Agreed on Watchmen. Thought it was a fantastic show, one of my favorites of recent year. I can't rank it because I haven't read the graphic novel, though I think I have copy sitting around here somewhere.
Agreed. I've watched both series to completion, and I like the books too, but I'd put them more in the Reacher category of solid entertainment that translates relatively easily as compared to the more complex literary fiction.
I join in the comment on Bosch and Lincoln Lawyer. I only wish they didn’t mix elements of several books into one series. I might also nominate John Mortimer’s Rumpole series but most, if not all of those were books that came after the television presentations.
The Expanse series is a pretty commendable adaptation. I watched first and then read (ok, listened--great narrator). I think it does solid and thoughtful integration of things to keep it both contained given the range of characters and time.
The Foundation doesn't feel like a faithful adaptation and that's actually when I think I like the TV series so much.
Yes, Foundation takes great liberties with the original, and is better for it, IMO. It started slow for me, but I did get to the completion of what's available so far. I've heard good things about The Expanse, but I've neither read the books or seen the show.
The Expanse is in my top 5 shows--it's a good mix of character development, genres, and storytelling...it's complete so if you're looking for something to try, it's on Prime.
I started watching Ripley fully prepared to hate it—in part because I loved the adaptation starring Matt Damon with a chilling performance by Philip Seymour Hoffman— but I have enjoyed what I’ve seen so far, partially because I live the way the Italian seaside village is shot. I teach the novel in my novel plot & structure course because it’s so tightly plotted.
The cinematography is stunning. There's some moments that are just amazing compositions. I used to tell students who were interested in writing more plot-driven stories than usually found in creative writing workshops that they should read and study Ripley. Just perfection.
I liked the Fleishman book more than the show which didn't quite come together for me for some reason, even though all the elements for success seemed to be there. It relied on a lot of Voiceover, which is a bit of a pet peeve of mine.
Fair enough. I’m enjoying the voiceover perhaps because Libby is my favorite character, so I like getting to hear her voice, but the technique is not for everyone. I feel generally that both the book and TV series are essentially Laura candy, which is to say that I would not necessarily call them great or recommend them to everyone, but they hit so many appeal factors for me.
As your longtime friend I feel free to be pedantic and point out that WE RIDE UPON STICKS (in your recos) is a novel about a girls field hockey team (not lacrosse), and only mention this because it deserves its due as surely the greatest field hockey novel ever written.
I agree. Very faithful to the book with some wonderful acting on the part of the girls. Other characters are also vivid. I did feel that they cleaned up Naples a bit too much. The girls' homes didn't seem true to the book.
I heartily agree that the “Lonesome Dove” series is one of the best for remaining true to the book. The recent series “Shogun” seems to follow closely the Clavell novel - or at least did a great job of capturing the essence of the character Mariko - the samauri female lead of the story. I predict the actress who played her will win an Emmy!
Brideshead Revisted (1981) is top of my list. It is simply a masterpiece! I always thought novels were better suited for television adaptations than movie ones so I’m glad more and more books are being turned into series.
I love your subjective list! I would only add the original 1978 All Creatures Great and Small BBC series. It’s my favorite thing to watch when I’m feeling low and want to dream about chucking it all to moving out to the Yorkshire Dales.
I watched the first season of The Handmaid's Tale and it was very powerful, but I don't know that I "liked" it if that makes sense. It's also not a show I recommend for that reason.
Never read the books so I can't include it in my personal ranking, but I watched the show to completion, mostly with pleasure, though some frustrations at the same time.
I haven't read the book - I think I'm the only one - and the show is on a service I don't subscribe to, so it's probably not one I'll get to, but it's interesting to hear from someone who has read the book. Just by what I know about the book, it feels like a tough adaptation.
I haven't gotten around to reading the book, so this may be out of bounds, but season one of The Terror is shockingly great. It does not hold your hand, especially in terms of the sprawling cast of similar-looking mumbly bearded guys. Wonderful buildup of dread, desolation and desperation, and the Arctic camerawork is top-notch. From what I've heard second-hand, it improves on the novel.
(Season 2 is an entirely different story with different producers and not based on a novel and is... disappointing.)
I've never even heard of The Terror, but that season looks intense. It's interesting that they seem to use a lot of the same cast in totally different stories across seasons.
I really enjoyed Normal People on Hulu, and Big Little Lies (season 1) on HBO - two of the best adaptations I've ever seen. Anne with an E on Netflix took some adaptations to slightly modernize some sub-plots, but was exquisitely shot and just lovely to watch.
Agreed on Leftovers.
We got 2 episodes into Station Eleven and it works well so far.
I didn't finish the series, but thought they did Alterered Carbon well.
Would you include Watchmen, the HBO series? It's a graphic novel, not purely text, and it's really epic fanfic.
Agreed on Watchmen. Thought it was a fantastic show, one of my favorites of recent year. I can't rank it because I haven't read the graphic novel, though I think I have copy sitting around here somewhere.
I don't know if you read comics, but it's an amazing book.
Bosch & Lincoln Lawyer do fine job of capturing Michael Connelly's books
Agreed. I've watched both series to completion, and I like the books too, but I'd put them more in the Reacher category of solid entertainment that translates relatively easily as compared to the more complex literary fiction.
I join in the comment on Bosch and Lincoln Lawyer. I only wish they didn’t mix elements of several books into one series. I might also nominate John Mortimer’s Rumpole series but most, if not all of those were books that came after the television presentations.
The Expanse series is a pretty commendable adaptation. I watched first and then read (ok, listened--great narrator). I think it does solid and thoughtful integration of things to keep it both contained given the range of characters and time.
The Foundation doesn't feel like a faithful adaptation and that's actually when I think I like the TV series so much.
Yes, Foundation takes great liberties with the original, and is better for it, IMO. It started slow for me, but I did get to the completion of what's available so far. I've heard good things about The Expanse, but I've neither read the books or seen the show.
Agreed about Foundation!
The Expanse is in my top 5 shows--it's a good mix of character development, genres, and storytelling...it's complete so if you're looking for something to try, it's on Prime.
I started watching Ripley fully prepared to hate it—in part because I loved the adaptation starring Matt Damon with a chilling performance by Philip Seymour Hoffman— but I have enjoyed what I’ve seen so far, partially because I live the way the Italian seaside village is shot. I teach the novel in my novel plot & structure course because it’s so tightly plotted.
The cinematography is stunning. There's some moments that are just amazing compositions. I used to tell students who were interested in writing more plot-driven stories than usually found in creative writing workshops that they should read and study Ripley. Just perfection.
The only thing on this list I’ve both read and seen is Lonesome Dove, and I concur there.
I am enjoying Fleishman is in Trouble (which I know was not your thing) in exactly the manner I enjoyed the book, so that would be my nominee.
I liked the Fleishman book more than the show which didn't quite come together for me for some reason, even though all the elements for success seemed to be there. It relied on a lot of Voiceover, which is a bit of a pet peeve of mine.
Fair enough. I’m enjoying the voiceover perhaps because Libby is my favorite character, so I like getting to hear her voice, but the technique is not for everyone. I feel generally that both the book and TV series are essentially Laura candy, which is to say that I would not necessarily call them great or recommend them to everyone, but they hit so many appeal factors for me.
As your longtime friend I feel free to be pedantic and point out that WE RIDE UPON STICKS (in your recos) is a novel about a girls field hockey team (not lacrosse), and only mention this because it deserves its due as surely the greatest field hockey novel ever written.
I would add My Brilliant Friend by Elena Ferrante to you list.
I agree. Very faithful to the book with some wonderful acting on the part of the girls. Other characters are also vivid. I did feel that they cleaned up Naples a bit too much. The girls' homes didn't seem true to the book.
I haven't watched the series, so I can't rank it, but it's probably something I should get to.
I heartily agree that the “Lonesome Dove” series is one of the best for remaining true to the book. The recent series “Shogun” seems to follow closely the Clavell novel - or at least did a great job of capturing the essence of the character Mariko - the samauri female lead of the story. I predict the actress who played her will win an Emmy!
Just finished Shogun yesterday and really enjoyed it, totally agreed about the portrayal of Mariko, heartbreaking.
Brideshead Revisted (1981) is top of my list. It is simply a masterpiece! I always thought novels were better suited for television adaptations than movie ones so I’m glad more and more books are being turned into series.
I love your subjective list! I would only add the original 1978 All Creatures Great and Small BBC series. It’s my favorite thing to watch when I’m feeling low and want to dream about chucking it all to moving out to the Yorkshire Dales.
https://www.britbox.com/us/show/b008yjd9
I enjoyed the first season of Handmaid's Tale. The particular horrors of Gilead were forcefully drawn without overdramatization.
I watched the first season of The Handmaid's Tale and it was very powerful, but I don't know that I "liked" it if that makes sense. It's also not a show I recommend for that reason.
Oh man John, this is my catnip. I love your list. What are your thoughts on a little book and tv series called Game of Thrones?
Never read the books so I can't include it in my personal ranking, but I watched the show to completion, mostly with pleasure, though some frustrations at the same time.
Wolf Hall.
Another one where I haven't seen the series, so I can't comment, but the book definitely qualifies under my criteria.
You didn't discuss A Gentleman in Moscow, but I'm disappointed with the changes made from the book and will stop watching.
I haven't read the book - I think I'm the only one - and the show is on a service I don't subscribe to, so it's probably not one I'll get to, but it's interesting to hear from someone who has read the book. Just by what I know about the book, it feels like a tough adaptation.
I haven't gotten around to reading the book, so this may be out of bounds, but season one of The Terror is shockingly great. It does not hold your hand, especially in terms of the sprawling cast of similar-looking mumbly bearded guys. Wonderful buildup of dread, desolation and desperation, and the Arctic camerawork is top-notch. From what I've heard second-hand, it improves on the novel.
(Season 2 is an entirely different story with different producers and not based on a novel and is... disappointing.)
I've never even heard of The Terror, but that season looks intense. It's interesting that they seem to use a lot of the same cast in totally different stories across seasons.
I don't think they did, since season 2 is largely Japanese American characters...
But this got me doing some research, and I'm intrigued to see there's supposedly a season 3 in the works based on a Victor LaValle novel.
I really enjoyed Normal People on Hulu, and Big Little Lies (season 1) on HBO - two of the best adaptations I've ever seen. Anne with an E on Netflix took some adaptations to slightly modernize some sub-plots, but was exquisitely shot and just lovely to watch.