Can you feel it? That energy? It’s the flurry of activity that unofficially kicks off Oscar season as we head into fall. It’s the excitement of the Venice and Toronto International Film Festivals, where fans and critics alike handicapped the races and watched as frontrunners emerged.
It’s also, for a girl like me, a time to look at what books have been transformed into film. Sometimes the result is sublime (Bridget Jones’ Diary); sometimes it’s a complete disaster (The Da Vinci Code); and sometimes it’s a matter of opinion (The English Patient—many people loved it, but seriously, just read the book), but the prospect of books-turned-films always gets me excited.
In order to be fully prepared for this year’s Oscar season, I’ve got a stack of new reads to check out—in particular, Foxfire: Confessions of a Girl Gang, by the inimitable Joyce Carol Oates, which has been adapted this year by French director Laurent Cantet. It’s also a great year to re-read some classics—Anna Karenina is one of my favorites.
Here’s a look at a few more of this year’s adaptations. What will you read, then see? (Or see, then read?)
Cloud Atlas, by David Mitchell
Why to Read It
This book is a non-linear adventure through six different but loosely nested stories that span time, genre, and dialect—from a shipwrecked notary in 1850 to a tribesman living in post-apocalyptic Hawaii. I have to admit I haven’t tackled it yet, as I tend to shy away from sci-fi, though the book really defies any strict genre classifications. But I can’t see the film if I don’t read the book—so it’s on the nightstand.
Why to Watch It
Early reviews for the movie are mixed, but the Wachowski sibs (of Matrix fame) aren’t known for being predictable. The film includes an esteemed and varied cast (Tom Hanks, Halle Berry, Jim Sturgess) that will no doubt generate a lot of ticket sales.
Les Miserables, by Victor Hugo
Why to Read It
Many have seen the play, and many will see the movie, but few have conquered the book. It’s huge, it has long rambling political speeches, and, well, it’s huge. All the love and anguish is in there, too, just make sure you get a good translation (or read it in French to impress your future in-laws). Also, please remember to come back and tell us in the comments how long it took you.
Why to Watch It
If the trailer doesn’t convince you to see this groundbreaking production, nothing will. The classic story of Javert, Valjean, and Fantine, as played by Russell Crowe, Hugh Jackman, and Anne Hathaway, will undoubtedly be a huge player at this year’s Oscars. I can be a cynic about a sweeping epic, but nothing could keep me away from this one.
Perks of Being a Wallflower, by Stephen Chbosky
Why to Read It
Perks is a meandering and lovely little book. It definitely falls firmly in the YA category, with a lot of passed notes and lonely nights. As told through the naïve and often melancholy mind of young Charlie, who’s harboring a secret even he hasn’t come to grips with, the book very succinctly captures the early 90s ethos, when kids still smoked outside of school and plaid couches in wood-paneled living rooms still existed. The birth of grunge, the second wave gay rights movement, and life before texting all provide a nostalgic backdrop for a universal story of friendship. (Disclaimer: It has a very young vibe.)
Why to Watch It
Reviews of the movie praise its kindness towards the protagonists, a welcome relief from the briar of snark that ensnares most teen movies. Plus, the casting of Hermione Granger has generated an excitement thoughtfully expressed with a lot of OMG! OMG! OMG! from my 14-year-old niece.
Bonus: Stay Up to Date From Your iPhone
If reading the books isn’t enough to ratchet up your excitement for the fall movie lineup, download the NPR app, where you can check out the pop-culture blog Monkey See. You’ll get great entertainment news and in-depth coverage of the film festivals and awards shows leading up to the Academy Awards in February.
