Looking for Alaska: Book-to-Series Adaptation Discussion

[@saracox7144]

I thought the music played beautifully into the story and the time period. Every song played was literally what I was listening to the first time I read the book as a teenager. It brought me back so perfectly into that time of my life and into the mindset of my teenage self. Rilo Kiley, The Postal Service, and Death Cab for Cutie with a little rap mixed in was my 2005-2010 playlist. It ripped emotions out of me related to my own history. Beautiful.

[@getbookish]

I'm glad you enjoyed that aspect of it!

[@rileywalker5879]

Sara Cox i thought i was the only one with this experience!!!! It was exactly the same way for me

[@XxLuke117xX]

This comment is exactly what I experienced as well. Straight off my clunky old ipod.

[@ryuhitsuya21]

Long live the Colonel. Great monologues and great heart.

[@Dre9six]

I read this book multiple times as an angsty teenager and once so far in my 20s and I thoroughly enjoyed this adaptation. I think a lot of the characters were represented well compared to their literary counterparts which definitely added to the feeling of nostalgia for me. The teens in the show did come across as pretentious and overly "wise" for their age but this stopped being a problem when I reflected on how embarrassing I was as a teenager. All in all it was a pretty solid tv adaptation of a very solid novel!

[@getbookish]

They really did a nice job!

[@briannajaneg5093]

Exactly! I feel like as a teenager I tried to be more mature than I actually was lol

[@SuperCoalBlox]

I loved it and I cried

[@Szellah7]

For me Alaska in the book was a caricature, half manic pixie dream girl, hot, irresistible, quirky, humorous, and half a frantic brat that hates everyone and everything. In my opinion she represents how man see women in the state of deep infatuation, as Miles did in the book. Always waiting for the good parts, but resenting all the less appealing. I very much enjoyed that her bipolar-like attitude was so toned down in the adaptaion. Alaska in the series seemed to me as she was a hypocrite, trying to manipulate people with lies, and her body (e.g. trying to please Jake). Early in the series I noticed how all people she actually tries to keep near her are men, and how if any of them have any female intrests she sabotages them, subconciusly or not. (Sarah's ball, sugesting that Miles sits away of Lara [I know that, this one was in the book, but there it had less meaning knowing that Lara has never showed intrest in Miles inn books. Moreover them entering the court in dates wasn't in the book so it was more acceptable]). Maybe it's because the most imprtant men in her live, her father resented her, and now she is fixated on aqairing love from any men that spends time with her. I wouldn't say that the adaptation was faithful, but as you put it "fairly" seems fair. I liked many of the changes made. As I read the book My Miles was less of a shy guy, but more stoic and with cool attitude, much like Takumi in the series. My Takumi in the book was an exact replica of Miles from the series, a shy guy who didn't get the chance with Alaska. As for anybody else, I just think that everybody in the book had much less depth than in the series. I was disappointed that we didn't see more instances when Chip chose Alaska over Sarah, cause that moment felt a bit underdeveloped for me. The whole pranks situations I very much apreciatted, becuase in the book we get about two pranks from each side and that's seemingly how many there is in any given year, cause Chip remarks that cover up prank only happens every few years. AlsoEagle looks like skinny Henry Cavil

[@callasverwaal217]

I completely agree. The only other points that I have is that I always imagined pudge to look different. I imagined him being gangly and maybe even a little scrawny. Also, I thought he'd have shorter hair, tho that doesn't really matter. Furthermore, I don't think that the actress who played Alaska fit at all. Don't get me wrong, she's a great actress but her appearance is just so different than Alaska's as described in the book. Alaska was described as short and curvy with mid-long, mahogany hair and green eyes. I always thought that her being curvy was so cool. In book I often read about skinny, tall girls so I thought that Alaska being the opposite was really great. I hope you're able to understand everything, my English is not that good~

[@Szellah7]

@@callasverwaal217 Nah, your english is better than mine

[@UnrealB]

I never understood why some readers say that Alaska is mean and not sweet. She is literally described as bubbly and sweet in the book just bc her mood would change so fast doesn't mean she's not a nice person, this is a sign of mental illness. Especially with childhood trauma, possible depression, PTSD etc. mood changes so fast with that, and I'm talking from both my own experiences and my friends experiences.

[@getbookish]

It's certainly a matter of perception for some readers. You're certainly not wrong with what you posit. Often it seems most people don't take the natural fact of teenage mood swings and prevalence unresolved trauma into account.

[@angelspain5204]

I've waited YEARS for it to be brought to film. Not having hulu and considering purchasing a membership just to watch it- this was A GREAT review and it gave me enough information, I feel like it wouldn't be a waste. Thanks so much! Xx

[@getbookish]

Thank you for watching -- I'm glad this was helpful for you! If you do decide to check it out, I hope you enjoy!

[@samprasperry]

Thirty day trial

[@ohwigoisgs]

I watched it on flixtor.to

[@rsoul9158]

You need to watch this I laughed & cried 😭❤️

[@kaylen4930]

Get a trial to watch it

[@abrany_6675]

I read the book years ago during highschool really stuck to me and touched me deeply, now seeing it live action I give it thumbs up it was really good! It hit all the marks that made the book great

[@getbookish]

It sure did! They did a really nice job!

[@BohemianKitsch]

right on! :) i take exception with only one thing: the soundrack kicks ass! ;)

[@ryuhitsuya21]

I binged it in two nights. Its great i cried. Rewatched big episodes again and they still hold my heart in a vice.

[@dusktomidnight7207]

One of the best books I have read in my life

[@Rylai_xiv]

OOOO BIIIIG disagree on the music aspect.

[@nikhilnaik5402]

I like to much music overall amazing TV series loved it.

[@readerswritersbookclub2252]

Awesome stuff. Please make More. Also, i Want to be youtube friends xD we're from Alaska too!

[@Faisaldegrt]

I read the book and on first 2 episodes of the series. This looks good. The new additions are congruous.

[@Faisaldegrt]

Watched all episodes. The series is better than the book. Which is a big thing.

[@yanicmb]

I honestly disagree with you about tthe music and the scene with the eagle and the student on the Bus . It wasn’t about humanizing him it was about humanizing the student who was portrayed as a rich stuck up bully, it showed at the end of the day hes just a kid too with a heart

[@LiamHickey2967]

I read this book when I was 15 love it. But I did not get some of the messages of the story until I reread the book a few months ago, but the show really brought the story home for me, even if they changed a few things from the book.

[@getbookish]

It's quite an impactful story. Re-reading can be so powerful!

[@nickgutheil5757]

Love the review!! I love the book, just finished it!! Hope to check our the series sometime! Just subscribed!

[@SincerelyFlow]

I love yo review! It was great! Didn’t read the book, but I absolutely love the short serie!! 💯

[@getbookish]

Thanks for watching! It was such a good series!

[@SincerelyFlow]

@@getbookish it really was. I cried like a baby. I was just sooo into it. & I knew it was a short serie... so it was like I didn’t want it to end. Is like I knew she was gonna die, but I wanted to be wrong sooo much!

[@iconicuser776]

One question😅 is it similar enough to the book that I could just watch the series instead of reading the book for a school representation?

[@getbookish]

I think you'd miss some of the finer details that only the internal monologue of the book can convey. It's an excellent book.

[@iconicuser776]

getbookish ok tnx! I definitely love love reading but there have been so many tests recently and the teacher put the representation on the exact day that we have a test on so I just wanted to take the easy way

[@tha.mi_]

i have seen the show.. Should i read the book? Is there anything more in the book?

[@getbookish]

There's a bit more in the book. A lot more internal dialogue and description. The book is a great read!

[@BeniBoyzGuitarSlamz]

Thanks for the review. I really liked this adaptation. Both the book and the series hold a special place in my heart. Really helped me process the grief of losing two friends to suicide this year. I totally agree with your point that, although some people didn't talk about philosophical/more abstract ideas in their teens, it doesn't mean that nobody did. I would add to that my suspicion that much of what young people read doesn't teach them to think more deeply; in my opinion, John Green's writing is all the more relevant for young people today as it teaches them to think more deeply about their relationships and their place in the world. Best of all, it means I can come back to his books again and again and still relate to the characters as I grow up. Thanks a bunch for the review, all the best.

[@getbookish]

Oh yikes, I'm so sorry to hear you've been through such loss this year. I love your thought about being able to return to John's book over time and still find them relatable -- I certainly find this to be true. Thank you for watching!

[@yamika.]

i loved this discussion!!!!

[@thetreoman]

The whole feminist thing was what put me off, when it came to Alaska. Literally never mentioned, or even hinted at. That’s like taking Alaska and turning her into a vegan who pushes it on everyone.

[@Nico-px2hg]

Read the book ass

[@sheetalmaharjan7470]

Couldn't agree more! I loved it!!

[@Gabriel-bk3lm]

well i agree