Enjoying your summer reading by the lake? Here are some upcoming adaptations to be released this year or in 2022, books you might have read or to lengthen your TBR list:
All My Puny Sorrows by Miriam Toews
This is the first of the eight published novels by Toews to be adapted into film. Her Mennonite background growing up in Steinbach, Manitoba, informs her writing. A story of two sisters as the elder, an accomplished concert pianist, struggles with severe depression. To premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival this September.
Anatomy of a Scandal by Sarah Vaughan
Coming out as a British mini TV series in the fall of 2021. Marital relationship, or extra, the issue of consent, and courtroom drama. Michelle Dockery (Lady Mary Crawley of Downton) is a good choice for a prosecutor with a baggage, and Rupert Friend looks just right as a cunning politician. The audiobook is a good summer listen by the pool.
The Last Duel by Eric Jager
Historical thriller based on a true story (so says the trailer) during the Hundred Years’ War, a knight came home from combat to hear his wife accuse the squire of rape. Indecision in the court of law leads to decision by a duel. A stellar cast with Matt Damon, Adam Driver, Jodie Comer, Ben Affleck. To premiere at the Venice Film Festival this September.
The Lincoln Lawyer by Michael Connelly
After the underwhelming 2011 movie that starred Matthew McConaughey, a remake as a Netflix TV series developed by David E. Kelly sounds exciting. Kelly is a writer/producer who has eleven Primetime Emmys under his belt, his latest for Big Little Lies. Good to hear Christopher Gorham the CIA super tech in Covert Affairs (2010-2014) also on board.
The Lost Daughter by Elena Ferrante
Maggie Gyllenhaal’s full feature directorial debut. Enticing cast: Olivia Colman, Dakota Johnson, Peter Sarsgaard, Jessie Buckley, Paul Mescal, Ed Harris. A woman enjoying some alone time at the beach helps a mother to find her lost daughter, an experience that triggers her memory of lost and found.
The Magpie Murders by Anthony Horowitz
Not till I started reading Horowitz did I find out several TV series are based on his works, e.g. Alex Rider and Foyle’s War, or with some of his screenplays like Midsomer Murders, just to name a few. The Magpie Murders is now a mini-series on PBS Masterpiece. I’m eager to see Lesley Manville play Susan Ryeland, the publisher turned amateur sleuth in the book.
Pachinko by Min Jin Lee
Since its publication in 2017, buzz of the adaptation of this National Book Award finalist has been sounding and now, finally, Lee’s fan of the Korean family saga will be pleased to know it’s coming out as an Apple TV series this year. K-drama aficionados will appreciate the star-studded cast. What more, the newest Oscar best actress winner Youn Yuh-jung, the eccentric grandma in Minari, will be on board.
The Silent Patient / The Maidens by Alex Michaelides
After working as a relatively unknown screenwriter, Michaelides hit the mark with his psychological thriller The Silent Patient and catapulted to the bestsellers lists. His debut novel has since been optioned by Brad Pitt’s Plan B production. The Maidens is in development as a TV series. Looks like a screenwriter has the insider knowhow to write a novel that’s screen-ready, big or small.
Pieces of Her by Karin Slaughter
There’s no shortage of crime mystery and thrillers to feed the streaming platforms and production co’s. Another Netflix series adapting another prolific crime writer. This is the first of Slaughter’s 18 novels to be adapted for the screen. A violent incident at the mall exposes a secret past of a mother whose daughter suddenly realizes she doesn’t know her mother at all. Toni Collette stars.
Persuasion by Jane Austen
A cast to remake the 200+ year-old novel for a new era. This is British theatre director Carrie Cracknell’s (National Theatre Live) film debut, helming a production with Dakota Johnson as Anne Elliot and Henry Golding, of Crazy Rich Asians fame, as Mr. Elliot, obviously not the gout-ridden old man but Anne’s cousin. I’d like to see him as Captain Frederick Wentworth though.
Three Pines by Louise Penny
Left Bank Pictures is producing a series based on the acclaimed Canadian crime writer Louise Penny’s novels for Amazon. French Canadian Chief Inspector Armand Gamache from the fictional community of Three Pines in Quebec will have a life on the streaming platform. Left Bank is the producer of The Crown on Netflix.
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Ripple Effects 
An adaptation of Pachinko will be a massive undertaking/totally lush to see on the screen. It taught me such a lot about Korean society. All My Puny Sorrows has the most amazing characterisation and it was so funny and sad. I heard of it through The Times having it as one of a “50 must read” list a few years ago and I was surprised but also glad that it made the list.
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That’s what I thought when I finished reading Pachinko and learned of the possible adaptation, an epic of a project! Glad to see it’s a series and not just a 2 hr. movie… and, getting the Oscar best actress Youn in is a marvellous move. As for Miriam Toews, I’m playing catch-up. Have to admit I’m starting (honestly, again) to read her, and Puny Sorrows sounds like an excellent read. Also reading The Maidens, as it is set in Cambridge U. which definitely raises my curiosity. Michaelides is an alumnus I’ve read, and I’d enjoyed The Silent Patient.
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Do you know where the Louise Penny series will stream? I hope Netflix. I can only afford so many streaming platforms! I’m eager for Magpie Murders, which I loved, and Pachinko, also loved. Apart from Persuasion and the Penny series, I don”t know most of the other books, except the Silent Patient, which I didn’t enjoy all that much. I hope they don’t mess up the Penny. I saw a film of Still Life, her first, on Acorn with Nathaniel Parker as Gamache. Most of the casting drove me crazy — it just didn’t fit my vision of Penny’s characters from the descriptions in the books. Any news on casting?
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I got the info from this site. Don’t have any more news. I’ve also read that Still Life was poorly done, and maybe that’s why Penny is so hesitant to let her books go on screen. This new project unfortunately isn’t for Netflix, but one that Left Bank had signed with Amazon. Good time to check and see who has it to tag on. Both my Netflix and Amazon and now Disney are all tag on’s. 🙂
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I heard about the new Persuasion adaptation and all I thought was, do we really need another Jane Austen adaptation? The only one we “need” is a Mansfield Park one because there’s not a good adaptation, but even then I don’t care that much, I have the book.
I can’t help thinking that there are too many remakes and too many adaptations of the same books.
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I welcome new Jane Austen adaptations. If it’s good, the credits go to Jane. If it disappoints, the anger would not be towards the original but the weakness of the movie, the credits go to Jane again. A bad movie could draw people to go back to the original source for its authenticity, what did JA really write… a different kind of psychological reaction. As a matter of fact, there are two Persuasion movies under development right now. This one looks to be a bit more promising.
And, I agree Mansfield Park sure needs a remake. Let’s hope Greta Gerwig would take that up.
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I get the idea, but I’m tired of the same material being remade over and over.
I don’t mind a loose, radical adaptation, like Ran from King Lear, Clueless from Emma, or The Handmaiden from Fingersmith. When they’re good, I like them even more than faithful adaptations.
The problem with the recent Austen adaptations I’ve seen, especially that dreadful 2020 Emma, is that they’re faithful on the surface, in terms of settings and general plot, but betray the spirit and essence of the book. I also think that Jane Austen the writer is very different from, and much more serious than, the Jane Austen image in popular culture.
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Haha! You’re the only one I’ve heard to say it’s dreadful. You know, I thought so too, well, maybe not that drastic but I didn’t like that one.
I hear you. A modern version is better than a period one. As for this new Persuasion, I think they’re making it something like the latest David Copperfield (with Dev Patel) version, period but with a different mood, more humor and stylish than previous adaptations.
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Yeah I wrote about the 2020 Emma here: https://thelittlewhiteattic.blogspot.com/2020/05/on-2020-adaptation-of-emma.html
I hated it.
So far I’ve seen 4 different adaptations of Austen’s book, including Clueless. Can’t decide if I hate it or the Gwyneth Paltrow one more.
As for the upcoming Persuasion, I don’t really like the face of the actor playing Captain Wentworth. Prefer Henry Golding’s face, haha.
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Exactly what I thought. I’d love to see HG as Wentworth.
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Thanks for the list! I’m waiting for ‘The Lincoln Lawyer’! ^_^
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Thank you for the list!
‘Midsomer Murders’ is based on novels by Caroline Graham, though, isn’t it?
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Yes, you’re right. It’s based on the novels by CG, albeit screenplays are written by several writers, Horowitz being one of them. Thanks for pointing out CG as the novelist whose work the series was based on.
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I thought you might have meant that, just wanted to be sure it’s not like they used one author’s novels for one season and another’s for another, that’s why I asked; thank you for the explanation.
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plateresca,
Thanks for your comment. I didn’t realize ‘Midsomer Murders’ is based on CG’s novels until you pointed out to me. Now I’ve rewritten it so it’s clearer. There are several screenwriters for the series, AH had contributed six episodes. Again, thanks for stopping by and leaving your comment. I’ve appreciated your prompting so I can correct myself. Hope to hear from you again in the future. 🙂
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Oh, I love to watch novel adaptations, so I love your blog, though I’ve only been following it relatively recently. I’ve read and watched ‘Defending Jacob’ with my family based on your recommendation and we had a nice long discussion of all its themes 🙂
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Thanks for coming to the Pond and throwing in your two pebbles. That’s what these ripples are, readers’ comments and interactions. I’m writing from western Canada, so, it’s past midnight. Talk to you again some other time. 🙂
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I am writing from Madrid, Spain, and it was early morning 🙂
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Morning… oops, good evening. 😉
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I’m always piqued by adaptations of books or series I’d read. The Louise Penny series could be good, but Marmaladegypsy’s panning of the cast worries me. Your list, however, has helped me add a few to my TBR pile — Horowitz and Vaughan. Thank you!
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Bear in mind books and movies are two totally different media so to avoid disappointment. 😉
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Some interesting shows here – with Pachinko and Persuasion (of course) being of particular interest to me! I never mind another adaptation! (Sorry I’ve taken so long to reply!)
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Neat to hear that a TV series will be made based on the Inspector Gamache books. I’ve heard several of the audiobooks in that series, and I’d be curious to check out the TV versions to see how they’re translated to the screen. Sure, the books are mysteries — but so much of the books are about the community of Three Pines and how the villagers support each other.
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