When a beautiful, aspiring writer strides into the East Villiage bookstore where Joe Goldberg works, he does what anyone would do: he Googles the name on her credit card.
There is only one Guinevere Beck in New York City. She has a public Facebook account and Tweets incessantly, telling Joe everything he needs to know: she is simply "Beck" to her friends, she went to Brown University, she lives on Bank Street, and she'll be at a bar in Brooklyn tonight- the perfect place for a chance meeting.
As Joe invisibly and obsessively takes control of Beck's life, he begins quietly removing the obstacles that stand in the way of their love. Joe will do anything to ensure Beck finds herself in his waiting arms- even if it means murder.
I first discovered YOU on Netflix, and I just thought it was any other show until I realized it was based on the books by Caroline Kepnes. I always love watching shows or movies, and then reading the books or vice versa, just because it's fun to compare the similarities and differences between each. Often, the television versions of such stories tend to leave out some details or stray completely from the plot of the book. In some cases, this can be good and bad. In this case, YOU the show, and the book were both AMAZING and I have so many thoughts.
YOU has basically everything I could want in both a show and a novel. I mean, there is so much thrill, romance, mystery, and crime. Plus, Penn Badgely as Joe was an amazing choice. It's bad but I cannot stop swooning over Joe because of Penn. Looking at the show, I think it did a really great job of bringing the characters to life. I loved being able to put a face to the characters once I started reading the book. I also think the tone was transferred really well. I got the same "creepy" vibes both watching and reading the plot. To me, it's one of those cases where the plot if very versatile and can be great for either television or literature. Caroline Kepnes was the consulting producer on the show and did a wonderful job staying true to her work while it was being put on the screen.
Another thing that really blew me away was the fact that Joe worked in a bookstore. I haven't read a book where a character appreciated books almost as much as I do, and I simultaneously lived and died for all of the literary references that were made throughout the season. I mean getting to hear about well-known authors such as F. Scott Fitzgerald, J.D. Salinger (and his "distant" cousin, Peach) and Paula Fox really made the show that much more worth it. As creepy as the show was, I felt so at home among all the literature just like Joe, and I somehow feel like I was connected to him. Not everyone likes being connected to stalkers and killers but book people love book people regardless.
Also, can we talk about how cute Joe and Beck were as a couple? I mean every time they were together you could feel their feelings for each other. For real, the way they met has me so jealous. Meeting your soulmate in a bookstore is so romantic and just about the cutest thing ever. I feel like they were both really good for each other, despite the whole being a stalker and emotionally damaged thing... they make a pretty solid couple.
The book and show did differ a little bit, but it was pretty much the same story both ways. Joe had another girlfriend after Beck in the book, and that only came out to fans in Season 2 of the show- which is based on Kepnes' second book Hidden Bodies. We do still see Benji, Peach, Chana, and Dr. Nicky in the book, but we miss Pocco. I loved the relationship he had with Joe in the first season and I definitely missed him in the book. Other than that, both versions were wonderful.
If you like stories that contain crimes of passion, romance, thrill, and crime, then this is definitely for you. If reading isn't your cup of tea, then watch the show on Netflix... I may or may not have watched both seasons like 10 times but when something's that good you just gotta let yourself enjoy it.
I spoke with Caroline herself and there are some additions to the story in the works, and I will make sure to update all of you on that as soon as I know more. In the meantime, go checkout YOU and Hidden Bodies, and make sure to tell me what you think. I'd love to chat!! ;)
Literature is my Utopia... and I sincerely hope that you find yours.
Until next time loves
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