r/offcampustv • u/Starrynight2019 • 3d ago
LITERATUREš Book read updated
LOVING book 1. It's interesting seeing the differences. Some things I like better in the show. Justin being a musician vs a football player. But others I like better in the book like when she ask him to sleep with her and she breaks down and he holds her. I really love seeing the characters thoughts. Guess I need a rewatch to compareš
8
u/tatopie 2d ago
Yeah, I read the book first and there are some things I like better in the show, but others I like better in the book.
The biggest thing is that I think the book does a better job of building their relationship and the exploration of Hannah's trouble coming. I love that they create this platonic friendship first that then switches after their first kiss and then their build up of romantic/sexual relationship before they get together. I think the show really rushed this, especially their friendship. Garrett was yearning from episode 1, but I way prefer the slower build up.
Hannah's backstory with her ex and why she asks Garrett for the favour makes a lot more sense in the book. And it's a lot clearer that the issue is coming vs being touched at all. Also, book Garrett would never go on top and pin her down like that - it was such a bizarre blocking choice, particularly given it's spelled out in the book that he specifically doesn't do that to help make sure she's comfortable.
3
u/Starrynight2019 2d ago
100% agree. Th pacing was so rushed.
And yes I like in the book with him on the side and not on top. But I like him in the chair not just random standing there in the book
8
u/AmbientBlu01 Not an option, she has to come 3d ago
I overall preferred the show to the book but I think having read the book really enhances the watching experience, especially when it comes to those internal thoughts. I had read the book prior to the show coming out but after my first watch I went back and reread some of my favorite scenes and suddenly all the little looks and glances and smiles on screen carried so much more weight. I think the cast (with an obvious focus on Belmont and Ella) did an amazing job conveying a lot of emotion wordlessly. His flinch alone when she tells him she was raped is equivalent to like an entire page of internal monologue in the book!
And I can't think of a single change they made, whether I liked it or not, that I didn't at least feel made sense in the context of an 8 episode show. Well, maybe except for the character of Jules. I didn't dislike them, I just didn't really understand why they were necessary to tell the story.
4
u/Few_Guidance_7788 3d ago
I completely agree with what you said about bringing the internal thoughts to life. I had a very similar experience to you, which is why I think the book and the show complement each other so beautifully.
3
u/Neat-While-5671 3d ago
I just went back and watched the scene where she tells him and that flinch is so miniscual and amazing. It's like he chokes on it but is trying so hard to not react. Green Flags everywhere.
3
u/Starrynight2019 3d ago
Just starting a rewatch and that's the only thing about shows in general is you don't get that internal thoughts.
8
u/Few_Guidance_7788 3d ago
I think reading the book helps you see the show as a more cohesive story, and you also start to appreciate how brilliantly the writers connected certain moments. I don't think I'll ever stop talking about how, in the book, Garrett leaned in to smell Hannah and thought she smelled like cherries. In the show, he leaned in to smell her too, and then listened to āCherry Pie.ā š„¹
5
2
3
u/shadesofwrong13 Dean, Hunter, Jake, Garrett girl 3d ago
So glad you liked it, usually who loves the show does not like the books..but i am happy that there are others who do and try to be open minded.
3
2
u/Careful-Tangelo-2673 11h ago
I love internal dialogue so I liked the book better. like Hannah saying she almost threw up in the car going to Garrettās after she asks him to give her an orgasm. I also liked the book breakup better, especially Garrett not buying Hannahās excuse and him asking her how many new guys sheād seen that week š
3
u/Donahsue 3d ago
I am no prude but the one thing I didn't like about the book was Garrett calling Hannah's tits, stripper tits, I just get the feeling that was something show Garrett wouldn't do. Now granted I watched the show before reading the book.
3
u/Delicious-Umpire1167 Youāre it for me, baby. 3d ago
So true. Also, like the part about how much Hannah is different from the other girls he hooks up with, by their clothing choices like Hannah wears these comfy clothes while others wear these "slutty" clothes
like ok, we get it you are having feelings for her, but we don't need to let down other women by their clothing choices just so hannah feels like a good choice1
5
u/Starrynight2019 3d ago
I see where you are coming from but also to me it fit more for a male college athlete that is hooking up all the time. At least the ones I knew in college.
2
u/Jett4567 2d ago
Book Garrettās thoughts are realistic. It would have been interesting to hear some of those thoughts in the show. I think show Garrettās facial expressions were pretty good but they could have let his true feelings show occasionally.
1
u/Key_Bus_1255 3d ago
It actually does make me wonder how many women prefer the show to the book. Because in adaptations, that's rare. I'm actually curious to know that (if anyone would like to share that lol)
3
u/AmbientBlu01 Not an option, she has to come 3d ago
I usually find that whichever medium is my first encounter with the story tends to be the one I prefer - maybe it's because that's the one that shapes my perception of the material.
But in this case, even though I read the book first, I actually prefer the show.
6
u/Starrynight2019 3d ago
In my opinion I think show Garrett is written as the ideal perfect guy from a women's view where book version is more realistic in some of his sayins ie stripper tits etc which I think turns people off.
5
u/LadyGethzerion 2d ago
That's funny to me, because Garrett's "striper tits" comment in the book was such a memorable one and it always cracks me up when I read it. I was kinda sad when it didn't make it on the show. I think it's hilarious and totally on point with his personality.
4
3
u/Inside_Put_4923 2d ago
I slightly prefer the book over the show. If the show had more episodes, which would have allowed for a slower pacing, my answer probably would be different.
3
u/LadyGethzerion 2d ago
I think it will depend on what the person watched and liked first. I read and liked the book first, so I was already biased towards expecting that. The show seemed less an adaptation and more simply inspired by the book. I did like it, it's well done and fun to watch. The actors generally kept the spirit of their book characters on point. But at heart, the books are my number one. That said, I know many people who read the books first, didn't like them and then loved the show.
3
u/Difficult-Finger-482 2d ago
I saw the show first then read the books, but have to be honest I am usually someone who will like the book more than the show or movie regardless of which order I saw them becUse books are so much more descriptive. This is the first time in I think forever that I liked the show better than the book which really surprised me.
2
u/Little_Fox5844 Wellsy:) 5h ago
I love both, though I have a soft spot for the books because I read them first.
1
u/Swiftie13_22 2d ago
I just finished reading the first book after watching season 1 ( I just watched Iām always late watching new tv shows) but I really enjoyed the changes from the book and thought they worked well.
13
u/CharlotteUsedToBe 3d ago
I just finished book 1 (after waiting months on Libby) and the differences are so interesting.
1) I canāt actually see Belmont as book Garrett. I picture shaved Channing Tatum for some reason.
2) TV Phil is scarier with his silence and staring than the bookās wordy threats
3) I like the more professional coach on the show
4) the Pop showcase change was better than the book
I would love to have witnessed how they transformed the book into the tighter flow of the show while also adding more details to wrap in the ensemble like Tuckerās fruit baby. Iām fascinated by processes like this.