#literary adaptations

[asnowperson]

Yamagishi Ryoko's Christmas (1976)

I found a nice surprise while I was reading a Yamagishi one shot collection, Christmas (クリスマス, 1987). It's the 27th volume in Kadokawa Shoten's Asuka Comics-Yamagishi Ryoko's Complete Works (山岸凉子全集). See what I'm talking about below:

I can't scan things, as usual.

This volume contains these stories:

1- Tinker Bell (ティンカー・ベル, 1973) 2- Christmas (クリスマス, 1976) 3- Sphinx (スピンクス, 1979) 4- Nightmare (Akumu, 悪夢, 1980) 5- Adashino (化野, 1982)

I had already read Sphinx and Akumu (both are great), but the angel on the cover was so pretty that I still got this volume off Surugaya. The title story, Christmas, has a gorgeous first page:

So gorgeous that they used it on the cover.

Right at the bottom of the last page, there was a little "Original story by Truman Capote" note. And I was like, "Huh? Is it the Capote I know? What's going on?" 10 seconds on Google told me that Yamagishi indeed adapted a Truman Capote story, A Christmas Memory (1956), into manga! That was totally unexpected for me. I hava a soft spot for literature adaptations in manga, so I was overjoyed to discover this one shot. I immediately read the original story too, and now I have further proof that Yamagishi is indeed great.

Only in manga do little boys suffer like that.

It's a very nice adaptation that both feels Japanese and American. The orphan, mean relatives and all are very much 70s shoujo (with Yamagishi's more serious touch, of course). Also, there are additions like Sook's lingering, awkward love to make this more interesting for Princess readers of 1976 AD. And for some reason, the good doggo is named "Buddy" in the manga adaptation instead of the narrator himself, whose name is "George." Also, I must mention that how much I loved that the boy went to a simple boarding school (to have his 70s BL adventure) instead of military school.

Miss Sook's awkwardness, George's love for her, their loneliness is perfectly captured in this little story. As old shoujo fans, we have a very comfy Christmas read right here. Isn't it right that I find this story comfy, even though it's sad? Maybe it's Yamagishi using a grown-up George reminiscing about the old days.

[wornoutspines]

The Dept. Q pilot is moody, gripping, and on its way to be a very faithful adaptation of The Keeper of Lost Causes with a Scottish twist that somehow just works. Goode broods, Manvelov smolders, and I'm officially hooked. #DeptQ #Netflix #CrimeDrama #BookToScreen #ThrillerTV #MatthewGoode #AlexejManvelov #JussiAdlerOlsen

Dept. Q (2025) Pilot Review | Netflix's Nordic Noir with some Scottish Spice

[nine-frames]

"May you find your peace with this… May we all."

Murder on the Orient Express, 2017.

Dir. Kenneth Branagh | Writ. Michael Green | DOP Haris Zambarloukos

[swiftsnowmane]

Will there ever be an adaptation of Far From the Madding Crowd that casts Bathsheba correctly?

None of the versions I know of (1967, 1998, and 2015) have gotten it right. The other characters were generally fine, but for some reason, they never cast anyone for Bathsheba who looks how she is actually described. First of all, hair colour... she's supposed to have black hair (‘ropes of black tresses’), yet the actresses in the previous adaptations have either been blonde or brunette at most. And secondly, she is not only young but also very beautiful. Beautiful enough that she KNOWS how beautiful she is, to the point that her vanity plays a part in the decisions she makes. Beautiful enough that it's believable that three men would be vying for her at the same time. Julie Christie was too blond and '60s 'mod' looking. Paloma Baeza was suitably youthful, but perhaps not as head-turning as I imagined. And Carey Mulligan is a good actress but she was WAY too old for the role and the believablity of the character suffered for it — the story only works if Bathsheba is quite naive and inexperienced, because otherwise it seems unrealistic for her to be swept away by a cad like Sergeant Troy. Bathsheba needs to be young enough that her impetuous, indecisive and headstrong qualities make sense, while also possessing that sort of fey beauty that is so characteristic of Hardy's leading ladies.

[dykeofcornwall]

Some of you need to understand that adaptations do not exist exclusively to be faithful to the text

[eyreguide]

Book Review: This Bird Has Flown

This Bird Has Flown by Susannah Hoffs Plot Summary: Jane Start is thirty-three, broke, and recently single. Ten years prior, she had a hit song—written by world-famous superstar Jonesy—but Jane hasn’t had a breakout since. Now she's living out of four garbage bags at her parents’ house, reduced to performing to Karaoke tracks in Las Vegas. Rock bottom. But when her longtime manager Pippa sends Jane to London to regroup, she’s seated next to an intriguing stranger on the flight—the other Tom Hardy, an elegantly handsome Oxford professor of literature. Jane is instantly smitten by Tom, and soon, truly inspired. But it’s not Jane’s past alone that haunts her second chance at stardom, and at love. Is Tom all that he seems? And can Jane emerge from the shadow of Jonesy's earlier hit, and into the light of her own?In turns deeply sexy, riotously funny, and utterly joyful, This Bird Has Flown explores love, passion, and the ghosts of our past, and offers a glimpse inside the music business that could only come from beloved songwriter Susanna Hoffs.

Review:

This Bird Has Flown caught my eye because it takes inspiration from Jane Eyre and the concept of the story sounded fascinating. With the author’s unique perspective to the story as a well-known singer/songwriter just like the main character Jane Start, I felt like this was bound to be a distinctive take on Jane Eyre inspired novels.

What I truly loved about this book was how authentic this perspective felt. Jane Start comes across as a believable and warm character the reader wants to get to know. There are so many layers to her experiences in the music industry - many ups and downs - and Jane shares so much of her vulnerability from the very first chapter making it easy to empathize and understand her.  The plot of the novel can sometimes wander, and the impetus of the romance between Jane and Tom sometimes moved too slowly for my tastes, but throughout, the story focused on painting Jane Start as a real, sensitive, and complicated woman. And as the novel is an homage to Jane Eyre, there is no better way to honor the original than to create a heroine as strong, magnetic, and fascinating as Jane Eyre.

And while romance is at the forefront of This Bird Has Flown - it guides Jane Start in making some pretty important decisions quickly once she has connected with Tom Hardy - I think the only drawback to the building of their relationship was in how monotonous it became.  The lovely moments of their first meeting and insecurity about each others true feelings was fun, but once they made a commitment to each other, the tension stalled, and Jane and Tom’s relationship has the common flaw of lack of communication.  This avoidance of talking about previous relationships seemed more of a needed plot point to stymie their relationship and not so much a believable way they would decide to develop their relationship.  This aspect was not a huge issue though, as Jane Start is such a well written character and she is surrounded by interesting and entertaining characters that help move the story along.

Jane’s best friend and manager Pippa is a definite highlight.  She is so warm and nurturing, while also needing Jane’s friendship to help her through her own issues, and I loved the dynamic of these two women. There’s also Jane’s friends and brother who are delightful to get to know and helped create some moments of humor and connection throughout the story.

Tom Hardy as a character did feel muted as Jane’s romantic other half. He does have a secret to keep and that means he must remain slightly mysterious, but it was difficult to really understand him as a character, other than that he is charming, English, and intelligent.  All great qualities for a romantic interest and that did give the story an alluring escapist romantic quality.  I love an idealistic romantic, and Tom fit the bill to a T.  I just wished that the reader could dive a little deeper into his character.

As a story that takes some aspects of Jane Eyre, I did want to touch upon the reason for Jane “leaving” Tom.  It’s a difficult scenario to recreate in modern versions, as Mr. Rochester in Jane Eyre is unable to get a divorce and that is not usually a problem today.  Susanna Hoffs creates an entirely new kind of obstacle that echoes the original novel, but feels very realistic for today and I thought that part was so well done. I felt for Jane, and understood how difficult a situation it was for her.  Having a believable reason for Jane to leave Tom was very important to make the story work, and I felt that Hoffs unique take was perfect.

Overall, I really enjoyed the characters and the perspective and unique insight into the music industry that this book provided.  The romance is sweet, if a little simple, but by the end I was totally invested in Jane Start’s happy ending, and if the author would consider writing continuing adventures in her life, I think that would be wonderful!

Goodreads Rating: 4/5 stars I received this book from the publisher or author for a fair and honest review. I was not compensated for this review.

[cheshirelibrary]

The Literary Film and TV You Need to Stream in November 

[via LitHub]

Every month, all the major streaming services add a host of newly acquired (or just plain new) shows, movies, and documentaries into their ever-rotating libraries. So what’s a dedicated reader to watch? here’s a selection of the best (and most enjoyably bad) literary film and TV coming to streaming services this month. 

My Policeman - based on My Policeman by Bethan Roberts

Stream it on: Amazon Prime, November 4

Dangerous Liaisons - based on Les Liaisons Dangereuses by Choderlos de Laclos (1782)

Stream it on: Starz, November 6

The Wonder - based on The Wonder by Emma Donoghue

Stream it on: Netflix, November 16

Fleishman is in Trouble - based on Fleishman is in Trouble by Taffy Brodesser-Akner 

Stream it on: Hulu, November 17

The People We Hate at the Wedding - based on The People We Hate at the Wedding by Grant Ginder

Stream it on: Prime Video, November 18

[cupofteajones]

Exciting Upcoming Conversation Perfect For Janeites!

Exciting Upcoming Conversation Perfect For Janeites!

Calling Jane Austen Fans! There is an exciting collaboration and conversation that will meet your palette and entertain you at the same time. Join me as I will be in conversation for a talk titled Jane Austen Dramatized, where I will discussing Jane Austen’s place in the theatrical canon and the many, varied representations of her novels on stage . . . past, present, and future, with playwright…

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