BOOK adaptions make up some of the best TV and film offerings on Netflix.
Maybe reading a Victorian classic or discovering a new crime novel isn’t for you – but with these top adaptions, there’s no need to miss out on the story.
- The best series on Netflix
- The best movies on Netflix
- New on Netflix: What to watch this week
The Queen’s Gambit
Based on the book by Walter Tevis, The Queen’s Gambit follows the rise and fall of chess prodigy Beth Harmon.
Readers and viewers are taken back to Beth’s childhood, spent largely at a care home for girls.
There she discovers both her fascination and knack for chess, before being selected for adoption by a troubled couple.
By the end of the series she’s a world-class chess player, but her success doesn’t come without it’s difficulties as she’s addicted to drugs and alcohol.
The book did exceedingly well with many praising the detail of the chess games (which show in the adaption) and noting Walter’s own struggles with addiction in his personal life.
Sales for chess sets rose after the initial success of this Netflix release – though we doubt anyone will make the intellectual game look quite so alluring as does Beth Harmon.
1922
1922 is adapted from a Stephen King novella.
The dark and twisted tale is set in Nebraska and follows a man who pens a confession to having killed his wife in 1922.
She wants him to sell up their farmhouse and move for a better life, suggesting divorce is on the cards if he disagrees.
As she insists the family should move, he decides to put an end to her desires by committing murder.
The harsh farmland that makes up the setting for much of the movie is a reflection on how brutal this story is, as you would expect from Stephen King.
The Perks of Being A Wallflower
Though it’s billed as a book and film for teens, we think this will appeal to people in their 20s and beyond too.
The 1999 coming-of-age novel was written by Stephen Chbosky, who also wrote and directed the screenplay.
It follows Charlie, a shy 15-year-old who is struggling to fit in, find his people and who he himself is.
The charming film is full of many ‘firsts’ for Charlie, which viewers will probably resonate with.
There is however, a dark twist that’s alluded to throughout the whole film – we guessed it before the reveal, but it’s nonetheless still worth the watch for it’s emotional story and good soundtrack.
Orange is the New Black
Orange is the New Black is perhaps one of the Netflix’s most defining shows, given that it won multiple awards and was reportedly at one point in time one of the platform’s most streamed series.
It’s based on Piper Kerman’s memoir, Orange Is the New Black: My Year in a Women’s Prison.
The book goes into how she found herself in prison (money laundering and drug trafficking).
Netflix picked the book up for the show that developed over seven series, with many characters in focus.
Eat Pray Love
Eat Pray Love is based on acclaimed writer Elizabeth Gilbert’s memoir.
The book and film is divided into three sections: Italy, India and Indonesia.
After Elizabeth feels lost following a divorce, she decides to pack up and spend time abroad in order to find herself and take time alone.
In Italy she reignites her love of food (prepare to salivate while watching her eat bowl after plate of pasta and pizza), then in India she connects with her spirituality, while in Indonesia she is challenged to find love again.
It’s long film at two hours and twenty minutes, making it perfect for when you have a rainy afternoon to kill.
If you’re feeling fragile, we suggest you have some tissues at the ready.
The Witcher
The Witcher is based on a series of fantasy novels and short stories written by Andrzej Sapkowski.
Geralt is a mutated monster hunter played by Henry Cavill.
The first series was so successful that Netflix have commissioned another.
Series one is based on The Last Wish and Sword of Destiny, which are short story collections that precede the Witcher saga.
The Notebook
The Notebook is one of those classics you’ll likely see more than once.
You might not have known it was based on a book by Nicholas Sparks, one of the biggest names in the romantic novel world.
Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams play a fated-to-be-together couple who just can’t seem to get it right.
The iconic scene with the line “What do you want?!” has been made into multiple memes over the years.
Rebecca
Lily James, Armie Hammer and Kristin Scott Thomas star in this gothic thriller-drama.
Rebecca is based on Daphne du Maurier’s 1938 novel of the same name.
It’s about a newlywed couple who move to the husband’s family estate, only for the new wife to find herself pit against his dead former wife, Rebecca.
This is the latest adaption of the classic novel, which most notably was adapted by Alfred Hitchcock.
The ending in this version is said to be slightly different – you’ll need to watch to final out how.
You
Penn Badgley goes from dorky teen in Gossip Girl to psycho stalker in You.
You is based on a thriller by Caroline Kepnes and is about a book store manager who meets a writer – except instead of earning her affections in a healthy way, his behaviour becomes troubling to say the least.
When it first aired there will rave reviews and fans saying they were hooked and desperate for more.
Dracula
Dracula is a tale that, even if you didn’t study it at school is bound to feel familiar – everyone knows the gist of the plot.
Bram Stoker wrote the novel in 1897, right at the end of the Victorian period in the fin-de-siècle.
This BBC adaption of the vampire tale is only made up of three episodes, but each is long enough to be a film in its own right.
Pure
Pure follows 24-year-old Marnie who suffers with intrusive sexual thoughts, which can be a sign of OCD.
The series is based on Rose Cartwright’s memoir and it’s adaption has received positive reviews from outlets including Rotten Tomatoes.
The drama highlights what it’s like to live with this mental health condition and is authentic, with it being based on a real person’s experience.
Being just one season long, the 30 minute episodes aren’t a big commitment.
