It just so happens that I had the chance this past week to watch three adaptations of books I’ve read. Here’s my quick take on the age-old question: Which was better — the book or the movie (or series)?

Face-off #1:

Happiness for Beginners
Book by Katherine Center, published 2015
Netflix movie, released July 2023

Thoughts: Having read the book only two weeks before watching the movie, the book details were possibly too fresh in my mind. It was impossible to avoid comparisons, and unfortunately, that did not work in the movie’s favor. I really enjoyed the book, especially how it showed the main character’s internal growth and her determined efforts to learn to appreciate life more and actively choose happiness. I also enjoyed the group dynamics, and how part of the main character’s romantic dilemma had to do with her perception of a possible connection between her love interest and another woman who she’d developed a genuine friendship with. In the movie version, the emotions never go particularly deep, and a lot of the scenarios are played primarily for laughs. The friendship isn’t explored or emphasized beyond the surface-level, and the hiking itself isn’t presented as being as challenging as it is in the book. Most frustrating of all, many of the issues that make the central romance so interesting in the book are sanded away here. It wasn’t bad to watch, just not especially noteworthy either.

Verdict: The book for the win!

Face-off #2:

Red, White & Royal Blue
Book by Casey McQuiston, published 2019
Prime Video movie, released July 2023

Thoughts: On the other hand… I read this book four years ago (and loved it) — but other than the bare bones outline of the story, I didn’t have any details in mind while watching this movie, and that saved me from dwelling on what was left out or changed. Instead, I could just watch and enjoy. I liked it a lot, although occasionally Prince Henry came across as a bit too tentative and seemed almost younger than he’s supposed to be. No matter. It’s a really engaging piece of entertainment, and if anything, it’s made me want to revisit the book and see how the two fit together. I suppose for die-hard book fans, there’s no way the movie can live up to expectations, but for me, it worked really well and was a feel-good mood lift.

Verdict: It’s a tie!

Face-off #3:

The Summer I Turned Pretty
Book trilogy by Jenny Han, published 2009 – 2011
Prime Video series (two seasons so far), 2022- 2023

Thoughts: While I really enjoyed the books, they didn’t necessarily stick with me over the years, and I was happy to check out the two available seasons of the TV series. The show adds diversity lacking in the book through casting choices and by including bi and trans representation, although it can’t avoid the fact that there is a ton of privilege in all the characters’ lives. After all, a huge piece of the core plot is that this is a story about two families and the fancy beach house they share every summer. Somehow, seeing certain elements on the screen drive home the fact that these teens spend a lot of time upset about things less privileged people could only dream about. The love triangle between main character Belly and the two brothers, Jeremiah and Conrad, also doesn’t translate as well to the screen. Watching it unfold, I just wanted to shake her and tell her to walk away from all this mess — this is not a healthy situation! There’s an underlying element of grief and loss in season 2, but even that somehow seems pushed to the background much of the time — and while the loss absolutely informs every characters’ actions, it doesn’t feel especially real much of the time.

Verdict: Neither is perfect. Read the books for more plot development (and less in-your-face cringe-iness about bouncing back and forth between brothers who really have enough to deal with already) — but watch the show for eye candy, a talented young cast, and interesting dynamics outside of the love triangle.