All posts tagged Harry Potter

Books to films

The Host - an adaptation of Stephenie Meyer’s adult sci-fi novel is to hit cinemas in 2013 it’s been announced. Although a while away, I am excited to see what they do with this book but pretty nervous – if you haven’t read it tells the story of an alien invasion of earth where human bodies are taken over by alien souls. The book is really long and most of it is about two minds in one body talking – not sure how they will pull it off but I hope they do.

Movie adaptations of books are always difficult. Fans of the books want the story retold page by page but this is ever possible. What I like to see is a great vision of the characters and the overall arc and tone of the story to be left intact. The Harry Potter films were never going to be able to capture JK Rowling’s incredible detail but they have captured the tone and essence of the novels and brought the characters to life. The Twilight films have also faithfully kept to the tone and arc of the books and managed to sell the romance pretty well. Interestingly I actually prefer the films in one aspect – Bella and Edward’s relationship is more grown up and equal in the films – in the book he often treats her like a child but they toned that down in the film, which improved their relationship for me.

Some of my favourite young adult books will be joining Twilight on screen soon and whilst I’m nervous about how well they will be adapted, I am also looking forward to seeing them and I hope I’ll enjoy them as much as the HP and Twilight films. Here’s my picks to look out for when they hit the cinemas:

- Fallen – based on the books by Lauren Kate and being adapted by Disney. We’re up to book 3 out of 4 and I’m really enjoying this series about a girl called Luce who has been cursed to die when she reaches her 17th birthday preventing her and her angel soul mate Daniel from truly being together. This lifetime though somehow Luce is still alive and she and Daniel must fight heaven and hell for their love.
- The Mortal Instruments - based on the series by Cassandra Clare. The movie is in development with Lily Collins as Clary and Jamie Campbell Bower as Jace. These books have a really detailed world drawn in them and follow the Shadowhunters – a group of demon killers and their fight against evil and the supernaturals on the fringes of society called Downworlders. Jace and Clary are the star-crossed lovers caught up in the war against evil.
- The Hunger Games – The adaptation of Suzanne Colllins is being written by author herself so I’m hoping this will be pretty faithful. The book is a post-apocalyptic sci-fi novel about Katniss, a sixteen year old forced to compete in the TV reality show the Hunger Games where participants have to fight to the death to win. This is coming in 2012.

Are you looking forward to any future book adaptations?

Vix
xx

43 Comments

by Victoria-writes on June 28, 2011 • Permalink

Posted in Books, Films

Tagged adaptations, books, Fallen, films, Harry Potter, The Host, The Hunger Games, The Mortal Instruments, Twilight, young adult

Posted by Victoria-writes on June 28, 2011

http://victoria-writes.com/2011/06/28/books-to-films/

World Book Day

Yesterday was World Book Day over here in the UK so to celebrate here is a list of my favourite books and why I enjoy them so much …

1. Pride and Prejudice – Jane Austen

It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife …

I have loved P & P from the first read. I think I actually watched the BBC series in 1995 first and the picked up the book and ended up reading all of her novels and becoming addicted to all things Austen (even visiting her home in Hampshire). I love this book because it’s funny, romantic and transports me to a time where men were gentlemen, courtship was chaste and chaperoned and balls were held with beautiful gowns. I love Lizzie – she’s sparky and witty and Darcy is the man we all want to fall in love with. Plus there is a happy ending

2. Jane Eyre – Charlotte Bronte

I am no bird; and no net ensnares me; I am a free human being with an independent will.

After I got into Austen I started to read The Classics as they are so called and picked this one up. I adore the character of Jane starting from when she is a bullied and neglected child to the serious young woman she becomes – steady, sweet, intelligent and loyal she faces hardships but keeps her strength of character and her love story with Rochester is no fairy tale and yet her love is passionate and unwavering. When they are finally united at the end, it is bittersweet and beautiful.

3. Little Women – Louisa May Alcott

If we are all alive ten years hence, let’s meet, and see how many of us have got our wishes, or how much nearer we are then than now…

A family member gave me this when I was younger and it is a beautiful story about sisters, their love for each other and the journey they take together. I like the fact the sisters are different but realistic characters - they have flaws, sometimes are actually quite annoying but you feel so much affection for them anyway, you want them to be happy. My favourite is Jo, the wannabe writer who falls in love in spite of her nature and who completely charms you with her fierce loyalty.

4. Harry Potter series – J K Rowling

It does not do to dwell on dreams and forget to live, remember that

I didn’t start reading these until the first 4 had come out. I was intrigued about the hype that was building and even though it was technically a children’s book I gave it a go. I quickly got through that set of books and had a long wait for book 5. Books 5 – 7 I brought on the first day of release, book 5 I even got at midnight. This series is a great example of good storytelling that stretches beyond age or genre boundaries – it’s exciting, scary, fun and a classic pitch – good vs evil but with wands and spells! I can’t wait to read it to the children I will hopefully have one day. Plus I heart Dobby

5. Twilight Saga – Stephenie Meyer

Edward: “And so the lion fell in love with the lamb.”
Bella: “What a stupid lamb.”
Edward: “What a sick, masochistic lion.”

Okay so I might get some flack for this one but despite its flaws, as soon as I started reading Twilight I was hooked. I read all 4 books immediately and then re-read them straight away. Something sucked me in and I can’t break out of the world. The romance is intense and deep and the vampire twist adds excitement and I’m sorry but yes I fell in love with Edward. It also put me on the road to wanting to write my own supernatural book and has kept me in the dark romance bookshops section for a while!

6. I Capture the Castle – Dodie Smith

I write this sitting in the kitchen sink.

This book is written in first person and Cassandra our narrator is pitch perfect in how she describes her world and the people in it. There are also several references to Jane Austen, a plus point! I’ve always felt a bit disappointed by the ending as it’s left open whereas I like a solid happy one but the journey Cassandra makes leaves me smiling.

What are your favourite books and why? Happy World Book Day!

Vix x

31 Comments

by Victoria-writes on March 4, 2011 • Permalink

Posted in Books, My fave things, Special Days

Tagged books, Harry Potter, I Capture the Castle, Jane Eyre, Little Women, my favourite things, Pride and Predjudice, Twilight, World Book Day

Posted by Victoria-writes on March 4, 2011

http://victoria-writes.com/2011/03/04/world-book-day/

Do I write what I read?

I really enjoy reading young adult novels and the recent spate of paranormal themed tales inspired me in my own writing. So much so I completed a YA fantasy novel last year. The problem was that no agent wanted to snap it up.

Now I am wondering whether to start the second YA fantasy I have plotting around in my head, just for fun or to try and get that published too. And it’s got me thinking about what I enjoy about young adult novels and if just because you love reading them you should write them too. Maybe by enjoying them so much myself some of my favourites seep into my own writing and prevent it becomming a huge hit like HP or Twilight (hell, we can dream right?!)

I can list the elements that seem to be key to a good young adult fantasy, such as a good character we can root for, a mysterious boy we fall in love with, a love triangle maybe or some obstacle to that boy getting with the girl, secret supernatural abilities, a supernatural underworld, and then a key action scene, the resolve of the love struggle, good wins over bad and love conquers all = a happy ending!

And if I’m honest they were all present in my own attempt at a novel but do I continue with this pattern or try and break out with something new?Do I write a book I’d enjoy reading or will that always hold me back? Can I be original in a genre I read so often? Or does being passionate about YA actually stand me in good stead to be a successful writer in it?

I’m probably over-analysing the whole thing and should put pen to paper with the plot that has popped in my head and trust that doing what I enjoy will in the end pay off, either in a life-long hobby that my grand kids may love or career someday where one of my books might stand up next to the authors who have inspired my book writing dreams.

To inspire any wannabe writer ….

YA films I can’t wait for….

A wealth of films from my fave YA books are on their way and I am really looking forward to seeing them. Twilight has shown that you can really ace an adaptation so I’m hopeful that these will also stick to the source material and not disappoint.

1. Fallen by Lauren Kate

This bewitching story of a girl forced to live countless lives each time tragically dying when she kisses her immortal love Daniel is just right for the big screen – a dark gothic romance with lots of actions and gorgeous angels. The film is being made by Disney, which I’m hoping won’t tone down the romance or action too much.

2. Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

Currently in development, rumour persist that British actress Kaya Scodelario will take the lead role of Katniss. The book set in a dystopian future where kids have to compete in the reality TV show hunger Games to the death should produce an epic film. There’s a lot of horror and death in the books so I’m not sure how they’ll produce on film and keep a teen friendly certificate but I can’t wait to meet Peeta on screen.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kaya_Scodelario

3. Shiver – Maggie Stiefvater

This emotional romance about a girl who falls in love with boy who turns into a wolf seems to be a tricky one to film as it’s written from Grace and Sam’s POV and deals with their feelings more than action. They really need to get the two leads right as they need to carry the movie. The author has suggested Alex from Artic Monkeys fits the look of Sam.

4. The Mortal Instruments

This adaption is speeding ahead with the script written, director and lead chosen. The trilogy following Clary discovering a world of Shadowhunters, vampires, werewolves and warlocks is a dense fantasy, which I hope they can portray accurately on screen. Clary has been chosen as Lily Collins, not someone I know much about but she seems to fit the small redhead character well enough, see photo below: