I have broken one of my sacred rules: always read the book before watching the adaptation.
In the past, this rule has prevented me from being a cult follower of the Instagram account Connell's Chain, because I refused to watch Paul Mescal on my screen before I read Sally Rooney's Normal People. I also missed out on Game of Thrones and Wuthering Heights, to name a few.
Nevertheless, unburdened by the fact I don't know whether or not it was a faithful adaptation, I blissfully watched the first episode of The Pursuit of Love on BBC 1... then immediately proceeded to watch the second and third on iPlayer.
I adore this type of escapist television. After the year we've all had I think it's definitely needed. The previous series to take this 9pm prime time Sunday spot was Line of Duty, and it has been argued that the police drama is not as fictional as one may think - or indeed hope. Whereas 1940s England and France comes to life and allows us to temporarily forget our problems, mainly being lockdowns.
It's fun to watch people party when we can't. I refuse to allow myself to feel jealously, only hope that one day we can all get back out there. Similarly, seeing the beautiful streets of Paris is making me itch to travel. Yet, it will be waiting for me when things are more settled.
During these Covid times, I cannot focus on reading for a long period of time. Television, however, I can manage. So perhaps I'll read The Pursuit of Love next year?
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