Based on: Ordinary People by Judith Guest

Year published: 1976

Guest’s now classic debut novel was actually turned down twice before it was published. One publisher said in the rejection letter, “While the book has some satiric bite, overall the level of writing does not sustain interest and we will have to decline it.”

Obviously they were wrong: The novel caught the interest of Robert Redford, who liked it so much he bought the film rights for his directorial debut. The movie went on to win four Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Director.