Plot differences

On this page, we will give an overview of the main differences between the plot of the novel Brick Lane (2003) by Monica Ali and the movie adaptation of the same name directed by Sarah Gavron in 2007.

One of the main differences between the novel and the film has to do with Rupban’s influence on Nazneen. In the novel, Nazneen is told the story of how she was left to her fate from a young age and this influences the way she lives her life. In particular, Nazneen learns that she has no control over her own life and must be content even with undesirable situations. In the film, however, Nazneen only reveals the story to the audience at the end, and it seems like it has much less of an impact on the way Nazneen behaves and Nazneen does not seem concerned with the idea of fate.

Moreover, in the novel, when Nazneen learns about Rupban’s suicide, this instantly prompts her to take control of her own life, so she does not end up like her mother. In the film, however, this revelation happens much earlier, and it is one of the things that triggers Nazneen’s illness. It still takes a long time after finding out this information before Nazneen decides to tell Karim she does not wish to marry him...