Soman Chainani’s hit novel, The School For Good and Evil, was recently released as a Netflix movie on October 19th, 2022. It follows the story of two young girls, Sophie and Agatha, who are whisked away to a fairytale world where they are either trained as villains in the School for Evil or heroes in the School for Good. Despite their beliefs, Sophie is placed in the School for Evil while Agatha attends the School For Good, leading to an onslaught of adventure and excitement.
However, there are several differences between the book and movie adaption.
- Sophie and Agatha’s Friendship
- Book: Sophie was extremely popular among the other villagers and was only friends with Agatha to improve her image and paint herself as a benevolent saint.
- Movie: Sophie willingly became friends with Agatha and enjoyed her company, leading to her becoming ostracized by the other village kids who found the two of them weird.
- The Rules for Good and Evil
- Book: The Rules for Good and Evil are as followed “The Evil attack. The Good defend. The Evil punish. The Good forgive. The Evil hurt. The Good help. The Evil take. The Good give. The Evil hate. The Good love”.
- Movie: The only rule mentioned is that “The Evil attack. The Good defend”.
- Trial by Tale
- Book: Trial by Tale was originally a competition between the School for Good and the School for Evil. The top students from each school were selected and would face horrific monsters and dangers in the Blue Forest. Afterwards, any student who has survived by sunrise, would be proclaimed the winner.
- Movie: Trial by Tale is a test to see if Sophie and Tedros were actually each others true love. They would start at opposite sides of the forest and if they managed to reunite with each other, Sophie would be allowed to attend the School for Good with Tedros.
- The Circus of Talents
- Book: The Circus of Talents was a show between the Evers and Nevers to decide which school would host the Theater of Tales.
- Movie: There is no Circus of Talents.
- Lady Lesso’s Origin
- Book: Lady Lesso is from The Endless Words.
- Movie: Lady Lesso is originally from Gavaldon, like Sophie and Agatha.
- Gregor
- Book: Gregor does not exist at all.
- Movie: Gregor is the son of Cinderella and Prince Charming. However, despite his royal lineage, Gregor fails miserably at being a prince and aspires to run his own grocery store, leading to him being turned into a stymph after his third fail.
- Blood Magic
- Book: There is no such thing as blood magic.
- Movie: Blood magic is a dark but powerful type of magic that is used by both Rafal and Sophie.
- Sader
- Book: Sader taught History of Heroism at the School for Good and was also a blind seer that guides Agatha along her journey by sharing his visions.
- Movie: Sader is not present at all.
- Lady Lesso and Rafal
- Book: There is no romantic relationship between Lady Lesso and Rafal.
- Movie: Lady Lesso was originally in love with Rafal and attempted to win him over by becoming more and more evil.
- The Bridge
- Book: At the bridge, there is a barrier between the two schools, preventing anybody good from going to the School for Evil as well as preventing anybody evil from going to the School for Good.
- Movie: There is no barrier between the School for Good and the School for Evil.
The School for Good and Evil by Soman Chainani is available to check out from the Mission Viejo Library. It is also available to download for free from Libby.