I wrote an article a few months back about my love for The Lizzie Bennet Diaries. For those who have not watched it, LBD is a modern take on Jane Austen’s novel Pride and Prejudice. The same talented group of folks followed it up with Emma Approved, which is still ongoing. Bernie Su, the creator, made another announcement recently that the next series would be Victoria Frankenstein, M.D. You can guess what book that is based off of. Since watching LBD, I have noticed a slew of web series cropping up based on classic books.
As a book lover, I could not help but check many of these series out. I’ve found series based on Jane Eyre and Anne of Green Gables. Some of them are better than others. It’s a bit strange seeing childhood books being translated into modern blogs. All of these books mentioned have been made into movies or miniseries that were closer to the source material. Hollywood is eating up books right now to make into movies. It just feels odd to me to see these famous characters on YouTube. However, I don’t think it’s a bad thing. These web series can get people to check out the books. If it revives interest in these classic tales and helps society increase its literacy I am all for it. They are taking these novels and translating them into the modern world. If Lizzie is a grad student in this modern age then all the power to her.
There is a new novel vlog series I started watching the other day. I really couldn’t stop watching it when I started. The fanciful tale of Peter Pan was turned into The New Adventures of Peter and Wendy. It’s being made by EpicRobotTV. One of the producers from LBD, Jenni Powell, is involved as well. Instead of children prancing through fanciful lands and nurseries we have late 20-somethings trying to make sense of life. It’s like an episode of New Girl meets Disney films. It’s not for kid consumption. Peter Pan is slacker who gets stoned off fairy dust and Wendy is the do-gooder who wants to get out of town. It’s a really funny mix. I’ve had plenty of laughs watching it so far.
Although the quality of these productions varies I believe that there are worse YouTube trends out there. These videos are not encouraging youth to swallow cinnamon or place ice cubes and salt on their bodies. They are getting people to rediscover some amazing literature.
