What a twisted book. I wasn’t sure what to expect but it wasn’t this! I assumed it was going to be the usual stalker book and it is but from the stalkers point of view. We delve into the other side of things and get a different view on love and obsession. I had to read the book before I watched the show or I knew I wouldn’t have read it. I am watching the show now and lets just say Netflix did the book justice.
Joe is a typical New York guy, working at a bookstore and trying to find the love of his life. Beck is a typical New York girl, living in student housing trying to become a writer. When Joe and Beck cross paths, their relationship has plenty of ups and downs. One of the downs being that Joe orchestrated their meeting. Researching and following her, becoming obsessed with Beck; basically knowing everything about her before she even knew he existed. If he isn’t careful, his plan may start to unravel or worse: Beck finds out.
Stalker alert. This book was super interesting to read but I will say that the middle was super slow and repetitive. I slowed down and got bored at one point because Joe was doing the same thing over and over. This doesn’t last too long because the murdering ensures. Yes I said it… MURDER. Thats when the book gets really good. Joe is spiraling out of control in his obsession with Beck and starts killing people that get in-between him and her. Don’t worry, it isn’t a long string of people but they are main characters. One of them I was glad to see go, which is awful isn’t it?
I am only a few episodes away from finishing the show. Netflix has done a really good job sticking with the book and capturing the tone/mood of the book. There was always this darkness lurking around even when the characters are extremely happy. Its Joe.. Joe is the darkness. His internal narrative in the show is equal to the one in the book. To him, his actions are justified but to us, the reader, he is wrong, not normal, dangerous. This book and show makes you super aware of your surroundings, you never know who is watching you.
Would I recommend this book? Yes if you are more interested in reading the book than watching the show. Otherwise, you can get everything you need from the show.
Rating: 4 out of 5
Up Next: Still Me by JoJo Moyes
The Review 