Delightfully Dark Dexter Makes Dreary Reading

Very rarely do I say to skip to book and go straight to the viewed version, but in this case, by all means. Dexter, the Showtime series, builds connections between the characters, fleshes them out with intricacies. Jeff Lindsay created a thrilling character. But that is all.

I fell in love with Dexter first as a series, I’ll admit that straight out. But since I’m usually inclined to feel that the book is better simply because it’s the original, I feel that balances the bias out. With that said, don’t even bother with the books. Lindsay created a brilliant idea and then floundered with it. And then after he floundered, he got lost and bored us. Finally he threw in biblical demons and children as killers. No, sorry, this isn’t going to work for me. Not having a viable, interesting plot for half the book does not good reading make.

Showtime built a character with…..well, character. He’s funny and bright and dark and messy and lovable and terrifying. The story line not only exists, which is already a win over the book, it holds you to the edge of your seat as you hold your breath. The depth given to the series makes it the phenomenon it has become.

But I suppose we should at least give Lindsay a nod. After all, he got the ball rolling, even if he didn’t go anywhere with it.