A recently published book, The Book Was Better, delves into the process of adapting novels for film, concluding that the quality of the original source material is not a factor in a film's success. The author's research indicates that both acclaimed and less-regarded novels can lead to great cinematic works.
The book suggests that an unfaithful approach to adaptation is often helpful. Filmmakers who take liberties with the source material, rather than adhering strictly to it, can create more compelling films. Examples cited include Alfonso Cuarón’s Children of Men and Sally Potter’s reinvention of Virginia Woolf’s Orlando.
The author argues that a film adaptation should not be a direct translation of the book, but rather a new creation. Stanley Kubrick's The Shining is highlighted as an example where the director's vision, despite betraying Stephen King's original, resulted in a powerful film.