Books2Movies Club discussion

Here we can nominate and discuss classics for our bookshelf. There are many interesting theories as to what defines a true classic book, but let's try to think of it as a book that is not our contemporary (meaning, it is at least 30 years old) and still stands the test of the time by simply being widely read and positively appreciated everywhere. The age limit is questionable, I know, but some limits should be set, otherwise what would be then the point of the category itself?

P.S. The month in the title of the thread will (dis)appear accordingly to the nominations schedule, but the thread itself will remain for further discussion about these books in general.

Books we've nominated so far are (without winners of course):

Black Beauty
Captain Blood: His Odyssey
Cyrano de Bergerac (QR of November 2020)
Far from the Madding Crowd
Great Expectations
The House Of Mirth (November 2021)
I, Claudius
The Karamazov Brothers
One Flew over the Cuckoo's Nest
Red Dragon
The Sheik
The Tenant Of Wildfell Hall
A Tree Grows in Brooklyn (April 2019)
The Witches Of Eastwick

New nominations (below):

The African Queen (September 2022)
The Age of Innocence
Anne of Green Gables
The Call of the Wild
David Copperfield
Le Fantôme de l'Opéra
The Incredible Journey
Jane Eyre (September 2018)
Kidnapped
Little Women (April 2020)
Nostromo
The Prince and the Pauper
The Scarlet Pimpernel

Jane Eyre

Jennifer wrote: "Jane Eyre"

Great suggestion! I seriously thought we've already read it, but we didn't. How did it escape our attention??

I'll nominate The Phantom of the Opera. Lots of interesting adaptations of that book from the 1925 silent film to the Hammer horror film from the 60s to the musical.

Jess wrote: "I'll nominate The Phantom of the Opera. Lots of interesting adaptations of that book from the 1925 silent film to the Hammer horror film from the 60s to the musical."

I love Phantom of the Opera! I think I've seen all the adaptations. Interestingly, my favorite is a miniseries from the 1980s. It's on dvd but has Japanese subtitles.

One flew over the cuckoos nest

Another vote here for Jane Eyre. It has been on my to-read list for ages, and this would help motivate me to actually read it.

Jai wrote: "One flew over the cuckoos nest"

Haven't read it, but the movie was brilliant, it should be great too!

Jennifer wrote: "Jess wrote: "I'll nominate The Phantom of the Opera..."

Yes, so many adaptations to look forward to!

The poll is up:

Book of September 2018

Nominations for April 2019

Time for classics again!

I'll offer The Prince and the Pauper this time. I know, a story for kids. Still, a lovely classic to read and nice movies to watch.

Joanne suggested last month The Incredible Journey - it wasn't a proper fit then, but it is now.

I'll nominate Nostromo by the great Joseph Conrad

Paul wrote: "I'll nominate Nostromo by the great Joseph Conrad"

Nice pick :)

I nominate A Tree Grows in Brooklyn

Jennifer wrote: "I nominate A Tree Grows in Brooklyn"

A terrific book.

Jennifer wrote: "I nominate A Tree Grows in Brooklyn"

Good suggestion! I wanted to read it ever since I heard about it, practically here on GR. In our country, there isn't a single translation.

I nominate Kidnapped by Robert Louis Stevenson. Always wanted to read this story playing in the Scottish Highlands since I´ve seen a series, but there are many more film adaptations.

Michaela wrote: "I nominate Kidnapped by Robert Louis Stevenson. Always wanted to read this story playing in the Scottish Highlands since I´ve seen a series, but there are many more fi..."

Cool! Like it :)

The poll is up:

Book of April 2019

The poll decided unequivocally we'll read this April A Tree Grows in Brooklyn.

I’ve read that one, good choice 👍

I think I will give this a miss, as it´s obviously a coming-of-age story, perhaps no classic at all, and I don´t even know the author.

Michaela wrote: "I think I will give this a miss, as it´s obviously a coming-of-age story, perhaps no classic at all, and I don´t even know the author."

It is not a coming of age story in the typical sense, and it is definitely considered a classic. It is not boring, it is not sentimental, and it is not a romance. Many reviews say it is not appropriate for young girls, and that it's aimed at an adult audience.

The only reason I'm pitching this is that I avoided reading this book for decades because I thought it was a boring YA written by an unknown author. When I finally read it I could have kicked myself and wished I had not been so quick to judge. You still might not like it, and this was just my experience, but it made me a fan.

Nominations - April 2020

This April we should read classics again. Do you have any suggestions? We have some good ones above that are not yet on our bookshelf. Would you like one of them?

What do you think of Little Women? I've seen the latest adaptation, but wouldn't mind to read the book and watch the older ones again.

One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest.

I was thinking of Little Women too, but there is also The Call of the Wild which is one of my favorites.

the outsider

Rebecca
Pride and Prejudice
The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes
David Copperfield
Anne of Green Gables
The Scarlet Pimpernel
The Aspern Papers

I would rather read something that was also airing or released either on 2020 or was going to be. Like Pride and Prejudice is amazing and all, but watching the (amazing, delicious, I absolutely love Colin Firth as Mr. Darcy) 90s miniseries, even though it is appealing, seems like a waste with so many classics just released as either movies or books.

Barbara, maybe we should narrow down these choices? Maybe we can do as Lorena said, pick at least two that have both splendid old adaptations and those very recent:
- Rebecca will be remade this year with Lilly James and Armie Hammer
- David Copperfield with Dev Patel came out this January.

Pride and Prejudice we did with the Austen Project (check that link please! The project was really amazing experience!) so it would be a kind of repeat to do it again. I should consider to add all books from our projects to our bookshelf though. (to avoid confusion)

One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest is still a classic that should be considered, even though it has only one adaptation!

Basil wrote: "the outsider"

Help me here Basil, who's the author? There are so many books out there with this title, and even more movies with this title :)

Lorena wrote: "I was thinking of Little Women too, but there is also The Call of the Wild which is one of my favorites."

I forgot this one. I loved it too! I would like to watch the new adaptation and revisit the old ones too!

The Outsider if its the new Netflix Series one its gotta be dear old Stephen.

Lorena wrote: "The Outsider if its the new Netflix Series one its gotta be dear old Stephen."

If it is so, then we can't nominate it here, it is a new book :(

When I suggested books from Barbara's list, I forgot Rebecca is already on our shelf. Sherlock Holmes would suit better for a project. I'll add to the poll the last four from the list.

I am reading Sherlock Holmes now

Basil wrote: "I am reading Sherlock Holmes now"

Basil Rathbone played Sherlock Holmes in the movies in some great black & white movies of the 30s and 40s. Love the synchronicity of names : )

The poll is up:

Book of April 2020

P.S. I put The Aspern Papers to our bookshelf as a quick read, as it is really a novella (and we are in dire need of new quick reads :)

November 2021

The list of unread books above is huge. Would you like to read one of those? Freely suggest something new too :)

P.S. I put The Aspern Papers to our bookshelf as a quick read, as it is really a novella (and we are in dire need of new quick reads :)"

"Ethan Frome" is a novella, a pretty quick read. Or "The Turn of The Screw," or "First Love."
Also, Jane Austen wrote a short novel in letters before she wrote her six famous novels, "Lady Susan."

Barbara wrote: "Ethan Frome" is a novella, a pretty quick..."

Hi Barbara, thanks for your input. We did all these novels and stories except First Love. Is that from Turgenev? The search here on GR is abysmal, it does not show up. I'll put that one in our QR, thanks.

Let me suggest The Age of Innocence. We recently had a discussion about Edith Wharton how she is unfairly judged only by Ethan Frome - this would be nice opportunity to read another book of hers.

Please add your own suggestion if you'd rather read something else :)

Hi Barbara, thanks for your input. We did all these novels and stories except First Love. Is that from Turgenev? The search here on GR..."

Yes, Turgenev. It was made into a film around 1970. Not to be confused with "Endless Love" which was an awful movie, but a powerful novel.

In the other thread The House of Mirth was more than once favored more than The Age of Innocence, so I'll put that one as our book of the month.

September 2022

Classics again - this time I'll nominate The African Queen. Freely suggest your own nominees :)

So let it be - The African Queen.