As Cool As I Am

This book held my attention, but it was nothing amazing. The movie, on the other hand, was very sweet. I have a big weak spot for Claire Danes.

Lucy's "complete buzz" haircut is left out of the film. I can understand why, but it was a major part of the book and I feel like maybe they could have worked it in somehow. She does mention she might get a buzz to Kenny, but she never does.

Although Lucy's father's character seems to be true to the book, her mother (Claire Danes) is much more sympathetic in the movie. She reaches out to Lucy, and tries to form a bond with her. But Lucy has surpassed her in maturity, and that makes the relationship tough. When Lainee leaves / abandons Lucy in the end, the film showed a very different scene. Lainee is struggling mightily, and does not want to leave. The main difference is that Lucy gives her permission. Although Lainee swears "2 weeks", we can tell that Lucy assumes it will be longer.

In the book, Lucy then tries to "sexy up" for the owner of the restaurant where she is left. This is left out of the movie. Also, the restaurant owner does not invite her to stay (as he does in the book), but we do get the feeling that she might stay and cook for him. (btw, how many facelifts has Henry Fonda had? whoa)

I think the film is giving us a similar message to the book, but it is trying to be more straightforward, and even maybe let us forgive Lucy's parents. (esp the mom)This book held my attention, but it was nothing amazing. The movie, on the other hand, was very sweet. I have a big weak spot for Claire Danes.

Lucy's "complete buzz" haircut is left out of the film. I can understand why, but it was a major part of the book and I feel like maybe they could have worked it in somehow. She does mention she might get a buzz to Kenny, but she never does.

Although Lucy's father's character seems to be true to the book, her mother (Claire Danes) is much more sympathetic in the movie. She reaches out to Lucy, and tries to form a bond with her. But Lucy has surpassed her in maturity, and that makes the relationship tough. When Lainee leaves / abandons Lucy in the end, the film showed a very different scene. Lainee is struggling mightily, and does not want to leave. The main difference is that Lucy gives her permission. Although Lainee swears "2 weeks", we can tell that Lucy assumes it will be longer.

In the book, Lucy then tries to "sexy up" for the owner of the restaurant where she is left. This is left out of the movie. Also, the restaurant owner does not invite her to stay (as he does in the book), but we do get the feeling that she might stay and cook for him. (btw, how many facelifts has Henry Fonda had? whoa)

I think the film is giving us a similar message to the book, but it is trying to be more straightforward, and even maybe let us forgive Lucy's parents. (esp the mom)

House of Cards

It took me a bit to get into this book. Once I realized there were not as many main characters as I feared, I started to understand the plot, and the motives behind the characters' actions.

In the book, Francis' wife is mentioned, but we don't get to see her on her own at all. We understand that she supports Francis, and even encourages him to act unethically to get what "they" want. But the TV series has her as the leading female character. Although we first see her as ruthless, and see her supporting Francis' affair, as long as "they get something out of it", as the series progresses, we start to see her as a much more sympathetic character. Including her pining for a child.

The young reporter who has the affair with Francis is not quite as sexy as I pictured her. And although she starts the series as crass (similar to the book), that fades quickly.

Francis' patsy is also a much more sympathetic (and less pathetic) character than the book. He is also a senator, where in the book he was only a PR manager. He also gets himself completely sober and clean, and would have stayed that way if Francis did not manipulate him into falling off the wagon.

The two murders that Francis commits build more slowly in the TV series. The writers have 13 episodes to build up to his murder of the reporter. Both murders are committed in a different fashion (from the book), and for slightly different reasons, but the general feel is the same.

The first season of House of Cards did pull me in, but the second season seems like it's dragging a bit.