"Some authors have a very hard time understanding that in order to be faithful to the spirit of the book, it's almost always impossible to remain faithful to the text. You have to make changes"

This quote by Richard Russo talks to the difficulty of adjusting a book into a movie or play. Russo is suggesting that it is impossible to remain loyal to the text of the book while likewise being devoted to the spirit of the book. He is saying that changes need to be made in order to catch the essence of the book. This might indicate altering the order of occasions, including or eliminating characters, or perhaps altering the ending. Russo is stressing that it is necessary to stay real to the spirit of the book, even if that implies making changes to the text. He is suggesting that it is much better to make modifications that record the essence of the book than to stay loyal to the text and lose the spirit of the book. Russo's quote speaks to the problem of adjusting a book into a movie or play, and the importance of staying true to the spirit of the book.