This summer I have watched the first two seasons of the Showtime program Dexter and then read the three books it was based on. Similar, but different, here are what I liked about the respective versions.

Books:

Dexter:

The books are written in first person while the show provides a voice-over. The books show a deeper level of Dexter and his witty comments. Honestly, if Dexter wasn’t such an entertaining narrator, there wouldn’t be a 2nd book and especially no TV show.

Dexter’s Hunger:

The first season showed Dexter’s near constant craving for food, but season two mostly forgot about it. When Dexter can only think about some of his favorite Cuban food after a particularly gruesome crime scene, “unique flavor” doesn’t refer to his next meal.

Less Deb:

TV Deb sucks. She swears every other word, the character is a mess, and I cringe when she has a scene. She still swears in the book, but her role is much smaller. It’s just enough to stay interesting, but not enough to make you sick.

TV Show:

Harry: Nearly every episode shows Harry giving Dexter a lesson on Harry’s Code. You get to see how he guided every step of Dexter to channel his dark side for good instead of evil. The books cover a little, but only a taste.

Angel & Vince: I really liked how they expanded the characters from the very limited roles in the books. Instead of characters you hate, like Deb, they made Angel & Vince something to look forward to seeing. Angel’s added Latino flavor to the Miami backdrop makes perfect sense.

LaGuerda: Her role in the first book was also minor. The show makes her conniving, strong-headed, and ruthless. Not to mention still alive.