The Nigerian movie industry got it right when they adapted novel titles such as Half Of A Yellow Sun, The Smart Money Woman, and Swallow, just to name a few. It just so happens that some of the best Hollywood movies were created from adaptations, we have The Notebook, Harry Potter, Shawshank Redemption, and even 50 Shades of Grey.
Nollywood has already taken a page out of that book, we have classic movie adaptations like Things fall apart, and there are a few adaptations coming out of the woodworks soon, but we need more. Here are five Nigerian novels that would make a splash if they ever made it to the big screen.
Purple Hibiscus
MisfitsPurple Hibiscus by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie has earned its spot in all of our hearts. If you went to a Nigerian secondary school, you know what I mean. Reading this book was everything, the dynamic between Kambili and Father Amadi is enough to have everyone’s blood boiling in anticipation.
Half Of A Yellow Sun already graced our screens, and we can only hope that Purple Hibiscus follows the same right of passage, as it should. The casting would be off the charts, we can only imagine who would play Kambili and the rest of her dysfunctional family, it will be interesting to see Kambili in 3D as she navigates life, love, family, religion, and domestic violence.
The Joys Of Motherhood
MisfitsThe Joys of Motherhood is a classic by the highly revered Buchi Emecheta, there’s no way this should be left with its untapped potential, it would be incredible to see Nnu Ego go through her struggles as a mother in a world that was deeply buried in patriarchy. The Joys Of Motherhood is just one of those books that you can’t let go of till you’ve read every page, and we have a strong feeling that a movie adaptation would be a whirlwind of emotions, in a good way.
Stay With Me
GoodreadsAyobami Adebayo’s Stay With Me is the kind of story that will leave you in your feelings in all sorts of ways, it tells the story of a young Nigerian couple trying to conceive a child. The series of events that follow will have you in a chokehold, the story delicately explores love, marriage, adultery, and everything in between.
Nearly All The Men In Lagos Are Mad
GoodreadsYes, Nearly All The Men In Lagos Are Mad is a collection of short stories, but we would be remiss not to take a stab at this. There are so many great stories in the mix that could be used as inspiration to create a full length movie. Damilare Kuku made each story captivating in a way that was just so simple and sweet. Cuck-Up and The Gigolo From Isale Eko are two stories from the great fountain of stories that could easily be made into movies on their own.
Honey and Spice
StylistHoney and Spice would be perfect when it comes to the romantic comedy genre. Bolu Babalola’s debut novel is everything and more when it comes to that department. It has passion, humor, twists, and turns. It follows a Nigerian British Woman, Kiki Banjo, who clearly has no interest in love, yet she finds herself in the middle of a fake relationship with a man that’s nothing but trouble.
If this doesn’t sound like a plot to a feel good romantic movie, i don’t know what will.
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