FROM THE PAGE TO THE PICTURES: The Vine’s Top 10 Modern Book-To-Film Adaptations
6. 12 Years a Slave
Based on Solomon Northup’s own memoir, the Oscar-winning film retells Northup’s tragic tale, from living as a free black violinist kidnapped and sold into slavery. Steve McQueen‘s adaption really captured the unimaginable struggles of Solomon’s life, working on a plantation in New Orleans. Recounting the 12 years he experiences life under different slave owners, the film is a difficult but important watch, and doesn’t shy away from Solomon’s explicit and gruesome treatment.