Darkly Dreaming Dexter
by Jeff Lindsay
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Book Reviews of Darkly Dreaming Dexter
Book Review: Fun read, but somewhat flat supporting characters.
Summary: 3 Stars
I enjoyed the book, but it wasn't really as good as I'd thought it was going to be. I love the concept, and I think the author does an excellent job developing the main character so that he is complex and believable. The problem both my husband and I had was that we felt that none of the other characters received much development at all. They all seemed flat, two-dimensional. My husband, who is a police dispatcher, complained that neither Deb nor La Guerta had any business being police at all, since apparently none of them can think for themselves, and need Dexter to do all of their work for them.
I recently started watching the TV series, and have to say that the show does a better job rounding out and developing ALL of the characters, not just Dexter.
The book was engaging and I enjoyed it, but I think I'll just stick with the TV show and not bother reading any of the additional books.
Book Review: Darkly Dreaming Dexter - Dream On.
Summary: 1 Stars
I fell in love with the Showtime series "Dexter" from the first episode. I was so impressed by the basic concept and Hall's brilliant portrayal of a CSU blood splatter expert being a serial killer - and perhaps the only one with a conscience. I was very happy to learn that the series was adapted from a book rather than directly screen story to screenplay. I rushed out to buy "Darkly Dreaming Dexter" and settled in with anticipation of a great read. I was shocked to find the book devoid of the depth and characterizations found on the program, and that about 90% of the show's plot was the invention of Showtme's screenwriters. This book was so shallow, devoid of action with a plodding empty plot, lacked anything that could grab the reader's imagination - or interest, and had virtually no appeal. SticK with the Showtime series "Dexter" and forget the books in the 'DDD' titled Dexter series. A major disappointment.Book Review: At least a good TV series came out of this
Summary: 1 Stars
I watched the first season of Dexter and couldn't wait to read the books that spawned it. I got the first two books out of the library and eagerly started reading number one. The sinking feeling came on page 8. This is the passage that caused me to despair.
"No," he said.
"Yes," I said.
"Oh, no," he said.
"Oh, yes," I said.
He screamed, "NOOOO!"
Despite this I continued on. The prose is fairly average. The characters are painfully stupid. Dexter only seems smart because everyone around him apparently flunked out of elementary school. The commentary on Miami traffic is actually kind of funny. It did have occasional tense moments, only spoiled by the fact that I couldn't bring myself to care what happened to anyone, not even the main character. On an amusing note, there is inadvertant homoerotic banter between Dexter and Masuoka. If you must read the book, see if you can find it!
Book Review: Dissonant Dexter
Summary: 2 Stars
Dexter is a sociopath who isn't a sociopath. His moral compass is broken, but it is still there. I couldn't quite buy into the anomaly protagonist that the author tries to explain throughout the story, but at the same time I found the concept intriguing and full of potential.
What I didn't find intriguing was the way the author makes almost every other major character in the story a bumbling fool. Perhaps it was to make Dexter shine even more in comparison, or maybe it was to frame the condescending (yet unemotional) perspective of Dexter? Whatever the reason, the story was ultimately a hard sell with such a cast of flaccid personalities.
I am hoping that these shortcomings are something that Jeff Lindsay can overcome in future installments, because even with the lackluster initial release, I believe good storylines can be worked around Dexter.
Book Review: The TV Show is Better
Summary: 4 Stars
If you are looking to read this book because you are hooked on the tv show, then you may be surprised. The book Dexter is a bit more cold and crazy, though still funny at times. What surprised me most is that the tv show was actually better than the book. I can't remember the last time (if ever) that I have come to that conclusion. The story is quite different, but a lot less things happen and before you know it. . . the book is over. I won't be giving away any spoilers, so you'll just have to find out for yourself. I would give the tv show a 5 star rating and the book a 4 star.
The one thing I really hated about the book were the constant repetitive ramblings about the fact he is a killer and why he even bothers to pretend. Over and over pages are wasted saying the same thing. By book #2 I am just skipping over these pages.