Yahoo Lifestyle 16 TV Shows That Are Wayyyyy Better Than The Books They're Based On, According To Fans
Warning: Spoilers ahead!
Recently, I asked the BuzzFeed Community which TV show adaptations are actually better than the books they're based on.
Here are 16 of their top responses:
1.Interview with the Vampire, based on The Vampire Chronicles by Anne Rice
"Absolutely beautiful series. Every aspect is breathtaking — the script, the sets, the costumes, the cinematography. I love the update. It really adds to the story; it's not just for the sake of it. The whole cast is superb, and Sam Reid is the ultimate Lestat."
"No competition. They modernized the show, which was such a nice touch and made it a whole lot better. I really freaking love the series, and it's definitely worth hundreds of rewatches.
Great acting from the actors! Especially Ben Daniels (Santiago) and Jacob Anderson (Louis de Pointe du Lac). The whole cast was perfect."
2.Daisy Jones and the Six, based on Daisy Jones and the Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid
"A lot of the book reads like a script, and the audiobook is terribly overdone, with all the different voice actors. I remember thinking that this [would be] a better movie than a book. In the end, the show was great!"
"Daisy Jones and the Six is such a brilliant TV series. I like the book a lot, but considering the huge theme of music, the TV show just takes it to another level. Also, the music is *chef's kiss*."
3.The Lincoln Lawyer, based on The Brass Verdict and The Fifth Witness by Michael Connelly
"I do enjoy the books, but the show is able to move at a bit of a faster pace, especially for a legal show, which makes the show very enjoyable and entertaining without losing the courtroom and lawyer details.
I also think the cast is perfect."
4.Shōgun, based on Shōgun by James Clavell
"I loved the book. I was pregnant on bedrest and literally read it in a day because I couldn't put it down! The original miniseries (I have seen both versions of it, and the uncut one is SOOO much better!) was quite good...for an '80s miniseries.
What they did in the recent production of Shōgun is just short of perfection! Looking into Toranaga's eyes as one of his friends commits seppuku to aid with the 'deception' so that Crimson Sky could break my heart.
And Mariko...Toranaga was the driven warrior...not seeking to be Shōgun for his own glory, but so that he could become the Realm's protector, despite whatever it cost. But Mariko, all she sought was peace and found it in the arms of a barbarian. Even though it was melodramatic, I still cried as she said, 'Anjin-san' as her final word.
The only way to celebrate this rendition is...to NOT have more seasons!!!"
5.Bridgerton, based on Bridgerton by Julia Quinn
"After watching the first three seasons, I listened to the books and, oh…my…God… they're so boring! I was genuinely surprised at how boring they were.
I'm not even a big Shonda Rhimes fan, but baby, I completely understand why she made the changes she made to that show. It's way better her way!"
"I also listened to the books and only made it through one and a half before I felt the same way and gave up."
6.Game of Thrones, based on A Song of Ice and Fire by George R. R. Martin
"I loved the series up until the last episode. I tried to read the book and couldn't get past the first chapter, and I love to read."
7.True Blood, based on The Southern Vampire Mysteries by Charlaine Harris
"True Blood was so much better than the books it was based on. Even with all the weird, wild stuff that happened by the end of the show, it was still better than the books.
For me, the writing was all tell, no show, the dialogue didn't sound like real conversations, and one of the show's best characters was killed off in the first book. Just overall disappointing because I thought I'd get a new book series to read along with the show."
8.Harlan Coben's Shelter, based on Shelter by Harlan Coben
"I read the books, and the TV show was way better. Better characters, and more mysteries, character development, and storylines for another season!
Too bad it was canceled after Season 1."
9.The Six Million Dollar Man, based on Cyborg by Martin Caidin
"While I love how book Steve Austin is a massive aviation geek, I don't really like how 'mean' he is. TV Steve Austin is much more likable and kinda reminds me of real astronauts I have met."
10.Pretty Little Liars, based on Pretty Little Liars by Sara Shepard
"The first five-ish seasons were great — thrilling, edge of your seat, suspenseful and fun. The books — straight to snoozetown."
11.Foundation, based on Foundation by Isaac Asimov
"Foundation, easily. The book has big ideas and broadly drawn character archetypes (Salvor Hardin in the book is a maverick cowboy taking strong and forceful action in the face of risk-averse and bumbling bureaucrats to save the day — how novel). The books have no real emotional heft, mediocre dialogue, and basically no women.
The show is GREAT. The storylines created for the show feel like they could have been in the books, and the reimagined and fleshed-out characters feel true to the spirit of the books but create something richer than was ever in the source material."
"I love the addition of Brothers Dawn, Day, and Dusk to the idea of the genetic dynasty from the books. It makes for such a great dynamic in the show, helped by terrific performances by Terrence Mann [Brother Dusk], Lee Pace [Brother Day], and Cassian Bilton [Brother Dawn]."
12.His Dark Materials, based on His Dark Materials by Philip Pullman
"I watched the movie version [The Golden Compass] back in elementary school, and I thought it was okay. But this series was soo good.
I love this cast, especially Dafne Keen [Lyra Belacqua], Amir Wilson [Will Parry], and Ruth Wilson [Marisa Coulter]. They deserve awards for their roles."
13.The 100, based on The 100 by Kass Morgan
"The beginning premise is about the only thing that is the same between the book and the series. The early seasons of The 100 were way better than the books, in my opinion."
14.Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency, based on Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency by Douglas Adams
"Don't get me wrong; the book is good, but it takes about 13 chapters for the main character (Dirk) to show up in the story. I would consider moving the show and book to be slow burns; the show just does it better.
Plus, the dynamic between Dirk and Todd in the show is more interesting."
15.The Magicians, based on The Magicians by Lev Grossman
"The book was ok, but the show made it way more interesting. They grabbed the plot of the books and made the story and the characters way more interesting."
16.And finally, The Terror, based on The Terror by Dan Simmons
"The TV series is one of the best — if not THE best limited series — I've ever seen. Incredible performances, amazing set/production design, and astonishing sound mixing and music. The TV series kept very close to the book but made so many improvements.
The book reveals the villain right away; in the show, it's much more of a slow burn — you actually sympathize with and root for a character who turns out to be 'evil' and vice versa. Some characters who aren't likable immediately end up being the most noble and heroic.
The monster in the show gets less description/screen time, so it stays more terrifying and mysterious for longer — the real terror is the starvation, cannibalism, and scurvy we met along the way.
The show got rid of the weird telepathic connection love story and let a more organic relationship blossom.
Years later, I'm still haunted by some of the visuals. The chain face piercings! That stunning final shot!"
"Fantastic series."
Which other TV adaptations do you think are better than the books they're based on? Why? Share your thoughts in the comments!
Note: Submissions have been edited for length and/or clarity.
