Reviews with content warning for Domestic abuse - You

I've had this on my tbr list for a good while however after I watched the series on Netflix (and thoroughly loved it) I was hesitant about whether to read the book until I learned that the books are pretty different to the adaptation with this one being the most faithful and even this book is different to the series adaptation. Some of the changes the series made I liked and preferred what was in the book however I do prefer other aspects of the book over the tv show.

I listened to the audiobook version of this book on Audible and I really think that's one of the best ways to experience this story, Santino Fontana really nails it at playing Joe and showing just how unhinged yet deluded he really is, something I think the book does better than the TV show adaptation. In the show and specifically the first season (Which adapts the first book in the You series), Joe is a much more complex character than he is in the book in terms of morality. In the show, we learn bits about his past with it having an abusive and toxic environment that he grew up in and we also see him trying to help Paco out of the same situation as he sees himself in Paco's situation, this acts as a way to humanise Joe combined with the fact that because it is told from his perspective means that his actions despite how despicable they are and then combated with Joe being a 'nice' person. It creates a contrast and I do think that while it's evident that Joe is a horrible person, these added complexities mean that he could be viewed as not entirely evil.

The book completely goes against this instead having no situations where Joe is seen as potentially a flawed person. There is no Paco and any situations involving him hurting others are played out exactly as they should be, Joe is portrayed as the monster that he is. I think both the TV show and the book have very interesting takes on Joe and they both work: Showcasing Joe as the monster he is shows that the book isn't trying to romanticise his behaviour however having a multi-dimensional and complex version of Joe as seen in the TV show results in a much more interesting character.

I actually feel most if not all the changes the show makes were for the better: In the show, the women are much more capable, sure they have their issues but, in the book, they are portrayed as being completely useless and defences which is most likely done on purpose to feed into Joe's heroic narrative/saviour complex. However, in the show, they are able to take care of themselves to some degree.

I also want to point out that I really did like this especially for the fact that it didn't romanticise Joe's actions, despite all the comparisons I have to the show I still think that this stands well on its own and I do feel like while I prefer the show's adaptation/interpretation, this was still very strong and acted as a strong commentary on the 'nice guy' culture. Overall, a very strong start to the series and I'm very interested in where the series goes from here as well as how different it will be from the Netflix show.

Content Warnings

coco78337's review against another edition

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dark mysterious sad tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.0

Content Warnings

theyannibannireads's review against another edition

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dark reflective sad tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.5

It was good, tried reading it before but that's when I thought it was a dark romance. It wasn't. This book is a horror book, Joe is a psychopath, a fucking stupid misogynist. It was incredible creepy and off-putting reading his thoughts. How he explains away his actions and opinions even when they harm/ kill people and then him explaining away everything, how he's actually the "victim" . I've meet men who have bits of Joe and it made me realise he's kinda just made up off little bits of the everyday man. Which just adds to the terror/horror of this book. The story really is just the the journey of a mad man. So the plot is kinda non existent. Its about the lengths he'll go to to make his delusions come true .He's a unreliable narrator so we only see / understand the other character from his pov so we never really get to know them. His assumptions about them aren't true so we never really know who they are. Like they all just felt like half made. I was just stuck with Joe, the last person on earth want to spend time with.

This is one of those times I like the book but dislike everyone in it. Think most of the like comes from the authors writing, its good. It feels like reading a diary. So maybe that's why it's good, its a easy read even better if your listening to the audiobook, which I did.

All in all I liked it but just to clarify this is not a romance book its a horror book everything that happened to the women in this book is tragic. Joe should be in prison.

Content Warnings