From Hardback to Hollywood

Spurred on by the critical and commercial success of award-winning movie Precious adapted from the novel Push by Sapphire,  we’ve compiled a list of the black books you must read before they hit the big screen.

For Colored Girls... by Ntozake Shange - Cover

Title:  For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide When the Rainbow Is Enuf (film due: 2011)
Writer: Ntozake Shange
Director: Tyler Perry
The Book: This dramatic prose poem was first published in 1975 by playwright Ntozake Shange. It enjoyed critical acclaim on Broadway. The characters are all women each telling their stories using poetry and songs. The women’s names each represent a colour in the rainbow, giving them a mysterious identity. Their powerful words reflect the struggles of black women in the 20th century. The book comes with stage directions, giving the reader the vivid message of the production.
The Film: This will be the first time Tyler Perry will be directing a film he has not written. His company 34th St Films is developing it. Filming started in Atlanta in November 2009 with stars Mariah Carey, Whoopi Goldberg, Janet Jackson, Kerry Washington, Phylicia Rashad and Macy Gray.

Title: Little Scarlet (film due: 2010)
Writer: Walter Mosley
The Book: This is Walter Mosley’s eighth book in the Easy Rawlins’ series. This mystery is set during the Los Angeles Watts Riots in 1965. Easy is an unlicensed private investigator recruited by a white cop to investigate the murder of a young black woman. For his investigation, Easy’s got the help of  Mouse, his psychotic cousin and frequent sidekick. Little Scarlet is a classic murder mystery drama interwoven with a look at race and relations during 1960s America.
The Film: Denzel Washington and Don Cheadle originally portrayed the characters in 1995’s Devil in a Blue Dress. This time around actor/rapper Mos Def will be portraying Mouse whilst Jeffrey Wright was once attached to the film to play Easy Rawlins.

Title: Mama Black Widow (film due: 2011)
Author: Iceberg Slim (Robert Beck)
The Book: Iceberg Slim, real name Robert Beck, is best known for his novel Pimp, a compelling story  of pimping, drugs and urban hustling in the streets of America. Iceberg Slim’s books became the best selling black novels of the mid 60s and 70s. Mama Black Widow is a fictional tale about a Drag Queen of Chicago named Otis Tilson. It is set in the 1930s and 40s and tells the story of his family’s move from the rural south to the city of Chicago and charts the family’s decline under the negative influences of city life.
The Film: Actors Anthony Anderson and Mos Def will star in the film. Kerry Washington was once mentioned as a female lead and singer Rihanna was rumoured to be considered for a role. She has since denied the claim.

Title: Nappily Ever After (film due: 2010)
Writer: Trisha R Thomas
The Book: The first book in the Nappily series introduces Venus Johnson as a young woman who lives the picture perfect life with a great job, a house and a loving boyfriend. And the crown to this life is her long, beautiful, straight hair. But the day Venus decides to cut it and go for a short natural look, her world drastically changes. Nappily Ever After explores what is truly important versus what culture and society often dictates. Trisha Thomas writes with both humour and depth as she chronicles Venus’ search for true happiness.
The Film: Halle Berry has given numerous interviews about playing the part of Venus in the movie. The film is currently in production but the actress no longer seems to be attached to it.

Title: The Coldest Winter Ever
Author: Sister Souljah
The Book: Winter Santiaga is the spoilt pampered daughter of a big time drug dealer, who will not let anything get in her way. When her father is imprisoned she takes over his business to maintain her lavish lifestyle. This decision takes her down a path that she soon has no control over. Winter is not a lovable character but through her story Sister Souljah gives her readers a coming of age tale set in a world of violence and drugs in New York city. Written in the jargon of the hip hop youth of the time, the author’s message about the dangers of greed is clearly portrayed.
The Film: There has been buzz about a film adaptation since 2005 with HBO once owning the film rights. Jada Pinkett Smith was also reported to be the executive producer and a possible lead to play Winter Santiaga. Sister Souljah has written the screenplay and is still determined to bring it to the screen.

Title: A Piece of Cake
Writer: Cupcake Brown
The Book: A Piece of Cake is the moving autobiographical story of Cupcake Brown.  She gives a harrowing account of her childhood, from age 11 in foster care to a life of prostitution, drug addiction and homelessness. A Piece of Cake is not a story for the faint hearted as the author is frank about the nightmare she survived. But the true beauty in the story is Cupcake Brown’s journey to beating her addictions and becoming a lawyer.
The Film: Cupcake Brown has now taken a break from practicing law to write the screenplay for her novel.

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