Happy Sunday everyone. I have finally decided to share my thoughts regarding the major differences between the Tell Me Lies Hulu show and book. I already shared my thoughts on the book on my What I Read in February post
Tell Me Lies is about Lucy Albright who moves to a small liberal arts college and meets Stephen DeMarco who quite frankly ruined her college experience and adulthood. They both have secrets that affect how they relate with other people and approach relationships, if exposed their lives could change forever.
I honestly thought this book was so fascinating to me! Tell Me Lies is a toxic love story full of betrayal but the mess was so addictive to read. I loved the back and forth with the timelines and how each chapter alternates between Lucy and Stephen. I enjoyed Stephen’s chapter! Stephen is a master manipulator, gaslighter and lies every second! Unpopular opinion but I loved Stephen’s character! If a character makes me this angry, the writer succeeded in painting the villain well. Stephen’s lack of remorse for his actions, the lies and erratic behaviour had me on my toes.
I finally finished watching the Hulu adaptation and was surprised how the book translated into the screen. I thought I would share the major differences in the series that affected the storyline. Yes, I kept track of the major differences! I am that person who always shouts “that did not happen in the book!”
First things first, Macy became Lucy’s roommate instead of Gabe’s younger sister. Lucy’s introduction as her roommate affected the story and plot. This meant that there was no mention of Gabe which changed why Lucy felt betrayed by her mother and the conflict between the two. Macy still died in a car accident but in college instead of high school. Macy as Lucy’s roommate meant that Jackie was omitted in the series storyline but Wrigley’s brother was introduced. This major change made the series look like an entire different story.
In the series, Lucy’s father died and CJ, her mother, had an affair with her father’s best friend. Lucy still feels betrayed by her actions. The series did not make CJ a pilates instructor married to a rich man and her family was not mentioned. This meant that Lucy selling her grandmother’s necklace was also omitted.
Lucy has a severe eating disorder in the book but that is not mentioned in the series. There is a lot of drug use especially cocaine in the book but the series omits that. The series also made Evan a brother who had a one night stand with Lucy the night before the semester ended. They also introduced a lesbian character to the series called Charlie. Charlie is Lucy’s new roommate after Macy’s death
As for Stephen he is still the toxic man he was but his family and career storyline changed a bit. In the book, Stephen’s mother is diagnosed with bipolar and absent in his life. The series made Stephen’s mother present but manipulative with the father abandoning the family. The series further emphasised that Stephen was from a low-income family during his internship search and having no on-campus housing for the next semester.
The biggest shocker was the introduction of Stephen’s new fiancee. It was Lydia, Lucy’s high school best friend and not Jillian. I was shocked during this reveal! It felt so random but really ties in with how Stephen is a manipulator and would do anything to boil Lucy’s blood.
Lastly, I thought the series was not PG friendly but call me old fashioned but I preferred the book to the series as it was less scandalous.
I always wonder how it is possible for a series to be so different from the book. Isn’t this the author’s intellectual property? The show has been renewed for season 2 and very confused how they will continue with the storyline because the author has no sequel. Who will write the script when the story belongs to Carola Lovering?
Have any of you watched Tell Me Lies? Or did you read the book? What do you think of the series compared to the book?
I cannot wait for season 2!!
נערות ליווי בקריות says
An interesting discussion is definitely worth comment. I do believe that you should publish more about this subject, it may not be a taboo matter but typically people dont discuss these subjects. To the next! Many thanks!!