With binge-watching becoming increasingly popular in recent times, streaming services such as Netflix have become a major source for entertainment for many. Netflix has recently released ‘Luckiest Girl Alive’, an adaptation of the bestselling novel of the same name by the same name, as an original series. In this article, we will take a look at the major differences between the Netflix series and the novel ‘Luckiest Girl Alive’ in order to determine which one of them is worth watching for fans of the book.
What is Luckiest Girl Alive?
Luckiest Girl Alive is a psychological thriller novel written by American author Jessica Knoll. The novel was published by Simon & Schuster in 2015 and has become a New York Times bestseller. The novel follows the story of Ani FaNelli, a New York City magazine editor trying to discover the truth behind a traumatic event that happened to her eight years earlier. She also finds out that her perfect life may not be as perfect as it seems.
Plot summary of the Novel
Luckiest Girl Alive follows Ani FaNelli as she embarks on a mission to find out the truth behind her past. Eight years ago, Ani was brutally attacked during her junior prom night and left for dead. After the attack, Ani goes to a prestigious boarding school and is successful in her career. But when a journalist begins to dig into Ani’s past, she is forced to confront the unresolved issues from her teenage years. As she pieces together what really happened to her, she discovers that life may not be as perfect as she thought.
Plot Summary of the Netflix Show
The Netflix show sticks to the original storyline of the novel with a few key changes. Ani (played by Taylour Paige) is a successful magazine editor living in New York City who discovers that the perfect life she’s built may not be as perfect as it seems. The show follows the character’s journey of finding out the truth behind the traumatic event that happened to her eight years prior.
Characters in the Novel Vs. Characters in the Show
The characters in the novel and the show remain mostly the same, however, there are some slight differences.
In the novel, Ani is a complex character who’s ambitious and driven but also has a darker side. She is strong-willed and determined to uncover the truth of what happened to her eight years ago.
The show follows the same characterization, but adds a few additional layers to her character by giving her a more vulnerable side and making her struggles appear more real and tangible.
Differences between the Novel and Show
One of the major differences between the novel and the show is the pacing. The novel is fast-paced, as Ani quickly unravels her past and seeks vengeance for her attackers. The show, on the other hand, is slower-paced, taking its time to properly and effectively tell the story.
Other major differences between the novel and the show include:
- Relocation – In the novel, the story is set in Pennsylvania and New York City, while the show takes place solely in New York City.
- Timeline – The timeline of the show is slightly different from the novel. For instance, in the novel, the traumatic event occurred eight years prior during prom night. However, in the show, the event took place on Halloween.
- Supporting Characters – Several minor characters were added in the Netflix adaptation, such as Ani’s friends, her husband, and her therapist.
Themes in the Novel and Show
The main theme in both the novel and the show is dealing with the past. Ani FaNelli is struggling to face and confront her trauma from the past and in the process discovers her true identity. She also has to confront her guilt and ultimately finds the courage to move on and be the person she was meant to be.
The book ‘Luckiest Girl Alive’ and the Netflix series adaptation have many differences, such as their pacing, timeline, relocation, and extra supporting characters. However, the main theme remains the same throughout both, as the characters must confront their past in order to move forward. Ultimately, both the novel and the Netflix show are worth a watch and provide an interesting exploration into the complex life of Ani FaNelli.
