From: James Elliott <libraryjim>
Date: Fri, 16 Nov 2007 23:14:50 -0500 (EST)

I just thought of another problematic adaptation:

from book into tv SERIES.

My wife used to love the TV series "Little House on the Prairie", and watched it all the time. (I got quite sick of it.) Well, while we were home-schooling our daughter, we tried an instructional course "A prairie Primer" based on the "little House" books. This meant she had to READ the books (I was surprised she'd never read them before). Her reaction: "I can't stand the series anymore -- it's not at all like the books, it doesn't even stay close!"

There are other series that did try to keep the spirit of the books, but the concept of an extended series is more difficult than a movie or even a mini-series.

Kevin Sullivan, who adapted "Anne of Green Gables" did an adaptation of Lucy Maud Montgomery's "The Story Girl" and the Avonlea short stories into a series called "The Road to Avonlea". Again, while the characters were the same as in the books, and even some of the story lines were similar, most of the tv episodes were 'original' stories BASED on the books. I think it a good adaptation, and found it a very enjoyable series, and in fact we have all but the seventh and last season on DVD, which are only available from Sullivan's web store.

PBS has done a good job with animated versions of Clifford, Arthur, Franklin, and others.

Of course the drawback to an extended series is the dual threat of either success or cancellation. If the series goes on for a longer period of time than the books covered, original material has to be created. If it ends too soon, there is a feeling of incompleteness.

Those are just some things I was thinking of tonight, sitting at home, suffering from a nagging chest cold and cough.

Stay healthy out there!

Jim Elliott North Florida
Received on Fri 16 Nov 2007 10:14:50 PM CST