Whether you love getting lost in a good book or diving into a brilliant movie, there’s always a story out there that evokes the waterworks. And what describes ‘human connection’ better than being able to empathise with a sad story. So grab your tissues as we unpack four of the best books that are now also movies – bound to have you in tears.
Me Before You by Jojo Moyes
This book tells the beautiful (and painfully sad) story of Louisa Clark, a quirky waitress who leads an ordinary life that navigates between family, a stable relationship and work.
After losing her job, she starts working for the Traynors, a wealthy and successful family desperately seeking someone who can assist their son, Will. He was left paralysed after a motorcycle accident and now no longer finds joy in day-to-day living. However, after Louisa enters his life, she becomes the light that makes his days more bearable.
This book has been adapted into a film which was released in 2016, and is currently streaming on Netflix.
The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
An absolute classic if there ever was one! This book tells the tragic tale of Jay Gatsby, a self-made millionaire who is determined to reconnect with the love of his life, Daisy Buchanan, a wealthy young woman whom he loved in his youth but is now married to Tom Buchanan. The book is narrated by Nick Carraway, a Yale University graduate who moves to New York after World War I to pursue a career in bonds. Tragedy, excitement, fantasy and despair drives this novel to perfection and leads to a painful demise.
Even though the movie depicted the novel brilliantly, Nick and Jordan’s relationship is unpacked in much more detail in the book so if you’re looking for an in-depth reading of this story, then the book will certainly be the better option. This movie was released in 2013 and is currently streaming on Netflix.
The Fault in Our Stars by John Green
The story is narrated by Hazel Grace Lancaster, a 16-year-old girl with thyroid cancer that has affected her lungs. Hazel is forced by her parents to attend a support group where she meets and falls in love with 17-year-old Augustus Waters, an ex-basketball player and amputee. The pair venture out on a crazy ride of emotions where love, sadness and romance becomes the pivotal point, as they search for their favourite author in Amsterdam.
This remarkable book was adapted into a movie in 2014 and is sure to have you bawling!
Marley & Me by John Grogan
Some of the best novels have dogs in them, and this story is the perfect example of it. The book follows the heart-warming and unforgettable tale a young couple starting their new journey in a new house with a new dog who can be classified as relatively neurotic. Eventually children gets added into the madness while Marley, the dog, never loses that wild, rambunctious, and playful side.
This story offers a host of emotions that will have you laughing now, and crying moments later and it tells the tale of what’s really important in life. This book was adapted into a movie in 2008 and is a must-see that will tug at your heart strings.
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