, again, needs no introduction. Created by Chris Van Dusen for Netflix, it is based on the book series by Julia Quinn. The best-selling books are about the Bridgerton family and an alternative London Regency era. As a new social season begins, the Bridgertons find love in the most unexpected places. The series has captured the romance and passion while adding some of their own twists to the tale.
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4. Orange Is The New Black
This 2013 series has a special place in everyone’s hearts even today. This comedy-drama series is based on Piper Kerman’s memoir ‘Orange Is the New Black: My Year in a Women’s Prison’. It captures her experiences at FCI Danbury, a minimum security federal prison.
Apart from several nominations, the series has also received an American Film Institute award and a Peabody Award. The series revolves around Taylor Schilling’s Piper Chapman as she gets sentenced to 15 months in Litchfield Penitentiary, a minimum-security women’s federal prison.
3. Lupin
This French series is different from the others in this list. Given that this is faithful to its source material more in spirit than in letter. ‘Lupin’ is a nod to novelist Maurice Leblanc’s gentleman thief Arsène Lupin. Although the series is not a word-by-word adaptation of the novel, in spirit it has stayed true to it.
Created by George Kay and François Uzan, transposes the character to the present day in the form of Assane Diop. Assane models himself after Lupin as he dives into his world through the books. He is on a quest to avenge his father and takes on Lupin through the tales he reads from Maurice Leblanc’s novel.
2. The Haunting of Hill House
This Netflix supernatural horror drama has set a new standard for horror series. The series is based on Shirley Jackson’s gothic horror novel. This is the first entry in ‘The Haunting‘ anthology series. The book was a finalist for the National Book Award. It has been adapted into two feature films and a play aside from the Netflix series.
The series, directed by Mike Flanagan, has a stunning ensemble cast. The story follows five siblings and their paranormal experiences at Hill House. Although they have left the house behind the haunting still traumatizes them which makes them return to Hill House for a fateful encounter.
1. Game Of Thrones
The biggest book adaptation ever made has to be this! The political drama has a big fan following and has a special place in the viewer’s hearts. The HBO series is based on ‘A Song of Ice and Fire’ by George R. R. Martin. Spanning over eight seasons, ‘Game Of Thrones’ tells the political situation of Westeros.
A prequel series ‘House Of Dragons‘ has also been adapted on the screen based on Martin’s ‘Fire and Blood’. The series is a beautiful blend of political drama with lots of scheming and plotting. It is a must-watch if you haven’t watched it already.
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