Good Books, Small Screen
These days every time you turn around another great book is being adapted to the screen. With all the new streaming services getting into the business of producing their own TV series the options for viewing have grown immensely and with all of that competition we, the viewing public, benefit by the way of some great entertainment.
Whether you've read the book and didn't know it had been adapted to the screen or watched it and didn't know it was a book first, here are some great stories to check out in both mediums.
(To get the book or watch the show click on the pictures)
The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot
Now on HBO, the feature length film stars Oprah Winfrey in the role of Henrietta's daughter, Deborah, and Rose Byrne as the author, Rebecca Skloot. Winfrey is also a producer on the project. The book has had great reviews, 4.6 out of 5 stars on amazon.com. The film has received mixed reviews, a 60% on Rotten Tomatoes.
The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood
Now a series on Hulu staring Elizabeth Moss as Offred, Joseph Fiennes as Commander Fred Waterford, and Alexis Bledel as Ofglen. The book is hailed as a classic, 4.1 out of 5 stars on Amazon.com. The series has received rave reviews, a 98% on Rotten Tomatoes. This is an important book and an important series, especially in our current political climate.
American Gods by Neil Gaiman
Now a series on Starz starring Ricky Whittle as Shadow Moon, Crispin Glover as Mr. World, and Ian McShane as Mr. Wednesday, also many great recurring roles by Cloris Leachman, Gillian Anderson, Dane Cook, Kristin Chenoweth, and many more. The book, considered Neil Gaiman's best and most ambitious novel to date, has gotten great reviews, 4.3 out of 5 stars on Amazon.com. The series has received fantastic reviews with a 91% on Rotten Tomatoes.
The Man in the High Castle by Philip K. Dick
A continuing series on Amazon starring Alexa Davalos as Juliana Crain, Luke Kleintank as Joe Blake, and Rupert Evans as Frank Frink. The book, a Hugo award winning alternative history, has received good reviews, 3.5 out of 5 stars on Amazon.com. The series has received good reviews, 78% on Rotten Tomatoes.
Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin
Coming up on it's seventh season on HBO, starring Peter Dinklage as Tyrion Lannister, Nikolaj Coster-Waldau as Jaime Lannister, Lena Headey as Cersei Lannister, Emilia Clarke as Daenerys Targaryen, and Kit Harington as Jon Snow. The book, or should I say books, have received rave reviews, an average of 4.5 out of 5 stars for all the books in the series. The series also gets rave reviews, 95% on Rotten Tomatoes.
Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty
This seven episode miniseries just finished airing in April (so now you can binge watch the whole thing) on HBO. It stars Reese Witherspoon as Madeline Martha Mackenzie, Nicole Kidman as Celeste Wright, Shailene Woodley as Jane Chapman, Alexander Skarsgård as Perry Wright, and Adam Scott as Ed Mackenzie. the book, like anything by Liane Moriarty, had rave reviews, 4.5 out of 5 stars on Amazon.com. The miniseries also had rave reviews, 92% on Rotten Tomatoes.
The Leftovers by Tom Perrotta
Now in it's third season on HBO, it's ensemble cast stars Justin Theroux as Kevin Garvey, Jr., Amy Brenneman as Laurie Garvey, Christopher Eccleston as Matt Jamison, Liv Tyler as Megan "Meg" Abbott, Chris Zylka as Tommy Garvey, Margaret Qualley as Jill Garvey, Carrie Coon as Nora Durst, Ann Dowd as Patti Levin and Regina King as Erika Murphy. The book received good reviews on it's release in 2011, 3.3 stars out of 5 on Amazon.com. The series seems to have gotten a much better reception, 90% on Rotten Tomatoes.
The Son by Philipp Meyer
Now a series on AMC, starring Pierce Brosnan as Eli McCullough, Henry Garrett as Pete McCullough, Zahn McClarnon as Toshaway, Jess Weixler as Sally McCullough and Paola Núñez as María García. The book received good reviews and critical acclaim, 4 stars out of 5 on Amazon.com. The series, not as good, 54% on Rotten Tomatoes.
Orange is the New Black by Piper Kerman
Heading into it's fifth season on Netflix, starring Taylor Schilling as Piper Chapman, Laura Prepon as Alex Vause, Kate Mulgrew as Galina "Red" Reznikov, Jason Biggs as Larry Bloom, Uzo Aduba as Suzanne "Crazy Eyes" Warren, Danielle Brooks as Tasha "Taystee" Jefferson, Natasha Lyonne as Nicky Nichols, and Taryn Manning as Tiffany "Pennsatucky" Doggett, to name a few. The book received very good reviews, 4 out of 5 stars on Amazon.com. The series has gotten great reviews, 95% on Rotten Tomatoes.