Action & Adventure

Animation

Comedy

Crime

Drama

Family

History

Kids

Mystery

Sci-Fi & Fantasy

Soap

War & Politics

Western

Immerse yourself in the rich literary world of Anthony Powell's 'A Dance to the Music of Time'. Spanning twelve volumes, this epic series intricately weaves the lives of its characters within the broad tapestry of 20th-century British society. As you delve into Powell's prose, you'll discover a nuanced exploration of the social and political changes that define the era, revealing insights that visual adaptations may not convey.

Reading the novels offers a deeply personal experience, where the deft characterization and keen observations of human behavior shine through. Powell's masterful narrative explores the passage of time with elegance, drawing readers into an engrossing journey through joy, despair, and everything in between. By opting for the novels, you embrace the full richness and depth of this literary masterpiece, gaining profound appreciation for the characters and themes that only the written word can provide.

A Dance to the Music of Time is a four-part adaptation of Anthony Powell's 12-volume novel sequence that aired on Channel 4 in 1997. The series is a sharp, comic portrait of upper-class and bohemian England, spanning almost a century, from the early 1920s to modern times.

A Dance to the Music of Time

John Steinbeck's 'East of Eden' is a literary masterpiece that provides a profound exploration of human nature, family struggles, and the eternal battle between good and evil. The novel intricately weaves a multi-generational narrative, set against the lush backdrop of California's Salinas Valley, and introduces readers to deeply complex characters whose choices and dilemmas are compellingly relatable.

Choosing to read Steinbeck's novel over watching the TV adaptation offers an immersive experience that allows readers to engage fully with the rich, descriptive prose and the intricate themes of Steinbeck's unparalleled storytelling. With its profound insights and dramatic depth, the novel invites readers to delve deeply into the human condition, offering a rewarding and enriching journey that far transcends the boundaries of a screen adaptation.

A powerful eight-hour adaptation of John Steinbeck's 1952 generational saga stars Bruce Boxleitner and Timothy Bottoms as battling brothers reminiscent of Cain and Abel, and Jane Seymour as the malevolent young woman who toys with their emotions.

East of Eden

Dive into the enchanting world crafted by Nahoko Uehashi through her beloved novel, 'Moribito: Guardian of the Spirit'. The book offers a rich tapestry of cultural mythos and human emotion that goes beyond the scope of the TV series. Uehashi's writing invites readers to fully experience the depth of this fantastical universe, where the stakes are high, and the lines between right and wrong are often blurred. It’s an exploration of courage, destiny, and the intricate bonds between people and spirits.

While the TV series captures stunning visuals and action sequences, the novel provides a more detailed look into the internal struggles and growth of its characters, particularly Balsa, a strong and complex heroine. With each page, readers are drawn into a nuanced narrative that explores themes of honor, duty, and the cost of protection. For those seeking a deeper understanding and connection to this magical story, reading the novel offers an immersive experience that can’t be fully captured on screen.

Balsa the spearwoman is a wandering warrior, who takes on the task of saving lives, in atonement for a past sin. On her journey, she happens to save a prince, and is tasked with becoming his bodyguard. And he is going to need one, for his own father, the emperor, wants him dead. Throughout the story, Balsa's past will come to light and they will uncover mysteries about Chagum's condition while developing a family-like relationship with each other and others.

Moribito: Guardian of the Spirit

Dive into the pages of "True Women" by Janice Woods Windle and experience the rich tapestry of women’s lives through the lens of history that only literature can provide. While the television series offers a visual glimpse into the past, the novel delves deeper into the emotional landscapes and complex relationships that defined the era. Windle’s nuanced prose brings to life the stories of Sarah, Euphemia, and Georgia, characters inspired by real-life figures, whose courage and fortitude paint a vivid picture of the Western frontier.

The novel provides a compelling narrative that captivates with its intricate historical details and heartfelt portrayals of personal and cultural struggles. Readers are afforded the opportunity to explore the inner thoughts and backstories of the characters that are often glossed over in visual adaptations. Windle’s storytelling immerses you in an authentic experience of the challenges and triumphs faced by women of that time, enabling you to connect with their world in profound and intimate ways. Choose "True Women" and journey into the heart of history with the depth and richness that only the written word can offer.

A story of love, friendship, survival and triumph spanning five decades from the Texas Revolution through the Civil War, Reconstruction and beyond.

True Women

Immerse yourself in the lush, lyrical prose of Jenna Thompson's 'Apples and Love.' The novel invites you into a world far richer than the screen can convey, where each chapter breathes life into the story's romantic core. Experience the unique depth and texture of the characters' emotional journeys through words that paint vibrant pictures of love, longing, and the magic of the everyday.

While the TV series delights with its visuals and engaging performances, reading the original novel allows you to explore the intricate inner worlds and thoughts of its characters. Thompson's writing captures the nuances of human emotion and connection in a way that resonates deeply, offering insights and revelations that the screen adaptation only hints at.

The novel embraces a tapestry of themes, exploring the intersections of love, identity, and self-discovery with a sensitivity and precision that can only be experienced through the written word. It's a chance to slow down and savor the storytelling, to let your imagination fill in the gaps, creating a personal, vivid experience that is uniquely yours. Dive into 'Apples and Love' for a journey that extends beyond what meets the eye.

After getting her vision back, Kris sees a person in her dreams, but when she wakes up, the only thing she can remember are a pair of eyes. She starts drawing them to help her remember, but when she sees Karn for the first time, she recognizes that the pair in her dreams and Karn's are one and the same...

Apples and Love

Apple My Love

Delve into the enthralling world of 'The Secret of Crickley Hall' by James Herbert and experience the breathtaking narrative right from the original pages. Offering a spellbinding blend of horror and mystery, the novel takes readers on a journey filled with vivid detail and a richly woven backstory that television simply cannot capture. Herbert’s masterful storytelling paints an immersive picture of the sinister Crickley Hall, allowing your imagination to conjure up images more haunting than what is seen on screen.

Reading the book offers far more depth, not only into the chilling events at Crickley Hall but also into the complex characters who inhabit this world. Each page of Herbert’s novel gradually unfurls suspense, leading you through a maze of eerie happenings that keep you hooked until the very end. Appreciate the intricate interleaving of past and present as Herbert weaves his tale in a way that TV adaptations often condense. This is a story where every detail matters, a narrative you'll want to experience in its fully fleshed-out, original form.

A year after the disappearance of their son, Gabe and Eve Caleigh and their two daughters attempt to start anew, they head to Crickley Hall - a seemingly perfect countryside house. But when cellar doors start to open on their own, phantom children's cries are heard through the night and a frenzied cane-wielding specter rears its head - the Caleigh's realize the house comes with a lot more than they bargained for. Just as they're ready to move out, Eve Caleigh hears Cam's cries and all bets are off.

The Secret of Crickley Hall

Dive into the captivating narrative of 'The Incredible Tide' by Alexander Key, the profound source of inspiration behind the renowned TV series Future Boy Conan. This gripping novel offers readers an enriching exploration of themes like survival, friendship, and hope in a post-apocalyptic world. Alexander Key masterfully crafts a vivid and imaginative landscape, allowing readers to embark on an exhilarating journey that brings the adventurous spirit of Conan and his companions to life in a uniquely immersive manner.

While the television series adapts the story beautifully, the book provides a more nuanced understanding of the characters and their motivations, offering insights that the series may only hint at. 'The Incredible Tide' presents a richly detailed backdrop for the thrilling escapades of Conan, encouraging readers to imagine and envision the world in their own way. It's a perfect read for those who appreciate intricate storytelling and wish to dive deeper into the foundational story behind Future Boy Conan.

After the great disaster of 2008, a war that destroyed the planet, the world is now largely ocean with the continents having sunk. Conan lives on a remote island with his grandpa and nature, never having seen another human being. But one day a mysterious girl, Lana, washes up on his beach. The two become quick friends, but she’s soon kidnapped and taken to Industria, a technological remainder from the world before. Conan leaves his island in pursuit, braving new lands and many hardships with new friends and enemies just beyond the horizon.

The Incredible Tide

Future Boy Conan

Dive into the rich, intoxicating world of Shirley Conran's novel 'Lace,' where the lives of four strong women intertwine in a web of secrets and ambition. Set against stunning international backdrops, Conran's narrative offers an intricate exploration of friendship, love, and betrayal that's both exhilarating and thought-provoking. 

Unlike the TV series, the novel delves deeper into the emotional complexities and backstories of its characters, offering a richer, more nuanced portrayal of their journeys. Each page is laden with vivid detail and tension that captivates the reader's imagination, making 'Lace' not just a tale of extravagance, but a powerful story of resilience and empowerment. Invest in the full narrative experience that only the book can provide, and discover a gripping saga that you'll find impossible to put down.

A young actress gathers three former school friends to find out which one is her natural mother, who gave her up for adoption as a newborn.

Lace

Dive into John Galsworthy's 'The Forsyte Saga' for a richer understanding of early 20th-century English society. The novels offer an immersive experience, bringing to life the intricate details of the Forsyte family's interactions, ambitions, and struggles. Galsworthy's prose captures the essence of a changing world, delving into themes of property, love, and the passage of time in a way that television adaptations can only hint at.

Reading the original novels provides a more nuanced exploration of the characters' inner lives and motivations, drawing readers into their personal conflicts and societal pressures. The depth of Galsworthy's narrative craft allows for a more intimate connection with the Forsyte family, enriching the reader's understanding of their complexities and the societal shifts they navigate. Embark on this literary journey to experience the grandeur of 'The Forsyte Saga' beyond the screen.

The Forsyte Saga is a 1967 BBC television adaptation of John Galsworthy's series of The Forsyte Saga novels, and its sequel trilogy A Modern Comedy. The series follows the fortunes of the upper middle class Forsyte family, and stars Eric Porter as Soames, Kenneth More as Young Jolyon and Nyree Dawn Porter as Irene.

It was adapted for television and produced by Donald Wilson and was originally shown in twenty-six episodes on Saturday evenings between 7 January and 1 July 1967 on BBC2, at a time when only a small proportion of the population had television sets able to receive this channel. It was therefore the repeat on Sunday evenings on BBC1 starting on 8 September 1968 that secured the programme's success with 18 million tuning in for the final episode in 1969.

It was shown in the United States on public television and broadcast all over the world, and became the first BBC television series to be sold to the Soviet Union.

The Forsyte Saga

Dive into the unapologetically sensual world of Zane's literary universe, where each story deviates from the one-dimensional portrayals often seen on screen. The original novels provide a deeper exploration of the characters’ desires and struggles, delving into their passion-driven journeys with more intimacy and nuance. Reading Zane's works allows you to experience a more personal connection with each character, uncovering layers of emotion that can be glossed over in the series.

The richness of Zane’s writing captures the complexities of human relationships and personal empowerment, offering readers a front-row seat into the multifaceted world of romance and sexuality. Her storytelling, laced with honesty and emotional depth, invites readers to explore themes of love and liberation at their own pace. By immersing yourself in the books, you gain access to the full spectrum of each story’s intent, leaving room for imagination and personal interpretation beyond the confines of televisual portrayal.

Zane's Sex Chronicles is an American television series based on the urban erotica novels written by Zane. The series follows the friendships and relationship of five female friends who enjoy the steamy stories of erotic writer Zane. The series premiered on Cinemax on October 11, 2008.

The urban adult series was renewed for a second season, which premiered on March 5, 2010.

Zane's Sex Chronicles

Dive into the timeless epic poems of Homer, 'The Iliad' and 'The Odyssey', where the legendary tale of the Trojan War and its aftermath are masterfully woven with themes of heroism, fate, and the wrath of gods. These works have captured the imagination for millennia. Through vivid storytelling, Homer portrays not only the heroic deeds of Achilles and Odysseus but also the poignant human emotions that resonate across the ages.

Exploring these classic texts provides a richer understanding of the complexities and motivations behind each character, far surpassing the dramatized retelling in the TV series. Homer's intricate narratives and exquisite language invite readers to journey through the ancient world, witnessing the intricate interplay of honor, desire, and destiny. Embrace these original sources to experience the full depth and nuance of a story that has shaped Western literature.

Paris of Troy goes to Sparta on a diplomatic mission and falls in love with Helen, the wife of King Menelaus. When lovers flee to Troy, the bloody seeds of a long war, sown by King Agamemnon of Mycenae, finally sprout, so an old prophecy is fulfilled.

The Iliad

The Odyssey

Helen of Troy

Diving into Elmore Leonard's "Out of Sight" offers a richly textured experience beyond the surface glamour of the TV adaptation. The novel presents a gripping tale filled with Leonard's signature wit and sharp prose, drawing readers deep into the nuanced world of law, crime, and the unlikely connections that form within. Rather than the episodic nature of a television series, Leonard's writing unfolds a continuous narrative, deeply exploring the characters’ minds and motivations.

Reading "Out of Sight" allows you to immerse in Leonard’s masterful storytelling, where each page is a testament to his unparalleled ability to craft dialogue and build tension. It’s a journey that encourages imagination and engagement with the subtleties often overshadowed in visual adaptations. Leonard's characters are crafted with depth and complexity, inviting readers to not just observe, but also feel the pulse of their lives, their struggles, and their ambitions in way that television simply cannot match.

As a U.S. Deputy Marshal, based on Miami, Florida's Gold Coast, Karen must deal with the underbelly of South Beach nightlife and Palm Beach high life while tracking down fugitives. She also struggles to win the respect of her fellow officers. Karen occasionally gets advice from her father, a retired Miami police officer turned private investigator, who is Karen’s confidant, counselor, and confessor.

Out of Sight

Karen Sisco

Delve into the richly woven tapestry of 'Huang Quan,' the novel that inspired 'The Rise of Phoenixes.' Authored by Tianxia Guiyuan, this source material provides a depth and insight that brings the complex world of imperial power struggles and personal vendettas to life on the page. The book's intricate layers and nuanced characters offer readers an immersive experience that satisfies the imagination and intellect like no screen adaptation can.

Reading 'Huang Quan' allows you to explore the story at your own pace, diving into the subtle motivations and internal conflicts that drive each character. Unlike the visual spectacle of the series, the novel paints its own vivid landscapes, inviting you to create your own visions of its rich settings and immersive atmospheres. This literary journey offers a deeper understanding and appreciation of the plot's complexities, making it a must-read for those who seek a fuller, more rounded narrative experience.

When a secret from the past rears its head, respected warrior Feng Zhiwei is forced to choose between revenge and her loyalty to ruling prince Ning Yi.

Huang Quan

The Rise of Phoenixes

Delve into the captivating world crafted by Kim Eun-jeong in the novel "So I Married an Anti-Fan," where every page offers a new twist on romance and media intrigue. The book provides a richer, more nuanced perspective on the renowned tale, allowing readers to deeply appreciate the characters' motivations and inner struggles. The nuanced writing goes beyond the series' portrayal, adding layers of psychological and emotional depth.

Reading "So I Married an Anti-Fan" offers a rare opportunity to fully immerse yourself in the characters' world, exploring subtleties that television can't capture. The novel allows Kim Eun-jeong's vivid descriptions and witty dialogue to paint a more intimate portrait of the storyline, bringing to life the colorful, conflicted journey of the protagonists in a way that screens simply cannot replicate. Discover the unlimited potential of imagination that comes with reading the original work.

The romance between top star Hoo Joon and his anti-fan reporter Lee Geun-young who end up living together.

So I Married an Anti-Fan

The Detective Maria Kallio novels immerse you in a rich, atmospheric experience that goes beyond the screen's capabilities. With Leena Lehtolainen's masterful storytelling, you'll dive deep into the intricacies of Finnish society and the darker corners of human nature. The books offer a profound exploration of Maria Kallio's character, unfurling nuances that are often condensed or lost in the visual adaptation.

Leena Lehtolainen's writings provide a comprehensive backdrop to each unfolding mystery, brimming with cultural insights and psychological depth. The novels invite readers to engage and unravel compelling plots, allowing for a personal interpretation that TV often cannot achieve. As you journey through the pages, you'll find the thrill of discovering clues and motivations at a pace that's uniquely your own, fostering a lasting connection with Maria's world.

Maria Kallio is a Finnish police series based on the novels of the same name by Leena Lehtolainen.

Categories

TV Series by Year

TV Series