MovieChat Forums > 13 Reasons Why (2017) Discussion > As a series...?

As a series...?

posted 8 years ago by AndyK (69)
4 replies | jump to latest

Silly, I know, to post about something I haven't & might not actually watch, but I read the book about ten years ago on Kindle. It was okay. I honestly felt as though Hannah's character got away from Asher, that actual suicide seemed unlikely--especially given that no one in the story had seen her body or attended her funeral. Sometimes that happens, a writer plans events to go a certain way, but characters wind up not cooperating.

Since heard that Asher's original ending did have Hannah still alive at the end, but that he changed it as inauthentic.

Point here, though, is that while I certainly would have watched a movie version of the book, I'm not sure I'm up to a series.

Granted this is in the YA genre & I graduated high school in '76, so haven't qualified for that demographic in a long, long time. But I still enjoy well written high school drama (or melodrama, might be a better way to put it).

So I wonder if anything thinks the series has enriched or deepened the story. Is it a worthwhile plunge if you're someone who read the book, didn't find it a waste, but probably wouldn't read it again?

[–] demry5010 (6) 8 years ago

Hi AndyK. I read the book and watch this adaptation and I can tell you that you definitively have to give this series a serious try. The story is more enriched. We have more character development and background for each and everyone of the persons that appears in Hannah tapes. I binge watch it because I could not stop myself and in the end we have a little cliffhanger for a continuation. I hope you give it a try and then tell me what you thought about it.

[–] AndyK (69) 8 years ago

Appreciate the comments & summary. I will give it a try & report back:)

[–] demry5010 (6) 8 years ago

You're welcome. Please tell me what you thought when you're done watching.

[–] AndyK (69) 8 years ago

Just finished watching the first season. I think you're right, the series did expand & enrich in ways that were true to the book--especially with their depictions of Hannah's parents, the lawsuit, counselor, etc...

Still ... I have a similar issue as with the book. This "We let Hannah down!" business grates. In what ways were they really obligated to her? It was certainly my experience that high school relationships are pretty superficial, at least for the vast majority of students.

I think Hannah expected too much from her peers, & I think Jay Asher romanticized high school society. Perhaps that's an inevitable by product of the genre. But, ideally, nothing of particular importance ever happens in high school.

When a girl like Hannah tells you to leave her alone, you leave her alone--in my day as well as today. Is she speaking out of a deeper angst, desperate to make a connection in spite of her words? Perhaps. But it's not her peer's responsibility to suss that out.

I can't even begin to guess how the preternaturally mature Tony can say he thinks Clay "killed Hannah". That's so far beyond absurd. None of them killed Hannah, not even rapist Bryce. Hannah killed Hannah & that's all there is to it.

I actually feel very bad for all the kids as portrayed, even thinking of blaming themselves for her death.

So, all in all, a very successful, well thought out adaptation of a book with some weak ideas driving it.