Reader with a Cause discussion

Now that you’ve read the book and watched the Netflix show, what do you think about the differences between the two? (Of which there are MANY!) Did you think one did a better job over the other telling the story of women in prison?

I was really surprised by how different the show was from the book.

In the first few episodes, there are a lot of similarities and a lot of little things happen that are inspired by the events of the book (the missing screwdriver, the vindictive peeing incident, etc.) - but happen differently. And then it diverges almost completely from the events of the book! Larry becomes a real jerk; her ex-girlfriend is also in prison with her; Pennsatucky is her enemy... ((view spoiler)[and what the heck with Piper beating the crap out of her in the last episode?! When is the show coming back?... (hide spoiler)])

I do love that Capt. Janeway from Star Trek: Voyager is in the show as Red - and that Piper was reading Gone Girl in the chicken episode (another Reader With a Cause book!).

I haven't seen the show quite yet and I've been enjoying the conversation here on the book. Which would you recommend first? I'm worried I'll get attached to one and hate the other like I did with Bones. There is literally nothing the same about the books and the TV show.

Yeah - I tried to read some of Kathy Reichs' books after watching Bones and I just couldn't do it! So I feel you there.

For this book/show, I'm very glad that I read the book first, but they are so different that you almost have to look at them as totally separate things. That the show is "inspired by" but is not an accurate representation of the book.

I haven't seen the show but from what I've heard about it it seems to be very different. I've had friends tell me about certain scenes in the show and as I was reading I was looking for them but they never happened. I'm definitely interested in watching the show now and see if I enjoy it.

I agree with Emily - they should be viewed as different things so that you're not disappointed in either. I was really surprised at how different they were, but they both are entertaining and interesting in their own way.

Something I really appreciated about the book that isn't in the show was her comments on prison life and the prison system as a bigger picture. It wasn't too detailed as to get heavy or away from the details of her story, but helpful to keep in mind that there are these much larger issues at play. She's now doing a lot of public speaking and advocacy for prisoner rights and I'm not surprised having read the book. But, so far (I'm almost done with the show) I wouldn't necessarily see that as what her character in the show would do after getting out.