Lost in translation: The importance of authenticity in book to screen adaptations

‘BookTok’, the corner of TikTok where readers passionately share reviews, thoughts, and reactions, has become a cultural powerhouse. It has the ability to convert little-known novels into bestsellers. Therefore, it is no surprise that the television industry has started mining these viral sensations for content. Translating deeply personal, internet-fuelled connections into a visual medium is not easy, and audiences are quick to notice when the magic is lost in translation.

The success of Heartstopper is apparent – viewers instantly fell for its tender love story; two teenagers navigating first love, identity, and the complexities of growing up. Alice Oseman created an accurate representation of the teen voice, embodied in the characters of Nick and Charlie. However, one of the key contributions to the success of this project was her remaining authenticity to her graphic novels. The use of animated doodles and direct quotations from her literary work undoubtedly helped her maintain her fanbase through the transition from page to screen.

In a world where so many adaptations feel filtered through a corporate lens, Heartstopper stood out

The power of Alice Oseman’s involvement helped preserve nuance, allowing her to cover topics including mental health and identity with respect. In a world where so many adaptations feel filtered through a corporate lens, Heartstopper stood out for its simplicity and emotional truth. Fans felt seen, and newcomers fell in love with a story that never tried to be anything other than itself.

It Ends With Us, Colleen Hoover’s bestselling novel and a BookTok phenomenon praised for its emotional exploration of domestic abuse, was also expected to be successful after its long-awaited release. However, what had been a deeply personal and emotional story on the page became a Hollywood romance that seemed to miss the point entirely on screen. Much of the criticism came from the lack of authenticity to the book. Key scenes were altered, characters were aged up, and the tone shifted away from the gut-wrenching realism that many fans related to.

It seemed this was a film made to please mass audiences

It seemed this was a film made to please mass audiences rather than the community that had built it up. It is inevitable that this lack of authenticity regarding the original book led to It Ends With Us losing some of its biggest fans who had resonated so deeply with the storyline and the characters.

The contrast between Heartstopper and It Ends with Us reveals a growing truth about modern adaptations: authenticity is key to success. These fans don’t just enjoy the book – they feel connected to it. Book-to-screen adaptations may come with a built-in audience, but it is certainly one with very high expectations.