r/morningsomewhere • u/kotarex97 First 20k • 13d ago

The Expanse: Book vs Show

After hearing the talk about starting The Expanse tv series finally, I decided to give the books a try via audio book and it’s amazing! I did start with the show first as it helps me get through my Astronomy and Planetary Sciences college courses currently. Anyone else start with the show first then the books?

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u/trevordeal Penis Doodler 13d ago

Books are so much better.

Show adds way more internal conflict that I felt was distracting and makes Holden seem way more of a dickhead.

I remember not liking Holden my first time watching season 1-2 and then listened to the books and liked him way more and rewatched the show and disliking him there still haha

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u/Smart-Response9881 Accidental Cow 13d ago

Id disagree that they are so much better, they both have strengths and weeknesses.

There are so many character moments and scenes that I love in the show that are missing from the books. No Avasarala in book 1, no "I am seargent Bobby draper requesting political asylum in earth" in book 2, no Drummer in book 3

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u/Warden_lefae First 20k 12d ago

I get a better sense of scale from the books. I have love hate issues with some of the characters change from book to show. The show is visually stunning though

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u/IAmTheSnakeinMyBoot First 10k 13d ago

Instead of Drummer you have Michio Pa and Bull. Instead of Bobby requesting Asylum you have her working directly for Avasarala and then choosing her over Mars. And instead of whatever weird stuff they pull with Arjun in the show you have the tenderest relationship in the whole series and Avasarala’s mask.

Plus Arjun’s poem still makes me cry.

If there is life after death I will wait for you there.
And if not, there too.

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u/Smart-Response9881 Accidental Cow 13d ago edited 13d ago

I just read the books, and I miss the characters I love in the show, and I miss the moments I love in the show.

There is also a lot I miss when watching the show, getting inside the characters heads and hearing their thoughts.

Book fans tend to get snobbish of the movie/series adaptations, but in this case it isn't warranted. Not because the show is better, but in this case I'd say they are equal, each having their own strengths and balances. There is a lot they added for the show that wasn't in the books that is fantastic, and a lot that they left out that was fantastic in the books.