DVD Corner

But Have You Read The Book? Romance Edition Book Review

“But Have You Read The Book? Romance Edition” is an insightful look at literary works and their film adaptations.

Having previously penned “But Have You Read The Book?: 52 Literary Gems That Inspired Our Favorite Films,” author/critic/editor/journalist Kristen Lopez follows up that first entry with a sequel titled (in its full name) “But Have You Read The Book? Romance Edition: 40 Love Stories That Inspired Our Favorite Films.” As you might guess from the name, this book covers 40 romantic literary works and their film adaptations. The titles feature all manner of genres from epics (“Gone With The Wind” and “Doctor Zhivago”), classics (“Pride And Prejudice” and “Anna Karenina”), noir/neo-noir (“Laura” and “Out of Sight”), supernatural (“The Ghost And Mrs. Muir” and “Twilight”) and modern classics (“How Stella Got Her Groove Back” and “The Notebook”).

Each entry is accompanied by thoughtful essays that compare contrast the film and the literary work, the history of the film and book, backgrounds on the author, factoids, theme explorations, character and relationship analysis, tidbits about the time period (which are often essential to the story), and the influence the work had on popular culture (such as “Brokeback Mountain” influencing LGBTQ+ cinema). The book also contains an introduction by Lopez along with acknowledgments and a bibliography. 

Turner Classic Movies “But Have You Read The Book? Romance Edition” may spotlight stories we are all familiar with (be it the film or book/novella), but Lopez also shows just how many different eras, genres, and types of relationships there are in these particular stories. Whether Lopez is exploring the affair between Francesca and Robert in “The Bridges Of Madison County” or breaking down the complex dynamic between Ben and Elaine in “The Graduate,” she shows just how much people, relationships, and love has evolved over time. This is even more evident by the fact that the films are presented in chronological order here from 1921 with “The Sheik” to 2015’s “Carol.” By framing it this way, you really see how things have changed from a cultural standpoint.

‘Romance’ also covers a lot of ground in its examination of film and literary art. The essay on the vast differences between the film and Truman Capote’s novella of “Breakfast At Tiffany’s” is particularly engaging here. The novella is well known in its own right, but the film went on to become a pop culture icon due to Audrey Hepburn’s iconic performance. Lopez really has a knack for showing how fascinating it is to think about how both the film and literary art forms resonate in their own right.

Whether you love the films or the books or both, “But Have You Read The Book? Romance Edition” is a must read for fans of love stories.

Look for this one to hit shelves July 28, 2026.

June 20, 2026 - Posted by nicklyons1 | Book review | Breakfast At Tiffany's, But Have You Read The Book? Romance Edition Book Review, Films Based Off Books, Gone With The Wind, Romantic Books, Romantic Films, Turner Classic Movies, Twilight