Argylle, the new spy action comedy now in theaters, explores a unique premise. The film follows a reclusive author whose real-life experiences mirror her own spy novel’s plot. What adds to the intrigue is that the novel in the movie was written by the character herself. This concept isn’t new; there’s a genre of books that transcend their fictional origins, blurring the lines between reality and imagination. Some books, initially mentioned within novels, films, or TV shows, have gone on to be published as standalone works. Here are 10 examples of Argylle and other fictional books from films and TV that you can read in real life that originated as details within other stories.
1. Argylle
Argylle, written by Elle Conway, is a thriller novel featuring spy agent Argylle on a mission to recover the lost Amber Room. The book claims to be adapted into a film starring Henry Cavill, Bryce Dallas Howard, and Dua Lipa. However, the twist is that Elle Conway is a fictional character in the movie, an introverted spy novelist caught up in the mission. The book’s release before the film serves as a clever stunt for immersive promotion in Matthew Vaughn’s world. The true identity of Elle Conway remains a mystery, despite online theories, including one linking her to Taylor Swift, which Vaughn has denied.
2. Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them by J K Rowling
J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter series is known for its rich details, including the books Hogwarts students study. One standout is “Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them,” written by Rowling in 2001. This encyclopedic guide, penned by the fictional Newt Scamander, explores magical creatures in the wizarding world. It later became the basis for a film franchise of the same name.
3. The Secret Diary of Laura Palmer by Jennifer Lynch
The 1990s TV serial drama Twin Peaks, created by Mark Frost and David Lynch, achieved significant success. The first season revolved around FBI Special Agent Dale Cooper investigating the murder of high school student Laura Palmer. A spin-off novel titled “The Secret Diary of Laura Palmer” was published between seasons one and two, providing fans with deeper insights into Twin Peaks and Laura’s psyche. Written by Jennifer Lynch, David Lynch’s daughter, the novel even made it to The New York Times’ bestseller list.
4. Bad Twin by Gary Troup
James Ford, aka Sawyer, the anti-hero in the TV series Lost, was known for his cunning and sarcastic nature, along with his love for reading. In one episode, he reads the manuscript of a fictional pulp noir mystery novel titled “Bad Twin.” The book, written by the fictional author Gary Troup, who was also a passenger on Oceanic Flight 815, follows the story of a private investigator named Paul Artisan entangled in a web of conspiracy theories while searching for a man’s identical twin. “Bad Twin,” published in 2006, was actually written by ghostwriter Laurence Shames.
5. Murder, She Wrote by Jessica Fletcher
Dame Angela Lansbury’s iconic character Jessica Fletcher from “Murder, She Wrote” was a beloved and witty detective in the 1980s and ’90s. Besides being a retired English teacher and amateur detective in the TV series, Jessica Fletcher wrote numerous novels under the pen name JB Fletcher. Over 50 original novels have been published by the New American Library under Jessica Fletcher’s name, authored by various ghostwriters. Though not featured in the TV series, these novels serve as extensions of the show, depicting Fletcher simultaneously writing and solving the crimes.
6. Look Out for the Little Guy by Scott Lang
This isn’t a memoir by actor Paul Rudd but a fictional one from his Marvel character Scott Lang, aka Ant-Man. While the Ant-Man trilogy might not be Marvel’s most popular, Lang is considered one of the more relatable superheroes. In the memoir, Lang delves into the challenges of balancing life as a real superhero and a divorced father, recounting his experiences with the Avengers and facing the formidable Thanos.
7. A Woman First: First Woman: A Memoir by Selina Meyer
Selina Meyer, portrayed by Julia Louis-Dreyfus in HBO’s political satire series Veep, is a flawed, ambitious, and hilarious fictional character. As the vice president of the US, Meyer and her team aim to establish a lasting legacy but frequently navigate the absurdities of government intricacies.
In her memoir, presented as a first-person account in character, Meyer shares with readers more of the qualities that make her beloved, along with insights into her time in office.
8. Carry On by Rainbow Rowell
Rainbow Rowell’s well-received novel “Fangirl” explores the world of fan culture, with the protagonist Cath Avery deeply engrossed in a Harry Potter-inspired fan fiction series named Simon Snow. Responding to the shared enthusiasm of both the character and readers for this fictional series, Rowell went on to publish “Carry On” in 2015. This standalone novel delves into the magical adventures of Simon Snow, expanding on the fictional world introduced in “Fangirl.”
9. The Bro Code by Barney Stinson and Matt Kuhn
Barney Stinson, portrayed by Neil Patrick Harris in the sitcom How I Met Your Mother, is a memorable character known for his opinions, manipulation, and love for expensive suits. His personal philosophy, “the bro code,” is a recurring theme. Fans of the series and Barney’s humor can now enjoy his witticisms in his manifesto, a guidebook that lays out the simple and complex rules for male friendship.
10. Ghosts from our Past by Erin Gilbert, Abby L Yates and Andrew Shaffer
“Ghosts from Our Past” is co-authored by two fictional characters, Abby L. Yates and Erin Gilbert, portrayed by Melissa McCarthy and Kristen Wiig in the 2016 Ghostbusters remake. The real-life author Andrew Shaffer collaborated to create an updated version of the paranormal book. This edition includes personal childhood experiences with ghosts and provides a comprehensive history of the supernatural.
Here are also some books based on films or TV shows
you’re interested in reading books based on films or TV shows, here are some examples from popular franchises:
- Harry Potter Series by J.K. Rowling: The book series that inspired the immensely successful film adaptations.
- Game of Thrones Series by George R.R. Martin: “A Song of Ice and Fire” series served as the source material for the “Game of Thrones” TV series.
3. Lord of the Rings Series by J.R.R. Tolkien: The classic fantasy series that inspired the film adaptations directed by Peter Jackson.
4. The Expanse Series by James S.A. Corey: The book series that inspired the TV series “The Expanse.”
5. The Witcher Series by Andrzej Sapkowski: The book series that inspired the popular Netflix series “The Witcher.”
6. The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood: The novel that inspired the TV series of the same name.
If “Argylle” is a recent addition to this category, make sure to explore the latest book releases and announcements for accurate information.
You May Also Like: Horror author Stephen King says publishing house mergers hurt writers
I loved as much as youll receive carried out right here The sketch is attractive your authored material stylish nonetheless you command get bought an nervousness over that you wish be delivering the following unwell unquestionably come more formerly again as exactly the same nearly a lot often inside case you shield this hike