Hey you! I heard how much you missed my old blog, Netflix: Fire or Dire, so I had to bring it back for an ULTIMATE CROSSOVER EPISODE!!!! Today, I will be reviewing both the book and the Netflix show Alias Grace, all the product of my second AR book of the year. Towards the beginning of November, my friend Lily Crowley and I browsed the library for a book to read for our partner AR book, where we read a book together and have weekly, graded discussions on it. We were looking through the accepted AP list when we came across a book called Alias Grace, read the summary, and immediately were interested. 

Upon beginning this novel, we both felt confused and intrigued. This book is written from two points of view, one from Grace’s and the other from a narrator who knows Simon’s thoughts. Our main character, Grace, is accused of murder with the help of a man named McDermott. However, Grace claims that she cannot remember the events of the murder and whether or not she helped McDermott. Both of them were originally sentenced to death, but Grace’s sentence was changed to life in prison, although McDermott was still hanged. The novel picks up about 15 years after the murders happened, when a young doctor, Dr. Simon Jordan, begins speaking with her every day in an effort to help her regain her memory. 

I highly enjoyed this novel, which is honestly shocking for an AR book. The setup was cool, with each section beginning with excerpts from real newspapers and confessions of the characters. Because even though Simon and the plot of the book are a work of fiction, Grace Marks, McDermott, and the murders of Nancy and Mr. Kinnear actually happened in real life. The confusion and contradictions as to whether or not she helped in the killings, as well as whether or not she was lying, kept me on my toes and intrigued throughout the whole novel. I thought it was super cool that each section was named after a different quilt pattern and reflected what was going on in Grace’s life and the story. Lily and I didn’t pick up on that until our third discussion, and it was so cool to have that lightbulb moment with her and realize the importance of the section titles. I can’t lie, I was disappointed with the ending, which reflected my thoughts regarding the show, as well. It just felt like none of the characters’ lives/plots were truly resolved, and I left with more questions than when I started reading.

With that being said, the verdict is in: the show was FIRE. It brought the characters to life so perfectly. The casting, the acting, the coloring, the setting. Every detail was almost exactly as it was from the book, which I loved! I was so intrigued the entire time, even though I knew what was going to happen. Seeing it on screen really renewed my love for the character Mary Whitney, Grace’s best friend at the one house where she worked. As well, it wouldn’t be a Netflix review without the teeniest, tiniest sprinkle of a romantic subplot, which I can safely say will haunt me for a long time. Let me tell you, the book had elements of a small romantic plot between Simon and Grace, with his dreams and thoughts of her, but seeing it on the screen? Devastating, heartbreaking, horrifying, terrible. You should totally watch this show and/or read the book, but let me warn you, do not expect to finish this show without shedding at least a tear. How depressing. If ykyk. Seriously, though, Simon’s microexpressions carried this entire show. Again… if you know, you know. I literally took my phone around to my friends during lunch to show them the one scene. Peak yearning. 

Anyway, I would give both the show and the book a FIRE rating, because my small disappointments did not take away from my overall enjoyment of the story. I would 100% recommend it, especially if you are a student in need of an AR book. This one has an intriguing plot, with aspects of mystery, murder, classism, and female oppression. And the biggest bonus of all: it has a Netflix show that is super similar in plot, so if you get confused, you can watch it to help clear up what is going on! Genuinely, my biggest advice for reading books that have lots of old language or take place in an older setting is to find a show or movie based on the book and watch that to help you understand while you read. Happy reading/watching!!!

Xoxo,

Savanna