Colleen Hoover's bestselling novel It Ends With Us is set for a film adaptation, hitting theatres on August 9. The movie will feature Blake Lively as Lily Bloom, a character who deals with the complexities of domestic violence.
Colleen Hoover's It Ends With Us Starring Blake Lively Releasing Soon
First published in 2016, It Ends With Us gained a significant following, especially on BookTok, TikTok's book community, during the COVID-19 pandemic. This surge in popularity also landed the novel on the New York Times paperback trade fiction bestseller list.
In a recent interview with Entertainment Tonight at Colleen Hoover's annual event, Book Bonanza 2024, Lively addressed fans' concerns about the adaptation. She acknowledged the differences between books and movies, stating, "Some people will always like a book better than a movie and some people like a movie better than the book, but I think that we just did our best to honour the book and honour the fans, and, I think, really make something that works even by itself."
Inspired by Personal Experiences
Colleen Hoover, known for her works that dance between contemporary romance and thrilling suspense, her books have garnered a substantial following, with readers either singing her praises or dragging her work. However, it's precisely this spotlight that has fueled an ongoing debate about the author's contributions to literature. The controversy revolves around Hoover's portrayal of real-world issues, leaving readers divided on the merits of her narratives.
It Ends With Us draws inspiration from Hoover's own parents, adding a personal touch to its narrative about the cycle of domestic violence. On one side of the spectrum, many commend Hoover for her thought-provoking exploration of sensitive topics, such as abuse and mental trauma. The others slam her portrayal of it. Some sections of readers, however, are multifaceted in their opinions. Suditi Ramachandani, a reader, shared her views.
Suditi states, "I have read her books and I do find some of them problematic, but while people usually find It Ends With Us and Ugly Love contentious, I think they portray the issues of abuse and mental trauma well. Especially in It Ends With Us, as a reader, you see the book through Lily's lens and so you love Ryle in the same light she does. It immerses you in the psyche of Lily and makes you understand that there is an emotional component involved in the cycle of abuse, it makes you understand why people don't walk out of abusive relationships off the bat. It challenges the over-simplification of people saying "Just leave them," because underneath the ugliness there was once love."
Others hail Hoover for her distinctive characterisations and her ability to craft thrilling narratives that veer into the darker corners of human nature. Mary Suzanne, a reader, describes Hoover's books as fun and occasionally chilling.
Suzanne shares, "I think her books are basic. They're not very significant, in my opinion, but they're fun to read sometimes. I like the way she defines her characters. She writes the thriller genre way better than contemporary romance, for sure. Verity was bone-chilling, it kept me on the edge of my seat, and of course, that book astounded readers with the mystery, the darkness, and the vileness of human nature. Sure, it's controversial too, but Hoover knew what she was doing. Some think it's genius, and some are genuinely disturbed. She evokes polarity like no other."
On the other side of the debate, readers like Pragya Jain voice their concerns about Hoover's work. They argue that Hoover's narratives often recycle themes and concepts across her books. Hoover's characters, according to these readers, bear trauma to an extent that sometimes seems unnecessary and unrealistic.
Pragya declares, "My initial foray into reading books began with Colleen Hoover's. I've read a lot of her books, and I can safely say that she reuses narratives and concepts across her work. The middle of her books is almost always muddled. The characters seem to possess trauma to a level that is unnecessary and unreal. Their plot conflicts seem too exaggerated to be true, but that's fiction for you, I suppose."
Here are some diverse views of readers online:
Just finished #Verity by #ColleenHoover and holy moly what a book. *shudders*
— Audrey (@bossya12) October 25, 2023
Definitely one of a kind. 😵
Colleen Hoover books make my body cringe please grow up and get off Wattpad
— Passant Hassan (@plovesmonolink) October 31, 2023
why people like colleen hoover is something that still actively confuses me.
— autumn (@kuchkarlomana) November 1, 2023
Colleen Hoover is a highly overrated author and I want y’all to stop hyping her books
— Liz (@lizmaria__) October 31, 2023
Colleen Hoover books are amazing
— BIGLAJ (@alajahbeauty) October 30, 2023
Gonna give myself a real scare this Halloween by reading a Colleen Hoover novel
— Osmar Montiel| (@Oso_Montiel03) November 1, 2023
I need to read a nice Colleen Hoover book so I can start romanticizing my life again
— Venoo (@Venoo_k) November 2, 2023
In the grand tapestry of literature, Colleen Hoover stands as a polarising figure, celebrated for her riveting storytelling while simultaneously inviting criticism for the content she chooses to weave into her narratives.
Ultimately, the ongoing debate surrounding Hoover's books illustrates the diversity of perspectives that the world of literature has to offer, showcasing the power of stories to both unite and divide.
Views expressed by the author are their own