TV series.
- because glib ‘mummy’ jokes didn’t sit alongside the issue of domestic violence.
- the soundtrack (it’s brilliant and, like all the very best soundtracks, plays an important part in the telling of the story).
- the real estate.
- there’s a build up to the big twist but minus the protracted suspense of the book.
- for Reese Witherspoon.
I cant judge since I’ve neither read the book nor seen the series. In fact I dont even know what it’s all about 🙂
Read the book! If you’re a fan of suspense and story-building, you’ll probably enjoy it.
Certainly my feelings. I read the book some time ago but thought the miniseries was way over the top
It seems real fans of the book didn’t enjoy the tv series much and vice versa (not helpful for deciding whether or not to read it though!).
In that case I would probably go with the book first ….
I loved the book, and I thought they did a good job translating it to California from Australia, but I felt like something was missing in the ending. I don’t know. It was still entertaining.
Sam @ WLABB
There was one major bit missing from the ending (relating to Bonnie’s history) which I think was fairly important for context.
I haven’t watched the series yet – I was waiting for it to be all over since I’m a wuss at waiting week to week with all the suspense! Now I’ll also be paying attn. to the soundtrack when I watch it.
That’s me too. Netflix and bingewatching has totally changed me. It’s so hard to watch series week by week now.
Agree, we’re all getting used to binge-watching! The soundtrack really is very, very good.
I enjoyed the book. I have read all of Liane Moriarty’s books and this was one of my favs but I haven’t watched the series yet.
I’ve only read a few of Moriarty’s books – honestly not my preferred genre but have picked a few up because of the hype! (and it’s probably why I preferred the tv series).
Ahhh for me the absence of the humour meant missing the thing that made me connect to the book in the first place. In the book I felt like they could have been my best friends (in another life). In the TV series I couldn’t care less about any of them. And certainly wouldn’t want to be friends with any of them in any lifetime!
Brona…I agree with you. Moriarty’s novel had a dark humor about it, with likeable core characters; the series played out as humorless and emotionally disengaging, from my viewing perspective.
Agree, not many characters to like in the tv series…
I started out enjoying the humour in the book but once the DV element was introduced I felt a disconnect. Pleased that they didn’t underplay the DV element in the tv series – it was a strong message.
Thanks to this thread we finally watched the last 2 episodes tonight. And I take back some of what I said above. The final 2 episodes were very strong & powerful & well done. Even knowing what was going to happen didn’t stop me from feeling anxious. I’m glad we watched it to the end.
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I didn’t actually read your post b/c I’m only one episode into BLL and didn’t know if it would contain spoilers, but wanted to say that I LOVED it despite hating the book!
No spoilers, I promise! I’m the same, didn’t care for the book but thought the tv series was well done.
Reese is definitely one of the best parts of the show. Will have to go check out the soundtrack now! 🙂
I didn’t read the book so everything was a surprise to me in the series and WOW. I was literally sitting with my jaw hanging open for the last 15 minutes (attractive, I know). I loved it.
Often, I’ll read the book after the TV or movie, but in this case I’m going to skip it. Feel like I got the gist.
I loved the book when I read it, especially discovering the darkness at the heart of it all (once you get beyond the mommy drama) — but I also loved the TV production. Such a stellar cast!
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