What's the Name of That Book??? discussion
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Books that have a bit too many similarities to known movies.
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Anna
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Mar 08, 2020 11:21PM
Recently I read The Lord of Dreams and while it was mostly a decent read, I couldn't shake off a feeling that I have seen it somewhere before. When I was about in the middle of the book, it hit me - it was basically a Labyrinth movie fanfiction. Different enough to not infringe copyrights but it was probably a close call. Now I am wondering how many other books heavily inspired by a movie can be spotted out there?
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Sometimes they're clearly love letters to the original. I can't remember the title or author, but there's a book I gave a glowing review to because it was a "Paris is Burning" based novel. Not quite a fanfiction, but it was clear the author had seen and enjoyed the documentary. Sometimes that is very clearly not the case. The harshest review I ever left was a one-star review with the sole sentence, "Clearly the author and I have the same favorite movie." She ripped the movie and several others I recognized off. I don't remember the name or author at the moment, either, but she ripped off Swimfan, Fatal Attraction, and several similar movies. I was furious that she thought readers wouldn't notice.
Following up to my earlier comment: the book I liked that was clearly a love letter to the documentary "Paris is Burning," is called "The House of Impossible Beauties" by Joseph Cassara. The book I firmly believe that ripped off Swimfan, Fatal Attraction, and others was "The Drowning Girls" by Paula DeBoard Treick, and I hated it.
To Dream Again - rip-off of "The Goodbye Girl" in historical clothes. Christina Dodd is notorious for doing these. Just the Way You Are is "Bells are Ringing."
According to reviews, Wedding Girl is too similar to You've Got Mail. (I've read the book, haven't seen the movie.) There's also a reference to The Shop Around the Corner, the movie from which You've Got Mail took its own premise.
Children of Blood and Bone is a YA fantasy novel that is incredibly similar to the animated tv series Avatar The Last Airbender. I swear all the characters and motivations are the same!Still enjoyed reading the book though - but the similarities were there
Thank you all for the books. Some are really close to falling into copyright infringement category:). Crystal wrote: "Children of Blood and Bone is a YA fantasy novel that is incredibly similar to the animated tv series Avatar The Last Airbender."
Crystal, do you think that a (quite well read for her age) 12 year old would enjoy this book? Or is it slightly more mature kind of YA?
Oh crap, I was going to say, "Yeah, I read this book in the mid-1990s that was basically Predator 2 and it's called ... "And now I have my own "What's the name of that book" query ....
Anna wrote: "Thank you all for the books. Some are really close to falling into copyright infringement category:). Crystal wrote: "Children of Blood and Bone is a YA fantasy novel that is incr..."
Yes I think it definitely can be enjoyed by a 12 year old. It's mostly action and adventure with some slight romance here and there (but it's quite PG as far as I remember and nothing steamy). The plot and writing isn't overly complex or sophisticated either.
Most of the main characters are in their mid to late teens (with one in their early 20s) if that helps!
Cara's Craftsations wrote: "The Woman in the Window Rear Window.https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/1..."
Thanks for the list. It didn't occur to me there may be a list for that. Not that I regret making this thread or anything. Perhaps we can even expand it a bit:)
Anna wrote: "Cara's Craftsations wrote: "The Woman in the Window Rear Window.https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/1..."
Thanks for the list. It didn't occur t..."
You're welcome.
Never regret making a thread, there will always be nuances to what YOU may be looking for.
You should think about making a Listopia for books inspired by movies.
Rainbowheart wrote: "Kinda the opposite situation, but The Village was accused of plagiarizing Running Out of Time."Thanks for the recommendation. Borrowed it from internet library right away:).
The Fates Will Find Their Way is very similar to The Virgin Suicides, although of course that was a book first.
Christopher Paolini's Eragon is heavily influenced by the Star Wars movies. Many character roles can be mapped over, and a lot of the action scenes, as well.
Midworld
Here is the opposite situation from most of the above books. Midworld by Alan Dean Foster predates the 2009 film Avatar by over 3 decades. When I saw the film, I was amazed at all the similarities.
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Wow, so many great recommendations, thank you all:). I need to start that list soon - I somehow keep procrastinating, but I am getting to it, I swear;).
Gillian wrote: "Christopher Paolini's Eragon is heavily influenced by the Star Wars movies. Many character roles can be mapped over, and a lot of the action scenes, as well."I read it when I was a teenager and I couldn't get over the magic system - it was too similar to the one from Ursula K. Le Guin's Earthsea series. It's like Paolini mixed all his favourite books and movies and somehow it came out as Eragon.
I don't know which came first, but every time someone mentions the synopsis to The Secret History it reminds me of The Dead Poets Society.
What's the Name of That Book???
Books mentioned in this topic
The Secret History (other topics)Eragon (other topics)
Genuine Fraud (other topics)
Midworld (other topics)
Drakon (other topics)
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