Should you read it before you watch it?

Published in 1942, 'The Stranger' tells the story of Meursault, a Frenchman living in Algiers, who is characterized by his emotional detachment and apathy. The novel begins with Meursault's indifferent reaction to his mother's death and follows his journey through a series of events, including a senseless murder, which leads to his trial and sentencing. Camus uses Meursault's story to illustrate his philosophy of the absurd, highlighting the lack of inherent meaning in life and the importance of accepting and living with this reality. The novel also explores the tensions between French colonialists and native Algerians, reflecting Camus's own experiences and critiques of colonialism.

Regretting You by Colleen Hoover is a heart-wrenching story about Morgan Grant and her sixteen-year-old daughter, Clara, who struggle to coexist due to their vastly different personalities and goals. The family's peace is shattered when Chris, Morgan's husband and Clara's father, is involved in a tragic accident. As they navigate grief and betrayal, Morgan and Clara find themselves drifting further apart, but ultimately, they learn the value of forgiveness and healing. The novel explores themes of family dynamics, love, and the path to reconciliation.

The novella follows the life of Robert Grainier, an orphan sent to Idaho in 1893. Grainier works as a laborer, building bridges and felling trees for the expanding railways. He finds happiness with his wife and daughter but faces tragedy when a wildfire changes his life forever. The story is a reflection on isolation, the closing of the American West, and the simple yet harsh life of a pioneer. It juxtaposes the sounds of trains with the natural world, creating a dream-like and elegiac portrait of Grainier's life.

Women Talking is a novel inspired by the true story of a Mennonite community in Bolivia where hundreds of girls and women were drugged and raped by men from their own community. The novel is told through the 'minutes' of a secret meeting where the women discuss their options: to stay in the colony, fight back, or escape. The story is narrated by August Epp, a schoolteacher who takes the minutes because the women are illiterate. The novel explores themes of power, faith, and the women's struggle for autonomy and safety in a patriarchal society. It delves into their philosophical, practical, and emotional discussions, highlighting their courage and resilience in the face of horrific abuse.

A non-fiction book by David Grann, adapted into a film.

The play revolves around Prince Hamlet's journey to avenge his father's murder, which was committed by his uncle Claudius. Hamlet's father's ghost appears and reveals that he was poisoned by Claudius, who then married Hamlet's mother, Gertrude. Hamlet feigns madness while he investigates and plots his revenge. The play explores themes of betrayal, mortality, and the human condition, culminating in a tragic finale where nearly all main characters die, including Hamlet, Claudius, Gertrude, and several others.

Written in epistolary form, the novel tells the story of Victor Frankenstein, a brilliant and ambitious scientist who, driven by Enlightenment-era ideas of progress and science, creates a living being from dead body parts. However, upon seeing the creature come to life, Frankenstein is horrified and abandons it. The creature, shunned by society due to its appearance, seeks revenge against its creator, leading to a series of tragic events. The novel explores themes of guilt, loss, and the emotional and moral consequences of scientific hubris, blending elements of Gothic and Romantic literature.

The novel follows Charlie, a 15-year-old freshman, as he navigates the challenges of high school, including first dates, family drama, and new friendships. Through a series of letters to an anonymous 'friend', Charlie shares his observations and experiences, delving into themes of mental health, sexuality, abuse, and the struggles of growing up. The book is known for its raw and realistic portrayal of teenage life, capturing the confusion, anxiety, and heartbreak that often accompany this stage of life.

The novel is set in Warwickshire in the late 16th century and revolves around the life of Agnes, the wife of William Shakespeare, and their children. It fictionalizes the events surrounding the death of their son Hamnet, who died of the plague in 1596 at the age of eleven. The story delves into the grief and emotional turmoil faced by the family, especially Agnes, and how this tragedy influenced Shakespeare's writing, including his play 'Hamlet'. The narrative alternates between different timelines, exploring Agnes's early life, her marriage, and the years following Hamnet's death. The book is a poignant study of motherhood, childhood, and the depths of grief, offering a vivid portrayal of family life during the Tudor period.

Set in Grosse Pointe, Michigan in the 1970s, 'The Virgin Suicides' is a haunting and unforgettable novel that explores the lives of the five Lisbon sisters. The story is narrated by an anonymous group of teenage boys who are obsessed with the sisters and try to understand the mystery behind their tragic deaths. The novel delves into themes of adolescent love, disquiet, and death, and it is written with a unique blend of sensitivity and dark humor. The Lisbon family's strict Catholic upbringing and the subsequent isolation of the girls lead to a series of tragic events that the boys can only observe and try to comprehend.

Published in 1847, 'Wuthering Heights' is a novel that tells the story of the tumultuous relationship between Catherine Earnshaw and the foundling Heathcliff, whom her father brings home to Wuthering Heights. The narrative, framed by the visitor Lockwood and the housekeeper Nelly Dean, explores themes of love, revenge, and the cyclical nature of life. Heathcliff's bitter vengeance against those who wronged him drives the plot, which spans generations and delves into the dark, passionate, and often destructive aspects of human nature. The novel is renowned for its dramatic and poetic presentation, its unique structure, and its vivid depiction of the Yorkshire moors as a reflection of the characters' inner lives.