If you’re someone who believes in appreciating a book before watching it on the big screen, here’s our list of five novels that you need to get your hands on before their Australian film release date!
Bel Canto by Ann Patchett
Read it before: September 21
This thriller about the Japanese embassy hostage crisis was awarded both the Orange Prize for Fiction and PEN/Faulkner Award for Fiction back in 2001. The book starts at a glamorous house party whose guests are suddenly taken hostage a band of gun-wielding terrorists. The book begins as a terrifying, life-threatening scenario. But slowly evolves into something quite different as terrorists and hostages forge unexpected bonds. The film stars the amazing Julianne Moore, and is coming to Australia this week, so get cracking!
Boy Erased by Garrard Conley
Read it before: November 8
In this 2016 memoir Garrard Conley recounts his childhood as the son of a Baptist pastor in a deeply religious small town, grappling with his sexuality. At nineteen, Garrard was outed to his parents, and was pressured into attending church-supported conversion therapy program that promised to “cure” him of homosexuality. The film is heavily inspired by Conley’s memoir, and stars our very own Nicole Kidman as the mother.
The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt
Read it before: December 26
The Goldfinch earned a five star review from us back in 2014, as well as the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction (both pretty prestigious). It’s the story of 13-year-old Theo who, on the way to the principal’s office, is dragged into the museum on a whim by his vivacious, much-adored mother. In the moments that follow, Theo’s world is blown from its axis. He wakes, concussed, to find himself amid rubble; around him lies the aftermath of a catastrophic terrorist explosion. Ansel Elgort, star of Baby Driver, will play Theo in this hotly-anticipated Boxing Day release.
Mortal Engines by Philip Reeve
Read it by: December 26
Set in a post-apocalyptic, steampunk version of London, Mortal Engines is book one of the Hungry Cities quartet mobile cities fight for survival in a world running out of resources. The film stars Hugo Weaving as a twenty-something Londoner. Who has never seen the outside world, touched grass or mud – until now.
The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas
Read it before: January 17 2019
Angie Thomas’s debut novel has been dominating the the New York Times bestseller list for months. The book is a powerful example of how Young Adult novels can tackle serious issues. The Hate U Give tells the story of sixteen-year-old Starr who witnesses the death of her childhood best friend at the hands of a police officer. The film is being released in October in the US but us Australians have to wait until January next year. That’s plenty of time to polish off the paperback!
