Deep Water by Patricia Highsmith – The Book vs. The Movie

Read This:

Deep Water by Patricia Highsmith

Watch This:

Deep Water on Hulu

Why We Made this Selection and Background Knowledge

Julie: I knew about this book because I follow all celebrity gossip and I knew it was the movie Ana de Armas and Ben Affleck met on the set and began dating. I wanted to watch the movie but then my husband watched it without me while I was at yoga I walked in as the credits were rolling and he said, “I knew the husband did it.” Then I got mad that he ruined it for me… but now I realize from the book, it really wasn’t a secret that the husband was doing it all along.

Claire: Never heard of it.

Before you say which you liked better, did you read the book or listen to the audiobook… because it matters.

Julie: Read the physical book

Claire: Read on Kindle

Overall Opinion of the Book

Julie: I did not realize the book was set in the 50s until I started reading it and checked the copyright date. It was a little hard to get into at first. The writing style and some of the situations were hard to relate to, but overall I enjoyed the book.

Claire: The book was kind of hard for me to follow and I wasn’t really interested in it until the drowning. Then it was hard for me to put it down. You can definitely tell it’s an older writing style.

Overall Opinion of the Movie

Julie: I’m not sure I’d like the movie on its own but watching it after reading the book, I liked some of the changes they made, specifically the ending of the movie. All the snail stuff could be confusing without the context from the book. The whole movie is really just a cautionary tale as to why it’s not good to be rich and bored.

Claire: It was really hard for me to picture most of the characters played by some of the actors that they were.

Which was better, the Book or the Movie?

Julie: The Movie

Claire: The Movie

Ranking…

1. Was the outcome the same in both the show and the book? No
2. Was the main character/primary narrator the same in the show and the book? Yes
3. Was the primary conflict the same in the show and the book? Yes
4. Would you read the book again or recommend it to a friend? Julie: Yes, Claire: Yes
5. Would you watch the show/movie again or recommend it to a friend? Julie: No, Claire: No

Overall rating: 3/5

To listen to the full episode on Deep Water check out But the Book was Better on Apple and Spotify. Don’t forget to subscribe so you know exactly when each episode is released!