The movie left out some really good stuff from the book.

***SPOILERS**** (obviously)

I liked the movie well enough but as usual, I found the book way better. I know a movie can't incorporate everything but I felt it did leave out some very good scenarios.

1) In the book, the way Barb tells Brian Bangs of Sheba's affair is totally different. Brian actually asks her to lunch and Barb considers it a "date". Hence she fusses over herself, her clothes, her hair, gets all nervous, etc. All the while admitting she doesn't really like Brian. When Brian confesses he wants info on Sheba, that is the crushing point for Barb when she tells. That's the same in the movie (the crushing point), but the lead up in the book as to WHY it was such a turning point is WAY better. The fact that Brian, a man Barb abhorred, seemingly did not care much for at all, thought was a complete dolt, yet she went out of her way to "impress him" and even HE does not want her... See what I mean? CRUSHING!

2) There is a section in the book that describes Sheba riding her bike to the Connolly home, desperately seeking out Steven after she has been calling and calling and he doesn't answer her calls. She then hides in the bushes and sees him leave with some friends, one of which is presumed to be his new "girlfriend". The parts where SHE is chasing HIM down is not in the movie at all and I think it would have made for a more dramatic representation of Sheba's full character. In the book, she is shown to be having a delusional school girl-like crush on the boy. The movie portrays the relationship as mostly Steven being the aggressor though. It was simply not like that in the book.

3) In the book, Sheba ends up staying with Barb after the discovery of the diary and subsequent fight. Sheba is painted as just as alone as Barb at that point and every bit as desperate. She doesn't have Steven, she has lost her family, and everyone has shunned her. She almost has no choice but to stick with Barb. This I find was the most sinister part of it all. Sort of like Misery. Barb needed to completely crush Sheba so that she would never leave and she won. The book ends on this poignant line: "The rain stopped by then and she wanted to go for a walk. I let her go alone. I dare say she'll be alright by herself. She seems quite steady and calm after her rest. And she knows, by now, not to go too far without me." The movie completely ignored this angle, which IMO was the better way to go. Richard taking Sheba back and Barb meeting the stranger on the bench was not as effecting,

I think those were the three main things I felt were missing. There were a few others but perhaps not as big. I understand you can't get every little thing in but these three I felt changed the feel of the story for me.

Thanks for reading my wall of text! I'd love to hear other opinions on it from those who read the book.

"Danger. Danger. My hooks are flailing wildly."