The Books Behind This Year’s Oscar Nominees

Remarque wanted to describe, as realistically as possible, the horrors of trench warfare during World War I and the scars it left on an entire generation; his efforts made “All Quiet on the Western Front” one of the greatest war books of all time. Nearly 100 years after the book’s initial release, the first German movie adaptation came out — and it’s nominated for Best Picture, along with a whopping eight other nominations.

After learning about horrifically real violence against many women in a Mennonite community, Toews took up the seemingly impossible task of fictionalizing both the terror and the hope those women experienced. Through a remarkably mundane framing device, Toews captures the power and resilience of this community. The film version of “Women Talking” is in contention for Best Picture and Best Adapted Screenplay.

Tolstoy’s novella provides the loose basis for the film “Living,” whose star, Bill Nighy, is in the running for Best Lead Actor. “The Death of Ivan Ilych,” which explores what makes a well-lived life, is one of the more accessible works of Tolstoy’s (for those not ready to commit to “War and Peace”).

For anyone who only knew the story of Pinocchio from the Disney film (no, not the 2022 live-action one) and then saw Guillermo del Toro’s much darker version, prepare to be surprised again when reading the strange and scary original story. (Spoiler alert: “The Talking Cricket,” as he’s known in the book, dies in the span of two pages.) Del Toro’s interpretation is up for Best Animated Feature Film.

This feel-good book follows Mrs. Harris on her quest to travel to Paris and buy her very own Dior dress — quite the feat for a poor housekeeper in London who’s getting on in years. But Mrs. Harris doesn’t shy away from a challenge, and her adventures in fashion and matchmaking make this book an endearing read for those who believe in the power of perseverance. Jenny Beavan did the costume designs in the film adaptation, and is up for the Best Costume Design Oscar.