Books to Film
Dear Maggie,
Do you have a favorite book that became a movie or television show? Were you happy with it or disappointed?
Sincerely,
Film Fan in Fresno
Dear Film Fan,
So often, we have a favorite book that becomes a movie or tv show, and we’re disappointed. It seems the adaptation just doesn’t hold up. But as we assess, we need to remember that books and film are two very different media. To fairly measure the success of an adaptation, we first have to let go of the idea that the film version will follow the book’s narrative exactly. For the most part, I try to l judge how well the film version captured the essence of the story, and how entertaining and enjoyable it was as an on-screen experience.
In my humble opinion, Outlander is one of the finest adaptations of a book to film since Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone. In terms of capturing the magic of a story, and universally satisfying the fans of a saga, these seem to have found the formula. For those of us who’ve been Outlander fans since the first book hit the shelves in 1991, the idea that the series would soon be on television filled us with both joy and trepidation. A shoddy interpretation could forever taint our imaginations. So much could go wrong in the translation from written word to screen! Or it could provide us with a satisfying, complimentary experience. I’ll be honest - I had my doubts. But allow me to wave my fan-girl flag proudly! If I was a lover of the books, I am now an equal admirer of the show.
When I learned that Ronald D. Moore was adapting Outlander, I was excited. His edgy, thoughtful reboot of Battlestar Galactica in 2004 earned him the devoted respect of many sci-fi fans, and remember, I was a science fiction writer first! Battlestar had the potential to come off as gratuitously existential, but Moore got it right by focusing the story around flawed, interesting characters and their complex relationships. This same focus gives Outlander its depth. Character development is never sacrificed for plot action.
And speaking of characters, the Outlander cast brings them to life brilliantly. It can’t have been an easy task to find an actual human being to portray a fictional character who has captured the hearts and minds of women, and men, for over two decades! But Sam Heughan plays the Jamie of our dreams. He doesn’t portray him as a perfect man, but rather as an intelligent, opinionated, thoughtful, stubborn, young man capable of growth as circumstances require.
While certainly character driven, the Outlander books are also rich with description and vast in scope. They lend themselves to translation on screen - from the sheer beauty of the Scottish countryside, to the American colonies, to the attention to detail in the period costumes.
When I’m watching the show, I don’t expect every bit of dialogue, every scripted scene to unfold straight from the pages of the book, and in fact, that wouldn’t make for a positive viewing experience. What I hope for with any adaptation is just that - a high quality, well-written adaptation that captures the essence of the original story. I want the quality of the characters I’ve grown to know and love, or hate, to be preserved. I want them to feel familiar on the screen. I want to sink into the visual setting of the story and feel an authentic sense of place. I want to lose myself in the plot of the movie or show, just as I would with the book. Outlander succeeds on all counts. Thank you for a fun question!
Do you have a question for me? Send it to maggie@msmaggieclare.com, and I’ll answer it here on the blog.
In other news…
In case you missed it, my good friend Monica Rodgers interviewed me on her Revelation Project podcast. We had a fantastic conversation about everything from raising kids to climbing mountains to writing craft. If you’d like to get to know me a little better, have a listen! Writing Yourself Open
If you haven’t had a chance to meet the guys and gals from the Tactical Solutions International romantic suspense, the e-books are available for free with a Kindle Unlimited membership!
