Darkly Dreaming Dexter
by Jeff Lindsay
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Book Reviews of Darkly Dreaming Dexter
Book Review: Fast-paced, but abrupt
Summary: 3 Stars
While this book possesses a wonderfully exhilarating fast-paced plot--I gulped it down in one sitting, blithely ignoring house guests and personal responsibilities; and while its central conceit is pretty irresistible to the darker-minded among us--Dexter is a serial killer, but he only kills *bad* people--I found the ending frustratingly abrupt. Lindsay chooses a coy bit of bait-and-switch between the end of the penultimate chapter and the far-too-short concluding one rather than resolving the plot as it deserves to be resolved. I'm embarrassed to admit this, but I actually like the Showtime series based on the novel much more--it goes deeper into Dexter's psychology (the core of what makes this concept interesting), but also gives time to the supporting characters, most of whom are but vague, hazy outlines of people in the book. (Admittedly, since the book is written in the first person from Dexter's POV, deep psychological insights into the peripheral characters would be tough to justify, especially since Dexter, of all people, is unlikely to care.)
I haven't read the sequel, "Dearly Devoted Dexter," yet, but hopefully it'll tie up some of the loose ends that "Darkly Dreaming" leaves cheerfully waving in the hot Miami breeze. Or at least tide me over until season two of Showtime's adaptation starts up.
Book Review: Guilty pleasure
Summary: 4 Stars
I've watched the first three seasons of Dexter before having read this first book.
Mr. Lindsay has an easy wit that I enjoy. I love his send-ups of Miami, its drivers, the Cuban rendering of Spanish, the local food commentary, etc.
Although the show follows the book very closely, there are differences between the literary and TV personas of the characters. And I like both. I especially like both Det. Guertas equally - the literary Guerta for her astounding and entertaining stupidity but with the accompanying savant-like political genius and skill with killing verbal barbs, and the TV Guerta who is as intelligent as she is blindingly ambitious.
I look forward to reading the next book in the series, in which I assume Angel-no-relation will be developed further. The TV Angel is such a rich character.
A very entertaining read.
UPDATE AUGUST 21, 2010: I've now read the first four Dexter novels. Allow me to save you many hours of your life: Enjoy the coolness that is this first novel. Do not waste a moment of your time on the remaining three. Maybe #5 (yet to be published as of this date) will be the one that makes it all good again; I won't know, because I'm not giving Mr. Lindsay any more chances.
Book Review: For those who enjoy severed limbs
Summary: 3 Stars
Having seen the first season of the TV series before reading the book, it took away some of the suspense, but it was still a quick read, maybe too quick.
In Lindsay's book, Dexter is somewhat less charming to me than Michael C. Hall's portrayal. Sure, the author continually reminds us through his protaganist that Dexter indeed conveys charm to all around him, while still living under the shadow of his "Dark Passenger". Yet there's a real "American Psycho" feel to Dexter that comes across more strongly in the novel and can get a bit disturbing. I know it's not supposed to be taken too seriously but the graphic detail gets to be a bit much.
Lindsay does his best to create the setting of a steamy Miami, with aggressive motorists, diverse neighborhoods and police department politics all intertwined. The secondary characters are developed just enough, but in the TV series they are much more fully formed.
Maybe it's just me, but the Dexter novels, including this first one, wallow a bit too much in sadistic detail and not enough in the characters. Despite that I found the book hard to put down and it moved along nicely. Not sure if the subject matter qualifies as "light reading" though.
Book Review: Forget the book - Just watch the show.
Summary: 2 Stars
I'm a huge fan of Dexter the TV show, so when I found out that it was an adaptation of a novel, I really didn't think I could go wrong by checking it out. Turns out that I could most definitely go wrong.
The interior monologue in the show that makes Dexter come across as sweet, despite the fact that according to all societal standards he's a monster, just doesn't come through on the page. Instead, it's more a battle for the reader to keep going as the words keep piling up and the same messages about Dexter's "hunger" seem to repeat over and over again.
Now, please believe me when I tell you that it is RARE for me to ever advocate a video representation of any kind over a book. 99.9% of the time I believe that a book will be better than a movie or show. Unfortunately, Darking Dreaming Dexter represents the other .1% - The story should have gone straight to script.
Honestly, the only reason I even gave this 2 stars is because of Showtime's success in transforming it into a very entertaining and provocative series. So, as I said in my title (and may never say again in my life), forget the book and tune in on Sunday nights at 9!
Book Review: weren't we all crazy in our sleep?
Summary: 4 Stars
i actually discovered the book via the showtime series "dexter". i watched the entire series (which isn't hard at just 12 episodes) in three days and absolutely fell in love with it. so, having seen that it was adapted from a novel, i set out to read the novel.
it's a short read (i finished it in just under 24 hours, with only about an hour or two of solid reading and the rest culled from bits and pieces) and it completely changed my perspective on the television show. as wonderful as the television show is, it doesn't nearly do the novel justice. they have changed so many things and added so many little side plots that it becomes more of a soap opera. the book, while darkly humorous, is not nearly as cutesy. dexter is a wonderful unique character who is utterly likeable despite his flaws. the identity of the killer is not something you easily guess - whereas they hand it to you in the television show.
if i had to pick between the two, i would pick the book over the television show (despite michael c. hall's brilliant performance).
overall it was a light, fun, palate cleanser and i can't wait to read the next book.