Will Lata ‘finally’ find herself a suitable boy?

Thank goodness for TV adaptations of classic novels.

Over the years, some have had their critics, but by and large they’re welcomed by the viewing public – especially those somewhat daunted by the idea of dipping into a massive tome.

No doubt millions are more familiar with Tolstoy’s War and Peace due to the BBC’s two takes on it (in 1972 and 2016), while the likes of Bleak House, The Way We Live Now, MIddlemarch and Vanity Fair have all been introduced to a wider audience via the small screen.

Now we can add Vikram Seth’s epic A Suitable Boy to the list.

The current paperback edition runs a whopping 1,504 pages, and while those who have read it will claim that the TV version understandably misses out some aspects of the novel, it covers all the important points.

And you never know, those who have enjoyed the series may even be inspired to pick up the book one day.

Andrew Davies, TV’s premier adapter of novels, was the man tasked with making Seth’s world work across six hour-long episodes.

It’s no mean feat, but it’s one he seems to have relished.

“I first read Vikram Seth’s lovely novel about 20 years ago when somebody asked me if I wanted to adapt it,” reveals Davies.

“I had the great pleasure of reading it and, at that time, I just felt it was perfect as it was, that maybe nobody should adapt it.

“But then in 2019 I got asked again.

“I had adapted War and Peace, a Russian masterpiece, and Les Misérables, a French masterpiece, so I thought it was a good time to work on an Indian masterpiece, and it’s been such a joy.

“The adaptation process was pretty difficult as there is so much story in the novel.

“I concentrated on the two characters of Lata and Maan and restricted myself to the aspects of the story that they concern.

“That was the guiding principle; it was a long process to distil it down to six hours.”

The process was made easier by the fact that Seth himself was on hand to offer advice.

“It’s been an absolute pleasure and a privilege to work with Vikram,” says Davies.

“I was so honoured that he approved of me to adapt his wonderful novel.

“He’s been a delightful companion, very generous and sharing.

“Of course he’s so knowledgeable about the project that I’ve been able to draw from him personally, as well as from the book, so it’s been great.

“I’ve made a friend in him, which is lovely.”

As viewers prepare for the final episode, what does Davies hope they will have taken from his adaptation?

“I would like the audience to be thrilled and moved, and also to learn something about what India has gone through in the last 50, 60 or 70 years.

“It’s a great story and it’s got such lovely characters.

“It is funny as well – I think our audience will have laughed a lot.”

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