Read These Books Before They Hit the Big Screen in 2015

Ever since filmmakers turned to the written word for their inspiration, some of us have inevitably been drawn to the original stories. From ‘Dracula’ to ‘Gone Girl’, Hollywood has adapted storylines to appeal to a wider audience. But what if by mangling the plot, the screenwriters alter the character’s journey or change the message of the entire story?

Here is the list of 10 books-turned-films that will be appearing in cinemas in 2015.

We cannot wait to read them!

The Secret Service by Mark Millar, Dave Gibbons and Matthew Vaughn

Meet Gary Unwin, a young man living with his mother, whose life is about to change with the appearance of his uncle Jack, a British secret agent. When Jack London, played by Colin Firth, comes to the rescue, bailing his nephew out of jail, Gary joins the team of recruits training to enter the world of mystery and danger. From creator of Kick-Ass and Wanted, what’s not to love about this spy graphic novel?

Film release date: February 13, 2015

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In the Heart of the Sea by Nathaniel Philbrick

This award-winning book describes a 19th century maritime disaster that inspired Herman Melville’s classic Moby Dick. The novel tells a real-life story of the crew aboard the whaleship Essex battling for their survival in the South Pacific after the ship has been attacked and sank by an 80ft sperm whale. Throughout a 90-day ordeal in the open ocean, sailors are tested by dehydration, hunger and extreme weather. Reaching the depths of despair, the crew members resort to cannibalising their dead shipmates.

All adventurers at heart should add this book to their read-lists.

Film release date: March 13, 2015

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Insurgent by Veronica Roth

Young-adult novels like Twilight and Hunger Games are gaining world-wide popularity among the readers of all ages and the Divergent trilogy is no exception. As the sequel to Divergent trilogy, Insurgent continues the story of Tris Prior and her comrades rebelling against the ideology in a dystopian society. On the run from Erudites and Dauntless traitors, Tris (Shailene Woodley) and Four (Theo James) travel to the ruins of Chicago where they have to face the ghosts of the past and confront their own demons. The turbulent nature of their romance enriches the novel with unexpected twists. Their search for the truth ends, when, at the end of the book, Tris uncovers the secret that her family died to protect. 

Film release date: March 20, 2015

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Far from the Madding Crowd by Thomas Hardy

Set in the 19th- century English village of Weatherbury, a bittersweet love story follows the life of Bathsheba Everdene (played by Carey Mulligan), a beautiful, financially independent and high-spirited young woman, who finds herself in the centre of a love triangle. Bathsheba is pursued by three suitors: devoted shepherd Gabriel Oak, seductive and reckless Sergeant Troy, and a wealthy reclusive farmer William Boldwood (played by Michael Sheen). For Bathsheba, the path to true happiness is paved with broken hearts, scandal, and betrayal. Thomas Hardy creates a timeless masterpiece depicting tranquil countryside against the personal transformation of each character.

Film release date: May 1, 2015

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Black Mass by Dick Lehr and Gerard O’Neill

When long-lost childhood friends are reunited once again in the mid-1970s, a murderous collusion is about to be made that will change the course of the history. A notorious Irish gangster, James Whitey Bulger (played by Johnny Depp) is granted a protection by the FBI agent John Connoly in exchange for information about inner workings of Boston’s Italian Mafia. However the dynamics of their relationship change as soon as Whitey starts manipulating Connoly to trade secrets leading to racketeering, drug dealing and murders. A true-crime novel is told by Boston Globe reporters giving the story a chilling feeling of reality. 

Film release date: September 18, 2015

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Frankenstein by Mary Shelley

If this classic tale was not part of your school curriculum, you are in for a treat! Written by an eighteen-year-old author Mary Shelley, the novel combines the elements of romanticism, horror and science-fiction. The story told by Victor Von Frankenstein (played by James McAvoy), a young and talented scientist, about the ‘monster’ he created from dead flesh in an unorthodox experiment leaves the readers in dismay. The fiend shows no mercy when he terrorises and murders Victor’s nearest and dearest. However, later in the novel, Shelley describes a monster- who is left to fend for itself- as a complex childlike creature capable of feeling hurt and guilt and evoking the reader’s sympathy. Shelley raises important issues of superficiality in the society, parental abdication of responsibility and the ethical implications of technological innovation.

Film release date: October 2, 2015

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The Hunger Games: Mocking Jay by Suzanne Collins

Much like the Divergent trilogy, the Hunger Games series were originally written for teenagers, but later reached a wider audience. Suzanne Collins describes a society, where a corrupt and powerful Capitol dictates how the wealth should be distributed among the rest of the country of Panem. Having won battles for survival in the bloody arena of Hunger Games twice, Katniss Everdeen is far from safe. Mocking Jay, the final instalment in the series, explores the dark side of the battle for freedom. Caught in a love triangle, Katniss -the face and symbol of revolution- uncovers secrets through betrayal and cruelty. The ending is non-conventional and thought-provoking, leaving the reader to fully appreciate the uniqueness of the trilogy.

Film release date: November 20, 2015

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Pride and Prejudice and Zombies by Seth Grahame-Smith

A controversial monster mash-up of the beloved novel introduces zombies and ninjas to the world created by Jane Austen. The Bennett sisters, trained in Martial arts, are well equipped to deal with monsters terrorising the English countryside. When self-sufficient Elizabeth Bennett meets Mr. Darcy, a zombie-hunter, they slowly develop feelings for each other as they face a common enemy. Grahame-Smith maintains the authenticity of the writing style and the majority of the plot, giving the story a unique edge. Anyone with a healthy sense of humour will appreciate this witty tongue-in-cheek parody. You will also enjoy the classic version of Pride and prejudice if you are not a fan of interpretations.

Film release date: TBA in 2015

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The Price of Salt by Patricia Highsmith (the film will be titled Carol)

The ground-breaking novel focuses on Therese Belivet (Rooney Mara), a young aspiring designer, who falls in love with Carol Aird (Cate Blanchett), an older married socialite. As their romance unfolds, their happiness is interrupted by Carol’s husband, collecting evidence of his wife’s homosexuality in the legal battle for the custody of their daughter. Carol is torn between her love for Therese and her child, making the situation tragic. Patricia Highsmith’s writing style allows the book lovers to explore the dynamics of the relationship between two main characters by reading between the lines. The love story, set in 1950s New York, marks the shift in social attitude toward same-sex couples.

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The Jungle Book by Rudyard Kipling

The main story centres on Mowgli, who is raised by a pack of wolves with their own code of conduct and hunting tactics. Driven by his instincts and desire for adventure, Mowgli sets on the journey, where he meets memorable characters such as Bagheere the panther, Balloo the bear and tiger Shere Kahn. The book includes short stories introducing other heroic characters such as Rikki-Tikki-Tavi, The White Seal and Toomai of the elephants with their own admirable strengths. Kipling injects Indian myths with the morals of fables, enriching them with powerful descriptions of exotic settings, reflecting the author’s background. The book has withstood the test of time inspiring countless radio, stage, animated and live-action film adaptations.

Film release date: TBA in 2015

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