Writing Wednesday: Darkly Dreaming Dexter, a TV show better than the original book? MADNESS.

"Another beautiful Miami day.

 Mutilated corpses with a chance of afternoon showers."

- Darkly Dreaming Dexter, Jeff Lindsay

As any aspiring writer should, I try to always read the original book of a movie/TV adaption. The only book I refuse to do this for is Big Fish because I'm too scared of the possibly of not liking it. But everything else, I want to read the original, I want to support the author. 

So naturally, as a fan of the Dexter television series I needed to read the book. I finished it Tuesday afternoon, and it took me far too long to read a book that short. I had a hard time feeling compelled to read it since I knew the outcome, at least until the book took a weird turn that didn't occur in the first season of the show. Now that I'm done, I feel weird writing a review of this book because I've never truly and completely liked a TV/movie more than the original book. Live-action and even cartoon adaptions never do the author's words justice. But that's not the case with this book. 

I could tell he was a newbie writer. Things were repetitive. For example, Dexter had to keep telling us he was an unfeeling monster. And we got it after the first chapter. It didn't need to be spelled out for us, after he murders someone. The book also felt rushed, and not thought out until the end. It was as though, Jeff Lindsay knew the beginning and ending but didn't know how to connect the two. 

The best difference is Deb. Even LaGuerta. I'm glad they get more screen time in the series, but they are better characters in the book. Rita too! Oh my gosh, she's in the book so little I almost forgot about her. There's stuff about each of the women that I love in the show, but things I love just as much (if not more) in the book that they changed. One thing I realized during the last season of the show is that it's pseudo-feminist. They try to tell us the women are strong and independent but the women all rely on the men for just about everything. The men rely on no one, not even each other. Deb is like that in the book, but LaGuerta isn't. She's more sexualized in the book, but a slight bit more badass. 

Overall, I would give the book a 2.5. Feel free to voice your opinions in the comments!

Also, I'm excited for the new season even though some think it should have ended early. What do you think?

Trash Talk Tuesday: Season one of Pretty Little Liars

"Got a secret. Can you keep it?
Swear this one you'll save
Better lock it, in your pocket
Taking this one to the grave
If I show you then they know it
Won't tell what I said
Cause two can keep a secret
If one of them is dead…"

- "Secret" by The Pierces

Spoiler alert if you haven't seen the show.

 

Some of have judged me for even bothering to watch Pretty Little Liars but since I have nothing to do (besides study for the GRE), I have been rewatching the show. After finishing the first season, I was left wondering: Why did I ever start this show in the first place? 

But I did. And I love it. But I think it is incredibly stupid. Especially when rewatching it, and having the knowledge from the later seasons. I'll keep my judgements short, since I do love the show. I've picked two things that made the first season hard to re-see. 

#1 Ali's brother Jason. I understand that the writers have no way of preventing actors from leaving the show, but Jason has a totally different personality, tone, demeanor, and everything in the first season. He comes off like an Ivy league rich boy creep. In the second season he suddenly looks like a Hanson brother. 

#2 How the hell did "A" who is supposed to be Mona, (and from my knowledge, only Mona) in the first season push Ian off that ledge? He looks at her, sees who it is, is scared, and then she able to push him off a ledge? He is a big dude, and she is tiny girl. Not believable. The hooded figure didn't even look as short as Mona. I'm hoping when they find out its Mona the liars question this and give me an answer. 

So, I'm looking forward to the new season and I've already started rewatching the second but I'm majorly judging. Feel free to judge me right back in the comments, I would love some explanation.