Darkly Dreaming Dexter
by Jeff Lindsay
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Book Reviews of Darkly Dreaming Dexter
Book Review: Deeply Disappointing, Dexter
Summary: 2 Stars
I can't remember the last time a book inspired such mixed emotions in me. I was simultaneously charmed by Dexter and bored by the plot. (The television show turned out much the same way.)
Dexter is witty, charming, and manages to connect with the reader despite the fact that he's dead inside. Jeff Lindsay's character development with Dexter is brilliant and results in an engaging, endearing serial killer.
The plot, conversely, is dull, tired, and uninspired. Not the worst thing I've ever read, but nothing to write home about. I was glad that the length of the book was relatively short -- and it still managed to seem endless at times.
Ultimately, I would recommend the book with the caveat that the plot is something you have to get through in order to enjoy the company of Dexter for a few hours.
Book Review: The show is better. If you saw the show, don't bother.
Summary: 3 Stars
I don't know if I didn't really care for this book because I saw the series first, or that it isn't a great book. Usually I enjoy reading the book that a series or movie is based on AFTER I see it on screen. I think I enjoy it more because the book usually has more. This one does not.
I find the prose pedestrian and simplistic. The dialog is blase and the characters save for Dexter are one-dimensional props to move the plot (what there is of if) forward.
It is not a bad book. As a light summer read for sitting by the pool or at the beach, this would be fun. The pages fly by and what passes for a story is easy to keep track of.
If you haven't seen Dexter on Shotime, I suggest you do, but then avoid this book. If you haven't seen Dexter yet, start with the book. It will be much better for you.
Book Review: Darkly Dreaming Dexter review By: Ethan
Summary: 5 Stars
Alright heres the deal. Darkly Dreaming Dexter follows a Blood spatter expert for the Miami Police department but during the night he is not your friendly co worker you see every day, he's a serial killer with a set of rules called "the code of harry". The book follows dexter to hunt a serial killer that is killing hookers. Darkly Dreaming Dexter is one of the books in this world that will scare you and also delight you at the same time. Dexter only kills bad people. If you have seen the show Dexter on showtime you are missing so much. The book has the same characters but a completely diffrent setting and the ending of season 1 in dexter and the end of Darkly Dreaming Dexter are so different. If you like crime fiction and horror stories THIS IS THE ONE TOO BUY! One of the best books I have ever read.Book Review: As Good as Sin
Summary: 4 Stars
An absorbing book of the specters of a sociopath's inner thinking. Portraying the inner thoughts of a "sane person" - should there be one - is hard enough, let alone do that for someone who is engulfed in darkness and emotionally frigidity. Having read this book, I unconsciously reviewed a mental list of the people I knew who might be Dexters-to-be around me!
For the sake of argument if nothing more, one may claim that killing for "justice" is acceptable. Where does that put Dexter? The main reason Dexter kills is not to achieve justice, but to gain a bloody sense of satisfaction, and that disturbs me. The fact that I liked the book makes me uncomfortable. I'm afraid that little by little, we are idolizing the wrong figures for what we mistakingly perceive as the "right reasons".
Book Review: Great ideas, but poorly executed
Summary: 3 Stars
Before I had Showtime, my brother gave me a copy of this book to read. Though I acknowledge, as nearly every other reviewer has, that Dexter is a unique and fascinating character, I found Lindsay's narrative style choppy and uninventive. The storylines are fascinating and and expertly crafted, but Lindsay's overuse of alliteration and unrealistic dialogue, among other things, made this book slightly painful to read. Don't get me wrong; I wasn't expecting iambic pentameter or flowery descriptions. I like quick, straightforward cliff-hangers as much as the next guy. I just feel that Lindsay shortchanged his own ideas and maybe underestimated the intelligence of his readers with the way this is written.
Dexter the TV series is awesome...it gets better every season. Watch that instead of reading this.