Young adult dystopian novels are becoming more popular these days, as are young adult movie adaptations. Two popular dystopian novels, The Selection and Delirium, are now being adapted for television by The CW and Fox, respectively.
The Selection is oft compared to The Hunger Games, arguably the most popular dystopian novel of the past decade. The stories are similar -- both involve an intense competition, but The Selection involves teenage girls competing for the affections of their nation’s prince. It has often been referred to as “The Hunger Games meets The Bachelor” (though your own Hattiesburg YA Fiction Examiner has described it as the opposite of The Hunger Games.) A pilot episode was initially planned last year, but not picked up; hopefully this second chance is just what the show needs.
Delirum tells an entirely different story. It takes place in a dystopian America where, upon turning 18, every citizen must undergo a procedure to “cure” themselves of love and other strong emotions.
TV adaptations of young adult series are nothing new. The Vampire Diaries, Pretty Little Liars, and The Lying Game all started out as young adult novels. This bodes well for these upcoming (promised) adaptations. Unfortunately, networks won’t decide what pilots to pick up for several more months, so news on these might be slow. But yours truly will certainly keep everyone posted!
Hattiesburg residents: If you haven’t already, pick up The Selection or Delirium (as well as its sequel, Pandemonium) at Books a Million at Turtle Creek Crossing.
Like this article? Click ‘subscribe’ at the top of this page and you’ll get an e-mail every time the Hattiesburg Young Adult Fiction Examiner publishes a new article. Go on, do it. You know you want to.
Comments