Bookyol
Theme · Adaptations

The book was better

The novels behind the films everyone's seen — richer, stranger, and worth the return trip.

Curated by Harper Ellison· 7 books
  1. 01
    The Princess Bride cover

    The Princess Bride

    William Goldman

    4.3

    Fencing, fighting, torture, revenge, giants, miracles — the 'good parts' version.

  2. 02
    The Godfather cover

    The Godfather

    Mario Puzo

    4.9

    Puzo's pulp masterpiece — the Corleones before Coppola.

  3. 03
    Jurassic Park cover

    Jurassic Park

    Michael Crichton

    4.4

    Crichton's cautionary techno-thriller, sharper than the film.

  4. 04
    The Lord of the Rings cover

    The Lord of the Rings

    J.R.R. Tolkien

    4.7

    The scoured Shire never made it to the screen.

  5. 05
    Gone Girl cover

    Gone Girl

    Gillian Flynn

    4.5

    The cool-girl monologue, uncut.

  6. 06
    The Shining cover

    The Shining

    Stephen King

    4.5

    King's warmer, sadder Overlook — he prefers it too.

  7. 07
    Dune cover

    Dune

    Frank Herbert

    4.6

    The inner monologues the movies can only gesture at.