I was going to suggest Alan Garner, but not The Weirdstone of Brisingamen, because the story itself is fairly standard fantasy, it’s the writing which makes is so special. And I love the book so much it would break my heart to see it butchered.
But Redshift could make a wonderful film, well-handled.
But one book which has all the elements for a good film is Emma Bull’s War for the Oaks. With Johnny Depp as the phouka!
I forgot to say that I read somewhere that there was a film in production of Elizabeth Goudge’s The Little White Horse. This was a much loved book of my childhood, so I await the film with some trepidation. I’m not sure the limpid innocence of the story can be recaptured some fifty years after it was written.
Ah. I remember correctly. http://www.thelittlewhitehorse.com/movie.html
I started reading the series with The Dark Is Rising, and didn’t realize Over Sea, Under Stone was the first book until after I had finished the remaining books. After I had read it, I was disappointed. Nothing new really came to light (ha!), so I walked away thinking the book didn’t really fit with the others.
I disagree. He’s a very sympathetic character in The Dark Is Rising; in fact, he was pretty normal, an everyman (kid) who provided a way for me to relate to what was happening. He gets confused, makes mistakes and grows as a person. Probably a bit more reserved than most American characters, but I could relate to him.
In the remaining three, however, yeah, he’s more of a mini-Merriman. At that point, however, we’re supposed to be seeing what’s happening through other characters, so the depersonalization of Will doesn’t matter much; plus, it makes sense in regards to his training as an Old One.
Now, the Drew kids–them I could live without. I’m not sure how anyone else feels, but I was annoyed by these kids. Their presence in the books felt boisterous and loud; they didn’t feet with any of the other more muted and refined chracters. I kept wishing they’d go away.
Oh, and since a few of my other choices have been mentioned, I’d like to throw in Jennifer Roberson’s Cheysuli series.
What Anaamika said!
The only book I ever really liked from The Dark is Rising series was The Grey King, and that was because it was in Wales and had King Arthur.
Okay, you have a point about that particular book, but I stand by my statement that he would not be a good main character for the rest of the books. Maybe The Grey King as from Bran’s point of view? Although Will starts out the book as a sympathetic character.
I third this. Especially if they film it in Wales.
Argh. Came in to say they’re probably making D.I.R. and The Little White Horse.
I third the Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn trilogy. Who would they cast for Binabik?
Oh.
*Fire on the mountain
Shall find the Harp of Gold.
Played to wake the Sleepers,
Oldest of the old.
Power from the Greenwitch,
Lost beneath the sea.
All shall find the light at last,
Silver on the tree.*
I think the whole poem lodged itself into my brain when I was 11.