Just as I like losing myself in a book of historical fiction, I’m quite partial to historical adaptations, particularly for television. I like the depth and languish a TV series allows for bringing a novel to dramatic life, as opposed to the more condensed option of a movie. This summer, I have been watching a bit less than normal, but I still have a couple of weeks of holidays left so you never what I’ll cram in between now and then, particularly as the thermometer seems determined to burst from the searing temperatures we’ve been having out here in the North West of Queensland.
The Miniaturist (BBC)
Based on the novel by Jessie Burton
A young woman moves to 17th century Amsterdam and hires a mysterious local miniaturist to furnish the dollhouse she received from her merchant husband as present, but the lifelike miniatures somehow start eerily foreshadowing her fate.
I haven’t yet read The Miniaturist, but my copy is currently on its way to me from Booktopia. What a gorgeous series this was, so beautiful with the costumes and the miniatures that were made for the doll house! I loved the story too, the drama and the emotion tied up in the mysterious ways of this family; it was all very well done. If the novel is at all like the television series, I can see this becoming a favourite of mine.
Vanity Fair (ITV)
Based on the novel by William Makepeace Thackeray
Vanity Fair follows poverty-stricken Becky Sharp as she attempts to claw her way out of the dregs of society and to scale the heights of English society in the years following the defeat of Napoleon. Set against the Napoleonic Wars, Sharp strives to rise above her station with little regard for the consequences. In her efforts to advance herself, her manipulation, merriment, forbidden romances, fighting, and dancing catapults her into the court of King George IV while breaking hearts and losing fortunes along the way.
I am only a couple of episodes into this but what an absolute treat it is! The cast is very well placed and the atmosphere is sublime. The satire has translated perfectly onto the screen. There’s a little bit of a modern twist in the way each episode concludes with a contemporary song in tune with the theme of the episode. Purists may rebuke this but I quite like it. Becky really is a bit of a girl out of place within her time, I always thought. I’m thinking of reading this again for my classics challenge, all 900 pages! But it really will be worth it. I highly recommend this series, whether you’ve read Vanity Fair or not. It’s perfection!
Theresa Smith Writes 
Yay, I just bought The Miniaturist – the ABC shop’s closing down sale!
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Closing down? They all seem to be doing that. But good that you picked up a copy. I’d love to know what you think about it.
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These both sound great, I wish they were on Netflix or Stan or even SBS. Alas I will have to hope they arrive one day. I’m hoping to go and see the new men vie Mary Queen of Scots when it comes out next week, that looks really good.
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Ahh, none of the shows I watch are on Stan or Netflix. I don’t have any TV subscriptions. I’m interested in seeing Mary Queen of Scots as well. Let me know what you think!
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I don’t have subscrions either. My mum pays for Stan with enough TV usage for all of us. And my brother-in-law has Stan and my sister gave me the password lol. I’m very lucky. I’ll let you know about the movie.
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Ooooh thanks for the tip on Vanity Fair! I’ve been meaning to seek out a screen adaptation forever (wasn’t there one with Reese Witherspoon a while back?). I recently watched the Fahrenheit 451 HBO adaptation – I thought it was brilliantly done, I couldn’t understand all the hate from critics.
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I’m always cautious about HBO adaptations. They tend to sex things up a bit too much for my liking. I haven’t read Fahrenheit 451 though.
Yes, pretty sure Reece was in a Vanity Fair adaptation a fair few years back, I never saw it though.
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Sheree, I finished watching all of Vanity Fair tonight. It was brilliant!!! So good! You should watch it if you can.
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Ooooh thank you! ❤️
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I hope we get The Miniaturist in NZ. Haven’t read the book but I’ve heard great things about it.
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Do you usually get BBC programs in NZ? Surely, yes!! I hope you do, it’s really good and if you enjoy historical fiction you’ll no doubt like this.
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We get a few BBC programmes but not every one, which is a shame because I love British TV.
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Me too! It’s my favourite. Fingers crossed for you.
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I loved watching The Miniaturist. I just finished watching You (based on the book by Caroline Kepnes) and it was awesome! I can also recommend Alias Grace and The Alienist if you enjoy historical fiction adaptations.
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I can’t find Alias Grace anywhere! I don’t have Netflix and it doesn’t seem to be on DVD or digital purchase yet. I’ll look up those others. Thanks!
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I think I watched Alias Grace on Netflix and The Miniaturist on Foxtel. You can always check out the trailers on YouTube and see if they’re for you 🙂
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