Watching the TV version first made the novels easier to digest–and the first season barely even hints at what’s to come in the books.
Incidentally, reading Book 4 in the series, which is kind of a fan fiction continuation not written by the original author. But I’m finding it enjoyable as it at least attempts to answer a number of questions we are left with at the conclusion of the novels.
Andy Greenwald (former tv/movie critic turned tv writer), was hired to be on the staff of the Harry Potter tv show. He has said he really hasn’t read the books but he may have read some of the first book with his daughter. Fans are outraged that someone who has not read the books was hired as a writer. (He is not the show runner, which I think a lot of people are confused about potentially). Maybe it’s just jealousy from potterheads? Thoughts?
Idk how writer’s rooms work, but a gut reaction is it seems like a problem not to have read the source material. maybe Andy thinks he knows enough about the characters and the relationships through the movies and the rides at Universal, but when the show is a long form production of the book, seems dumb not to spend a couple of hours to read the original word on the page.
Also dumb that he admitted it.
Do books 2 and 3 really deliver an experience elevated from the first? The writing style was so cold in book 1 that I’m not sure I want to continue.
Dark Forest (book 2) is by far the best in the trilogy IMO, Death’s End (#3) is the weakest (there may be a different translator for book 3, I don’t remember). That said, I don’t remember big stylistic changes in the writing, it felt more like thematic swells and lulls, so if that was your issue with book 1 then I would guess you’ll come away from book 2 with the same feeling. But it’s been a while since I read them.
can’t imagine getting involved with any JK Rowling joint at this point, especially for a guy like greenwald who certainly has other options.
Tempting. There was a different translator for book 2, then a return to the same translator as book 1 for book 3.
I think anyone involved in adapting books to TV/film should be very familiar with the source material.
Right? It’s a fairly damning decision at this point to join forces with Queen of the anti trans movement. I mean sure it’s a huge career opportunity, but it’s way over the moral line by now.
In my opinion, yes they do. The writing remains rather stilted, but the story is about to expand in ways you even can’t imagine right now.
I would at least give Book 2 a try, and if you’re not rushing to Book 3 at the end, then you’re probably best off waiting for the Netflix adaptation 3-4 years from now.
New The Watch pod just dropped.
Greenwald:
“I did get some crap from you last time… when I was on an 11 hour flight and did not watch any content. I was just reading the whole time, which is funny because a lot of people think I don’t know how to read [solid CR chuckle]. But I actually read quite a bit. But, y’know, who cares about facts.”
My guess is Greenwald has been getting some Potter reps in on the LAX-Heathrow flight.
My wife has a new Netflix Ali Wong special on, it might be the worst thing I’ve ever heard. 0/5
Watched the first ep of Nobody Wants This, and it was so good that my wife wanted to watch another episode right way. Surprisingly high quality for Netflix, although I guess they still do a few really good shows now and then.
Same here. My wife and I have watched maybe 5 episodes in 3 days.
I’ve started watching Tulsa King. I enjoy watching Sly chew the scenery.
This could have been written verbatim by me from a night or two ago. My wife actually thought it was so bad she quit it about halfway through.
Yikes, couldn’t get through episode 3 of The Penguin…
I’m still liking The Penguin a lot
For the fans of cooking shows, Season 2 of Dessert Masters has started. Have not watched yet, but season 1 was excellent. 8 top Aussie chefs compete with Amaury Guichon as 1 of 2 judges.